Background
During the Cold War era, Russia had manufactured going on nearly 160000+ tanks of varying models including the T-72. With the end of communism and the fall of the USSR there were massive cut backs in military funds which included the production levels in the state run design bureau's / workshops who had developed and manufactured the countries tank fleet.
The Uralvagonzavod workshop had been manufacturing the T-72 & upgraded models, which included one called the T-72BM, which fielded the T-80’s Kontakt-5 ERA armour. The superior FCS of the Kirov Plant’s T-80U was then added to the T-72BM and the new prototype was designated the T-72BU.
All T-72’s, were/are powered by a V-84 diesel engine which generates 840 hp, but on the BU an improved engine generating the same horse power but designated the V-84MS was used as well as torsion bar suspension. The T-72BU prototype entered production in limited numbers in 1993 under the designation T-90.
So is the T-90 really the best tank in the world?
I would have to answer no. The truth is that it is a variant of the T-72. It retains the same 2A46M main gun as used on the T-72 and T-80. This series of main gun has a bad reputation for ranged accuracy. It was for this very reason that Russia developed Anti-Tank Missiles that could be fired from their 125mm Smoothbore main guns so as to try to give them the same range as NATO tanks. The T-90’s missile is the 9M119M Refleks which has a maximum range of 6km and is a tandem shaped charge weapon (needed to defeat ERA) and is reported capable of defeating up to a maximum of 950mm of RHA. The armour on the M1A1 is rated to the equivalent of 1320 to 1620mm RHA (against shaped charges) so there has been no major improvement as to its firepower.
When Kontakt-5 ERA was first seen on the T-80 in the 1980’s, it posed a serious concern for NATO and has been improved over the years to a 3rd generation which is used on the T-90. However the US developed the M829A2 & M829A3 APFSDS rounds which can defeat this type of ERA as can the Challenger 2‘s CHARM-3 and the rounds developed for the Leopard 2 A6. Thou Russia has reported to developed newer and more effective ERA, non has entered serial production and has only ever been seen on tank prototypes. The T-90 uses a composite type mix of aluminium and plastics, over its frontal arc, however the heavy use by Russia of such ERA would indicate that the T-90’s “composite” armour is not effective nor comparable to Western tanks like the Challenger 2‘s composite armour.
On the 20th of October 1999 Russia held trials at the TsNIIO 643a Testing Grounds to test the armour of the T-90 & T-80U. The outcome of the tests showed that the RPG-29 which can penetrate 750mm RHA could not only penetrate the frontal composite armour but also the Kontakt-5 ERA. However the RPG-7 with an advanced PG-7VR tandem warhead which can penetrate 650mm RHA could not penetrate the frontal armour. An unspecified APFSDS round could not penetrate both the Kontakt-5 & composite, but could penetrate it when not equipped with Kontakt-5.
The vehicle uses an autoloader which is fed by a carousel which can store a total of 22 rounds, such as APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE-FRAG. The commander can operate the NSV 12.7mm MG mounted on the turret roof from under armour and the vehicle uses a coaxial 7.62mm MG. The vehicle uses the Ainet fuse setting system, which works with the laser range finder so HE-FRAG rounds can be detonated at a specific distance.
The Fire Control System originally used TO1-KO1 BURAN PNK-4S/SR AGAT day and night sighting system but now use the PNK-4S/SR AGAT system. The gunner uses the 1G46 day sighting system and the driver users a TVN-5 day and night sight.
Every MBT has a unique attribute or capability and the T-90’s is its Shtora-1 countermeasure suite. Thou some other tanks use some similar functions, the T-90 is the first and only one to standardise such a capable system. If you can imagine Anti-Tank Missile troops or vehicles trying to attack a T-90, they point their launcher at the tank and lock on its laser designator. The four sensors mounted on the T-90 detects the laser and alerts the crew, the turret is immediately traversed so the more heavily armoured front is facing the threat. The two infrared jammers (each a box mounted on either side of the main gun) activate jamming the guidance system and preventing a lock on. The crew can then engage the target to neutralise it with the main gun. If the jammers aren’t effective, it can launch aerosol grenades which deflect lasers and optics of the launcher. The vehicle also a complete NBC system in the fighting compartment.
