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2023-03-22
Russia Banks on Tanks, Counts on Upgraded Versions
Main Battle Tanks- Part 2
Since 2008, Russia has continued to deem tanks as a critical and pressing area of capability development, where platforms are primarily intended for short-duration engagement. Russia can rely upon over 20,000 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), more than those of all North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members put together.
While the Russian T-90 MS is capable of an effective defence thanks to the explosive reaction to attacks based on the high technological endowment of its Active Protection Systems (APS), the real flagship of the Russian industry is the newest tank T-14.
This platform, part of the Armata group of new armoured platforms, can perform a wide range of tasks in light of its advanced systems of sensors, electronics, communications and software. The T-14 can count on an unmanned turret, which allows it to be managed by only three people in the capsule.
Nevertheless, the entry into service of these platforms is hindered by high development and acquisition costs. Therefore, T-14 is expected to be available for Moscow in limited quantity, thus causing a massive update of retrofitted T-72 and T-80 MBTs, as well as of the abovementioned T-90.
The appearance of Russian new generation reactive armour such as RELIKIT, new generation active solutions such as Malakhit and Afghanit, as well as newly designed passive solutions installed on new T-14 Armata, were a shock for Western armed forces. Their possible application on upgrading legacy T-80, T-72 and T-90 MBTs forced American and European industries to start a very rapid development of new solutions to boost firepower.
Russia is one of the leading nations in the development of MBTs since the development of T-34 during the Second World War, and Russian T-14 Armata is one of the most revolutionary programme of the recent years. UralVagonZavod (UVZ) industry began the development of this vehicle in 2009 basing its work on the previous T-95 project. T-14 Armata was designed as a part of a family of heavy vehicles, with the T-15 Heavy IFV, the T-16 Recovery Tank, and the 2S35 Koalitsya artillery self-propelled vehicle.
Super Weapon
At the end of 2018, Russian MoD announced the acquisition of a first batch of T-14 Armata along with T-15 and T-16. Currently a limited number of T-14 Armata is in service in the Russian Army, but the vehicle is expected to be introduced in larger numbers in future.
The T-14 Armata is designed to find a better balance between firepower, mobility and protection. Compared to Western counterparts, legacy Russian MBTs (like T-64s, T-72s/T-90s and T-80s) lacked protection and had poor ergonomics. The main innovation of its design is the introduction of an unmanned turret. This solution gives the vehicle great advantages on the overall protection, which is claimed to be comparable to that of the best Western MBTs — the latest evolutions of Abrams and Leopard 2.
The entire crew is seated in a well-protected citadel at the front of the hull, the unmanned turret is in the middle while the power pack is on the rear. The T-14 Armata is 1 m longer and higher than the T-90, respectively for a total of 10.8 m long and 3.3 m high and is 3.5 m wide. The T-14 Armata is also the first to be equipped with a complex active/passive defence system (hard kill/soft kill).
Another key element of the Russian vehicle is the limitation on the weight. T-14 has an estimated Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 48 tonnes, a value not very dissimilar to the MBTs actually in service in the Russian Army, and it constitutes a great advantage in tactical and strategic mobility. Compared to 70 tonne western MBTs, the lightness of T-14 Armata means easy air, ship (especially landing ship), railroad and road transportation.
Tough to Maintain T-64
Development of the T-64 main battle tank commenced in 1954. First production tanks were delivered to the Soviet Army in 1963. Officially it was adopted only in 1967. It was publicly revealed in 1970. Over 6,000 of these MBTs off all versions were built.
During its introduction the T-64 was a very advanced tank, but had a number of significant drawbacks. It was never exported outside the Soviet Union. The T-64 had improved armour protection comparing with the previous Soviet tanks. It was the first Soviet tank to use ceramic composite armour. The T-64 is fitted with nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection and automatic fire suppression systems. Initial production version of the T-64 was armed with a fully-stabilised 115 mm gun. Essentially it was the same gun, as used on the previous T-62 medium tank.
Initial production version of the T-64 is considered as a medium tank due to its calibre. It was not built in large numbers. The T-64 was the first Soviet tank to be fitted with an autoloader. Reduction of the crew allowed reducing the size of the turret. The T-64 fires HE, HE-FRAG, and APFSDS rounds. Maximum rate of fire was up to 10 rounds per minute.
Initial production version of the T-64 is considered as a medium tank due to its calibre. It was not built in large numbers. The T-64 was the first Soviet tank to be fitted with an autoloader. Reduction of the crew allowed reducing the size of the turret. The T-64 fires HE, HE-FRAG, and APFSDS rounds. Maximum rate of fire was up to 10 rounds per minute.
At the time of its introduction the T-64 was a very advanced machine. On the other side it was expensive to build and troublesome to maintain. A less capable, but inexpensive and reliable T-72 tank was introduced a couple of years later. The T-72 was produced in thousands. It was the workhorse of the Soviet Army. Initially the T-64 had some fire control advantages, but that diminished with introduction of improved versions of the T-72. Currently the T-64 tank is outdated.
