Russia Unveils T-90M Tank with New Active Protection System Amid Battlefield Losses

Russia’s UralVagonZavod, the country’s top tank manufacturer, has unveiled the first T-90M main battle tank equipped with the Arena-M Active Protection System (APS). This move marks a significant development as Russia seeks to enhance its armored forces amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the substantial losses suffered by the T-90M tank on the battlefield.

The Arena-M APS is designed to provide an additional layer of defense against threats like anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), which have proven to be significant vulnerabilities for the T-90M. The system offers 360-degree protection by automatically detecting, tracking, and intercepting incoming projectiles before they reach the tank, potentially improving its survivability in combat.

However, while the system is touted as a key innovation, the effectiveness of Arena-M remains unproven in real combat situations. Unlike Israel’s well-tested Trophy APS, the Arena-M system has not been battle-tested in a similar operational environment, leaving its true capabilities in question. Additionally, the system’s ability to counter modern threats such as loitering munitions and top-attack anti-tank weapons like the Javelin and NLAW remains uncertain.

T-90M: High-tech But Vulnerable

The T-90M has suffered significant losses in Ukraine, with over 120 confirmed losses since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Despite being presented as Russia’s most advanced operational tank, it has been vulnerable to Western-supplied anti-tank weapons, including precision-guided artillery and suicide drones. These high-tech weapons have demonstrated the limitations of the T-90M, despite its advanced armor and fire-control systems.

While the Russian military continues to promote the T-90M as a next-generation armored solution, analysts question its real-world effectiveness given the mounting losses in Ukraine. The tank’s vulnerabilities to modern weaponry and its reliance on legacy Soviet-era platforms have raised concerns about its viability in future conflicts.

Russia’s Ongoing Tank Export Efforts

Despite the heavy losses and doubts surrounding the T-90M’s battlefield performance, Russia is showcasing its export variant, the T-90MS, at the IDEX-2025 defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi. This variant is marketed as one of the most advanced combat vehicles globally, but its combat track record in Ukraine has raised questions about its true capabilities. The tank’s performance in Ukraine, where it has been targeted by advanced anti-tank systems, may dampen its appeal to potential buyers in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

As global demand for modern tanks rises, the T-90MS’s prospects for export could be affected by the battlefield performance of Russian armor. Western alternatives, such as the Leopard 2, M1 Abrams, and South Korea’s K2 Black Panther, remain strong competitors in the international market. Russia’s struggle to produce next-generation tanks, like the Armata T-14, further compounds its challenges in maintaining its position as a leading arms exporter.