Just a few years ago, NPK Uralvagonzavod presented a new version of the modernization of the T-90A main battle tank called the T-90M. In the future, the new technology was tested, interested the army and became the subject of a real contract. Recently it became known about the completion of the modernization of the first serial T-90M and the transfer of this equipment to the troops.
New in the troops
It became known for a long time about the imminent start of the production of the T-90M and the imminent transfer of equipment to the units. Now there is information about the beginning of the service of such machines. The commander-in-chief of the ground forces, General of the Army Oleg Salyukov, told about this in an interview with Krasnaya Zvezda, published on the last day of September.
The commander noted that various types of armored vehicles are now being purchased for motorized rifle and tank units. Among them, he named the upgraded T-90M MBT. The re-equipment of parts is going on intensively, and the high characteristics of the equipment are confirmed by practice.
The number of tanks already received and the units where they are sent to serve have not yet been specified. Perhaps this kind of information will appear later, for example, in the context of an exercise.
Fast paced
Our tanks are fast not only in terms of mobility, but also in terms of the time required for the development and implementation of the project. Only a few years passed from the beginning of the design work on the T-90M to the launch of the serial modernization. In this regard, the T-90M turns out to be one of the most successful modern developments in the field of MBT.
Development work "Breakthrough-3" to create a new version of the MBT T-90A started in the middle of this decade. By the beginning of 2017, a prototype was prepared with a number of characteristic features, a photograph of which soon became publicly available. During 2017, the T-90M tank has repeatedly become the subject of various statements and publications.
Within the framework of the Army-2017 forum, the first contract was signed for the production of 10 T-90M tanks from scratch and the restructuring of 20 cash T-90Ms. At that time, the equipment was being tested, but there were already plans to launch a full-scale production. A little later it became known that the manufacturer would hand over the first samples in 2018. A similar contract was signed at Army-2018.
At the end of June this year. within the framework of "Army-2019" they signed an even more important agreement. According to this agreement, NPK Uralvagonzavod should receive from the army significant quantities of T-90A tanks and rebuild them according to the T-90M project. The Ministry of Defense and UVZ did not immediately disclose the details of the agreement. The media featured unofficial information about the restructuring of 100 tanks. Both the T-90A MBT and the older T-90 of the base model can be sent for repair and modernization.
According to the latest news, the army has already received the first tanks of the new model. However, the quantity, the specific operator and the manufacturing method are unknown. However, it is clear that this is only the first step in a new phase of a larger program. The Breakthrough-3 project has been successfully brought to practical implementation and is yielding results in the context of renewing the fleet of equipment.
Further future
According to the news of recent years, there are three contracts for the supply of MBT T-90M. From official and unofficial sources, it is known about the desire of the Ministry of Defense to receive armored vehicles of both new construction and converted from the existing one. At the same time, the bulk of the T-90M should be produced precisely by alteration.
According to reports, three contracts between the Ministry of Defense and NPK UVZ provide for the supply of 160 MBTs of the new model. 10 armored vehicles from the 2017 contract must be built from scratch. The order of 2018 stipulated the construction of 30 new tanks. Thus, within a few years, the contractor must build 40 completely new MBT T-90M.
In parallel, the modernization of the cash T-90 and T-90A will be carried out. Under the 2017 contract, 20 armored vehicles will undergo such procedures. Another 100 may be negotiated with the newest contract. However, the known details of the 2019 order have not yet received official confirmation, and we can talk about a larger batch of equipment. In addition, there is no information on the possibility of upgrading T-90 tanks.
Over the next few years, the Russian army will receive about 160 T-90M tanks. This will make it possible to re-equip several formations of ground forces. In the future, the production of such MBTs may continue in the interests of other parts.
According to known data, about 350 T-90 and T-90A MBTs are currently in operation in the combat units of our army. About a third of this amount of equipment will be upgraded; also 40 new build tanks will be added to them. The fate of the remaining 200-220 T-90 old modifications is unknown. Probably, over time, repair and modernization will reach them.
As a result of the implementation of the T-90M Proryv-3 project, the state of the armored vehicle fleet will significantly improve. At a minimum, a significant proportion of the units will be transferred to the updated T-90M and T-72B3 tanks that meet modern requirements. Thus, the army gets the opportunity to build up the potential of tank formations without purchasing completely new equipment. The proposed modernization combines high technical characteristics and reasonable cost of work.
Technical aspects
MBT T-90M, which was the result of the ROC "Proryv-3", is of great interest to the army. This modernization provides for the use of a number of new components and assemblies that seriously increase the tactical and technical characteristics of equipment. At the same time, the existing platform remains at the heart of the project, undergoing only the necessary changes.
The survivability of the T-90M is increased by reworking the armor and installing a set of attachments in the form of reactive armor "Relic" and cutting screens. The layout of the internal compartments has been redesigned to reduce the likelihood of injury to the crew and critical devices. In the future, it is possible to introduce a complex of active protection - at the request of the customer. Mobility is increased by the 1130 hp V-92S2F engine. Attention is paid to the comfort of the crew, for which there is a heater and air conditioning.
The Breakthrough-3 project proposed replacing the 2A46 gun with a 2A82-1M product with a caliber of 125 mm. Also on display was a prototype that retained its standard armament. The fire control system "Kalina" is used with modern means of observation and guidance. The anti-aircraft heavy machine gun has been moved to a remotely controlled weapon station.
As a result of such modernization, the T-90M tank receives a number of important advantages over the basic T-90A MBT or over the older T-90. Higher mobility is provided. The front projection is protected from modern anti-tank weapons; other parts of the tank are able to withstand shelling from infantry weapons. The new armament, in combination with an improved FCS, ensures the use of any available projectiles and missiles over the entire range.
Exhibitions and troops
The general public learned about the existence of the Proryv-3 ROC and the T-90M tank only a few years ago. By this time, the project managed to go through some of the early stages, and in the near future the first order for the supply of serial equipment appeared. In parallel, experienced MBTs were demonstrated at exhibitions and other events.
The industry successfully copes with the orders of the military department and transfers the finished equipment to it. The fulfillment of at least part of the existing contracts will significantly increase the combat effectiveness of tank units and affect the potential of the ground forces. Apparently, the production of the necessary T-90M tanks will also not take much time, and the planned rearmament will be completed within the next few years.
