KM-73

The Original Model KM-73A

### Armament

x1 122mm Dazirodnik DV70A, 7.71mm Pactovic Chernkal PVcT-63B2 MMG, x1 13.6mm Pactovic PVcBT-72A HMG

### Engine

x1 Kamovet 71M1SD 800 hp V12 Diesel Engine

### Range

440 km, 680 km (With External Fuel Drums)

### Speed

68 km/h

The **KM-73** (*Kilmetov Mashinero Model Of 1973*) is a production line of Marnin 2nd/3rd generation main battle tanks that entered production and service in 1973. The tank's constant domestic and international refurbishments have kept it up to date with contemporary MBTs despite its age. It has seen service in several minor and major conflicts with many users.

## Development

### KM-65

The KM-65 was Marniya's first model and only similar model of MBT to proceed the KM-73. The tank was a major leap forward for Marnin engineering, showing the step forward they had taken in MBT development. However, from the use it had, the KM-65 was found to be massively over expensive for its flaws.

### Early Development

It became clear to Marnin engineers that the KM-65 wasn't going to cut it, and that a newer generation of MBT needed to be developed for a cheaper price, and more cost benefit. The solution was to mount the new Dazirodnik DV70A 122mm Cannon into a chassis of similar design to that of the KM-65. The new tank was to have a modified and more reliable turret floor ring autoloader system, and a more powerful and reliable engine to allow for higher top speeds and easier maintenance.

### KM-73 (Shasiv 642)

Immediately after the KM-65's entered into service, the KM-73 (Prototype Name Shasiv 642) began its development. The idea of the new MBT was to completely replace the KM-58s, which at the time were still the majority MBT in Marnin Service as well as provide a much needed improvement to the KM-65. The first prototypes mounted the older Dazirodnik DV62A2 122mm Gun, and featured an autoloader almost identical to that of the KM-65. However by 1970, what would be the KM-73 was finally taking complete shape. Now mounting the new Dazirodnik DV70A 122mm and new, more reliable autoloader system as planned. The tank finally entered production/service in 1973 under the name KM-73.

## Service History

### Marniya

In Marnin service, the KM-73 saw an incredible number of models produced and upgraded. A total of 33,000 were produced for service in Marniya and many were upgraded into the KM-73's derivatives, like the KM-73/81T and KM-73/93. Out of 33,000 total produced, around 3,600 were converted into KM-73/93s and 5,900 into KM-73/81Ts. Meanwhile the remaining 23,500 were upgraded to the most modern KM-73E3TJ3s or one of the 6 Previous Models.

The Marnin Military, Airborne, and Marines made incredible use of all 3 upgrades of the MBT in major and minor conflicts they participated in. However the tank most notably suffered losses in the 1975 Ludechen Civil War due to the diesel engines not being fit for extreme cold. This lead to the creation of the KM-73/81Ts for cold war climates. The Marnin Marine Corps and Airborne even made their own variants, tuned to be lighter in order to be more effectively transported on Marnin heavy lift aircraft and landing crafts.

### Al Rakhban

Following various abortive attempts at creating a domestic replacement to the KM-58, Al-Rakhban eventually settled in the late 1970s for acquiring a license to produce the KM-73 domestically. While the first 500 were essentially just KM-73A2s modified with an air conditioning system, called the KM-76ar. However, Rakhbani military leadership found them somewhat unsuitable, believing their mediocre power to weight ratio would negatively affect upgrade capacity. Al Mutra Heavy Industries was tasked with remedying this and, four years later, their prototype was given a contract for mass production. Named the Dqr-80, the vehicle had an upgraded Rakhbani fire control system, improved composite armour and a Rakhbani 1000 hp engine.

The vehicle entered service within the year and was soon at the forefront of the Rakhbani push into Rajastan in early 1983. Despite thoroughly outclassing Rajastani and Abyandi armour, the Dqr suffered in urban fighting such as that seen in the battle of Alvadil. This led to a rushed upgrade adding removeable sandwich plate ERA to the side skirts as well as a removeable remote controlled roof mounted weapons system capable of mounting a 40mm automatic grenade launcher or a 13.6mm HMG, both capable of high elevation angles. This soon entered the fray with Revolutionary Guard units, which together with doctrinal changes, greatly improved the survivability of the type.

