Russian T-90MS Crew Discuss Future Upgrades
Tank operators highlight unmanned design, compare with Western models, and confirm combat deployment after exhibition
Russian T-90MS battle tank at IDEX 2025 exhibition
Defense Mirror spoke with the crew members of the Russian T-90MS main battle tank, produced by UralVagonZavod. The discussion focused on possible improvements to the tank, comparisons with Western-made vehicles, and the operational status of the model showcased at the event.
Question 1. If you could improve one thing about the T-90MS, what would it be?
Answer: According to the crew members who presented the UralVagonZavod-produced T-90MS at the IDEX 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, the best way to improve the tank would be to make it completely unmanned, allowing operators to operate it remotely. They believe this is the future of tank design.
Question 2. Is there any Western-made tank comparable to the T-90MS?
Answer: Crew members said the German Leopard main battle tank can be compared to the Russian tank, but only in its latest modification. This is because previous models have seen combat use and haven't performed particularly well in combat.
Western tanks deployed in the special military operation can be called "carpet" tanks, because they get stuck in fields and Ukrainian black soil during combat due to their heavy weight.
Western designers have attempted to improve protection by increasing armor thickness, which is still easily penetrated by modern Russian weapons, but mobility is significantly reduced.
Question 3. Is the T-90MS exhibition model different from the production vehicle? And what is the fate of the tank presented at the exhibition in Abu Dhabi? What will happen to it, where and by whom will it be used?
Answer: The T-90MS tank presented at IDEX 2025 was immediately sent to tank units of the Russian Army after the exhibition and is taking part in actual combat operations on the front lines.
The tank was sent to the Russian Army with virtually the same configuration as it was displayed at the Rosoboronexport stand during the exhibition in the U.A.E.
The changes primarily affected the vehicle's color—it was repainted from sand to a protective green. Therefore, according to the crew members, it can be said that vehicles offered for export are as capable as those intended for the Russian Army.
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Russian T-90MS Crew Discuss Future Upgrades
Defense Mirror spoke with the crew members of the Russian T-90MS main battle tank, produced by UralVagonZavod
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