Yet modern combat in the Russo-Ukrainian War suggests the T-90 is not the formidable beast it wanted to be.
Peter Suciu takes a look at these tanks and their battlefield performance.
Last Soviet Tank, or First Russian Tank?
More evolutionary than revolutionary, this T-90 tank is participating in a 2013 competition. Image: Vitaly V. Kuzmin/CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED
Even before the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, tank production had also significantly dwindled.
Likewise, the Kirov plant in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) cased the production of tanks in 1990.
The remaining tank plants in Omsk and Nizhni-Tagil, each state-owned, also suspended production due to costs.
The Indian Army has hundreds of T-90S Bhishma tanks in its inventory. Pakistan’s acquisition of Ukrainian T-80 tanks accelerated India’s investment in the T-90S. Image: Ministry of Defence, India
Moreover, fewer than 200 were even in service in 2000.
More Evolutionary Than Revolutionary
The T-90 could fittingly be described as an evolutionary improvement of the T-72.
This isnt to say that the T-90 isnt a capable MBT.
This Russian T-90 tank participates in a 2002 training exercise near Moscow. Image: Jno/CC BY-SA 1.0 DEED
It is armed with a 125mm smoothbore gun fitted with a fume extractor and surrounded by a thermal jacket.
As with the T-72, the T-90 is equipped with an autoloader.
It can hold 22 projectiles and charges, while an additional 21 rounds can be stored in the hull.
T-90SA and T-72UMG tanks participate in a Turkmenistan parade celebrating its independence from the Soviet Union. Photographer: Kerri-Jo Stewart/CC BY 2.0
There are also six single-barreled smoke grenade dischargers on each side of the turret.
Those models produced after 1996 also feature a fully welded turret.
If it burns, it can probably be used with the T-90.
A pair of Indian Army T-90S Bhishma tanks on maneuvers in 2018. Image: Ministry of Defence, India
The T-90 has a crew of three, made up of a commander, driver and gunner.
Combat History
The T-90 was reportedly first deployed in combat during the 1999 Chechen invasion of Dagestan.
However, the models employed were actually the T-90S, which was originally intended for export to India.
Indian Army T-90S tank inspected during Exercise Bold Kurukshetra in March 2023. This is a wargaming exercise between the Singapore Army and Indian Army. Image: Press Information Bureau, India
The tanks service history in that conflict was mixed.
The situation hasnt been much better in Ukraine.
Likewise, the grilles increase the tanks weight, and also increase its visual profile.
Shown is a destroyed Russian T-90M in Ukraine. Ukraine states the tank was destroyed with a Carl Gustov AT missile. Image: Ukraine Ministry of Internal Affairs
For reasons known only to the Indian Army, this T-90S Bhishma has bucket seats welded to the tank turret. Image: Press Information Bureau, Government of India
This Russian T-90 tank was destroyed inside Ukraine during the current Russo-Ukrainian war. Image: Ukraine Ministry of Internal Affairs
