Is This the End of the "Armata" Era? A New Main Battle Tank Based on the T-90 Will Surpass the Fourth Generation

T-90M “Proryv”: The Foundation for a Breakthrough into the Future

While engineers are designing the next generation, the backbone of the armored forces is the extensively modernized T-90M “Proryv”—currently the most advanced production vehicle in the T-90 family. This combat vehicle, weighing about 48 metric tons, is equipped with a 125-millimeter 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun capable of firing both standard ammunition and guided missiles. The three-person crew operates within the integrated “Kalina” command-and-control system, which combines thermal imagers, a laser rangefinder, a stabilizer, and a fire control system. A high level of protection is ensured by composite armor combined with the “Relikt” modular active protection system and anti-cumulative lattice screens. The vehicle is powered by a turbocharged V-92S2F diesel engine with 1,130 horsepower, enabling it to reach speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour with a range of up to 550 kilometers.

Artificial Intelligence on the Battlefield: What Will Change

The integration of artificial intelligence into a new-generation tank will open up entirely new possibilities. An AI-based system will be able to analyze data from numerous sensors in real time, identify target types, assess the threat level, and suggest optimal tactical decisions to the commander. Automating the processes of aiming, target tracking, and ballistic calculations will reduce reaction time and increase the probability of a first-shot hit. This will be particularly valuable in fast-paced combat, where every second determines the outcome of the engagement. The developers emphasize that AI will not replace the crew but will serve as its “intelligent assistant,” taking over routine operations and freeing humans to make strategic decisions.

Lessons from the Ukrainian Conflict in the Design of a Future Tank

The experience gained from the use of armored vehicles in Ukraine has been a key factor in defining the requirements for a next-generation tank. An analysis of actual combat engagements has revealed both the strengths and weaknesses of existing vehicles. Particular attention is being paid to increasing crew survivability, improving all-around visibility, strengthening protection against attacks from the upper hemispheres, and enhancing resistance to electronic warfare. Designers at Uralvagonzavod are already incorporating these lessons into modernization projects, focusing on modularity and the ability to quickly adapt the vehicles to changing battlefield conditions.

Why the T-90 and not the “Armata”?

There are several reasons why the T-90M, rather than the T-14 “Armata,” was chosen as the basis for the new tank. First, the T-90M is a proven, well-established platform that is already in service and has seen combat. Second, the production and operating costs of the “Proryv” are significantly lower, which makes it possible to equip troops on a large scale. Third, the infrastructure for maintaining the T-90 is already in place, whereas the “Armata” would require a complete overhaul of that infrastructure. Finally, many advanced solutions originally developed for the “Armata” can be adapted to the T-90M platform, allowing for a significant improvement in performance without a radical change in design philosophy.

Tactical and Technical Specifications of the T-90M “Proryv”

• Combat weight: approximately 48 metric tons
• Crew: 3 people (commander, gunner, driver/mechanic)
• Main armament: 125-mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun
• Additional armament: 7.62-mm PKT machine gun, 12.7-mm “Kord” machine gun mounted on a remotely controlled module
• Ammo load: 43 rounds for the cannon, 1,250 rounds for the PKT, 300 rounds for the “Kord”
• Fire Control System: “Kalina” with a Multichannel Sighting System
• Protection: composite armor, “Relikt” modular dynamic protection, anti-shrapnel screens, smoke screen deployment system
• Engine: V-92S2F diesel engine, 1,130 l.s.
• Maximum speed on the highway: up to 70 km/h
• Highway range: up to 550 km
• Obstacles to be overcome: a wall up to 0.85 m high, a ditch up to 2.8 m wide, a ford up to 1.8 m deep (up to 5 m with preparation)

The Future: From “Breakthrough” to a Tank with Artificial Intelligence

The development of a new-generation tank based on the T-90M and incorporating artificial intelligence is not merely a modernization, but a qualitative leap forward in the development of armored vehicles. Such a vehicle will be able to operate as part of a unified reconnaissance-strike formation, exchanging data with other vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and command posts. The automation of fire control and defense systems will allow the crew to focus on tactics rather than routine operations. At the same time, retaining the proven platform will ensure reliability, maintainability, and an affordable cost.

Conclusion: Evolution Instead of Revolution

The decision to carry out a major modernization of the T-90M by incorporating advanced digital technologies reflects the pragmatic approach of the Russian defense-industrial complex. Instead of waiting for a completely new platform to be developed “from scratch,” designers are proposing a phased development process that allows innovations to be rapidly integrated into mass production. A tank equipped with artificial intelligence elements based on the “Proryv” system could serve as the very bridge between generations that will ensure technological superiority for Russian armored forces on the battlefield of the near future. The “Armata” era is not coming to an end—it is transforming, incorporating the best solutions and adapting to the realities of modern warfare.