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Russia Gears Up for a Tank Surge: 1,100 New T-90M2 Planned in Secret Wartime Program
How many tanks can Russia really build as it races to rebuild its armored force—and how far ahead is it planning? Newly surfaced documents shed light on Moscow’s secret roadmap for mass-producing and upgrading its main battle tanks through the next decade. The data reveals not only the scale of Russia’s ambitions but also what may be missing—and why.
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia’s defense industry aims to manufacture, upgrade, or overhaul 1,118 T-90M and T-90M2 main battle tanks between 2027 and 2029, according to internal procurement documents reviewed by the investigative group Frontelligence Insight on October 11.
The plans are part of a broader long-term projection from Uralvagonzavod, Russia’s primary tank manufacturer, covering activities from 2026 through 2036.
The documents were obtained from correspondence between Uralvagonzavod and the Zagorsk Optical-Mechanical Plant (ZOMZ), which supplies critical components, including the IS-445 engine RPM sensor installed on every tank.
Source attribution and tank designations
According to Frontelligence Insight, the request for IS-445 sensors referenced “Project 188M2,” a designation later identified as the T-90M2 “Ryvok-1,” a modernized successor to the T-90M “Proryv-3” variant.
Confirmation came through open-source references, including the biography of Russian engineer Andrey Sergeyevich Rukhman’ko, who reportedly participated in developing the T-90M2.
The same internal communications included a procurement schedule extending through 2036, detailing deliveries of both new and upgraded tanks, as well as those undergoing capital repair.
Production and modernization timeline
Production of the T-90M2 is expected to begin in 2026 with an initial batch of 10 units. Output will rise sharply in the following years. According to Frontelligence Insight, Uralvagonzavod plans to produce, modernize, or overhaul:
290 tanks in 2027
428 tanks in 2028
400 tanks in 2029
These three years represent the peak of the planned activity, accounting for 1,118 of the 1,783 total T-90M and T-90M2 tanks the factory intends to handle between 2026 and 2036.
Notably, the planning documents do not include any data for the year 2030. Analysts cited by Defense Express suggest this gap may be related to projected upgrades to the production line or ongoing assessments of future needs.
Shift toward modernization After 2030
The plan indicates that starting in 2031, Uralvagonzavod will stop producing new tanks under this designation and focus exclusively on repairs and modernization of existing platforms.
However, Defense Express notes that this may not reflect the full scope of Russia’s intentions, as forecasts beyond 2030 remain uncertain.
The documentation aligns with previous reporting on Russia’s efforts to scale up tank production despite Western sanctions and combat losses in Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian military estimates, Russia has lost over 4,100 tanks since the full-scale invasion began.
The T-90M2 “Ryvok-1” is an evolution of the T-90 platform, incorporating improved fire control, protection, and mobility systems.
Earlier in September, Ukrainian intelligence warned that Russia was accelerating production of tanks, missiles, and aircraft at an unprecedented pace—signaling preparations not only for continued war in Ukraine but for a potential future conflict with NATO.
Plans reportedly include 2,500 missiles, nearly 250 new T-90M tanks, over 1,000 armored vehicles, and dozens of advanced fighter jets slated for delivery by the end of 2025.
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