Russia ramps up tank production amidst modern combat challenges

Unlike European countries, Russia has maintained its capacity for mass-producing tanks to an extent not commonly seen today. As a result, the Uralvagonzavod factories have announced for the second time this year the delivery of another set of T-90M and T-72B3M type vehicles to its military forces.

The latest announcement from the Uralvagonzavod factories appears to be largely propagandistic: the news of the new tank deliveries to the Russian army coincided with the May Day celebrations in Russia and Victory Day on May 9th.

While the statement provided general delivery information, Uralvagonzavod did not specify specifics. The exact number of tanks produced is not disclosed, nor are the details regarding their equipment standard (which includes anti-drone protection and jammers). Only the models of the delivered vehicles are known – namely, the T-72B3M tanks and T-90M.

While the T-72B3M is considered the backbone of the Russian armoured forces, the less common T-90M represents, aside from the ceremonial T-14 Armata, the zenith of Russian tank manufacturing, so much so that President Putin has touted it as the best tank globally.

The T-90M Breakthrough, an enhanced and currently latest mass-produced version of the T-90 tank, is noted for receiving brand-new units in the army. However, this only applies to a fraction of the T-90Ms; most delivered units are upgraded versions of the T-90 and T-90A tanks previously operated by the Russian forces.

Compared to its original model, the T-90M Breakthrough features a new welded turret (replacing a cast one), an updated Kalina fire control system, and an improved 125-mm cannon 2A46M-5.

Theoretically, it also boasts superior optoelectronics, although due to Western sanctions, their quality has diminished compared to units delivered before the conflict in Ukraine began.

The manufacturer did not reveal the specific equipment standard of the tanks delivered, a crucial detail since drones present a significant threat to current combat vehicles, including the most heavily armoured ones.

A notable example is a recently released video by Ukrainians, showing a Russian T-90M tank being destroyed by "Baba Yaga," a commercial drone adapted to carry explosives or an anti-tank missile warhead, like the PG-7VL, highlighting the vulnerability of tanks to such modern threats.