Russia's T‑90M Tanks: Enhanced Warfare or Flawed Titans?

The Russian Federation Army is set to receive additional T-90M Breakthrough tanks, according to Defence Blog. To celebrate the delivery of about 10 new vehicles, the Uralvagonzavod plants held a concert with the newly produced batch of T-90M tanks as a backdrop. Here's a reminder of the capabilities of these tanks.

The event was marked by a concert, celebrations, and even a blessing of the new machines. This all took place in front of the T-90M Breakthrough tanks during an event organized by the Uralvagonzavod production plants to honor the delivery of the new machines to the Russian soldiers. The manufacturer has not specified the exact number of units that will be dispatched to the front in the upcoming days, but a video shows at least 10 T-90M units being transported on railway wagons.

Russian officials highlight that the newly delivered tanks boast several enhancements aimed at increasing crew survivability, according to Defence Blog. Moreover, these T-90Ms from the factory are claimed to "enhance operational efficiency in combat scenarios." However, these claims are challenging to verify, especially considering the source of the information is the state corporation from Russia, Rostec.

It is worth noting that not so long ago, Putin himself stated during a visit to the Uralvagonzavod hall that "the T-90M Breakthrough is, without exaggeration, the best tank in the world." Despite this, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated that the Russian tank is not as flawless as claimed, with numerous reports from the front showing that even low-cost FPV kamikaze drones can easily neutralize the T-90M.

Despite its shortcomings, the Breakthrough remains one of the most formidable tanks in the arsenal of the Russian Federation. While it may not match up to Western models in quality, it holds significant value among post-Soviet vehicles and is noted for its considerable durability.

The T-90M, for instance, features the reactive armor Relikt, designed to enhance the safety of both the turret and hull. This represents a crucial upgrade over earlier models, where the armor offered little to no protection for the crew.

In terms of offensive capabilities, the T-90M "boasts" a 125mm smoothbore gun 2A46M-5, along with two machine guns of 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm. The advanced Kalina system oversees fire control.