Russia has delivered another batch of T-90M Proryv and upgraded T-72B3M main battle tanks to its armed forces, with Uralvagonzavod highlighting improved all-around protection developed from combat experience in Ukraine.
The delivery was announced on September 12, 2026, ahead of Russia’s Tanker’s Day. Uralvagonzavod, part of the Rostec state corporation, said the latest vehicles incorporate enhanced all-aspect protection and that work is continuing to improve their survivability and technical characteristics based on feedback from crews operating at the front.
The exact number of tanks delivered was not disclosed.
Increased Protection Against Drones
One of the most significant changes concerns protection against unmanned aerial vehicles.
Uralvagonzavod said additional protection is being developed primarily in response to the growing threat posed by drones. The company has previously incorporated anti-FPV nets, additional physical protection and electronic-warfare systems into upgraded tank configurations.
The latest announcement indicates that this battlefield-driven development process is continuing, with the newest T-90M and T-72B3M vehicles receiving enhanced 360-degree protection.
The evolution reflects a major change in the modern battlefield, where FPV drones can attack vulnerable areas such as turret roofs, engine compartments and the rear sections of armored vehicles.
T-90M Proryv
The T-90M Proryv is the most advanced production member of Russia’s T-90 family.
The tank features a modernized turret, improved armor protection, explosive reactive armor and a modernized fire-control system designed for day-and-night operations. The T-90M uses the 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun, capable of firing conventional ammunition as well as gun-launched guided missiles.
Key publicly reported specifications include:
- Crew: 3
- Main armament: 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun
- Engine: V-92S2F diesel
- Engine power: approximately 1,130 hp
- Combat weight: approximately 50 tons
- Maximum road speed: around 60 km/h
- Protection: composite armor, explosive reactive armor and additional anti-drone protection
- Fire control: modern computerized fire-control system with day/night engagement capability
Rostec describes the T-90M as a heavily modernized vehicle incorporating improved protection, mobility and a highly automated fire-control system.
T-72B3M
The T-72B3M is a deeply modernized version of the Soviet-era T-72B.
Rather than producing an entirely new tank, Russia upgrades existing T-72 vehicles with improvements to their firepower, protection, mobility and targeting systems.
The T-72B3M uses the 125 mm smoothbore main gun and is powered by a modernized diesel engine, with later configurations using the V-92S2F engine producing approximately 1,130 hp.
The modernization program has increasingly incorporated battlefield adaptations. Uralvagonzavod previously stated that approximately 200 design changes had been introduced over a three-year period to improve the protection, mobility and performance of its combat vehicles. These included anti-FPV nets, reinforced protection around vulnerable areas and electronic-warfare systems intended to counter drones.
Battlefield Experience Driving Tank Design
The latest delivery demonstrates how combat experience is directly influencing the design of Russian armored vehicles.
Instead of relying solely on traditional armor and explosive reactive armor, newer configurations are increasingly incorporating additional physical structures and electronic systems designed to counter unmanned aerial threats.
Uralvagonzavod says the development process is continuing and that feedback from tank crews is being used to improve vehicle survivability and technical performance.
The latest T-90M and T-72B3M deliveries therefore represent not simply the continuation of Russia’s tank production and modernization program, but also an ongoing adaptation to the rapidly changing threat environment created by FPV and other unmanned systems.
The number of tanks delivered in the September batch remains undisclosed.
