KYIV ($1=37.09 Ukrainian Hryvnias) — Russia’s most advanced tank, the T-90M Proryv, may end up in American hands for study. Such concerns are expressed by some Russian experts. BulgarianMilitary.com recalls that recently in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, the Ukrainian armed forces captured a preserved and working tank.
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The T-90M Proryv is a real find for Ukraine’s western partners. Moscow has a large amount of this tank along its border with Ukraine. Fears of a possible escalation of tensions with NATO are the reason why fewer units will be deployed in Ukraine and most of what is available will be on standby. UralVagonZavod continues to produce quantities of this tank and send them to the Western Military District of the Russian Federation.
The T-90M Proryv is the best tank in the Russian army at the moment. Going west, NATO and the Americans will be able to study the new Kalina fire control system. Also of interest would be the Afghanit active protection system and Relikt reactive armor.
The Russians believe that technologically the tank is very close to the T-14 Armata. The T-14 Armata is supposed to be the best tank in the world [according to Russian experts], but its serial production is still experiencing problems. However, the T-90M has the same communication and command package as the T-14. That is why the digital communication systems of the tank would be of interest to the Allies.
T-90M is a path to the T-14 Armata
Russia planned to acquire at least 500 tanks of the T-90M Proryv series. The tank is equipped with a 2A46M-5 125 mm smoothbore gun with 43 rounds. It was put into operation in 2020, April. Its characteristics set it at least 10 years ahead of other Russian competitors, such as the T-80, T-72, or T-64. The T-90M Proryv’s armor is supposed to result in fewer explosions. There is currently only one known case of a destroyed T-90M Proryv tank since the February 24th Russian invasion of Ukraine. The design and appearance of the tank also differ from traditional Russian tank designs.
Russian and Western experts call the capture of the T-90M Proryv a win for Ukraine and its allies. This is because of the T-90M Proryv’s status as the “most powerful and dangerous” tank in the Russian army’s inventory.
Where he was captured by the Ukrainians in, the Kharkiv region, the last military operations in Ukraine are taking place. Ukraine’s armed forces have made significant ground progress in their counteroffensive, which they launched nearly two weeks ago. This front of hostilities is known as the northeastern front. More recently, Russia has concentrated on the deployment of drones supplied by Iran there.
Certainly, the study of the captured T-90M Proryv can shed more light on its effective combat capability. But NATO and the Americans will want to know more about Russia’s future main battle tank, the T.14 Armata. The T-90M Proryv can give them the answers they are looking for.
Т-90М Proryv vs. T-90
According to the designers from Uralvagonzavod, the new T-90M Proryv tank has received a more powerful engine. The standard configuration of the T-90 is powered by a 12-cylinder V-92S2 that provides 1,000 horsepower, while the new version of the tank gets 130 horsepower more power due to the 12-cylinder new V-92S2F engine.
The basic armament has not really changed. Both tank modifications use a 125mm 2A46M smoothbore gun, but the T-90M is a 2A46M-5 model. 2A46M-5 provides the use of new high-power ammunition, as well as a guided missile that allows you to destroy enemy tanks at a distance of up to five kilometers. The secondary armament consists of a 12.7mm Kord Heavy machine gun, and 7.62mm PKMT in both tanks.
One of the main upgrades received by the T-90M is the ability of the tank to have autonomous functions, ie. real-time data exchange with other vehicles. The tank has improved optical sights: a new PNM Sosna-U gunner sight, four video cameras that provide 360-degree coverage, new day and night optical sights, including a thermal camera that detects enemy targets at 3,300 meters.
Last but not least, the T-90M has integrated Russian space navigation GLONASS, as well as inertial navigation systems [INS]. The armor is significantly enhanced by the use of Relikt explosive reactive armor [ERA] that covers more of the tank.
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