The T-90 heavy tank was kept from closing Russian production if India had not signaled interest in acquiring the MBT. This unexpected move led to the development of the T-90M Proryv, which has seen action in the Ukraine war in limited numbers.
India Saw Potential of the R T-90 Heavy Tank
In comparison, the Proryv is the best variant of the series and surpasses the T-72. Moves faster and better maneuverability with advanced fire control, active protection, and improved combat armor, Indian Defense News reported.
The series was only one of several weapon systems competing for financing. UralVagonZavod added that lack of interest came close to ending production. Russian production of the 90 series MBT had begun.
Early in the 90s, the firm UralVagonZavod poured in all the know-how gained from the earlier T-72 MBT, according to Military Today.
The design chief for the tank project, Vladimir Potkin, specifically cited the 72-series chassis held a promise as the basis for a new tank design. Blueprints of the first designs of the new tank were seen that were followed by building and producing the unit. It was later put in service in 1992, unlike the older T-72.
The successor of the older T-72 had strengthened combined armor with improved protection. Other equipment includes a new targeting system (1A45T Irtysh) with an improved aiming system called the PNK-45.
A new 90 series MBT got an upgrade of 5000 meters maximum distance to hit any target with the use of the 9K119 Reflex weapon control system. Another first is equipping a complex optical-electronic suppression system called TSHU-1, per Army Guide.
The Chechnya Conflict
The first units were in service in 1993 as the Russian army used the new tanks. It was looked for by tank crews waiting to use it. The variant saw combat in 1995 during the war in Chechnya, where it served on the front lines and was unaffected by the Chechen weapons. But it would not get the increased investment it deserved due to its good performance. Until today, it's not clear why the Kremlin did not order more units.
The Urals tank factory, with no orders, was close to bankruptcy; no interest from the Kremlin or foreign buyers almost shut down the factory permanently.
India Saved Firm of Longtime Russian Ally
The Chechen war had a secret onlooker in New Delhi that came at the last minute. The T-90 was examined closely by Indian military experts. Potkin's reputation as a tank designer was respected by the Indian Military too.
New Delhi needs an excellent MBT to counter Pakistan as it got 320 Ukrainian-origin T-80UD tanks. They saw the need to get the next-gen T-90 MBT and gave specs for an improved version of the variant. Potkin was their choice to design it further. But they gave him two years to complete the unit and three test prototypes to see if the new improved T-90 cut desert operations. It was tense for the designer and the tank factory.
The result is the T-90 Bhisma with maxed specifications for desert ops and shooting accurately on the move. This tank saved the tank from ending production, per Army Technology.
India got what it wanted from an improved T-90 Heavy Tank that saved the Russian production line of the Urals tank firm.
Related Article: Russian Advanced T-90M Main Battle Tank Allegedly Deploys in Ukraine
