Further Development of the T-90: The T-90M2 “Ryvok-1.” How Does It Differ from the “Proryv” and the “Armata”?
This news likely indicates that in Russia, the “Armata” project has either been scrapped entirely or its development has been shelved indefinitely. Instead of a fourth-generation tank, they’re continuing to improve the good old T-90. So what exactly is its new variant—the “Ryvok-1”? Let’s try to figure it out below.
What kind of car is this, and why is everyone talking about it?
The T-90M2 “Ryvok-1” is an evolution of the well-known T-90M “Proryv.” The vehicle is built on a proven platform but incorporates features previously associated with next-generation equipment. It is precisely this combination—a proven foundation and modern solutions—that is generating heightened interest.
It’s important to understand that this isn’t a revolution in the traditional sense. There’s no sudden leap forward here, but rather a careful and well-thought-out evolution, where every detail enhances overall effectiveness.
Key characteristics that determine the level
If you break down the car into its individual components, it becomes clear what sets it apart:
— A V-92S2F engine with 1,130 l.s. of power, providing high mobility
— A reinforced transmission and the option to install an auxiliary power unit
— Wider tracks up to 580 mm for improved cross-country capability
— Modernized fire control system with digital architecture
— Upgraded sighting systems with a laser rangefinder
— Armament: a 125-mm gun, including the advanced 2A82-1M
Taken individually, none of these elements seem particularly remarkable. But together, they create an entirely new level of controllability and efficiency.
In this story, it all comes down to one detail
And that detail is security.
It is precisely here that the T-90M2 takes a significant step forward and effectively addresses the main challenge of the modern battlefield—the threat posed by drones and precision-guided weapons.
What Classic Modernization Was Supposed to Look Like
Typically, a tank upgrade involves reinforcing the armor, making minor improvements to the electronics, and possibly upgrading the armament. All of that is present here as well, but the T-90M2 takes a different approach.
What Did They Do Differently?
The vehicle will be equipped with the “Arena-M” active protection system, which is capable of intercepting incoming threats. This is complemented by the “Relikt” dynamic protection system, which has been reinforced with new layers, thereby increasing its resistance to modern munitions.
Particular attention is paid to the upper sections and the turret, since that is where drone attacks are increasingly targeted. In fact, the tank is beginning to account for threats that simply did not exist on this scale just ten years ago.
Why Is This Important?
Because the very logic of a vehicle’s survivability on the battlefield is changing. Whereas the focus used to be on armor thickness, it is now on comprehensive protection: detection, response, and neutralization of threats.
Firepower: A Familiar Base, a New Level
The tank retains its classic 125-mm gun but gains the ability to use more modern ammunition, including guided missiles. At the same time, the digital fire control system processes data more quickly and improves accuracy.
This is no longer just «shooting»—it’s working with real-time information.
Mobility Without Compromise
1,130 horsepower isn’t just a number—it’s the ability to maintain performance even with increased weight. The new undercarriage and wider tracks allow for confident operation in challenging conditions, which is especially important for versatility.
A digital tank is not a metaphor
One of the most underappreciated aspects is the electronics. The T-90M2 features a modular architecture that allows for faster system upgrades and adaptation to new missions. Improved communications, data integration, and process automation—all of these are gradually transforming the tank into a component of a unified digital system.
The main question: Why not the «Armata»?
And this is where it gets really interesting.
On paper, the T-14 «Armata» appears to be a more technologically advanced and promising project. But in reality, it’s not just technology that matters—scale, cost, and the speed of implementation are also important.
The T-90M2 is based on a proven platform, which simplifies production, maintenance, and crew training. At the same time, it incorporates some of the technologies that were developed for a newer generation of vehicles.
It creates a unique bridge between the present and the future.
What does this mean in practice?
By 2029, these very vehicles could form the backbone of tank units. They combine time-tested reliability with modern solutions designed to counter new threats.
And perhaps that is the key strategy—not a sudden transition, but a gradual refinement, where each new version represents a step forward without sacrificing effectiveness.
The T-90M2 «Ryvok-1» is more than just a modernization. It is the answer to the question of what a tank should be like today, when the battlefield is changing faster than new generations of military equipment can be developed.
And if you look closely, it becomes clear: this is not a temporary solution, but a well-thought-out system that could shape development for years to come.
Source — https://dzen.ru/a/adZx_n2eH2aO3dyb
