MT-12 Rapira 100 mm towed anti-tank gun (Russia)
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 25/01/2023

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 The MT-12 Rapira was a Soviet towed anti-tank gun. It is an improved version of the T-12 anti-tank gun. This anti-tank gun was developed during the late 1960. In 1970 it replaced in production the T-12. It was produced in the city of Yurga. During the Cold War this gun has been exported to a number of Soviet allies, including East Germany. Despite its age this anti-tank gun is still used in Russia and some countries. Most of them are former Soviet republics. Ukraine is currently one of the largest operator of this gun with around 500 units in service and in storage.

   The MT-12 is deployed by mechanized and motorized infantry units. These anti-tank guns are used to protect the flanks against hostile counter-attacks during rapid advances.

   The MT-12 Rapira follows the lines of the previous T-12 anti-tank gun. It has a new 2A29 100 mm smoothbore gun, improved gun carriage and gun shield. It use the same ammunition as the T-12.

   This gun is normally equipped with 20 rounds of ammunition. This includes 10 Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) rounds to engage tanks and heavily armored targets, 6 High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) rounds to engage lightly armored and soft skin vehicles, and 4 High-Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG) rounds to engage hostile troops, buildings and various area targets.

   The APFSDS round has a maximum range of 3 km. The HEAT round has a maximum range of 5.95 km. The HE-FRAG round has a maximum range of 8.2 km. In most cases this gun is used on ranges of up to 3 km, as visibility on the battlefield is often limited. This anti-tank gun is normally used as defensive weapon. It is camouflaged and fires from an ambush.

   This 100 gun is no longer effective against modern main battle tanks. It can not penetrate front armor of modern main battle tanks, unless at very close ranges. However it is still useful against other armored vehicles.

   Though in most cases this gun is used on much shorter ranges, as visibility on the battlefield does not allow to exploit such ranges. Normally this anti-tank gun is used as defensive weapon and fires from ambush.

   This anti-tank gun has a crew of 6 or 7. It includes commander, gunner, loader, 2 ammunition crewmen and driver of the towing vehicle. It is normally towed by an MT-LB tracked armored vehicle. Alternatively the MT-12 can be towed by Ural 6x6 military truck, or other vehicles. The towing vehicle carries the crew and 20 rounds of ammunition for the gun. For short distances this gun can be moved by its crew. Emplacement time is only 60 seconds.

   When traveling over snow or marshlands the gun carriage can be equipped with LO-7 ski kit.

   Planned replacement of the MT-12 Rapira was a 2A45 Sprut-A and 2A45M Sprut-B 125 mm anti-tank guns. The last mentioned had a small engine for self-propulsion and self-emplacement. These guns used the same 125 mm ammunition as the T-64, T-72, T-80 and T-90 main battle tanks. Both guns were designed in the late 1980s. Future of the 2A45 Sprut-A is unclear, but production of the 2A45M Sprut-B commenced in 1989. However this anti-tank gun never fully replaced the MT-12. The MT-12 is still in service, even thought it is no longer effective against modern main battle tanks.

Variants.

   MT-12R, also known as the 2A29R Ruta. It is an upgraded version fitted with RLPK-1 radar. The radar is uses for firing in adverse weather conditions and when visibility is poor due to fog or smoke.

   MT-12K, or 2A29K Kastet, is an upgraded version, compatible with 9M117 anti-tank guided missiles. Missiles are launched in the same manner as ordinary munitions. These anti-tank missiles were designed to improve accuracy of the gun at long ranges. Special kit needs to be mounted on the gun in order to use these missiles. These missiles have laser guidance. Once the missile is launched the gunner only has to keep the crosshair on the target, and the missiles steers itself automatically. Maximum range of fire is 4 km. Missile penetrates 550-660 mm of steel armor behind explosive reactive armor. Also range has no effect on penetration capabilities of the missile. The MT-12K was introduced in 1981.

   A407 is a Romanian anti-tank gun, which is very similar to the MT-12. Variants of this gun include the A407M1 and A407M2. The Model 2002 is an improved version, fitted with automatic control system.