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T-90M Bhishma


Main Battle Tank (MBT) [ 2009 ]



The T-90M Bhishma is a locally-developed Indian Army variant of the Russian T-90 Main Battle Tank.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/09/2021 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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The Indian and Russian governments have maintained close military ties for some time leading India to stock its forces with equipment largely Soviet/Russian in origin or influence. Since 1974, India has been developing what would become its first indigenous Main Battle Tank (MBT) as the "Arjun" but many delays led to alternatives being sought. About 248 of the Arjun Mk 1 model have since appeared and 118 of the improved Arjun Mk II were ordered, the latter to serve in shoring up limitations found in the original operational mark. The Indian Army also went on to invest in the Soviet-Russian T-72 MBT and purchased this product in its export form in the thousands. Faced with growing delays in the Arjun program and the rise of new Pakistani Army tanks (of Ukrainian and Chinese origin), the Indian government has also been forced to invest in the latest Russian MBT - the T-90.

With this, the T-90M "Bhishma" has emerged as a locally-developed version of the Russian T-90S, the export designation given to the original T-90A. The series supports the "Kontakt-5" Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) block kit and features a French-originated thermal sighting device. Since Indian industry held experience in dealing with the earlier T-72, the shift to the T-90 proved a limited challenge as the two vehicles shared some 60% commonality of parts leading to logistical friendliness and essentially unaltered training programs for tanker crews. The T-90M Bhishma sports a new automatic loader, Fire Control System (FCS), main gun (2A46M-5) and powerplant of 1,130 horsepower output. Atop the turret is seated an optional remote-controlled Anti-Aircraft (AA) gun. Saab of Sweden was commissioned in 2009 to supply its LEDS-150 Active Protection System (APS) for the Bhishma.

Production of the tanks is handled locally by Heavy Vehicles Factory of Avadi. The vehicles showcase dramatically increased survivability rates proven through live fire testing. It is expected that the T-90 family - the T-90S, T-90M and Bishma marks - will all form the main spearhead of the Indian Army MBT force with total force strength to reach 4,500 total units by 2020 trailing only Russia, China and the United States in global ranking. The tank will be featured alongside the existing T-72 and Arjun fleets.

Initial deliveries of Bhishma tanks came in 2009 through a ten-strong production batch.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
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Specifications



Service Year
2009

Origin
India national flag graphic
India

Status
ACTIVE
In Active Service.
Crew
3
CREWMEN
Production
354
UNITS


Heavy Vehicles Factory - India
(View other Vehicle-Related Manufacturers)
National flag of India India
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Primary armored ground combat unit of modern armies utilizing speed, protection, and / or firepower to spearhead armored assaults.
Frontline Asset
Frontline unit used to take direct part in forward operating actions against enemy positions / targets.
Tank-vs-Tank
Engage armored vehicles of similar form and function.


Track-and-Wheel Arrangement
Vehicle utilizes a track-and-wheel arrangement to provide enhanced cross-country travel capability.
Primary Turret
A modern tank quality, this vehicle sports its main armament in a single turret.
Remote Weapon Station (RWS)
Vehicle supports a remote-operated weapons station, reducing crew exposure to outside dangers.
Traversable Main Armament
Armament is situated in a traversing component, allowing for all-around engagement of enemy threats.
Recoil Enhancement
Main weapon has an integral recoil mechanism, allowing the system to remain trained-on-target after firing.
Firing On-the-Move
A modern quality, onboard systems provide accuracy to primary armament allowing for firing on-the-move.
Autoloader
The main gun system includes an autoloading feature that reduces the crew commitment.
Amphibious
System can enter and traverse open water sources - either rivers, lakes, and streams; Amphibious Assault operation support.
Cross-Country Capability
Design includes such features as a track-link system or high ground clearance to better traverse offroad.
Angled Armor
Angled armor at key facings adds inherent ballistics protection to the vehicle.
Shallow Glacis
The shallow design of the glacis plate provides the vehicle with inherent ballistics protection as well as contributes to a lower overall profile - making it more difficult to disable.
Enhanced Armor Protection
Protection is enhanced by way of additional armor being installed over that of standard levels; plate steel for older designs and reactive armor for modern types.
Armored Skirt
Additional protection to the upper track reaches and roadwheels is achieved by way of addon armored skirts along the sides of the hull.
NBC Protection
Crew is provided (either as standard or optional) protection against Nuclear-Biological-Chemical agents for enhanced survivability in contaminated zones.
Smoke Screening
Vehicle has capability to self-generate a smoke screen, either through launched grenades or built-in engine funtion (raw fuel injection).
Nightvision
Crew has access to night-vision equipment, allowing for low-light or night time operations.
Anti-Aircraft / Air-Defense Capable
System is given an anti-aircraft defense component to protect itself from low-flying aerial threats at range.
Anti-Tank Capable
Onboard solution provides ability to neutralize armored or fortified targets at range through missile or penetrating ballistic weapons.
Anti-Infantry
Vehicle features an in-built anti-infantry capability for local defense of the vehicle or general troop suppression.
Remote Weapons Station
Vehicle supports an unmanned weapons station controlled remotely from within the safety of the vehicle.
Versatility
Vehicle's proven running gear and overall makeup lends itself well to fulfill other battlefield roles by way of specialized designs.


Length
31.6 ft
9.63 m
Width
12.4 ft
3.78 m
Height
7.3 ft
2.22 m
Weight
101,413 lb
46,000 kg
Tonnage
50.7 tons
HEAVY
(Showcased structural values pertain to the T-90M production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)
Powerplant: 1 x V-model 12-cylinder diesel engine developing 1,130 horsepower driving conventional track-and-wheel arrangement.
Speed
37.3 mph
(60.0 kph)
Range
341.8 mi
(550.0 km)
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the T-90M production variant. Compare this entry against any other in our database)
1 x 125mm 2A46M-5 main gun with integrated autoloader.
1 x 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.
1 x 7.62mm Anti-Aircraft (AA) machine gun in UDP T05BV-1 Remote Weapon Station (RWS) (optional).
12 x Smoke Grenade Dischargers on turret.


Supported Types


Graphical image of a tank cannon armament
Graphical image of a tank medium machine gun
Graphical image of a tank heavy machine gun
Graphical image of tank /armored vehicle smoke grenade dischargers


(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)
42 x 125mm projectiles.
3,000 x 7.62mm ammunition (estimated).
12 x Smoke Grenades.


T-90M "Bhishma" - Base Series Designation.


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Images Gallery



1 / 3
Image of the T-90M Bhishma
Image from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
2 / 3
Image of the T-90M Bhishma
Image from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
3 / 3
Image of the T-90M Bhishma
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.


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