T-90M Прорыв (Proryv)
RussianObject 188M
The T-90M Прорыв (Breakthrough) is Russia's most advanced serial-production main battle tank in active service, an extensive modernization of the T-90A. It features a new welded turret, the Kalina fire control system with hunter-killer capability, improved Kontakt-5 and Relikt explosive reactive armour (ERA), and the 2A46M-5 125mm smoothbore gun. It entered limited service in 2020 and was deployed to Ukraine from 2022.
Primary Role
Lead assaults on fortified Ukrainian positions; provide fire support in combined-arms operations
First documented use in Ukraine: 2022-04-01
Specifications
| Weight | 48 tonnes |
| Main gun | 125mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore |
| Engine | V-92S2F 1130 hp diesel |
| Speed (road) | 65 km/h |
| Range | 500 km |
| ERA | Relikt ERA (top, sides, rear) |
| Crew | 3 (autoloader) |
| Country | Russia |
✓ Strengths
- •Best Russian serial-production armor protection (Relikt ERA + composite)
- •Kalina FCS enables hunter-killer operations at night
- •Autoloader allows 3-man crew reducing weight
- •125mm gun fires APFSDS, HEAT, and laser-guided Refleks ATGM
- •Improved powerpack vs earlier T-90 variants
⚠ Limitations
- •Lacks active protection system (APS) — vulnerable to top-attack weapons
- •Soviet-style carouselled autoloader — hull ammunition fires explosively when penetrated
- •Heavy at 48t — limited off-road mobility in mud/soft ground
- •High cost (~$4.5M) limits production numbers
- •Vulnerable to FPV drones attacking roof/engine deck
Notable Use
Multiple T-90M tanks have been captured by Ukraine intact, providing invaluable intelligence on Russian armor technology. Oryx documented the first T-90M loss in May 2022. Despite its advanced armor, T-90M has proven vulnerable to Javelin top-attack, FPV drone attacks, and NLAW missiles due to the absence of an active protection system (APS) in most frontline examples.
Ukraine War Context
Russia deployed T-90M to spearhead assaults at Avdiivka, Bakhmut, and Kreminna. Ukraine captured several T-90M tanks, transferring them for study; at least one was displayed publicly. Despite being Russia's best tank, T-90M losses to Oryx exceeded 60+ by 2024.