T-90 vs Abrams

[RN7]

Is it better than the Abrams? No, at least not the later model Abrams (M1A1/A2/A2 SEP) which are nearly 20 tons heavier.

The Russians built it as a compromise as they (back in the 1990's) couldn't afford to build two tanks at the same time; the inferior but cheap T-72B and the superior but expensive T-80U.

The T-90 is a modernised T-72 with some features of the T-80 such as its better fire control system. The T-90 used the same gun as the T-72 but has a new engine, much better layered composite and reactive armour and some new gadgets; new thermal sights, a laser warning reciever, an anti-tank missile jamming systems and some other minor features. The latest T-90MS model has the latest type of Russian composite and reactive armour, a redesigned turret and new gun, and improved targeting, navigation and communication gear.

The Russians think its their best protected tank and it performed better in Chechnya than the T-72 and earlier T-80's (without Arena). Some Indian models have been heavily customised. The T-90M Bhishima reportably has an advanced armour composition welded into the turrets of its T-90's which preformed very well in testing against different types of ammunition even without Russian built in reactive armour.