Combat modernization: how the new T-90M tank will strengthen Russian troops in 2020

In 2020, the modernized T-90M tank will begin to arrive in Russian troops. This was announced by the Executive Director of Rostec State Corporation Oleg Yevtushenko.

“Last year, Uralvagonzavod completed state tests of the T-90M Breakthrough tank, this year we will begin delivering it to the troops,” Yevtushenko said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Recall that the contract for the supply of an experimental batch of T-90M tanks was signed on the sidelines of the Army-2019 military-technical forum. Deputy Minister of Defense Alexei Krivoruchko in December 2019 said that according to the results of state tests, a decision would be made on taking the T-90M into service and beginning the supply of tanks to the troops.

In early February 2020, representatives of the tank manufacturer, the Uralvagonzavod concern, reported that the tank had successfully passed state tests.

Modernization technology

The T-90M Breakthrough is a substantially updated version of the Russian main battle tank T-90 Vladimir. New equipment will improve the characteristics of the machine and expand its capabilities in accordance with modern tasks on the battlefield.

• T-90M "Breakthrough"
• © Vitaliy Kuzmin

For example, engine power will be significantly increased: the T-90M is equipped with a diesel V-92S2F of 1130 hp. This power plant will allow the tank to accelerate to 60 km / h when driving on the highway. For comparison, the T-90 tanks were equipped with 840 hp V-84MS engines.

Thanks to the installation of the third-generation “Relict” modular universal dynamic protection, the T-90M armor was reinforced. The modules on the turret, hull and side screens of the tank are capable of taking on the impacts of cumulative and sub-caliber ammunition. Damaged modules are easily replaced with new ones. In addition, the compartments of the car inside are covered with special anti-shatter material, which increases the security of the crew.

One of the main differences of the “Breakthrough” from the base T-90 is the new tower module, which received an advanced automatic loader, fire control system, software and hardware complex and multi-channel panoramic thermal imaging sight.

The main weapon of the tank is the 125 mm 2A82-1M smoothbore gun. This gun uses the entire range of 125 mm ammunition. As an auxiliary weapon, the Kord-MT large-caliber machine gun and a coaxial 7.62 PKTM machine gun were installed on the turret.

When modernizing the tank, the experience of fighting in Syria, as well as the emergence of new anti-tank weapons systems, were taken into account, military expert Alexei Leonkov noted in a conversation with RT.

“The upgraded tank received not only a new fire control system, but also a new type of ammunition, which together makes it a universal tool that can be used both in defense and in attack, breakthrough. It can also provide substantial support to infantry units in urban combat conditions, ”the expert explained.

In turn, the expert of the Association of Military Political Scientists Andrei Koshkin emphasized that the T-90M is a tank that has incorporated all the advanced developments and technologies of Russian armored vehicles.

“This machine meets modern requirements and demonstrates with its characteristics what capabilities a tank must have in order to win a battle. This machine reliably protects its crew and at the same time successfully participates in solving tactical and strategic tasks, ”the expert explained.

The arrival of a new tank in the country's armed forces is also an indicator of the economic capabilities of the state, a military expert added.

“It is possible to develop very advanced projects, but if there is no opportunity and resources, economic power, then the state is not able to make such a machine,” said Andrei Koshkin.

Foreign competitors

T-90M "Breakthrough" is the main tank, in the modern western classification - the main battle tank. This term refers to a multi-purpose tank with high firepower and protection, combining them with mobility.

The main western competitors of the T-90M are the American M1 Abrams, the French AMX-56 Leclerc and the German Leopard 2.

• German tank Leopard 2
• Reuters
• © Ints Kalnins

First of all, Western cars in comparison with the T-90 and its modifications are much heavier. So, the weight of the M1 Abrams tank is 54–63 tons. The German Leopard is also a “Heavyweight” - 50–70 tons. The French Leclerc is slightly lighter than its "colleagues" - 54 tons. However, he loses in this component to the Russian T-90. For comparison, the export modification of the T-90S weighs 46 tons.

Western competitors are inferior to the Russian tank and in the caliber guns. In accordance with NATO standards, they use guns of the caliber of 120 mm, while the caliber of the main gun of the Russian tank is 125 mm.

Western tanks also have much less reliable protection. Due to the design features, Abrams and Leopard tanks can be critically damaged using portable grenade launchers or old ATGM models.

So, during the armed conflict in Syria, the Turkish military since 2016 lost at least ten Leopard tanks. At the same time, there is evidence that it was possible to defeat Leopard 2 tanks with the help of anti-tank systems of still Soviet production - “Fagot” and “Competition”.

Alexei Leonkov in an interview with RT noted that the Russian T-90 and its modifications are superior to the main battle tanks of the Western powers in terms of combat performance.

“Abrams and Leopard 2 are the main foreign competitors of the T-90 platform. However, the Russian tank surpasses foreign vehicles in many of its characteristics, which behave in a bad way in combat. A typical example is the loss of Abrams and Leopard tanks in the Middle East. Compared with them, the T-90 tank, which fought on the side of the Syrian troops, turned out to be a tough nut, ”the expert noted.

Russia, unlike foreign countries, did not stop the development and modernization of tanks, it was always concerned with improving the combat performance of the T-72 and T-90 tanks, which are in service with the Russian army, Alexei Leonkov recalled.

“Improvements and upgrades have led to an improvement in the combat qualities of Russian tanks. Such a machine will strengthen the Russian tank troops. This modernization is timely, because the foundation is laid on the prospect of using these machines over the next 5-10 years, ”the expert explained.

Andrei Koshkin, in conversation with RT, also expressed confidence that the T-90M would significantly strengthen the Russian tank forces.

“The advantage of the T-90 platform is that it takes into account all the features of modern armed conflicts,” the expert noted.

T-90M is not only a step forward, but also the combination of all the best elements of previous models, added Andrey Koshkin.

“This is a well-tested and tested tank in the army, which is superior in all respects to its predecessors and in most - foreign vehicles,” the expert concluded.