The T-90 main battle tank, the most modern tank in the Russian and Indian army arsenal, went into low-level production in 1993, based on a prototype designated as the T-88. The T-90 was developed by the Kartsev-Venediktov Design Bureau at the Uralvagonzavod in Nizhny Tagil. The production model is based on a heavily redesigned T-72BM, with some added features from the T-80 series. The T-90 features a new generation of Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor on its hull and turret. Two variants, the T-90S and T-90E, have been identified as possible export models.

By mid-1996 some 107 T-90s had gone into service in the Russian Far Eastern Military District. Plans called for all earlier models to be replaced with T-90s by the end of 1997, but this objective remains unachieved due to lack of funding.

The year 1999 saw the appearance of a new model of T-90, featuring the fully welded turret of the Obiekt 187 experimental MBT instead of the cast design of the original T-90. This new model is called "Vladimir" in honour of T-90 Chief Designer Vladimir Potkin, who died in 1999. It is unknown how this design affects the protection and layout of the turret, and whether the frontal armor package was also extensively redesigned.

The 125 mm gun is capable of firing:

• APFSDS
• HEAT-FS,
• HE
• frag-FS
• The 9K120 Refleks anti-tank guided missile

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Usage

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Apart from the Russian Army, T-90 tanks are used in the Indian Army. In 2001, India bought 310 T-90S tanks, of which 124 were fully assembled in Russia, and 186 were in knocked down or semi-knocked down condition. T-90s were made by Uralvagonzavod and the engines were delivered by Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant.The decision to purchase these tanks was carefully thought out by Indian experts. Several main battle tank designs from all over the world were examined, including western models. The T-90 was selected due to its good armour, 125mm tank gun (the largest calibre in service, shared with other Soviet-legacy and Chinese tanks), excellent range, efficiency, and cost. The crews from Nizhny Tagil had to undergo rigorous tests in Northern India's deserts, making field repairs and conducting field trials for several weeks. The tanks performed very well and the Indian military immediately made its purchase. As recent sales of all Uralvagonzavod products, military or civilian, have been low, this move by India gained the company several million dollars and helped support its continuing existence.

India bought the T-90 after the failure to establish the production of the Arjun, and to counter the Pakistani deployment of the Ukrainian T-80UD/T-84 and planned purchase of the Chinese/Ukrainian Al Khalid, two other modern Soviet-legacy tanks.

Currently, there are 241 T-90 tanks in the Russian Army, and 7 T-90 tanks in the Navy. The T-90s are stationed with the 5th Tank Division located in the Siberian Military District. On May 15th, 2006, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Belousov announced that along with other purchases, some 30 new T-90s will be produced for the Russian Army ^*.

India has reported that problems have arisen with the French-designed thermal sights used on the T-90 in intense desert heat. ^*

See also

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• List of tanks
• List of Soviet tanks
• T-64, T-80, T-84
• T-72
• M-84, M-95 Degman, PT-91
• Black Eagle tank
• 125 mm Smoothbore Rounds

References

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External links

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• Uralvagonzavod, manufacturer's English-language home page (Russian, T-90 English page)
• Main Battle Tank T-90 at enemyforces.com
• The T-90 tank by the Federation of American Scientists
• Warfare.ru's known locations on the T-90
• T-90S Main Battle Tank at the Armor Site
• T-90 information and variants at JED Equipment Database (requires paid membership)

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