T-90

   The T-90 saw action during the military conflicts in Ukraine and Syria. A number of these tanks were lost during the 2022 Russian invasion in Ukraine. Ukrainians captured some of these tanks and phased into service against their former owners.

   The tank has a welded composite armor hull with built-in Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor blocks. The Kontakt-5 increases protection both against high explosive and kinetic energy munitions. Early production T-90 tanks had a cast turret. Eventually production switched to welded turrets. Gunner and tank commander have more spacious stations than those of the T-72.

   Protection of the T-90 isenhanced by Shtora-1 countermeasures system. This system emerged in the 1980s and was originally designed to counter the threat posed by the Western anti-tank missiles like TOW, HOT and MILAN. It is also effective against anti-tank missiles like Soviet Konkurs and Chinese HJ-8. The Shtora-1 emits infrared signals that block guidance signals and jam controls of incoming anti-tank missiles. The system is also fitted with laser warning receivers, that can trigger smoke grenades once the tank is illuminated by laser. This countermeasures system was first publicly unveiled in 1995. Some Russian sources claim that this system proved to be effective in Syria. The US TOW 2 and Chinese HJ-8 anti-tank missiles fired by Syrian militants were reportedly not effective against the T-90 tanks equipped with Shtora-1 system. Though the Shtora-1 system is not effective against the top attack missiles, such as the Javelin. Currently this system is considered out dated. Latest Russian tanks no longer use infrared jammers of this system, though its laser warning receivers are still used to trigger smoke grenades.

   This tank can also launch 9M119M Refleks (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper-B) anti-tank guided missiles, in the same manner, as ordinary munitions. These missiles have a range of 4-5 km and can also engage low-flying helicopters. Missiles use a semi-automatic laser guidance and have a claimed hit probability of 80% at 4 000 m range and 70% at 5 000 m range. Maximum rate of fire is 6-8 rounds per minute. However judging by recent tank biathlons in Russia it turned out that these guided missiles have a hit probability against stationary targets of only around 50%. These missiles will be even less accurate against moving targets.

   Main gun of the T-90 is completed with a carousel-type autoloader. A total of 22 rounds are carried in the autoloader and are ready to fire. However remaining ammunition is stored in the main compartment, rather than a separate compartment with a blow-out panels. This drawback was common to all Cold War era Soviet main battle tanks. Once the armor is penetrated it can trigger detonation of onboard ammunition.

   Fire control system of the original T-90 was adequate for the 1990s. However currently it can not match similar systems of modern main battle tanks. The original T-90 lacks advanced sights. It comes with a night sight, but has no thermal imager. Also there is no panoramic commander's sight, which would allow to detect and engage targets faster and increase situational awareness. However improved versions, such as the T-90A were fitted with French Thales thermal imager.

   This tank is operated by a crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver.

   Initially production T-90 tanks were powered by a V-84MS multi-fuel diesel engine, developing 840 horsepower. This original production version was underpowered and had vague mobility performance. Soon after the introduction, production switched to improved versions powered by a V-92 engine with 1 000 hp. This Russian MBT is also completed with an auxiliary power unit, which powers all systems, when the main engine is turned off. The tank is fitted with a deep wading kit, that can be installed by crew within 20 minutes. The T-90 is also fitted with a self-entrenching blade. It can dig itself a defensive emplacement. When not in use the self-entrenchment blade acts as additional protection of the hull.

   This main battle tank has undergone continuous upgrades since it was first developed in the early 1990s.

Variants

   T-90K command tank. It was adopted in 1994. It was fitted with additional radios and had a navigation equipment.

   T-90S export variant (sometimes referred as the T-90E), powered by a V-92 diesel engine, developing 1 000 horsepower. It seems that this version lacks Shtora-1 countermeasures system. It has been exported to Armenia (10 to 30 units), Azerbaijan (200 units, some were lost during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war), Iraq (around 70 units), Uganda (44), Vietnam (around 60 units) and possibly some other countries.

   T-90SK command variant of the export version. It has been exported to Iraq (small number), Vietnam (small number), and possibly some other countries.

   T-90 Bhishma or Bheeshma. It is an Indian license-built variant in service with the Indian Army. It lacks Shtora-1 countermeasures system, but retains the 9K119M Refleks ATGM capability. It is also powered by the 1 000 hp diesel engine. India ordered a total of 1 657 T-90S tanks. This order included 248 tanks delivered from Russia, 409 tanks assembled locally from knock-down kits and another 1 000 tanks license-produced in India. Production was planned to be completed in 2020.

   T-90SA is an export version tailored for Algeria. Letter "A" in the designation denotes "Algeria". Algeria ordered 185 tank. Deliveries commenced in 2005. The second batch was for 187 tanks and third batch was for over 200 tanks. So Algeria operates a total of 572 T-90SA tanks. This variant is also in service with Turkmenistan (40 units).

   T-90M is an upgraded version for the older Russian Army T-90A tanks. It has some components of the T-90MS Tagil, such as Relikt add-on explosive reactive armor, new observation and aiming systems, added remotely controlled weapon station and some other improvements. Also it is armed with a new 2A46M-4 gun, which is 15-20% more accurate. This tank is powered by a 1 000 hp engine. This upgraded version was first publicly revealed in 2017. During the same year a contract was signed to deliver a first batch of 20 newly-built T-90M tanks. Deliveries to the Russian Army reportedly began in 2019.

   IMR-3 armored engineer vehicle. Initially it was referred as the IMR-2MA. It carries the same equipment as the IMR-2 series vehicles. However it uses chassis of the T-90, rather than T-72 tank. Its production commenced in 1996. Deliveries to the Russian Army commenced in 1999.

   BMR-3M mine clearing vehicle.

   UBIM armored engineer vehicle. It was designed to replace a whole host of different older machines, such as armored engineer vehicles and tracklayers. It can also perform functions of mine clearing and armored recovery vehicles. This machine is operated by a crew of 2 and can carry 3 engineers, sappers or dismounts. It is powered by a V-92S2F engine, developing 1 130 hp. The UBIM was first publicly revealed in 2018.

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