steppewolfRO

Apparently, F-35 can dogfight:

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/03/01/norwegian-f-35-pilot-counters-controversial-dogfighting-report/81170580/

I think is good enough for transport planes

Well, things are getting quiet lately. Legend promoted at Chisinau about Bucharest says that Moldovan citizens united against an oligarchic regime (criminal, mafia, corrupt, etc.) which is the puppet of Plahotniuc, a billionaire who (for obscure reasons) is backed by Romania, the European Union and the US.

Gorno 90s in BTR-90 was a overpowered combo imo. They have that Metys-M with 26 AP and a powerful autocannon, both good to abuse in the opening move to set up a perimeter. This combo can basically deny all enemy capable forces with good micro. They still have the early BTRs so still wheeled (if I remember corectly).

Tomcat was indeed a surprise, I'll have to look to few games to see how I'll deal with it (no ASF in my Easter Block deck). But it wasn't such a good plane and accuracy of those Phoenix missiles isn't great and will struggle against good ECM. It may have some sort of psychological impact until everybody figures how it works. 

BMP-3 nerf is good, that unit was abused and in the end the primary role is that one of an IFV not a light tank, that guided AT ammo should be for defense not offense. 

Generally the accuracy of older red tanks is okay, they can actually hit something now. 

MG3 nerf for line infantry put Jagers and Gevs in the line with other similar units 

SBS finally useful

I am curious to see now how K-50 / Mi-28 works but I suspect it isn't much of a change as last evening one petty NM135 killed a KA 

As I said there are a lot of myths about Romanian nationalism but there isn't any single party in Parliament (or near the limit of 5%) with such a platform or something to resemble with a nationalistic platform even remotely. There was a nationalistic candidate in 2000 (Corneliu Vadim Tudor) but he had 20% in presidential elections because of the fragmentation of right wing and the fashion of anti system voting, other than that he was perceived more as a clown and never got more than 7-8% which were mostly votes of the communist nostalgic communists. There are small extremists groups (but those are everywhere) but their impact is negligible, 99% of average citizen is not even aware such groups/platforms/organisations/parties even exist. 

If you are speaking about historical Nationalism than I think Romania does not evolve over the pattern of the newly created European modern states. Here you can find a brief history of Romanian nationalist, it's quite objective although a bit old:

http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1402&context=mcnair

But generally nationalistic political figures are now regarded as ridiculous and there's no serious sign that nationalism will be a theme in Romanian politics. 

There are a lot of myths about Romanian nationalism. But last year we elected German ethic president of Lutheran with a wide majority 54,43% from a presence of 62,04% while the Romanian demographics give an 88,2 % Romanian ethnic and Orthodox majority. But let's not hijack this discussion, if you want we can continue on RO_MANIA topic. Funny, we think here Russian anthem sounds much better. 

I also play this game so feel free to add me  (username: steppewolfro, display name steppewolf[RO] ). 

Well, I am not following very close these elections and besides I am foreigner but here's my 2 cents considering we had here a president who had about the same profile as Trump (Mr. Basescu).

Personally I'd vote Bush or Rubio.  Jeb Bush have something of a good guy in him. Rubio is more spectacular and is Cuban but that issue with the sound bite was awful for his chances and it's probably good that the public reacted in such manner, you will not see anything like this in Romania, where politicians speak only in texts learned. 

But Bush and Rubio have no identity. Or they have but it's very pale.

Moldovan press reports that Tiraspol airport was prepared for military operations of Russian army; I couldn't find a good source in English but it is easily readable with google translate from Romanian:

http://www.timpul.md/articol/(doc)-operaiunea-tuman-pregatita-de-putin-in-moldova-la-tiraspol-a-fost-construit-un-orael-militar-care-include-i-un-aerodrom-special-87579.html

Paratrooper all day clothes (early 80s):

Caporal, 64th Para Regiment, Boteni, 1982

On the photo is written "With love" and a signature. Summer outfit, probably early 80s

Picture with Para training probably from an Army magazine, 80s:

Border guards shoulder patch:

Mountain hunters training 80s (probably Army magazine):

Evolution of Mountain Hunters equipment:

Guards and Protocol Regiment recruits during 1989 events, easily to recognize after their white belts:

Probably a signal unit, 1976:

