Russia's tank power: Mass production and propaganda unleashed
Russia, unlike European countries, has maintained the ability to mass-produce tanks to a degree uncommon in contemporary conditions. As a result, the Uralvagonzavod plants have reported the delivery of another batch of T-90M and T-72B3M type vehicles to the military for the second time this year.
The new statement from the Uralvagonzavod plants seems to be primarily propaganda: the information about the delivery of new tanks to the Russian army coincided with the May 1st celebrations in Russia and the Victory Day celebrations on May 9th.
Beyond the general information about deliveries, Uralvagonzavod did not provide any specifics. It is not known how many tanks were made or in what equipment standard (this includes anti-drone protection and jammers) they were delivered to the armed forces. Only the types of weapons delivered are known—they are T-72B3M tanks and T-90M.
While the T-72B3M can be called the workhorse of the Russian armored forces, the less numerous T-90M is – if you do not count the "parade" T-14 Armata – the pinnacle of Russian tank industry achievements, and President Putin even calls it the best tank in the world.
T-90M Breakthrough – Putin's best serial tank
The T-90M Breakthrough is an upgraded, latest serially produced version of the T-90 tank. Although the manufacturer emphasizes the delivery of brand-new vehicles to the army, this only pertains to a small part of the T-90Ms. Most delivered tanks result from refurbishing T-90 and T-90A tanks previously used by the Russians.
Compared to the base version, the T-90M Breakthrough includes a new welded turret (instead of a cast one), a new Kalina fire control system, and upgraded armament as a 125-mm cannon 2A46M-5.
It theoretically also has much more advanced optoelectronics, but its quality—as a result of Western sanctions—is currently lower than in units delivered before the attack on Ukraine.
The manufacturer also did not disclose the equipment standard of the delivered machines. It is crucial, among others, because of the threat that drones pose to contemporary combat vehicles, including the heaviest and best-armored machines.
A good example is the video material recently published by Ukrainians, showing the effect of an attack on a Russian T-90M tank executed by "Baba Yaga" – a commercial drone modified to carry a bunch of grenades or an anti-tank missile head, like PG-7VL. In the case of the tank shown in the video, the attack resulted in destruction.
