'Flying tank' premiere: Russia unveils new T90-MS in India

T90-MS - armstrade.org

30 March, 2012, RT.com

Russian arms producers have presented the most up-to-date exportable version of the T-90 main battle tank to potential buyers.

­The presentation happened at the Defexpo India 2012 in New Delhi, where the producers of the T-90MS hope to find buyers for the armored fighting vehicle.

The upgraded tank has improved capabilities in all aspects, “including firepower, protection, mobility and command ability,” Andrey Terlikov, the chief designer of the T-90 at the Uralvagonzavod plant, said. 

The T-90MS is the latest modification of the combat vehicle dubbed the “flying tank”. It has a new turret with the Kalina modernized targeting system, which is integrated with the squad commander’s control system.  Also on board are an upgraded 2A46M-5 cannon and a new air defense machine gun.

The tank also has new version of the explosive reactive armor called Relict, as well as an improved gear shifter and better steering control. Its armor was modified to better withstand fire, though it is now slightly less resistant to the affects of a nuclear attack. 

The tank is also equipped with an auxiliary diesel engine that is meant to be used during stops. It allows for better fuel efficiency and produces less heat than the main engine, making the vehicle less noticeable in the infra-red spectrum.

The T-90MS hit the domestic stage in September 2011, but the vehicle is yet to be taken to a foreign country. 

The producer hopes that India would be interested in upgrading the T-90 tanks it already owns into MS versions. It gas also invited governments in Latin America and other regions to wow at its capabilities.