1980, propaganda picture, infantry squad (red signs near neck, not sure how to call ém in English):

1983, MIGs during Unified Forces Exercises:

1989, probably infantry, hard to say without colors:

1989, PSL and scopes were quite common even in the armored/mechanized units:

1989, Infantry:

1980, Artillerymen

1989, Sergent-major, infantry:

Probably early 90s, Recon unit, Danube Delta:

Youth Defense of Country, propaganda picture:

middle 80s I thin, Patriotic guards propaganda picture:

80s, propaganda picture, Patriotic Guards led by Army officers during exercises:

1969, one Mountain Hunters battalion parade after receiving the honorific name "Avram Iancu"

I have many many pictures of Romanian armor from1989, if there is interest I can post them here. Also I can continue to post here too the stuff I am posting on Wargame Red Dragon if it is interest from you guys. 

Much ado about nothing, this is what is happening in Moldova. All parties are interested now in an appeasement.  Both sides politicians (pro-Russian, pro-EU) are thieves and known offenders and it's difficult to find somebody with whom you can have a dialogue knowing he/she have some sort of legitimacy.

Actually Russia is not in a good position to help Transnistria now with a hostile Ukraine in between so little interest for an escalation of the situation there. Will just try to induce insecurity feeling to Slav ethnics to keep a freezing conflict. 

Moldovans are in total confusion of identity for over 25 years. They have a long history with the other half of Moldova (In medieval principality of Moldova), 100 years of pure Russian rule and force Russification, a brief history with Romania in interwar and truth to be told Basarabia (as we call it) did not get the best treatment from Romanian modern stat and than another time with the Soviet empire (with same forced Russification, families who lived in Romania forbidden to even meet and so on).

Then, after the collapse of USSR, followed  for Moldova a 25 years of total collapse, misery and empty promises from all sides, local patriotism breathed on "Moldovan identity", which brought them finally to the bottom of this pit that is now.

There is a lot of talk here about an eventual Union with Romania and for a reason that I don't understand it seems that Russia don't like this possibility, although it's the same people and Russian rule over Moldova was obviously an arbitrary act between Ottomans and Russian Empire with which Principality of Moldova (as constituent part of Romanian modern state) never agreed. This union will happen at some point and will come naturally. Younger generation that will want the union it only has now no more than 30 years, and therefore still can not count very much on time politically but obviously its influence increases every year. When this generation will feel natural and normal gesture to reunite with Romania than this it will come about peacefully and with complete peace of conscience for everyone.

I'm not an expert but I think it is much more different than Soviet SDV:

http://www.military-today.com/firearms/psl.htm

It was designed to be used by average recruit and was present in all branches: border guards, mountain troops, infantry, mechanized infantry, recon teams, paratroopers; since it was developed after 1968 it was deemed to be different from Soviet variant in order to be impossible to use without Romanian ammo (which packed more punch).

Awesome pictures, shows the scars of war on people and vehicles. Grozny ressurection is impressive. Keep them coming

That small movie with guns sounds is interesting. I am curious how was filmed. To me is just wasted ammunition. But than again, if those soldiers were conscripts I can understand the frantic way of shooting, seen it myself in 1989.

IAR-99 Soim

This is probably the most successful plane project, it is still in service today and went trough various upgrades and variants. A new plane based on this one, with a new engine, for advanced trained/light attack but this isn't important for actual scope of this post.



IAR 99 "Șoim" (Hawk) is an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft capable of performing close air support and reconnaissance missions.




Development of the aircraft began in 1975 and it entered series production in 1987. Until 1989 17 Soims were delivered to Romanian Air Force.

this is an early 90s plane, apparently without upgrades:



Basic IAR-99 went trough 2 upgrade programs:

First one was in partnership with Israel in 1992. IAR-109 Swift was equipped with HOTAS (Hands On Throttle and Stick) controls, wide angle head-up display and ring laser gyro inertial navigation system. This aircraft had integrated both Eastern and Western weapon systems. Its export variant was the IAR-109TF, which also had secondary light attack capability. However in 1994 this programme was interrupted.

