T-90

   The T-90 main battle tank is a further development of the T-72. The T-90 was accepted to service with Russian army in 1993 and it's low-rate production commenced in 1994. Currently Russian Army operates about 400 of these MBTs. Other sources claim, that there are about 1 000 T-90 main battle tanks of all variants in service. Export operators are India, Algeria and Venezuela. It is the most modern tank currently in service with Russian Army. The T-90 is among 10 best main battle tanks in the world.

   The T-90 MBT uses a well proven chassis of the T-72 and turret with all weapon systems of the T-80U.

   It's hull is welded from multilayered armor with a built-in Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor blocks. It's protection is enhanced by Shtora-1 countermeasures system, which significantly reduces enemy ATGW with semi-automatic guidance hit probability.

   The T-90 main battle tank is a armed with a fully-stabilized 2A46M 125-mm smoothbore gun. This gun is also used to launch AT-11 Sniper-B anti-tank guided missies, in the same manner, as ordinary munitions. The AT-11 has a range of effective fire in 4 -5 km and can also engage low-flying helicopters. Main gun of the T-90 is completed with a carousel-type autoloader. 22 rounds are carried in the autoloader. Unfortunately it's spare ammunition is stored in the main compartment, but not in a separate compartment with a blow-out panels. This drawback was common to all Cold War era Soviet main battle tanks.

   Secondary armament consists of a coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun and roof mounted remotely controlled 12.7-mm machine gun, used against ground and air targets.

   Vehicle has a crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver.

   The T-90 is powered by a V-84MS multi-fuel diesel engine, developing 840 horsepower. Vehicle is completed with an auxiliary power unit, which powers all tank's systems, when the main engine is turned off. It is worth mentioning that the T-90 has a lower power-to-weight ration than most current MBTs, hence it's vague mobility performance. Vehicle is fitted with a deep wading kit, that can be fitted by tank's crew during 20 minutes. The T-90 is also fitted with a self-dig-in blade.

Variants

   T-90K command tank;

   T-90S export variant (sometimes referred as the T-90E), powered by a diesel engine, developing 1 000 horsepower;

   T-90SK export command variant;

   T-90 Bhishma or Bheeshma. It is a license-built variant in service with the Indian army. It lacks Shtora countermeasures system, but retains the 9K119 Reflex ATGM capability. It is also powered by the 1 000 hp diesel engine;

   T-90A improved Russian Army variant, fitted with a diesel engine, developing 1 000 hp. It also has some minor improvements comparing with original model;

   MTU-90 bridgelayer. It is designed to launch bridge across trenches and water obstacles in combat conditions.

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