Older Russian T-62 tanks are equipped with explosive reactive armor and many advanced devices originally produced for the T-90M model.
On November 26, Ukraine's Focus website posted a photo showing a T-62MV tank, an upgraded variant of the T-62 medium tank, equipped with explosive reactive armor on the turret, similar to the T-90 main battle tank.
This T-62 can also be equipped with Sosna-U sight or domestic product PNM-T, smoke grenade launcher system disguised like T-90M and some other modern equipment.
"With new explosive reactive armor and a modern sight for the gunner operating the 115mm main gun, this can be considered the most comprehensive upgraded T-62," Forbes editor David Axe commented.
The T-90, one of the most modern tanks in service with the Russian army today, uses Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor. The upgraded T-90M variant is fitted with Relikt armor, which can reduce the penetration ability of subcaliber armor-piercing split-barrel (APFSDS) rounds or dual-charge shaped-charge anti-tank (HEAT) warheads by 50%.
T-62MV tank with new explosive reactive armor in photo released on November 26. Photo: X/2S7 Pion
"Explosive reactive armor will automatically activate, creating an explosion that deflects incoming projectiles. This armor essentially doubles the tank's protection against certain high-explosive rounds," Axe said.
However, equipping the T-62 with reactive armor will affect the maneuverability of this tank model. The new reactive armor weighs about three tons, making the T-62MV weigh more than 45 tons and become heavier on the battlefield. It is not clear whether Russia will replace the new engine for this tank model to increase maneuverability or not.
According to editor Axe, maneuverability is important in the blitzkrieg tactics of tanks that both Russia and Ukraine use. "Western-made tanks like the M1A1 and Leopard 2 have an advantage because they have good transmissions and can reverse quickly, not needing tens of seconds to turn around and escape the line of fire," said Axe.
The T-62 tank was developed by the Soviet Union in the early 1960s to counter the British FV4201 Chieftain and the American M60 Patton, replacing the T-55 medium tank in service. Production took place between 1961 and 1975, with a total of nearly 23,000 units produced.
In the early 1980s, the Soviet Union began a program to modernize the T-62, with the T-62M version introduced in 1983 equipped with additional frontal armor, giving it a defense roughly equivalent to the T-64A and T-72 main battle tanks. However, this armor cannot withstand modern anti-tank weapons today on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Nguyen Tien (According to Forbes )
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