Improved T-64A
T-64A is an improved version. Soviet military authorities were not impressed with performance of the 115 mm gun. So an improved version was developed. It was armed with a new 125 mm smoothbore gun. This gun could penetrate front armour of contemporary Western main battle tanks, such as the Chieftain, Leopard 1, and M60.
The T-64A had improved armour protection. Its front arc provided protection against 100 mm ammunition. It was fitted with a roof-mounted remotely-controlled 12.7 mm machine gun. Maximum rate of fire was 6-8 rounds per minute. Engine of the T-64A was fitted with a rev limiter in order to extend its service life. Maximum road speed was reduced to 60 km/h. The T-64A had a combat weight of 38 t. The improved T-64A was more reliable than the original T-64. Unlike the original T-64, the T-64A was produced in large numbers.
Armour Upgrade
The T-64BV is a modernised version of the T-64B main battle tank with an armour upgrade package. The T-64B version was adopted in service in 1976. The T-64BV featured enhanced anti-radiation protection and add-on explosive reactive armour. The production of the T-64BV started in 1985.
The T-64BV is armed with a 125 mm 2A46M-1 smoothbore gun. One 7.62mm coaxial machine gun is mounted to the right side of the main armament. A 12.7mm NSVT machine gun is mounted on the top of the commander hatch which can be aimed and fired from within the tank. Two banks of four smoke grenade dischargers are mounted to the left side of the turret. The T-64B’s 125 mm cannon can also fire the anti-tank guided missile AT-8 Songster, Russian designation 9K112-1 Kobra.
The AT-8 `Songster’ could be used to engage heavily armoured vehicles at a maximum distance of 4,000 m. The AT-8 `Songster’ has a single HEAT warhead and can probably penetrate at least 600 mm of steel armour but cannot penetrate Chobham-type and explosive reactive armour. The T-64BV can fire a maximum of four AT-8 `Songsters’ per minute. A T-64B normally carries six AT-8 `Songsters’ plus 36 rounds (projectile and charge) of 125 mm ammunition.
Thermal Sight
The upgraded T-72 tank with a fire control system incorporating a thermal sight attracts attention by its low silhouette, relatively light weight, lethal armament and high reliability at minimum operating costs, which has put it on a par with the best tanks in other countries. The upgraded T-72 has retained all the virtues of the baseline tank and incorporated new advances in tank-building, which still maintain an edge over its counterparts.
The upgraded T-72 tank is superior to the baseline T-72 in firepower, protection and mobility and compares favourably to its predecessors in the installation of upgraded and all-new components.
The fully-stabilised auto-loaded 2A46M gun of increased accuracy increases the effective range of fire.
Underwater Driving
The T-72B MBT is developed from the Russian main battle tank T-72A. It entered into service with the Russian army in 1984. Its turret has a new armour package that provides a much higher degree of protection than any previous model of the T-72 MBT.
The T-72 MBT is equipped for underwater driving. It can ford water barriers of to 5m in depth and about 1,000 m in width. The tank is equipped with the Azbat communication system comprising the R-173 USW radio set, the R-173P receiver, an antenna filter unit, and a throat microphone amplifier.
The main armament of the T-72B main battle tank consists of one 125mm special smoothbore gun/launcher 2A46M. The 125 mm gun is stabilised in both planes.
The main gun has a stabiliser, designated 2E42-2, with an electro-hydraulic elevation drive and electromechanical traverse drive. The 125 mm gun can fire three types of ammunition, including the APFSDS (Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot) with a maximum range of 2,100 m, HEAT-FS (High-explosive anti-tank fin-stabilised) with a maximum direct fire range of 4,000 m, and HE-FRAG(FS) with a maximum indirect fire range of 9,400 m.
Gas Turbine Engine
TheT-80 main battle tank, based on the T-64 and T-74 versions, is the first Soviet military tank to operate on a gas turbine engine.
The T-80 main battle tank was introduced in the late 1970s. KBTM of Omsk, Russian Federation, was responsible for the production of its advanced versions, such as the T-80U for general use in infantry and tank units, and the T-80UK command tank.
The T-80U carries the 9M119 Refleks (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missile system, which is fired from the main gun. The range of the missile is 100m to 4,000m. The system is intended to engage tanks fitted with explosive reactive armour (ERA), as well as low-flying air targets such as helicopters, at a range of up to 5km. The missile system fires either the 9M119 or 9M119M missiles, which have semi-automatic laser beamriding guidance.
Hi-tech T-90s
The T-90S Main Battle Tank is a hi-tech weapon system, based on a century-long experience gained by the global and Russian tank-building industries.