In 1986, the Dqr-86 entered service. This had an upgraded 1200hp powerpack, additional modular turret composite, heavy hull ERA and improved electronics including thermal sights for the commander and gunner. This was soon followed by upgrades implementing some fo these features on the Dqr-80, then the ultimate tank of the series, the Dqr-91, fielding a new turret armed with a 132mm cannon, as well as improvements elsewhere.

### Jasinovalkia

The first purchase of KM-73s by Jansinovalkia came in 1979, totaling 110 tanks. The vehicles were of the KM-73A3 model, designated Atp.73-M1A(M), and upgraded with interchangeable domestic parts. After 1981, under contract, Marniya moved manufacturing equipment via rail following the purchase of a license. Upon completion of the factory, the National People's Army Of Jansinovalkia decided to upgun and upgrade the tank, after further manufacturing 290 more. The choice to ask of Savkowan's Zjłola Royal Armaments to assist in the upgrade process was incredibly controversial.

In 1984, the new Atp.73M1B(M) was born, the combination of eastern and western engineering produced one of the strangest MBTs in existence. The new tank gained the nickname of the Panterva, a Jasinovalkian animal of folklore, for its howl of the Savkowani built power pack. By 1990, the tank had been produced in a total of 630, and upgraded almost completely from the base model. The tank was given the domestically produced 122mm Itoshlev IR-85M1 cannon, as well as the rechambered in 7.71x55mm and 13.6x118mm Savkowani Shkwal Sk45TM5 7.19mm MMG and Shkwal Sk47TM4 12.9mm HMG, known locally as the Zakbav Z-72M3 and Z-80M2 machine guns. On top of the upgrades to armament, came the upgrade to the Chanyot HZ90-T 1,250 hp turbocharged V8 engine, and

## Operators

* Marniya
	+ Marnin People's Army
	+ Marnin People's Marine Corps
	+ Marnin Ryblinkov Guard's Regiment
	+ Marnin People's Airbone Infantry
	+ Marnin Brigade To The GCC
* Al Rakhban
	+ Rakhbani Army
	+ Peoples Revolutionary Guard Airborne Corps
	+ Peoples Revolutionary Guard Ground Force
	+ Peoples Revolutionary Guard Nautical Corps
* Jasinovalkia
	+ National People's Army Of Jansinovalkia
	+ National People's Naval Infantry Of Jasinovalkia

## Variants

### Marniya

* **Shasiv 642(A)** - Initial 1968 prototype of the KM-73, using the older Dazirodnik DV62A2 122mm gun and the same I5 Kamovet 61M2SI 680hp diesel engine as well as autoloader system as the KM-65A.
	+ **Shasiv 642(B)** - Latter 1971 prototype of the KM-73, with the final production Kamovet 71MSD 800hp V12 diesel engine, redesigned autoloader with a shell ejection system and Dazirodnik DV70A 122mm gun.
	+ **Shasiv 642(C)** - Prototype final production variant, with redesigned turret to accommodate a bustle autoloader.

* **KM-73A** - Initial 1973 production variant with minor upgrades from the Shasiv 642B Prototype.
	+ **KM-73A2** - 1974 upgrade of the base KM-73, with improved FCS and armor.
	+ **KM-73A3** - 1976 upgrade with further improvements to the FCS and upgrades to the power pack, as well as new tracks.
	+ **KM-73B** - 1980 model with further upgrades to the electronics, FCS, and redesigned tracks as well as Avganka-1 ERA.
	+ **KM-73B2** - 1981 upgrade with further electronic upgrades.
	+ **KM-73B3** - 1982 upgrade with a new power pack.
	+ **KM-73B3T** - Later 1982 upgrade of the B3J with thermal imaging for the gunner.
	+ **KM-73C** - 1983 model with more systems enhancement and engine tuning, as well as an upgraded Avganka-3 ERA package, as well as a redesign of the turret and hull composite.
	+ **KM-73C2** - Later 1983 upgrade with further systems upgrades.
	+ **KM-73C3** - 1984 upgrade with further system upgrades.
	+ **KM-73D** - 1985 model with new sandwich plate Avganka-4 ERA, and new upgrades to the armor of the hull.
	+ **KM-73D2** - 1986 upgrade with more electronics and power pack enhancements.
	+ **KM-73D3** - 1988 upgrade with the new addition of the Zoveka Hard Kill APS System.
	+ **KM-73E** - 1990 model with the new Zoveka 2 Hard Kill APS, and new engine, electronic systems upgraded turret, hull armor as well as the PVcB-72R3 RCWS.
	+ **KM-73E2** - 1994 upgrade with new electronics, a further enhanced powerpack and new Avganka-4B ERA Panels.
	+ **KM-73E3** - 1996 upgrade with the new Opetkov Hard Kill APS system, and further enhancements to the vehicles overall systems and performance.

