SOURCE: AFI
Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), Russia’s premier tank manufacturer and part of the Rostec state corporation, has unveiled a new modification of the T-90 tank, incorporating combat experience from the Special Military Operation (SMO). This latest iteration marks a significant departure from traditional tank design by eliminating the rotating turret—a feature long associated with Soviet and Russian main battle tanks since the introduction of the T-64.
According to UVZ’s press service, future tanks must retain powerful cannon armament, but the concept of a rotating turret is being abandoned due to its limitations on battlefield effectiveness and survivability. The company highlighted that modern combat scenarios have demonstrated that shifting fire between multiple targets, especially while on the move, is no longer a critical requirement for tank operations. Instead, the focus is shifting towards improving protection and firepower in a more static and controlled manner.
One of the key disadvantages of a rotating turret is its interference with the installation of additional protective systems, such as the Arena-M active protection system. By removing the turret, engineers have also addressed a primary vulnerability of traditional tank designs—the risk of turret detachment upon a direct hit. As UVZ historian Alexey Ustyantsev remarked, the inclusion of a turret on the T-90 was akin to “planting a bomb” in its structure, making the tank susceptible to catastrophic damage in high-intensity combat scenarios.
UVZ further emphasized that the role of the tank on the battlefield remains crucial: engaging and destroying enemy forces through direct fire while withstanding attacks from modern weaponry. The company envisions a future combat vehicle that retains the fundamental strengths of traditional tanks—maneuverability, heavy armor, and cross-country capability—while integrating advancements in survivability and firepower.
This radical design shift underscores Russia’s evolving approach to armored warfare, prioritizing survivability and adaptability over legacy design features. While the removal of the turret represents a dramatic departure from conventional main battle tank concepts, it aligns with broader global trends toward unmanned and heavily protected combat vehicles. The development of this new T-90 variant signals a potential transformation in armored warfare doctrine, with implications for future tank engagements and military strategy.
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