In 1995 the Russian Defence Ministry decided that it could no longer fund the production of the T-72 at Uralvagonzavod and the T-80 at Kirov. The T-80 had not performed well in the First Chechen War and was too expensive to run as was manufacturing two tanks, the T-72 & T-80. The ministry only wanted to operate one single principal tank and the T-90 was chosen to for fill that role whilst the development of a new principal tank continued.
T-90 Models
T-90 - The original model to enter production. It had a command version designated the T-90K. The export version is the T-90E, but non were sold.
T-90A AKA “T-90M” - In 1999, the T-90 entered production with a new all welded turret and was designated the T-90A, AKA T-90M, AKA T-90 Vladimir (after its designer). It has a new ESSA thermal imaging sight and the Thales Optronique CATHERINE-FC thermal camera and V-92S2 1000hp engine. Its also believed that some changes were made to the hull’s armour and it is not known if any were made to the new turret.
The T-90S - This is the export model of the T-90A/T-90M and the T-90SK is the command version of the T-90S and is equipped with the Ainet remote-detonation system for HEF rounds. The T-90S offers a greater level of protection for potential operators over their much older and inferior export T-72 models as well as mobility.
India's T-90's
Pakistan started to purchase the T-80UD from stockpiles left by Russia at the end of the Cold War in and from the Ukraine, as well as starting production of their MBT 2000 and an extensive up-grade of its Type 59 fleet, so India needed a quick replacement to its ageing T-72’s, which were in a serious need of repair and modernisation, as their own indigenous Arjun tank was still not ready for serial production. India had the knowledge of manufacturing T-72’s under licence and the T-90 with its almost identical design was easy and quick to manufacturer, compared to the more complex Western designs. Both vehicles similarity in design and systems also means a reduced need for extensive crew retraining of a new tank, so it was decided that the T-90 would become India’s new MBT to equip a staggering 20+ armoured regiments, with a small number of changes to the vehicle under the designation “T-90 Bhishma”.
T-90S Bhishma - India’s T-90’s have come in various stats of construction and models. The first purchase was in 2001 of the T-90S. 120 were delivered assembled, 90 in semi-assembled kits and 100 un-assembled kits. These vehicles did not have the Shtora-1 countermeasure suite, but did retain the Kontakt-5 ERA on the turret. The Russian sights were replaced with those from France and the Russian composite armour has been replaced with India’s own Kanchan composite. These tanks were divided between five to seven regiments of the XXI (Bhopal) and II (Ambala) Strike Corps.
T-90M Bhishma - After India’s purchase of the T-90S, in 2006 330 T-90M were licensed for manufacturer in India from local sources, not in kit form from Russia.
Up-graded - In 2007 a further 347 un-assembled kits were ordered, but have some further modifications. The Kontakt-5 has been replaced with the superior Kaktus ERA. To cope with India’s harsh heat and its effects on tank crews, Israeli firm Kinetics Ltd’s environmental control system’s have been installed to provide a constant cooling of the air in the fighting compartment. Changes to the fighting compartment have also been made to accommodate the cooling equipment for new THALES- Catherine-FC thermal imager. India plans to have 310 T-90S and 1,330 T-90M tanks in service by 2020.
Operators
Algeria has operated a fleet of 180 since 2008 and have gradually been entering service during 2009.
Venezuelan were rumoured to be buying T-90’s, however with the low price of oil, it could only afford to buy T-72’s.
Cyprus announced in 2009 that its purchasing 41 T-90’s, however the model isn’t clear.
Saudi Arabia has traditionally purchased its military equipment from the West, but following the 9/11 attacks which were carried out by Saudi citizens, the country has found it hard to successfully purchase the equipment it has needed. Thou there were still orders being made to GDLS as recent as September 2009 for the upgrade program of their M1A2 fleet (which is still going ahead), the country has found itself purchasing (still to be 100% confirmed) 150 T-90S as part of a large deal for helicopters and anti-aircraft equipment.
The T-90’s future
I’ve always viewed the T-90 pretty much like I have the Challenger 1, it’s a good stop gap until development of the new Main Battle Tank is complete. The subsequent $2+ Billion spent by India in purchasing the vehicle has worked greatly to the advantage of the poorly state funded T-95 development project also developed by the T-90’s manufacturer and paved the way for its production which is due to start in 2010, which replace the T-90 as Russia’s principal MBT.
However production will continue (as has the upgrade of T-72’s to the T-90) and will replace the current serving T-72’s and T-80’s, offering a much more cost effective vehicle to run compared to the T-80.