Second one, which is now operational was an  upgrade programe and  first upgraded aircraft made its maiden flight in 1997. In 1998 the Romanian Government ordered upgrade of IAR-99s. These upgraded aircraft were designated as the IAR-99C. Here is a photo of a plane with Python AA missiles. Aircraft has Israeli avionics package compatible with 5th generation fighter systems:



Romanian Air Force operate a total of 12 upgraded IAR-99C Soim and there is an intention to add a new plane with a new engine, improved fuselage etc.



There is much available online information about this plane. First link is the page of the designing institute
http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=134&Itemid=125
Second link is the page of the producer:
http://www.acv.ro/products_en.php?m=1&s=1

Plane on display at the producer's premises with weapons:

So to summarize, these were the projects:

IAR-93 Vultur was a close air support, ground attack and tactical reconnaissance aircraft, with secondary capability as low level interceptor. Combat capable two-seat version used also for advanced flying and weapon training. Started to fly in later 70s and was withdrew from service in later 90s. Before 1989 it was decided to be upgraded with equipment that was researched for IAR-95 (radar, avionics, missiles).

IAR 95 Spey/ME/S was a supersonic lightweight multirole fighter which was meant to replace MIG-21 and MIG-23; it was never completed because a suitable engine couldn’t be procured or produced under license.

IAR-99 was a trainer/light attack plane which was supposed to replace L-29 and L-39ZA. It is in service today with an upgraded variant able to launch guided missiles.

Although little is known about the planning of RSR (Romania Socialist Republic) military, I think the aim was to make it selfsufficient and standard because also a lot of other stuff was built like IR AA RAV-RS, A-921 air-ground missile (enhanced Kh-23), SEBAv submunitions launchers, radars, active jammers, chaff, flares etc.

It is obvious to me that Romanian planners kept an eye on Western weapons and cooperated with China.

As far as know Romania did not wanted to make another joint project with Yugoslavia for mainly two reasons: Tito started later in his life an approach on Soviet Union, fearing that state will be dismantled after his death and also refused to share technological upgrades of IAR-93. Yugoslav Orao was much more developed, truly CAS fighter while Romanian one was only capable to launch iron bombs or submunitions (e.g. clusters) and ability to launch KH-23 for example was possible later than Yugoslav equivalent.

Here is a post about IAR-93 which I made on another forum, you may find it interesting:

IAR-93 VULTUR or J-22 ORAO (Yugoslav variant):



Yugoslav early loadout:


Romanian early loadout:



An extensive technical description is available here:
http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=135&Itemid=118

Variants in service in RoAF:

IAR-93P1 (or A variant)
IAR-93P2 (or same A variant) – both pre-series variants.

IAR-93MB Vultur - 1982 (MB stands for “Basic Engine” which means this was the basic variants and first two were pre series);  2x 23 mm, 3 x 250 kg and 2 IR AA missiles load, 5 x 250 kg HE or 4 x LPR-57mm-32;

IAR-93B Vultur – 1985, entered service 1987; with afterburners; biggest number of built planes and used by RoAF was of this sort; increased internal fuel capacity, upgraded hard points and revised wing, including leading edge extensions. Also, the ventral fins, inboard wing fences and forward fuselage strakes were removed. This variant can be loaded with 5 x 500 kg iron bombs since its engines were more powerful.



The SEBAv submunition dispenser was developed for the IAR-93 and it was intended to be produced in 3 variants, SEBAv 1, 2 and 3 which were either clusters or anti-infantry submunitions. Also it was meant to incorporate Romanian made chaff, flares, IR traps, jammers who were incorporated in IAR-99 upgraded variant or MIG-21 upgrade Lancer A/B/C. Also, similar with Yugoslav ORAO it was meant to use guided missiles/bombs in later 80s/early 90s but eventually it was decided to be retired. Knowledge was used to upgrade IAR-99 with Israeli help.
Armament:
•    2 x 23 mm GSh-23L twin-barrel cannon in lower front fuselage, below engine air intakes, with 200 rds/gun; gun camera and GEC-Marconi D282 gyro gunsight
•    up to 2,500 kg (5,511 lb) on 5 pylons
•    BM 500 bomb
•    BEM 250 bomb
•    BE 100 bomb
•    LPR 122 rocket launcher
•    LPR 57 rocket launcher
•    PRN 80 rocket launcher
•    AA-2 Atoll / R-3S AAM (license-built in Romania as A-91) - only on some IAR-93B



