T-72BU / T-90 - In Action
The T-90A tank entered service with the Russian Armed Forces in 2004. The T-90A is a modernized version of the T-90 Vladimir tank developed on the basis of the T-72B, in the 1980-1990s. It was named 'Vladimir' after its constructor Vladimir Potkin. The T-90A featured a new engine and turret and was equipped with a thermal-vision system. Its engine delivers 1,000 hp at 2,000 rpm. The tanks is equipped with third-generation active armor, capable of withstanding an attack by 120-mm M829A2 and DM43A1 tank rounds, designed for the Abrams M1A1 and Leopard-2 tanks respectively. The T-90 protective system is capable of protecting the tank from the newest TOW-2A and HOT-2 anti-tank missiles.
The variety of ATGMs and RPGs used in Syria is vast. There are the Soviet-produced Fagot and Konkurs models and the more modern Kornet units that are used by the government forces. The American TOW-2As, which are supplied to the so-called moderate opposition, are also supplied by Turkey and, for example, Qatar to the Islamist groups it controls. There are also Chinese and Iranian ATGMs and RPGs, which are used by militants and government forces, as well as by the Kurds.
In four-and-a-half years of the Syrian war various militant groups received over 9,000 US-made TOW anti-tank missile systems and M-79 grenade launchers. They were very successful against the aging T-55 and T-72 tanks of the Syrian Army. Only after the newest T-90 tanks were delivered to Syria the Syrian Army began its advance against militants.
The T-90 was delivered to Syria because the tank is equipped with the Shtora active armor. Unlike, for example the T-72B, the T-90 tanks of the Russian Armed Forces were initially equipped with this type of armor. The need for it was dictated by the fact that many Syrian militants are armed with TOW missiles.
There are several laser radiation receivers, mounted on the tank, as well as two projectors near the gun. These receivers can detect laser radiation when the tank is being targeted and warns the crew of the threat, Ramm explained. In this situation, the crew can evade the attack. The second option is smoke-screening, and the third option is jamming the enemy target-acquiring system with the projectors.
In February 2016 for the first time, the Syrian Army used Russian-made T-90A tanks in combat. Their baptism by fire took place near the city of Aleppo. The T-90A, one of Russia's most advanced weapons, went through its baptism by fire in service with the Syrian armed forces. Over 80 T-72 and T-90 tanks were spotted in combat north of Aleppo. Syrian forces backed by Russian jets took control over the towns of Nubul and Zehra, north of Aleppo.
Syrian T-90s in action near Aleppo were then reported by Iran's FARS news agency on 02 February 2016. According to the agency, T-90 tanks were deployed near the town of Khan Tuman, south of Aleppo, after the Syrian Army regained control over the town in December 2015. Using the advantages of the T-90 tank, the Syrian Army alongside its allies surrounded the strategic towns of Khan Tuman and Al-Karassi, along the Aleppo-Damascus highway.
The first news about delivering T-90 tanks to the mechanized division of the Syrian Army came on November 29, 2015. At the time, Russia neither confirmed nor denied it. On 05 February 2016, a source in the Russian Defense Ministry told RNS news agency that in late-2015, a number of T-90 machines were delivered to Syria. According to the source, previously the tanks were in service with the Russian military. Syrian troops practiced at training fields in Russia. According to RNS, the tanks were first used in combat by the Syrian Army near Aleppo. They supported a ground assault by Syrian troops.
The tanks supplied to the Syrian army had the ability to deflect TOW-like missiles, although their full implementation has yet to be seen. A video released by rebels showed the T-90 surviving a hit by a TOW missile, but an open hatch prevented the deployment of an aerosol screen used to deflect such missiles before they reach the tank. Syrian officers have been shown how the new T-90 anti-missile system causes rockets to veer off course only yards from the tanks when fired directly at them.
The video appears to be the manufacturer's demonstration of the T-90's Shtora system, mounted on a BMP-3. Images on social media have also shown what appears to be Arena-E radars mounted on Syrian equipment, although the radar by itself cannot deflect missiles without an aerosol screen and infrared beams which confuse the missile's self-tracking.
When it comes to evidence of the system being used to save lives and equipment, video footage is less clear. A video from September 16 showed a TOW missile exploding prior to reaching its target. The video has been criticized, however, as the flight time of the missile is over 22 seconds, which is the limit for TOW missile flight.
A more recent video showed the effect of a TOW-2A anti-tank guided missile on a T-90A tank. The action took place in the Sheikh-Akil settlement northwest of Aleppo, where the "Mountain Falcons of Zawiya" group, part of the 5th corps of the Free Syrian Army, is fighting. It was a reconnaissance battle conducted by the Hazaras and Afghan Shiites, who tried to occupy Sheikh-Akil but were forced to retreat.
In general, it is the 1992 T-90 tanks that are fighting in Syria, but the 2004 T-90A tanks are also present. The 1992 T-90 tank has a cast turret. The production year is known because it has the Shtora opto-electronic suppression system (its projectors can be seen on both sides of the cannon) and by the shape of the gunner's hatch. The tank is equipped with the Contact-5 dynamic defense system and is covered with composite armor protection with reflecting plates.
As the left "jaw" was hit by the TOW-2A missile the dynamic defense went into effect, and it seems that the tandem warhead failing to penetrate the tank's reactive armor. The tank crew was neglectful of its responsibilities during battle: The hatches were open and the Shtora system was turned off. As a result of the explosion of the 6 kg warhead, the shock wave leaked into the open hatch and the shell-shocked gunner jumped out of the tank.
The video also shows that the tank did not utilize the Shtora-1 system, perhaps automatically disabled due to the open hatch, as its infrared beams apparently remain unused, compared to the beams seen in the demonstration video. Operating tanks with the hatch open is a sort of conventional wisdom for operators of older tanks, as an open hatch allows for a faster escape from the tank.
The tactics of the crew left much to be desired. Tanks must be used as part of a subdivision and in close interaction with the infantry. A lone tank, especially one that is not moving, is an easy target for a missile.
The engagement did show the T-90A superior in guided missile protection, compared to the Abrams tank, one of which was destroyed by Yemen's Houthi militias using the outdated 9K111 Fagot ATGM.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
