Are Russian T-90 Tanks Outsmarting US-Made TOWs?

In the battle for Aleppo in Syria where Sunni rebel forces are in retreat is the role played by Russian T-90 tanks which is claimed to be getting better of the Saudi-supplied tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless-guided (TOW) Weapon System.

The TOW anti-tank missiles, made by US firm, Raytheon are understood to have been the main rebel weapons against the Syrian army's T-52 and T-72 tanks and BMP armored vehicles. Sunni militia websites have several photos and videos showing TOW missiles pulverizing the older generation Russian-supplied Syrian tanks.

However, Russia is understood to have supplied the latest generation T-90 tanks which are equipped with reactive armor capable of holding out against the deadly explosive power of the TOW missiles, Russian media reported over the last few days.

In addition, these tanks have sensors which can track the missile the moment it locks on to the tank and take evasive action which includes throwing a smoke screen around the tank or taking electronic counter-measures to jam the lock-on system of the missiles.

The surprisingly agile T-90 tanks can take offensive action by turning and firing at the threat in a matter of seconds.

Some Turkish and Syrian news outlets have reported about T-90 tanks being supplied to Damascus since November 2015. Some images have also surfaced of the T-90 tanks bearing Syrian flags in the thick of battle in Syria.

The offensive by President Bashar al-Assad's regime is understood to have turned the tide against rebels in the north particularly around Aleppo, Syria's largest city, which has been partly controlled by Sauci-backed Sunni rebels since 2012. The surprising gains of the Syrian army is being credited to Russian airstrikes, T-90 tanks and other modern weapons supplied by Russia and the growing confidence of Assad's army.

Russian forces in Syria have considered the TOW missiles as the main threat to their dominance after the rescue helicopter sent to fetch the bailed-out Su-24 pilot from the Turkish ambush was reportedly felled by the TOW. More recently a Russian officer reportedly lost his life when rebels shot a TOW missile at a Russian air base.