15. T-72 Battle Tank – Russia
Manufacturers: Uralvagonzavod's Heavy Vehicles Factory, Leonid Kartsev-Valeri Venediktov
Main Users: Russian Armed Forces and the Soviet Union
Program Cost: $12.5 billion*
Unit cost: $500,000*
The T-72 Battle Tank was developed as a more cost-effective and reliable alternative to the T-64, which was an expensive and overly complex project. First introduced in 1973, the T-72 has since become one of the most widely produced tanks in the world, with over 25,000 units manufactured.
©Credit: commons.wikimedia.org/Vitaly Kuzmin
The T-72 has been exported to over 40 countries and has seen action in numerous conflicts. Its design features include a 125mm smoothbore tank gun and an optical coincidence rangefinder. Despite its age, the T-72 remains a key component of many nations’ armored forces.