Russia maintains frontline armored combat capabilities by replenishing combat vehicles through newly built T-90M and upgraded T-72 dual-track methods

Russian T-90M tank. (Reuters file photo)

[Reporter Tu Jumin/Comprehensive Report] The Russia-Ukraine war continues to consume a large amount of Russian armored forces, but the Russian military industry system is still accelerating the replenishment of tanks. The foreign military news website "Army Recognition" reported that Russia's Uralvagonzavod delivered another batch of T-90M "Breaker" and T-72B3M main combat vehicles to the Russian army on the 12th, indicating that Russia is maintaining frontline armored combat capabilities through a dual-track approach of "newly built T-90M and upgraded T-72".

The foreign military news website "Army Recognition" reported that the Russian army has lost thousands of tanks since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but Moscow has replenished it by building new T-90Ms, refurbishing T-72s, rebuilding T-80s, unsealing Soviet-era inventory tanks, and recycling and repairing battle-damaged vehicles. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) assessed that Russia used to rely heavily on a huge inventory of Soviet combat vehicles. However, as vehicles in better condition are gradually used, the difficulty and cost of refurbishment of the remaining inventory continue to increase.

Russian T-72 tank. (European News Agency file photo)

The report stated that for Russia, the continued mass production of the T-90M tank is increasingly important. This is the most advanced main tank currently mass-produced by Russia, equipped with a 125 mm smoothbore gun, improved fire control, armor and electronic systems; the T-72B3M tank uses the existing T-72 body for modernization and upgrades, quickly replenishing the number at a lower cost.

Russia has also strengthened all-directional protection and anti-drone capabilities for newly delivered tanks based on its battlefield experience in Ukraine, including turret top protection structures, additional armor and electronic countermeasures equipment to respond to FPV drone attacks. The report analyzed that the key to whether Russia can maintain its armored combat capabilities in the future is not just how much Soviet inventory remains, but whether the military industry can continue to expand its new manufacturing, renovation and maintenance capabilities to make up for the constant battle losses on the front line.