Did Russia Stop Producing T-90 Tanks?

As of August 2023, Russia has not officially stopped producing T-90 tanks. In fact, the T-90 series remains a vital component of the Russian armored forces, with ongoing production continuing to enhance its capabilities and meet military needs.

Modernization and Upgrades

The T-90 series has undergone numerous modernizations, including improvements to armor, firepower, and electronics. These updates have helped maintain and enhance the tank's combat effectiveness in various scenarios.

Just last year, in August 2022, the Russian government decided to redirect resources towards upgrading existing tanks rather than producing new ones. This shift was driven by a cost/benefit analysis, where the price of one new T-90M could upgrade between 3-4 old T-90 tanks or 6-8 old T-72B or T-80B tanks. The decision to prioritize upgrades was made to optimize resource allocation and maintain existing tank fleets.

T-90M and T-72B3 Modernization

Currently, the Russian military is receiving up to 20 T-90M tanks per month, up to 20 T-80 BVM tanks per month, and up to 40 T-72 B3M tanks per month. These upgrades and new tank deliveries are crucial for maintaining operational readiness and modernizing the armored forces.

Recent developments show that Russia is increasing its tank production for wartime scenarios. Similar to World War II, when production was ramped up to meet the demands of the conflict, Russia is now focusing on producing T-90M and the updated T-72B3 models. The T-90M can be either newly built or modernized from older T-90 tanks from 1992 or T-90A models. This recent delivery includes 200 new T-90M tanks to the Lugansk Republic, highlighting Russia's commitment to supporting its allies and maintaining robust defensive capabilities.

T-72B3 Modernization

The T-72B3 is a modernized version of the T-72B, with enhancements that include explosive reactive armor (ERA) upgrades, the adoption of the Kontakt ERA instead of Relikt ERA for easier installation, and the addition of a new thermal viewer. These improvements make the T-72B3 a formidable tank in any modern battlefield.

It is important to note that reports suggesting Russia cannot produce tanks due to reliance on Western electronic devices are false. Russia has demonstrated its ability to produce and modernize tanks, even intensifying production in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This focus on military production underscores Russia's commitment to maintaining and strengthening its armored forces.