Elite New T-90 Variant with T-14 Tech to Begin Serial Production: Russian Army to Receive Large Numbers

The Russian Army is set to receive large numbers of T-90M battle tanks in the near future, with mass production to begin imminently, according to a recent statement by Army Commander-in-Chief Army General Oleg Salyukov. He stated to this effect: “there are plans to complete the state trials of the advanced upgraded models of the armor soon and start the mass deliveries of the new T-90M tank and the modernised infantry fighting vehicle [the BMP-2M] with the Berezhok combat compartment.” The T-90M and T-72B3 have increasingly formed then bulk of the Russian Army’s forward deployed tank divisions, both representing heavily modernised variants of older platforms equipped with new armour protection systems, sensors and armaments. The T-90M builds on the T-90A design, equipping it with many new technologies developed for the T-14 Armata - which is one of just three fourth generation battle tanks in service worldwide.

T-14 technologies integrated onto the T-90M's chassis include the Armata’s Kalina fire control system, Afghanit active protection systems and Relikt explosive reactive armour. Further upgrades will allow the T-90 tanks to functional as part of a network alongside newer T-14 tanks, which have been ordered in smaller numbers for elite Russian units, and improve its firepower with the 2A46M-5 main gun. The T-14 is expected to enter mass production in the mid-late 2020s, although the Russian Army has expressed confidence that the lighter and less costly T-90 already enjoys sufficient advantages over its NATO rivals such as the German Leopard 2 and American M1A2 Abrams that there is no urgent need for the new vehicles. This could change should new information on the capabilities of next generation Western tanks come to light, with European and American producers currently developing rivals to the Armata design.