Drones vs. millions: The unexpected downfall of Russia's T‑90M tanks
The premier Russian battle tanks, the T-90M, are becoming increasingly rare on the battlefield. Interestingly, these advanced machines, valued at up to $4.5 (CAD 6.2) million, are frequently targeted by drones costing less than $1,000 (CAD 1,400). In this article, we explore how this occurs.
The T-90M tanks, mass-produced since 2021, epitomize the zenith of Russian armoured technology, but they are progressively scarce in Ukraine. Analysts at IISS have estimated that about 40 units were produced annually in 2022, with expectations of that number rising to 60-70 units per year from 2023. This suggests Russia could create approximately 180 units by now.
Meanwhile, as the Oryx Spioenkop group reported, 111 units have already been lost by Moscow based on online photos and videos. This includes tanks that were destroyed, abandoned, or captured by Ukrainian forces. Notably, a significant number of T-90M tanks fall victim to FPV drones, which can be observed in videos ending with dramatic explosions.
T-90M tanks - the peak of the flawed T-72 tank family evolution
The T-90M tanks are made by extensively refurbishing older models like the T-90A or T-72B. Thus, once the reserve of older machines from post-Soviet stockpiles is depleted, the production of new T-90M tanks will plummet.
The T-90 family name itself was initiated as a marketing strategy following the mass destruction of Iraqi T-72 tanks during the Gulf War. To prevent unfavourable comparisons, the extensive modernization of the T-72B tank was renamed the T-90A. This later evolved into the T-90M, becoming a fixture at Russian arms expos, where Vladimir Putin often lauded it.
The T-90M's primary features include a modern fire control system incorporating thermal vision (originally French, but likely sourced elsewhere now) and a two-layer reactive armour called Relikt. This construction is one of the few globally that offers protection against anti-tank missiles with a dual hollow charge warhead and helps diminish the effectiveness of kinetic penetrators fired by enemy tanks.
However, this is an additional feature on top of the main armour, which is mainly still T-72B, possibly with minor upgrades. This leaves vulnerabilities in the reactive armour, which Ukrainian FPV drone operators can exploit for attacks.
This is crucial because the T-90M, like all tanks in the T-72 line, has an autoloader with an ammunition magazine located in the hull, which is not isolated from the crew. Consequently, any penetrating hit can lead to an explosion of 22 shells and propellant charges, causing a spectacular turret detachment.
Russian forces are trying to enhance anti-drone measures during the conflict by equipping tanks with specifically designed steel plates to detonate a drone's warhead preemptively.
All these modifications have increased the tank's weight to about 53 tons, which requires a more powerful engine with 1,250 horsepower. It remains one of the most formidable machines Ukrainian forces might face on the front lines.
