The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine revealed the pace of modernization and production of Russian T-62 and T-90 tanks

16 February, 2024 Batch of T90M and T-72B3 tanks. October 2023. Russia.

Photo credits: Uralvagonzavod The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine revealed data on the plan for the modernization and production of T-62 and T-90 tanks by the Russian defense industry. This was reported by ArmyInform with reference to intelligence of the DIU.

Intelligence learned that Russia plans to increase the pace of overhaul and modernization of tanks over the coming years. The priority will be to restore and modernize the T-62 tanks. The share of T-90M production and modernization, according to the DIU, is about 10% of the total number of recoverable tanks.

The number of T-62 and T-62MV tanks modernized between 2022 and early February 2024 as of February 2024 is about 450 units, in particular, this number includes MT-12 100mm anti-tank guns.

"Assault" T-62M and T-62MV tanks. Source: t.me/btvt2019

At the same time, the number of T-90M modernized and new from 2022 and at the beginning of February 2024, according to intelligence, is about 320 units. The rate of modernization and production of T-90M tanks is about 15 units per month.

Recently, Militarnyi reported that Russians showed T-62M and T-62MV mod.

2022 tanks that are equipped with protective 'grilles,' self-entrenching blades, tank sweeps, and electronic warfare systems. Obviously, despite the statements of Russians about the use of T-62 as ersatz-self-propelled guns, these combat vehicles are equipped for offensive operations. An RP-377 electronic jamming system, which directly indicates that the tank does not act in the rear, is installed on one of the combat vehicles.

Modernization of T-62

Currently, Russia plans to modernize approximately 800 T-62M/MV outdated Soviet tanks.

Modernization is carried out by installing a new radio, thermal sight, reactive and other protection. The very idea of modernization of the T-62 is generally justified: firstly, other tanks simply do not exist in the right quantities, the Ukrainian military destroyed about 2,000 Russian armored vehicles. Secondly, the level of training does not allow crews to quickly master more modern vehicles.

The factory demonstrated a T-62MV, on which a 1PN-96MT-02 thermal sight with a built-in laser rangefinder is installed.

A modernized T-62 tank at the Russian 103rd Armored Tank Repair Plant. March, 2023. Russia.

Frame from the video of the Russian mass media

Unlike Sosna-U, it does not have a daytime channel - exclusively thermal, but with a laser rangefinder. It is based on a non-cooling matrix that affects target detection ranges (about two to three kilometers). Also, 1PN96MT-02 does not have the ability to use anti-tank guided missile.

For tank protection, 'grilles' are welded onto the rear of the turret, and the Kontakt-1 ERA is installed.

However, there remains a vulnerability at the factory in the form of instruments on the turret that are not covered by the reactive protection.