T-95

The T-95 is a future main battle tank, in development at the Russian Federation's Uralvagonzavod plant (designers of the T-72 and T-90 series, and the only Russian facility currently producing tanks). It was first reported by "Jane's Defence Weekly" in 1995, and announced by Russian official sources in 2000, but the tank has not been seen or photographed, and no concrete data has been released. It is expected to enter service “after 2010”.

Historically, Russian/Soviet tanks are given official designations when they are adopted for production, so even the name "T-95" is not authoritative.

Most information about this tank is speculative. Although no concrete information has been released, various websites have published descriptions and illustrations of a novel design, with a tank gun in a remotely-controlled mount, variously reportedly as of 135 mm or 152 mm calibre (larger than the 120–125 mm guns in current main battle tanks). Such an arrangement is anticipated to improve crew survivability compared to existing designs, because the crew compartment is separated from the ready ammunition supply, and also because the tank would be nearly completely hidden and protected in a hull-down position. The crew would number just three, all being carried within the hull itself.

The prototype tank was announced by the Russian Minister of Defense in 2000. Another recent Russian prototype tank, the Black Eagle tank built by Omsk Transmash, appears to have been built only for the export market, not for Russian forces. In a recent editorial a Russian engineer stated that the T-95 is currently being tested and will begin entering service with the Russian army in 2009. [ [http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20080321/101944316-print.html Russia hit by tank crisis] , RIA Novosti, March 21, 2008]

On July 10, 2008 the Russian government announced that the Russian armed forces would start receiving new-generation tanks superior to the famed T-90 main battle tank after 2010."The T-90 MBT will be the backbone of the armored units until 2025. T-72's and T-80's will not be modernized and will be eventually replaced by new-generation tanks, which will start entering service after 2010," Sergei Mayev, head of the Federal Service for Defense Contracts (Rosoboronzakaz) told a news conference. [ [http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080710/113700252.html Russia's new main battle tank to enter service 'after 2010'] - RIA Novosti, July 10, 2008]

In a July 2008 article in "Jane's Defence Weekly," analyst Christopher F. Foss stated that the tank is expected to have a 152 mm gun with an automatic loader in the chassis, but that it is uncertain whether it will sport a conventional turret or external gun mount. [Christopher F. Foss, “Russia's New MBT Tipped to Sport a 152 mm Gun”, "Jane's Defence Weekly," July 30, 2008, p 6.]

Notes

References

* Agence France-Presse, (2006-09-10). " [http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=Gulf%2C+Middle+East+%26+Africa&month=September2006&file=World_News2006091022545.xml Saudi in talks with Russia over weapons sales: Diplomat] " AFP report at The Peninsula. Accessed 2008-04-28.
* Federation of American Scientists (1999). " [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/mbt-u.htm Uralvagonzavod Main Battle Tank] ", at fas.org. Accessed 2006-10-28.
* Vasiliy Fofanov (2000). " [http://armor.kiev.ua/fofanov/Tanks/MBT/n_tagil.html Nizhny Tagil New Main Battle Tank] ", at [http://armor.kiev.ua/fofanov/ "Vasiliy Fofanov's Modern Russian Armour Page"] . Accessed 2006-10-28.
* Jane's Defence Weekly (2000-03-29). " [http://www.janes.com/defence/land_forces/news/jdw/jdw000329_04_n.shtml Russia develops new low profile main battle tank] ", at Janes.com. Accessed 2006-10-28.
* Rossiyskaya Gazeta. " [http://armor.kiev.ua/ptur/armor/ob07.html Critique of T-95] ", at V. Chobitok's ArmourSite. Republished from "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" 2001-09-07 (Russian language; [http://www.online-translator.com/srvurl.asp?lang=en translation tool] ). Accessed 2006-10-28.
* " [http://www.palba.cz/viewtopic.php?t=2010 T-95 super tank] " at Palba.cz: Czech-language mil-fan discussion and speculative illustrations.