Armament only on the J-22 ORAO
•    BL755 cluster bombs
•    AGM-65 Maverick TV guided AGM
•    AS-7 Kerry / Kh-23 Grom AGM
•    AA-8 'Aphid' AAM


It was used in Yugoslav wars:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soko_J-22_Orao




Few videos:

lHRSoCzAv2w

-PGOYC5KPCc

Jeg_MnUqfow

IAR-95 ME

IAR-95 was supposed to be the first Romanian supersonic plane. In late '70s, the initial studies for the IAR-95 supersonic fighter were started and it was meant to be a lightweight aircraft, with a single-engine configuration although one variant with two engines was also researched. The design required an engine thrust of 54 kN dry and 91 kN with afterburner, respectively. The aircraft was a high wing monoplane with side air intakes. One of the proposed designs featured two fins.

Although the structural design of IAR-95 was in a quite advanced stage and was trialed in wind tunnels, the lack of availability of a suitable engine led to the cancellation of the initial IAR-95 project in 1981 although some sources claim that research continued until 1984. Six mock-ups were created and studied, the last variant design (no. 6) being eventually picked for development.



Last variant:


IAR-95 technical data, for the study which was dropped in the middle 80s:
Length overall: 14.75 m
Height overall: 4.95 m
Wing Span:  8.7 m
Wing area, gross: 26 m²
Wing sweep at quarter chord: 35 deg.
Empty weight: 6800 kg
Maximum take-off weight: 10000 kg

And loadouts variants for early 80s version:





The supersonic fighter program was restarted in later '80s. First layout of the new design was named IAR-101 and had the general layout similar to the early IAR-95, but had a thicker fuselage, four hard points under the wings.

here is the presentation of the project on designing institute page:
http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139&Itemid=122

The next step was IAR-S, several models were built and tested in the wind tunnel. Those were either with a single engine or with single fin, two engines and two fins, single and two-seater. The single engine two-seater was presented as a multirole aircraft. The model of this last IAR-S layout is still kept today in the entry hall of INCAS. Other loadouts were taken into consideration (unfortunately I couldn't find a bigger pic):


The program was very ambitious and posed a real challenge for the Romanian aviation industry. In order to test the capabilities to produce such an aircraft, the decision was   taken to build first the IAR-95ME technology demonstrator but all was halted at the moment when a MIG-21 engine was supposed to be put in the mock-up for more tests. Ceausescu apparently did not wanted to grant the funds necessary for the development of this plane.



A lot of equipment was created in order to be used on CAS IAR-93, light attack IAR-99 and what was supposed to be multirole IAR-95 ME which was supposed to replace MIG-21 and MIG-23. This equipment included various ECMs, chaff, flares, RAV-RS IR missile, radar guided AA missiles, A921 (Romanian copy of KH-23 enhanced locally), submunition bombs (e.g. clusters, thermobaric) and even a anti-radiation missiles (one was in development and seeker was completed and it was intended to be trialed on Kh-23 until a larger and more powerful missile would have been developed).. Only IAR-99 finally received such enhancements since IAR-95 was never produced and IAR-93 third upgrade was dropped and plane was retired in early 90s.

Project presentation:


IAR-95 ME technical data after late 80’s research:

Length: 16.0 m
Wing span: 9.3 m
Height: 5.45 m
Wing area: 27.9 m²
Empty weight: 7,880 kg
Max T-O weight: 15,200 kg
Weapons max. load: 3,200 kg
Powerplant: One Tumansky R-29-300 turbojet rated at 122kN with afterburners.



Furthermore, Chinese were also queried for J-7 engine but without success.

