Russian T‑90M tanks struggle against cheap drone warfare

Produced in series since 2021, the T-90M tanks represent the pinnacle of Russian armored technology, yet they're becoming scarce in Ukraine. Analysts from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) estimated that approximately 40 units were produced annually in 2022. By 2023, production was expected to increase to 60-70 units per year, potentially leading to a total of 180 units.

However, as reported by the analysts at oryxspioenkop, Moscow has already lost 111 of these tanks, based on available online photos and videos. This tally includes tanks destroyed, abandoned, or captured by Ukrainian forces. Notably, a significant number of T-90M tanks have been destroyed by FPV drones, as evidenced in video footage showing powerful explosions.

T-90M tanks are produced by extensively rebuilding older models like the T-90A or T-72B. This approach means that once the supply of these older machines in post-Soviet stocks runs out, the production of new T-90Ms will likely cease.

The T-90 designation was created in response to the widespread destruction of Iraqi T-72 tanks during the Gulf War. The deeply modernized T-72B tank was renamed T-90A to avoid unfavorable comparisons and for marketing reasons. This model further evolved into the T-90M, which has been showcased prominently at Russian arms fairs, often praised by Vladimir Putin.

Key features of the T-90M include a modern fire control system with thermal vision (originally French, but presumably sourced from elsewhere now) and a two-layer reactive armor known as Relikt. This armor provides protection against anti-tank missiles with dual hollow charges and reduces the impact of kinetic penetrators fired by other tanks.

However, the reactive armor is an add-on to the main armor, which is still essentially the T-72B with potentially minor modifications. This results in vulnerabilities that Ukrainian FPV drone pilots exploit for targeted attacks.

This vulnerability is crucial because, like all tanks in the T-72 family, the T-90M has an autoloader with an ammunition magazine located in the hull. This magazine is not isolated from the crew, so any penetrating hit leads to the explosion of 22 shells and propellant charges, often resulting in a spectacular turret blow-off.

In response, Russian forces are trying to enhance anti-drone defenses during the conflict by adding features like specially shaped steel plates designed to detonate drone warheads prematurely.

These modifications have increased the tank's weight to about 53 tons, necessitating a more powerful 1,250-horsepower engine. It remains one of the most formidable adversaries Ukrainian forces might encounter on the front lines.