T-90 Standard Tank: The First Tank of the New Russia (New Vanguard, 255)

Anytime you pick up a armor or armored warfare book by Steve Zaloga, you have a winner! This small booklet is no except.......Zaloga calls the T-90 the "first tank of the New Russia", succeeding the T-72 that was in production from 1973 to 1990, with 22,096 tanks built.As Zaloga notes. "After the Soviet collapse, only two remained (tank plants) inside the Russian Federation. Annual tank production plummeted from 3,254 in 1987 to 1,000 in 1991, and fell rapidly after that. The Kharkov tank plant, long considered the premier Soviet tank design and production center, had produced 800 T-80UD tanks in 1991. Since it was located in the Ukraine, the Kharkov plant was cut off from the Russian Federation T-80U production in St. Petersburg at the Leningrad Kirov Plant ceased in 1990." [p.4-5] With collapse of the USSR, Moscow could not longer afford two main battle tank (MBT) models in production.The new tank, based on the Obrekt 188 prototype, would begin low-rate initial production in late-September 1992. The initial model was followed in March 1994, as the T-90K command tank began production. Over the two year period, 105 T-90s were produced. The new T-90 offered improvement in protection, firepower (125mm 2A46M-1 main gun, still capable of using older T-72 rounds), while using the same V-84A-1 multi-fuel diesel engine used on late-production T-72B models, with the same power-to-weight ratio. The engine may have had less output but was considered more reliable than its rival: T-80U.After describing the technical aspects of the new MBT, separate chapters cover the Chechen War (a baptism of fire for the new tank, one that enhanced is reputation in Moscow); The Indian 'Bhishma' Order (initial Indian Army order for 310 T-90S tanks); The Obiekt 188A: T-90A Vladimir; The Obiekt 188M: T-90M Tagil (or T-90AM, since more formally named the T-90MS after 2011 modernization began); and, T-90 Variants, including the BMPT Terminator tank support combat vehicle, IMR-2M engineering vehicle, BREM-1M armored recover vehicle, BMR-3M mine-clearing vehicle, MTU-90 armored bridge-laying vehicle, and the TOS-1 artillery rocket system (MLRS).Also discussed is the abortive Obiekt 195 program - aimed at creating a new-generation MBT - and its evolution into the current T-14 Armata (first unveiled in 2015). Russia has a stated requirement for 2,300 new T-14s through 2020; in addition, an infantry fighting vehicle (T-15) is being produced to compliment the T-14.On Osprey's compact 48-page booklets, this is a great deal of information, photos, charts, and graphics. Highly recommended!

Another quality Osprey product authored by Steve Zaloga. Considering the importance of the T-90 tank to the Russian Army's current AFV fleet, there is not a lot in English language print available. Zaloga has done his typically excellent job of providing the design history, specifications, key changes and upgrades all within the context of the Russian Army's limited budget to modernize it's AFV fleet. Not withstanding the much heralded, by the Russian press, arrival of the T-14 Armata tank, it will be a few years before and if the newer, more complex and expensive tank will totally replace the T-90. That said, the T-90 remains a viable main battle tank and given a trained crew, quality ammunition, and good tactical settings can hold it's own against the best in the West. I very much recommend this booklet to anyone T-90 Standard Tank: The First Tank of the New Russia (New Vanguard)  interested in the tank most likely to be the most numerous modern tank in the Russian Army for the next decade.

Moscow's design and production of new tanks took a bit of a hiatus after the fall of the Soviet Union. In the new Russia, constrained defense budgets meant less funding for the development and fielding of new tanks. That situation did not last, as author Steven Zaloga explains in this Osprey New Vanguard Series book.The T-90 tank has become the new standard for the Russian Army and for the export market. The author describes the development process of the T-90, including its many innovations and spin-offs. The narrative is fairly detailed for the brevity of the book at less than 50 pages, and is nicely supported by a fascinating collection of photographs, illustrations, and diagrams. This reviewer was especially interested in the high cost of modern targeting systems, essential for first round lethality on the modern armored battlefield,. A comparison with systems used by other nations/NATO would have been fascinating but perhaps past the scope of this book. Highly recommended as concise and very readable coverage of the topic.

Always like Osprey Books this one is no different. Latest models of this tank is covered and potential development and up-grades are covered. Many pictures and drawing cover this book as well as current users of this tank. Latest testing done by the American army is covered and the results from testing is also discussed. Easy to read and follow along with makes this book a must have

Fine illustrations, first rate color photos and the technical aspects were well attended to, but there's just not enough in-the-field activity to see how it sizes up with adversary armor, thus limiting combat results. That will take time and a revised edition.

This book contains a lot of interesting information about the production of the tank and the Russian tank production industry. I would have preferred more on the operational performance of the tank and it’s current deployment.

Good little book on the T90. Great pictures of dirty tanks(yes that's important to model builders)

Good explanation of various models of the T-90, including those exported to Syria. Great book that kept my interest.

An amazing insight into this iconic Russian tank. It is an easy to follow format that explains the history, development and evolution of the T 90 from it's earliest prototype to the latest front line versiom. a great read for people who enjoy Armoured vehicles.

Another great Osprey book on modern armour. A good read for Treadheads with lots of useful info for modellers, Wargamers or people who find tanks fascinating.

Steven j. Zaloga has a high standard in avg.

Normal osprey product, provides a brief but interesting overview of the subject

An excellent resources for information on the T-90's early development, entry into service and upgrades throughout its life span. Only wish it was a bit longer so it could fit in more information.