More pictures:
Interesting load-out; double launcher for missiles was actually produced:


IAR-95 S2 bombardier:






Allegedly the plans were given to Chinese after 1989 and JF-17 was created starting from this project. Of course, it may be just a conspiracy theory but I found some discussion on this website (but I don't understand even a single letter )
http://defense-arab.com/vb/threads/27922/

Few ideas from the Romanian article:
- Romania queried for the license for MIG-21 or Mirage F1, nothing was obtained thus the decision was to build planes locally; before 1945 Romanian produced own military planes.
- The engine was the main problem; first track was to obtain Spey from UK (which was on Phantoms) during the cooperation for BAC 1-11 and Viper Rolls-Royce engines (which were for IAR-99 and IAR-93).
- Soviets refused any discussion about MIG-21 or MIG-23 engine
- Considering the deal with UK, they offered some support and some technical help at some point.
- Meantime cooperation with Yugoslavia become closer and even if they had more access to Western technology it wasn't possible to obtain an engine suitable for a 2 Mach plane although General Electric J-85 was also a variant to be discussed (from F-5)
- Spey engine was supposed to be used on a two engine ASF project (one of the 6 variants); there are some pics in this album of the general concept:
http://imgur.com/a/KeV3d

One SEAD missile was researched in late 80s. Seeker was approved but was never trialed on a missile. Initially an A921 (KH-23M local development) was deemed to be used to test the seeker. In the image below is an IAR-95 launching A921 missile toward a target

I was there, it's the traditional parade from National Day but next time I'll stay home to watch it to TV, couldn't see much because of the crowd. Glad to see them on Chinese News. Few explanations of pictures:

1. soldier in a Piranha APC

2. re-enactement of WW I Romanian military

3. Gepard SPAAGs

4. 30th Guards Regiment "Michael The Brave"

5. Acrobatic team

6. Upgraded MIG-21 LancerR (will be retired in reserve from next year)

7. Police women detachment

8. Mountain Rangers

9. from left to right, Commander of the parade, Commander of General HQ, President of Romania

These are pics from official Ministry of Defense page:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.634687613337159.1073742873.141113432694582&type=3

Now it's a huge debate here that Romania is one of the last two EU countries (along with France) which still does military parades in National Day and if it's not the case to renounce at them because may be considered aggressive

It is interesting that Romania didn't downscale its military as hard as former Soviet satellites/influenced states. As far as I can tell, they're still a customer, if not just lagging behind the times a bit.

Well, here we are very displeased by the status of Armed Forces. It's a long story. There are some very good units (mountain brigades, special forces, 282th Mechanized, 81st Mechanized, Reconnaisance battalions) but not as much as we'd like and new equipment and weapons issue was neglected in last 10 years. However, from 2017 the budget will be raised at 2% (NATO standard) and national industry will re-start to supply armed forces.

Few ongoing programs:

- 3 F-16 squadrons

- new APC

- new MBT (a necessary of 300)

- multi-layered Air Defense national system

- new SPG, new SP Mortars, enganced and upgraded rocket arty, new SPAAGs, upgraded VSHORAD systems-

- new utility helo (new Pumas and possible Cougars) built locally by Airbus Helicopters Romania
 

Well, since my initial search I dig in about info of Romanian designed weapons. Recently  a P 125 tank (or TR-125) was refurbished and exposed at the Military Museum. The factory which produced it declared they can start producing it immediately although they also deemed necessary many modifications (engine in the front, better transmission) to upgrade it to present day requirements. First post is about this prototype of TR-125 MBT which was developed between 1984 - 1991 from which 10 were produced and tested and finally development dropped due to lack of funds.




Recently a P-125/TR-125 MBT was refurbished and exposed at Military Museum near a T-72 Ural; it was even allowed to public to study the cockpit and the interior of the tank so I'll post some new pics, some old ones and few various opinions about this tank that I gathered from various hobby Romanian sites.

Here are few links about this tank but some of them contain inaccuracies.
http://tanknutdave.com/romanian-tanks/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TR-125
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/tr-125.htm



P-125/TR-125 was a new tank who was supposed to be produced in Romania for armored units. Compared with previous products (TR-85, TR-77) this was supposed to be a true MBT with better armor than Soviet T-72 and solutions inspired from Chinese and Western type of tanks. Although some design solutions are inspired from T-72, the concept is different and is a very different tank. 10 tanks were produced and used for various tests; after project was dropped for lack of funds all went to storage:



As design, same principles were applied as for TR-85 compared with T-55 so TR-125 has better protected turret and chassis than T-72 and is not a simple copy of this tank. Also access to Chinese technology so better stabilizers and FCS. Better frontal and turret armor which lead to bigger weight than Soviet T-72.



It is worth noting that, on this tank were mounted the most modern equipment which were experimentation or assimilation in the manufacturing industry: 125 mm cannon caliber, stabilizer on cannon 2E 25, ballistic computer, new projector-type l-2, warning against laser illumination for launching smoke rockets and heat traps, etc.