* **KM-73/81TA** - The initial production variant of the gas turbine upgrade to the KM-73, for operation in cold weather environments, and featured the same electronic and armor upgrade as the KM-73B2J and KM-73B2J2.
	+ **KM-73/81TA2** - 1982 upgrade with similar enhancements as the KM-73B3.
	+ **KM-73/81TA3** - 1983 upgrade with similar enhancements as the KM-73C.
	+ **KM-73/81TB** - Late 1983 model with similar enhancements as the KM-73C2.
	+ **KM-73/81TB2** - 1984 upgrade with similar enhancements as the KM-73C3.
	+ **KM-73/81TB3** - 1985 upgrade with similar enhancements as the KM-73D.
	+ **KM-73/81TC** - 1986 model with similar enhancements as the KM-73D2.
	+ **KM-73/81TC2** - 1988 upgrade with similar enhancements as the KM-73D3.
	+ **KM-73/81TC3** - 1990 upgrade with similar enhancements as the KM-73E
	+ **KM-73/81TD** - 1994 model with similar enhancements as the KM-73E2.
	+ **KM-73/81TD2** -1996 upgrade with similar enhancements as the KM-73E3.

* **KM-73/93A** - The initial production variant of the "Long Range Combat Operations" Variants. Featuring a new turbocharged diesel engine, the experimental Shavra Soft Kill APS, as well as a complete redesign of the turret and hull armor.
	+ **KM-73/93A2** -1994 upgrade, similar to the KM-73E2, however difference being the different engine being upgrades, as well as the soft kill APS being upgraded.
	+ **KM-73/93A3** -1997 upgrade with new tuning to the soft kill APS and powerpack.

* **KMet-73A** - 1991 variant, built off the KM-73D3 chassis, and made for use as a convoy escort in urban environments. Fit with a new turret with the Shavra Soft Kill APS, twin 32mm autocannons, and the ZTM-7 Zayutm ATGM, as well as enhanced visibility for all 3 crew members.
	+ **KMet-73A2** - 1994 upgrade with changes to the soft kill APS, as well as the new turbocharged power pack from the KM-73/93A2
	+ **KMet-73A3** - 1997 upgrade with similar upgrades to the KM-73/93A3.
	+ **KMet-73/93A** - 1996 model built off the KM-73/93A2 chassis.

* **BTD-73TA** - 1990 model built off the oldest KM-73 chassis still in service, in attempt to make them practical rather than scrapping. The product was an APC conversion with heavy armor, similar in looks and purpose to the BTD-58TA.
	+ **BTD-73TA2** - 1995 upgrade with a better more efficient power pack, developed specially for the chassis to be more compact to allow for more infantry space.

* **KM-73A-D1(ID)** - Combat engineering variant of the KM-73, with armaments varying among models, from manned HMGs to RCWS Systems.

### Al-Rakhban

* **KM-76ar** - Initial 1976 variant, essentially a KM-73A2 with an air conditioning system.
* **Dqr-80** - 1980 upgrade featuring improved FCS and electronics, additional composite armour and greatly improved 1000hp powerpack.
	+ **Dqr-80t1** - 1983 upgrade featuring side ERA sandwich plates and removeable remote controlled weapon station, able to mount GPMGs, HMGs or AGLs.
	+ **Dqr-80t2** - 1987 upgrade featuring electronics upgrades derived from those of the Dqr-86 including thermals, as well as the ability to mount ERA.
	+ **Dqr-80t3** - 1991 upgrade along the lines of the Dqr-91. Features improved electronics, provision to mount heavy ERA and provision to mount APS.
* **Dqr-86** - 1986 upgrade of the Dqr-80 an upgraded 1200hp powerpack, additional modular turret composite, heavy hull ERA and improved electronics including thermal sights for the commander and gunner.
	+ **Dqr-86t1** - 1991 upgrade along the lines of the Dqr-91. Features improved electronics and provision to mount APS.
* **Dqr-91** - 1991 derivative of the Dqr-86. Features rebuilt turret with altered composite layout and 132mm bustle autoloaded main gun, upgraded electronics and the provision to mount APS.