Recent reports on Russia’s military developments have become increasingly prevalent in the media. According to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), the Russian armed forces have integrated a significant number of tanks into their arsenal in the past two years, totaling 770 across various models, following the onset of unrest in Ukraine.
Of particular note are the assertions from Ukrainian officials regarding the acquisition of 450 modernized T-62M and T-62МВ tanks since 2022, steadily upgraded and assimilated into the Russian defense apparatus. Additionally, there has been a recorded production or modernization rate of around 320 T-90M models.
The GUR officials, in discussions with ArmiyaInform, disclosed that approximately 15 T-90M tanks are rolling off Russian military production lines each month, constituting about 10% of the total tank inventory within the Russian army. Plans for escalating tank overhauls and modernization efforts in the forthcoming years have been hinted at by GUR officials, with a focus on reviving the T-62s stored within Russia’s Defense Ministry depots.
Further insights from The Military Balance 2023 indicate that the Russian army commenced the previous year with 150 T-62 tanks and about 100 T-90M tanks. This data suggests that a considerable portion, if not the majority, of the 450 modernized T-62M, T-62МВ, and approximately 320 T-90M tanks were manufactured and commissioned in 2023.
Importantly, projections from the International Institute for Strategic Studies [IISS], the entity behind The Military Balance 2023 report, suggest that Russia retrieved between 1180 and 1828 tanks from their storage facilities last year. The reserve of decommissioned tanks could sustain their current deployment rate for another 2-3 years, or potentially longer.
An assessment from the esteemed British research center RUSI [Royal United Services Institute] reveals that the Russian contingent involved in the conflict in Ukraine boasts a formidable fleet of approximately 2,060 tanks. Notably, they managed to equip their forces with 1,500 tanks in the previous year. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that 80% of these units are sourced from storage rather than newly manufactured.
Recent reports indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin made a noteworthy visit to Uralvagonzavod [UVZ], as reported by BulgarianMilitary.com on February 15. This visit coincided with the arrival of the latest batch of T-90M Proryv tanks for the Russian military, marking a significant development in their armored capabilities.
During his visit, Putin’s initial destination was UVZ’s new transmission workshop, recognized as a distinctive production endeavor by UVZ. The establishment of this innovative workshop has yielded favorable outcomes for UVZ, as highlighted on the UVZ Telegram channel. It has resulted in improved production processes, heightened product quality, and the introduction of a diverse array of cutting-edge products, all while achieving cost reductions. Alexander Potapov, UVZ’s executive director, emphasized the utilization of skilled specialists proficient in operating state-of-the-art machinery within this section.
Simultaneously, British intelligence indirectly corroborated Uralvagonzavod’s manufacturing prowess. A recent British report indicated that Russia’s tank production capabilities are robust enough to compensate for battlefield losses each month. Despite economic sanctions aimed at undermining Russian capabilities, this insight from Tsulata underscores Russia’s enduring strength in military manufacturing.
