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Russia is developing an AI-powered unmanned tank — here’s how it could impact the battlefield
Russia is accelerating development of an unmanned battle tank with artificial intelligence (AI) in a bid to revolutionize military operations in the conflict ongoing in Ukraine. The T-72 tank, already widely used by the Russian Armed Forces, was chosen as the platform for the creation of these autonomous vehicles, called T-72 Shturm.
The initiative is part of an experimental design project led by Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), under the direction of Russian Ministry of Defense, as reported by military expert Viktor Murakhovsky on 24 September of 2024.
Murakhovsky, retired colonel and editor-in-chief of the military magazine “Arsenal of the Fatherland“, stated that the T-72 was selected due to its cost-effectiveness, robustness, protection capability and mobility.
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These features are essential to transform the T-72 into a Remote Controlled Tank (RTK) capable of operating in complex combat scenarios, with little or no human intervention.
The Shturmr battle tank project
O Shturm project It was conceived before the conflict in Ukraine, but the unfolding of the war accelerated the development and testing of this unmanned battle tank. UVZ began testing in 2023, using the T-72B3 model as a base.
The exercises included live-fire firing against simulated targets, evaluating the performance of the main armament, a cannon 125 mm, in addition to other autonomous capabilities.
These tests mark an important step forward in Russia's attempt to integrate AI and autonomous systems into its ground forces.
The choice of an already tested and modified tank gun for the T-72 Shturm reflects the strategic use of combat-proven weapons.
The 2mm 46A125 gun with a shortened barrel has been adjusted to operate efficiently in this new unmanned system. In addition, the tank will be equipped with the RPO-2 “Shmel-M” flamethrower, 30mm automatic cannons and 220mm unguided thermobaric rockets derived from the TOS-1A Solntsepyok system.
This combination of armaments allows the Shturm RTK to perform a wide range of offensive operations.
Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Control
The most innovative element of the T-72 Shturm is its ability to operate autonomously, based on artificial intelligence and neural networks.
The fire control system, inspired by technologies employed in the T-90M and T-14 Armata tanks, has been adapted to allow the T-72 to identify targets and make firing decisions independently.
This provides a significant advantage on the battlefield, allowing the tank to react quickly to threats without relying on direct human supervision.
The RTK's control and navigation systems also represent a major advance. Sensors in the ultrasonic, visible and infrared spectrums allow the vehicle to move in formation with other tanks, navigate rough terrain and avoid obstacles.
AI, combined with these sensing technologies, makes the T-72 Shturm capable of adapting to different combat scenarios and making complex tactical decisions.
Impact on military dynamics
Yuri Knutov, another Russian military expert, highlighted the potential impact of this unmanned main battle tank on the operational dynamics of the Russian Armed Forces.
According to Knutov, the use of autonomous vehicles can significantly reduce the risk to soldiers in combat, especially in situations where exposure to enemy fire would be dangerous. By operating remotely, tanks can be sent into high-risk areas without putting human lives at risk.
However, deploying unmanned vehicles requires tactical adjustments. The effectiveness of anti-tank guided missiles, often employed by Ukrainians, has already proven to be a substantial threat to traditional armored vehicles.
Knutov suggests that to maximize the effectiveness of unmanned tanks, military commanders should adopt new tactics, such as the formation of “tank carousel“, where three vehicles take turns in combat, providing greater flexibility and minimizing losses.
The T-72B3 and the evolution of Russian tanks
Introduced in 2011, the T-72B3 is a modernized version of the T-72B tank, designed to approach the performance levels of more modern tanks such as the T-90A.
Equipped with the 2A46M-5 125 mm smoothbore cannon, the T-72B3 can fire a variety of projectiles, including anti-tank guided missiles with a range of up to 5.000 meters. In addition, it has additional armaments, such as PKT and “Kord” machine guns, for anti-aircraft defense and ground combat.
One of the main highlights of the T-72B3 is its armor. Equipped with Relikt Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) modules, the tank offers increased protection against armor-piercing ammunition and tandem warheads.
This is complemented by the Kontakt-5 ERA system, which further increases the vehicle's endurance. In addition, the T-72B3 is equipped with nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection systems, ensuring crew safety in contaminated environments.
The T-72B3's mobility is also remarkable. Powered by a V-84MS diesel engine, which generates 840 horsepower, the tank can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h on roads and 35-45 km/h on uneven terrain.
With wide tracks and a robust suspension, the vehicle is capable of traversing difficult terrain with relative ease, making it a versatile platform for operations in a variety of combat scenarios.
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