The new equipment will be a response to the deployment of NATO forces in the regionThe Russian Defense Ministry will arm new units in the western direction with the most modern T-90M "Breakthrough" tanks.
According to the main characteristics, they are not inferior to the promising T-14 Armata. The military department has already announced the appearance of new army formations in the Western Military District as a response to NATO's actions. According to experts, today tanks are still considered the main weapon of the battlefield, and the "Breakthrough" is the most modern machine that surpasses many analogues of foreign countries.
An order has been given to the West
The number of the newest T-90M "Breakthrough" tanks in the composition of the ZVO will be increased, sources told Izvestia in the military department. A fundamental decision on the supply of the latest combat vehicles has already been made. The timing of the deployment of additional "Breakthroughs" will depend on the fulfillment of the state defense order. The "Nineties-Emki" will go both to the rearmament of existing military units, and will enter the newly formed ones.
T-90M "Breakthrough" tank at Uralvagonzavod
Image Source: Photo: TASS/Marina Moldavskaya
The buildup of Russian troops on the western borders began only in the last decade. Before that, for a long time, the capital was practically not covered. In Soviet times, the Moscow Military District was a rear area. When, after 1991, it became a border area, it turned out that the only forces west of Moscow were the "court" Taman Motorized Rifle and Kantemirovskaya Tank divisions. In the future, the strengthening of the western borders began. The first Guards Tank army was recreated, new units and formations were formed.
In May last year, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry, Sergei Shoigu, said that by January 1, 2022, about 20 new compounds and parts will appear in the military district. He called it a response to the activity of NATO countries led by the United States, which are increasing the intensity of flights and the presence of warships near the Russian borders.
"The actions of our Western colleagues are destroying the security system in the world and forcing us to take adequate counteraction measures. We are constantly improving the combat strength of the troops," the minister said and promised to equip the troops with 2 thousand units of modern equipment and weapons systems.
Exactly one year later, on May 20, 2022, the head of the military department announced that by the end of December Russia would form 12 new military units in the Western Military District against the background of threats near the borders. According to him, these threats are increasing: only the intensity of US strategic aviation flights in Europe has increased by 15 times, and the visits of US Navy ships to the Baltic Sea have become systematic. Among the threats, the minister also called the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO. Shoigu added that this year the troops of the Far East will receive more than 2 thousand units of modern weapons and military equipment.
During the preparation of the T-90M "Breakthrough" tanks for the military parade
Image Source: Photo: TASS/Marina Moldavskaya
— It is clear that some of the units being created will relate to the ground forces, some to air defense, some to aviation, - military expert Alexey Leonkov explained to Izvestia. — It is not yet known which ones will be created specifically. But if we talk about land units, then it is impossible to do without armored units. In addition, we must understand that in the West, in the event of a hypothetical conflict, not Soviet cars, as now, but NATO tanks will fight against us: "Leclerc", or "Leopards", or "Abrams". There are no equals against these T-90 tanks. Although there have never been any military clashes with them. But the "Breakthrough" has already been made taking into account the combat capabilities of promising anti-tank complexes, has a new dynamic protection system. And besides, he received new ammunition, including sub-caliber feathered shells.
Recently, tanks have become one of the main weapons of the battlefield, military expert Vladislav Shurygin reminded Izvestia.
— This is the only artillery system that can confidently and effectively operate directly under enemy fire. The T-90M "Breakthrough" is a very powerful machine, which is considered one of the best in the world. Such machines are needed on the western frontier. But in the event of a conflict, we will act even in the south, where there are forest-steppes and steppes. And there the tanks show their best side. The creation of new military units in the Western Military District is a response to the strengthening of the NATO grouping near the borders of Russia. We cannot afford to limit ourselves to the same composition as before," the expert explained.
Breakthrough character
The T-90M "Breakthrough" is the most modern representative of the Russian tank building in service. According to its characteristics, it is almost identical to the "tank of the future" T-14 "Armata", only slightly inferior in driving performance and armor protection. But the firepower of both cars is about the same. The upgraded T-90M is equipped with an improved 2A46M5-01 cannon and a powerful diesel engine. The machine is equipped with an automated fire control system "Kalina" and a remotely controlled anti-aircraft machine gun "Cord-MT".
Photo: RIA Novosti/Evgeny Odinokov
Image source: iz.ru
The upgraded vehicle and its crew are much more protected than the T-72 and T-80 family tanks. Anti-shatter screens made of Kevlar fabric are installed inside the combat compartment, and the main ammunition is placed in a special box behind the tower. In addition, the armor is noticeably reinforced.
Since the middle of the last decade, the military department has been conducting a kind of rotation of the Russian tank fleet. Machines of the T-80 family with gas turbine engines are sent to serve in the Far East and in the Arctic, in which conditions they show exceptional reliability. And the T-72B3 tanks serve in a less harsh climate. However, in recent years, the Ministry of Defense has been replacing these vehicles with the T-90M "Breakthrough". All T-90s that are in operation are brought to this modification. In 2020, tank units of the Guards Taman Motorized Rifle Division received new vehicles, in the past - the capital's 27th separate Sevastopol Motorized Rifle Brigade.
Izvestia has already written that the military department will strengthen the troops with units of Mi-8AMTSh-VN "Sapsan" helicopters. They ensure the actions of special forces, and are also capable of delivering high-precision strikes in the rear of a likely enemy. "Peregrine falcons" can operate in any weather day and night.
Roman Kretsul
Alexey Ramm
