Russia To Exhibit Upgraded T-90S Tank At Defexpo 2012

Russia’s Rosoboronexport will display a modernized version of its T-90S tank at the Defexpo India 2012 show. This will be the first global viewing of the new tank which is said to be a substantial improvement over the existing T-90S in terms of crew protection, fire control system, ride and handling and engine power, informed sources told defenseworld.net. The new tank has been developed in response to user comments that the present T-90 is lacking in adequate crew protection and lacks shooting accuracy. Specifically, in the present tank, the ammunition is stored in close proximity to the crew which is put at great risk if the tank takes a direct hit. The protective system is composed of a fire retardant shell to provide some measure of protection to the crew from a fire hazard if the tank takes a direct hit from an enemy round. Russia is also developing a new tank called Armata and it is still unclear if the upgraded T-90 is the same as the new tank or an interim development. Currently, T-90S tanks are being assembled in India under a licence manufacture agreement with Russia. India had ordered over 300 T-90S tanks in 2009 and the Indian –assembled tanks have been rechristened as “Bhishma”. There have been reports that the Indian-made Arjun tanks has exhibited superior performance capabilities as compared to the T-90S Bhishma during trials in India. It remains to be seen if the upgraded T-90S will change this perception.