TR-125 tank was a redesigned T-72 Soviet main battle tank which had a number of significant differences from the original vehicle that entered production as far back as 1971-72. Number 125 in the designation stands for the 125 mm A555 smoothbore tank gun. TR-125 boosted stratified armor and additional armor for turret, modified suspensions and a more powerful diesel engine. The T-72 weighs 41 tons whereas the TR-125 weighed 50 tons, due to increased armor protection over the frontal arch.

this looks to be a snorkeling test in inced water:



TR-125 had seven road wheels of a different design - wheels, unlike the T-72 and most tanks based on it, which have six, and a new one-piece skirt. The TR-125 was powered by a more powerful 880 hp 8VSA3 diesel engine, based on the US Teledyne AVDS, which gives a better power-to-weight ratio. For prototype it was 18,52 HP/t but it was in research a more powerful engine of 1000/1100 hp. Armament of the TR-125 is identical to the Soviet T-72 and eight forward-firing smoke grenade dischargers are mounted on the left side of the turret. It used an old DShK machine gun for anti-aircraft purposes and coaxial 7,62 mm machine gun.



Little was known about this tank until few weeks ago when the producer decided to refurbish it along with one T-72M (Ural) in order to be exposed in a museum; for the first time the interior was revealed to public; Here is an album with photos as I wasn’t able to post them on the forum is better to keep the original size for people who wants to study it closer:

http://imgur.com/a/JOSTz

To me it looks it was designed to be quite different from Soviet approach and more resembling with Western tanks; solutions like ammo storage in the back of the turret were explored on previous models such a TR-85 first upgraded variant. Without being a specialists there are some things I could observe:

-    Frontal armor angle is different same the angles in the turret and is more resembling with Chinese tanks which may result in a better RHAe against HEAT (allegedly it had 800-900 RHAe in frontal arch)
-       it is wider, longer and slightly taller
-       Transmission was automatic
-    Gun stabilized hydraulically, FCS and laser range finder
-       Laser beam detectors working together with smoke grenades
-    Autoloader inspired from T-72, allegedly 8 rounds/minute
-    3 soldiers crew
-       some solutions from the engine looks inspired from Leopard (e.g. air filter)
-    Turret was designed to support additional armor; fire control devices were put in such way to avoid leaving unprotected areas in the frontal area. I think the main idea behind the solutions adopted by Romanian engineers was to have a much better protected tank than T-72 more suited for defense and tank battles rather than tanks suited for offensive warfare.

I am not expert but to me it looks like a unique design in Eastern Block as all other tanks produced were copies and improvements of Soviet designs. I am looking forward to hear opinion of people who are expert in this area.

Later edits (photos and info):

http://imgur.com/a/Rn9Y7

Article from GlobalSecurity.org:
 

Romania purchased 30 T-72 from the USSR in 1979 and had plans underway in 1984 to license manufacture a version of the T-72 in Romania, powered by a French diesel engine. Designated TR-125, the Romanian T-72 variant had other changes as well, including seven roadwheels instead of the six on the normal T-72. Apparently, the Romanian program has not progressed beyond prototypes.

Between the years 1987 and 1988, in a very short time, Romania managed the design and implementation of the prototype tank, Romanian TR-125 (P. 125). It encompass the latest achievements of Romanian researchers and experience of national defense industry. The turret and automatic loading elements of this tank has been designed by ICSITEM Bucuresti and chassis, although falling into it aggregates, was designed by ACSIT-p 124 of the structure F.M.G.S. Bucuresti.

It is worth noting that, on this tank were mounted the most modern equipment which were experimentation or assimilation in the manufacturing industry: 125 mm cannon caliber, stabilizer on your cannon 2E 25 m, automatically loading mechanism on your cannon, computer balistic, new projector-type l-2, warning against laser illumination for launching rocket-buoyant smoke and heat traps, etc. At the same time, failed to experimentation and assimilation of new types of ammunition for Cannon, buoyant smoke grenade launchers, etc.

