The T-90M main battle tank has become one of Russia’s hottest armored vehicles of the past few years. Dubbed “Proryv,” or “Breakthrough,” it’s designed to demonstrate that Moscow can still field a tank that holds its own against the world’s best. For the Kremlin, it’s as much a symbol as a weapon—proof that heavy armor has a role to play in today’s conflicts.
This is not simply an antique Soviet tank with a new coat of paint. The T-90M is an improvement over previous versions in nearly all respects. At its core is the 125mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore cannon, which is capable of firing various rounds, including the 9M119M Refleks missile capable of striking a target five kilometers distant.
The Kalina fire control system integrates thermal sights and a laser rangefinder, so it operates day or night. Beneath the armor, a V-92S2F diesel engine burns 1,130 horsepower, propelling the tank at about 45 miles per hour and providing it a range of approximately 340 miles—sufficiently fast to keep up with the fight, sufficiently far to remain valuable without continuous refueling.
The armor is tougher as well. Relikt explosive reactive armor protects it against the latest anti-tank rounds, and the turret has been redesigned to accommodate newer electronics and a digital fire control system. Crew members enjoy a less cramped interior and a more automatic loader, reducing fatigue on long missions. On paper, it matches up nicely with Western tanks such as the M1 Abrams or Leopard 2, although it’s still behind when it comes to such things as advanced sensors and battlefield networking.
But tanks are not assessed on paper—they’re assessed in combat. In conflicts such as Ukraine and Syria, the T-90M has demonstrated that it can absorb punishment, but it’s not without major weaknesses. The largest one results from a design option inherited from previous Soviet tanks: the autoloader for ammunition is located below the crew compartment.
If a round penetrates—particularly from above, by such weapons as the Javelin or small attack UAVs—it can initiate a chain reaction and destroy the tank as well as those inside. Military analyst Isaac Seitz bluntly summarized: “It’s just as susceptible to ammo cook-offs as the older models.”
Drone warfare only made things more difficult for tank crews. Slow, inexpensive FPV drones proved surprisingly effective at getting past defenses and striking weak points. Initially, the T-90M had few defenses against them. Poor strategy has worked against them—moving tanks ahead alone and without electronic warfare support has resulted in massive losses. As Seitz said, “even the best tank is a dead tank if it’s sent in alone.”
In response, Russia ramped up production at the Uralvagonzavod plant in Nizhny Tagil. The lines operate around the clock now, churning out dozens or several hundred T-90Ms annually compared to perhaps 60 or 70 in 2022. The drive is supported by an enormous defense budget, but sanctions have made it more difficult to obtain some of the high-tech components, compelling factories to rely more on domestic production. Skilled labor is in demand as well—the factory has been openly recruiting engineers and machinists to maintain the speed.
Meanwhile, the tank itself has transformed. In the past three years, there have been about 200 modifications, ranging from installing electronic warfare equipment to jam drones, to equipping anti-drone netting, to adding rubber-lined plates to reinforce vulnerable armor points. There are even some that bear the Arena-M active protection system, which attempts to intercept approaching missiles before they strike. The factory indicates that today’s tanks rolling off the line are quite different from those produced only a couple of years ago.
Price is also a contributing factor in the T-90M’s popularity. At about $4.5 million per vehicle—less than the M1 Abrams costs—it’s attracted interest from nations such as India and Algeria. For Russia, the revenue it generates supports production and creates influence overseas.
Ultimately, the T-90M is not just equipment—it’s an expression of how Russia views war. The tank demonstrates the faith that armor will still hold value, even when the battlefield is transformed by drones, guided missiles, and electronic warfare. That depends on the T-90M’s ability to continue adapting. If it can maintain one step ahead of threats, it will continue to be a formidable foe. If it fails, it will be just another reminder that in war today, steel will not suffice.