U.S. Army Seeks To Buy Russian T-90 Tanks

Defense News | August 27 - September 2, 2001 | Frank Tiboni

[klpt]

[barrium]

I thought the T-90 didn't go into production until 1993? If that's correct any T-90's Ukraine has would most likely be export versions. That is they really do have T-90's.

[Lorne]

I served on an M-1A1 and I am very familiar with it. The AT-11 uses a shaped charge to penetrate armor. The M-1 family of tanks is almost immune to shape charge attack so the penetration of the AT-11 is irrelivant. Also, the T-90 is nothing more than a slightly improved version of the T-72. It has the same fatal flaws of the T-72 line, its underpowered, short life of the gun tube, poor elivation and depression of the main gun, no thermal sights (its only an "option" on the T-90). The greatest flaw of the T-72/T-90 is ammo is stored below the turret floor. The slightest spark in the ammo area caused by penetration of an anti-tank round sends the turret flying about 40 feet into the air killing the crew at once. You may notice that during the gulf war very few T-72's kept their turrets while most of the older T-55's and T-62's stayed in one piece (though they did burn). Over all, while US tanks are complex and expensive their more mature systems make them easier to service at the unit level meaning they are avaible for combat rather than in the rear waiting for parts or service. Soviet/Russian tanks since the T-64 have become heavier, more complex, more expensive, less maintainable, and less survivable. Their combat record is awful.

[Lorne]

I was in the gulf and I assure you no tank rounds "bounced" off Iraqi tanks. US tank rounds passed through sand berms then penetrated Iraqi tanks. Single US tank rounds passed through multiple Iraqi tanks. US tank rounds penetrated Iraqi tanks at 5000 meters. But no, there were not "bounces" that I ever saw.

[Lorne]

Hey VW-CAT-MAN, What I find funny is that the old line Soviet supporters can not accept that Russia is not the Soviet Union and its day is past. There is no great Russian reserve of top-of-the-line equipment. What has not rotted through disuse or lack of support and supply has been sold off for cash. Thats where the Russian carriers went to isn't it? The Russian army is lucky to see 50 new tanks a year and over 60% of its tank fleet is inoperable. The Russian air force has not recieved a new aircraft in almost 8 years now and training levels have fallen through the floor. The Russian navy is rotting at the dock and any ship making it to sea (and back) is news worthy. Right now the Russians have all they can do to not to loose in Chechnya. You can't climb on the back of a dead horse and expect it to charge into battle. Lorne

[meANDyou1]

you wanna know something i served in russian spetsnaz for 2 and half years. now my broter serves with the american stryker from fort lewis... he is the one u see on tv. and have u ever thought of the fact that russia mabe just faking alot of stuff?? i mean comeon would russia really have so many tanks that it could not opperate. ok and how about this right now my brother tells me that the 2 abrams that got "disabled" were sent to Ft lewis for repair and they where not shot by no "TOW" missle it was the russian armer pircing bullet that came out of the PKM MG .. see if bullets can pierce the back of your persious abrams then u think a russian T-90 cant take it out with its auto aimer and auto loader. now one more thing if u wanna know america at this point only has 64 m1a1 abrams tanks... russia made 300 t-90's last year(total) and ukown amount of t-80's and upgraded t-72's.... and one more thing for that note when russia sells its tanks they strip all the tech they put in... so in DESERT STROM when u shot at the tank yea ok for one they where sold with out the 2edgeneration armor and for 2 the computers and raders where removed.. so if u think you where all cool then think again.also all i know about desert strom and the tank fights when that 1 t72 killed 3 abrams that was sad and they blamed it all on " he was on a hill in a persist point we could not aim" bull man befor u start dissing start getting your facts straight...