The TR-125 tank was a redesigned T-72 Soviet main battle tank which had a number of significant differences from the original vehicle that entered production as far back as 1971-72. Number 125 in the designation stands for the 125 mm A555 smoothbore tank gun. TR-125 boosted extra armor, modified suspensions and a more powerful diesel engine. The T-72 weighs 41 tons whereas the TR-125 weighed 48 tons, due to increased armor protection over the frontal arc, which is also a feature of more recent T-72s.

The TR-125 had seven road wheels of a different design - wheels, unlike the T-72 and most tanks based on it which have six, and a new one-piece skirt. The TR-125 was powered by a more powerful 880 hp 8VSA3 diesel engine, based on the US Teledyne AVDS, which gives a better power-to-weight ratio. Armament of the TR-125 is identical to the Soviet T-72 and eight forward-firing smoke grenade dischargers are mounted on the left side of the turret. It used an old DShK machine gun for anti-aircraft purposes.

The 125mm gun would have been a big improvement over the current 100mm of the TR-85, and not to mention all the other improvements. But the T-72 was not as good a tank as promoted. With an automatic loader that jams, cramped interior (in the Russian army small people at 1.60 m are selected for the crew).

In 1989 it was disclosed that Romania was manufacturing an improved version of the Soviet T-72 series MBT under the designation of the TR-125. Because of Ceausescu's obsession to produce everything in country, he simply couldn't grasp the economics of the fact that Romania can't produce 100% of everything in country without bankrupting yourself. Some said the standard T-72 was too complex for Romanian industry to handle. Mass production of the TR-125 was planned, as Romania had a tradition of producing only weapons that are made of domestic made components therefore works on a such a variant were started in mid 1980's. Three (five according to other sources) prototypes were made and tested, in addition to 30 purchased T-72s in 1978. The purchased T-72s were the early T-72 Ural-1 version. Romania was refused by the USSR in 1984-85 in buying license for T-72 variant but still managed to build a few by 1989.

The Tancul Românesc TR-125 was developed în the period 1985-1990. The Romanian Army reports that a total of 10 such tanks were produced. The Romanians could compare the both and decided to go with the TR-85, from which already had over 300.

After the revolution it was planned to build a new tank, TR-2000, with german support, based, or inspired by Leopard 2. There was a plan for TR-2000, based on or influenced by Leopard-2. In the 90`s there were some discussions with the germans. For moment there is no plan to replace the TR-85, maybe also because it was just upgraded (well, 56 from the 315 initialy planned).

Production    1984-1991
Weight     50 t
Crew    3 military
Arms    
Cannon    125 mm, 8 shots per minute
Machine gun A.A.    1 x 12.7 mm
Machine gun dual purpose    1 x 7.62 mm
grenade Launcher    4-6 tubes 81 mm
Engine    8 VS. A3 diesel, 8-cylinder, 4-stroke overhead
Engine power    900 HP
Specific Power    18.75 CP/t
Automatic Transmission     hidromecanica,
pressure on the ground    0,875 Dan/cm2
Longitudinal Slope    32 °
Maximum speed    60 km/h
Autonomy    (without additional barrels)-400 km
Ammunition    
39 rounds 125 mm,
2,000 cartridges 7.62 mm
300 12.7 mm cartridges
20 smoke grenades
Fire control System    Hydraulic turret/tun stabilized in two planes, with integrated laser rangefinder and SCF
range    200 to 5 000 m
Direct range    4000 m APFSD
Armor protection    
turret - 400 mm stratified/layered plus additional armor
Chassis - 200 mm stratified/layered and additional

Info from various Romanian websites which is based on the photos from albums posted here:

- 2 night visions system from which one was based in amplified light near box of 12,7 mm MG; some of products listed here: http://www.electro-optic.ro/produse.html
- ballistic computer
- gun able to fire Soviet ammo
- new FCS better than Ciclop M (modernized) from TR-85
- laser illumination warning system

I researched the topic for Wargame Red Dragon, maybe they'll add Romania there. I must say some of the pictures you posted are awesome, I couldn't find them. I can continue with posting various stuff if is any interest.

One more question, may I use some photos for my research?

Nice read, and few photos I did not know exists. However, it's a lot of room to improve the info. I am curious tough, for what purpose was posted here? I am Romanian and I am curious what's the finality of such post?

Very interesting photos of early Romanian communist army. Late Romanian communist army looked entirely different.