The T-90 MBT represents a combination of the T-72 and T-80 designs, drawing from each to achieve a more modern product.
The T-90 MBT represents a combination of the T-72 and T-80 designs, drawing from the best of both to achieve a more modern product. While the fire control system on the T-90 represents the latest in Russian design and is an improvement over the T-80, the T-90 uses the same V-12 diesel powerplant found in the late model T-72s, sacrificing speed for range and automotive reliability. The T-90 also retains the use of the 125mm smoothbore cannon and automatic loader, feeding ammunition from a 22 round circular magazine around the turret ring. In addition the T-90 continues to use the 9M119 Refleks (NATO AT-11 SNIPER) cannon launched, laser guided ATGM found on the late model T-80s. The T-90 also uses the Shtora-1 countermeasures suite as well as the ARENA hard kill Anti-Missile defensive system. Though currently the most modern tank fielded in the Russian army and available for export, production rates remain low as the T-90 is seen as an interim solution until the next generation of Russian MBT is fielded.