Summary and Key Points: The Soviet-era T-72 Main Battle Tank has been Russia’s most effective armored vehicle in its war against Ukraine, outperforming the more modern T-90M.

-Despite the T-90M's struggles, Russia remains committed to the platform, developing the upgraded T-90M Proryv with enhancements like advanced optics, a new battlefield management system, and improved armor.

-Although rumors suggested the use of the T-14 Armata's gun, the Proryv retains the less advanced 125 mm 2A46M-6 gun.

-With increased protection against drones and munitions, the T-90M remains central to Russia's war strategy, despite significant losses in Ukraine.

T-72 vs. T-90M: The Soviet Tank Outshining Modern Russian Armor

Russia’s most effective tank during its war against Ukraine has been the Soviet era T-72 Main Battle Tank.

Russia has more modern tanks, such as the T-90M and the T-14 Armata. But the T-90M has struggled to make a difference on the battlefield, and the Armata has been held back from the fighting entirely lest Russia suffer the humiliation of losing such an advanced, costly system in combat.

Despite the T-90M’s struggles, the Russians insist on utilizing this platform. To be fair, the T-90M has performed relatively well, all things considered. It has not performed nearly as well as the older T-72, but the Russians remain committed to it.

Indeed, they appear more committed to the T-90M than they are even to the more advanced T-14 Armata.

Upgraded T-90Ms 

In fact, the Russians are upgrading the T-90M into what they are calling the T-90M Proryv.  

A May 2024 essay at Armored Warfare highlights the most recent news on the T-90M Proryv’s development. According to the website, “this tank has received a number of upgrades in terms of fire control systems and electronics, including new commander panoramic optics fitted with an advanced thermal imager, advanced gunner optics, an additional APU, a satellite navigation system and a new battlefield management system.” 

What’s more, the Russians have included Relikt Explosive Reactive Armor for greater crew protection. The newer T-90M variants will have its frontal ammunition rack removed and placed in a defended rear compartment. 

There were hints that the Proryv would be a mixture of the T-90M and the T-14M. Rumors were the Proryv would use the T-14 Armata’s 125 mm 2AB2 smoothbore gun. That did not happen. Instead, the Russians chose the less expensive, less advanced 125 mm 2A46M-6 gun. 

Nevertheless, the T-90M remains an important workhorse for the Russians as they prosecute their war effort in neighboring Ukraine. 

The maximum weight is a little more than 46,000 kilograms, and the tank’s maximum speed is about 37 miles per hour with a range of 341 miles.

Understanding the Winds of Change

Interestingly, the “enhancements to [the T-90M] are aimed at countering the rising threat of drones and munitions increasingly deployed in modern warfare.” These changes also shield the engine and transmission areas, making the MBT more effective in combat, according to Boyko Nikolov of Bulgarian Military.

The Kyiv Independent, a pro-Ukrainian publication, has estimated that 100 T-90Ms were lost in combat in Ukraine. This, at a time when only 67 of the T-90MS were in active service when the Russians invaded Ukraine in 2022. The Ukrainian success at destroying Russian T-90Ms has only prompted Russia to double-down on its strategy of attrition against Ukraine.

The Russians are prepared for war and waging that war with vigor. For them, this is a quest for national survival, and the T-90M plays a crucial role.

Author Experience and Expertise: Brandon J. Weichert

Brandon J. Weichert, a National Interest national security analyst, is a former Congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor at The Washington Times, the Asia Times, and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, is due October 22 from Encounter Books. Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

All images are Creative Commons or Shutterstock.

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