The T-90S MBT is equipped with powerful armament, advanced fire control systems, reliable armour protection, and can boast of great manoeuvrability.
Its 125mm enhanced-accuracy smoothbore cannon is fully stabilised and has an autoloader, which augments MBT’s firepower drastically. The tank has a 7.62mm coaxial MG, 12.7mm anti-aircraft HMG and ATGMs. The Т-90S MBT offers comprehensive protection against conventional ammunition, precision guided weapons (guided artillery projectiles, ATGMs) and anti-tank rockets.
Its 125mm enhanced-accuracy smoothbore cannon is fully stabilised and has an autoloader, which augments MBT’s firepower drastically. The tank has a 7.62mm coaxial MG, 12.7mm anti-aircraft HMG and ATGMs. The Т-90S MBT offers comprehensive protection against conventional ammunition, precision guided weapons (guided artillery projectiles, ATGMs) and anti-tank rockets.
The T-90S gun can also fire the 9M119 Refleks (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missile system. The range of the missile is 100m to 4,000m and takes 11.7 seconds to reach maximum range.
It is intended to engage tanks fitted with explosive reactive armour (ERA), as well as low-flying air targets, such as helicopters, at a range of up to 5km. The missile system fires either the 9M119 or 9M119M missiles, which have semi-automatic laser beam-riding guidance and a hollow charge warhead. The missile weight is 23.4kg. The guns’ automatic loader can feed both ordnance and missiles.
It is fitted with the Shtora-1 defensive aids suite, which is produced by Electronintorg of Russia. This system includes an infrared jammer, laser warning system with four laser warning receivers, grenade discharging system that produces an aerosol screen, and computerised control system.
It is also fitted with nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection equipment.
Mighty T-90MS
T-90MS is an advanced version of the T-90S tank, which was launched at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX)-2021 international arms show in November 2021. T-90MS features a more powerful engine, latest air conditioner, improved electronics and enhanced armour.
The T-90MS tanks cleared the required trials in Latin America and the Middle East in June 2020.
The T-90MS MBT is equipped with powerful weapon systems, modern automatic fire control systems, cutting-edge protection, robust and powerful engine, and reliable transmission. The 125mm cannon allows to engage targets at long distances with high accuracy, and keeps the MBT from the enemy Anti-Tank Assets effective area. The T-90MS’s Modern Machine Gun Mount is extremely efficient against various light targets due to a stabiliser.
The Fire Control System provides sustained target search, detection, identification and tracking under any weather conditions, day and night, from a halt position or on the move.
The extensively upgraded tank will deliver enhanced combat capabilities in present warfare scenarios. The tank offers superior firepower and protection than that of its predecessor.
The combined panoramic commander’s sight is equipped with television and thermal channels and a laser range finder.
Command Tank
The T-90SK tank is designed to provide command and control over subordinate units, facilitate communications with superior commanders, and conduct operations as part of units and subunits.
This command tank is a derivative of the T-90S tank and is distinguished by an R-168-100KBE HF radio set, TNA-4-3 tank navigation equipment set and PAB-2M aiming circle.
Its basic specifications are on par with the baseline T-90S model. The command tank’s armament system, protection systems, power plant, transmission, running gear, vision devices, deep-water fording kit, self-entrenching equipment, and mine-clearing equipment mountings are similar to those of the T-90S MBT.
Power on the Wheels
In addition to the introduction of the T-14 Armata, Russian Army is carrying on with different programmes to upgrade T-72B, T-80B/U and T-90 legacy MBTs. The latest T-72 upgrades by Russian industries are T-72B3M/B4 fitted with Relkit ERA system. The main features of the B4 variant are a new 1,130 HP (848 kW) diesel engine, an evolved FCS with Sosna-U day/night gunner’s sight and a new PK-PAN independent panoramic sight for the commander.
The latest evolution of T-80 is the T-80 BVM/T-80U1. The main feature of this upgrade is the integration of Malakhit protection system. As for the latest T-72B3/ T-72B3M, the T-80 BVM introduces an upgraded FCS with Sosna-U day/night gunner’s sight and a new independent panoramic sight for the commander.
T-90 AM74 is the most advanced upgrade of a previous generation Russian MBT since is fitted with 2A82-1M 125mm gun of T-14 Armata with an autoloader modified to be compatible with Vacuum APFSDS kinetic energy round. FCS was upgraded with a new UDP TO5 BV-1 stabilised panoramic sight for the commander.
The Military Balance 2021 database says Russian storage facilities have around 10,200 tanks, including various T-72s, 3,000 T-80s, and 200 T-90s.
The database’s 2016 publication indicates that Russia has roughly 2,800 Cold War legacy T-55s (the first tank type to feature a nuclear warfare protection system in the 1950s) in storage, as well as 2,500 T-62s and 2,000 T-64s.
This implies that Russia may have around 17,300 tanks produced between the late 1950s and now .
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