About the export of domestic tanks and the appearance of the T-90M

It is no secret that the USSR, being one of the largest exporters of armored weapons in the world, has always adhered to certain restrictions associated with the transfer of certain advanced technologies that could fall into the hands of a potential enemy. In other words, many Tanks, supplied abroad, were either simplified versions of more modern machines available in the Soviet Union Army, or were in some sense morally obsolete.

The practice, of course, is largely justified, but from the buyer’s side it is very ambiguous. However, foreign customers, due to the political situation of those years, had no other choice. However, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the situation, in particular for Russian tank builders, changed radically - hungry times and market relations came, in which, as we know, the customer is always right. Therefore, the export rule limiting the sale of modern tanks had to be waived - and for good reason.

A striking example here is the contract concluded between the Indian government and Uralvagonzavod for the supply of T-90S tanks. Now few people talk about the details of this agreement, but initially, at the dawn of the 1990s, the Tagil residents actively tried to get an order from India for far from the most advanced vehicles in the form of the T-72S (export version of the T-72B), but ultimately received a firm refusal, since Ukrainian modified T-80UDs were already being tested with might and main in neighboring Pakistan.

The Indian side was only interested in the “ninetieth”, as the most modern and at the same time unpretentious tank in operation that Uralvagonzavod could offer. At the same time, at the request of the customer, the vehicle was significantly modified, including by installing a thermal imaging sight, so T-90s were sent abroad, superior in combat capabilities to their counterparts in the Russian Army.

The result of this was not only the salvation of Uralvagonzavod from final bankruptcy, but also the provision of a financial and technological basis for the production of an updated version of the T-90 - the T-90A tank, which, before the appearance of the T-90M, had the status of the most combat-ready production tank in Russia. Business, as they say, is business – the main thing is to look for profit and profit.

By the way, the T-90M itself, which has already become famous in the zone of a special military operation in Ukraine, has an export component in its family tree, rooted in the T-90MS.

The historian, scientific editor of the public relations department of Uralvagonzavod Sergei Ustyantsev speaks about all this in detail. We offer a video with his story, filmed as part of the “First Tank” project, for viewing.

Comments

[Stardock]

Do they sell tanks? Very good, that means there is still dry powder in Russian tanks!)

One thing bothered me: how could a state-owned, largest tank plant face bankruptcy? Isn’t the plant one of the foundations of the country’s security?
What kind of profitability can we talk about?

[foxes]

Have you forgotten the recent history of Russia? Have you forgotten what wonderful people stood and stand at the helm of the country (the entire ruling class)? Have you forgotten how many strategic enterprises were purposefully destroyed, and their absence is now having a catastrophic effect? This is how they almost killed UVZ.

[Stardock]

Please, forget the theory of class struggle developed in the 19th century by Marx and Engels.
This theory has been around for a long time.
The steam engines of the 19th century are long gone and the technological revolution has changed social relations.
About the monopoly of power - you are right. Monopoly only leads to a swamp. No options.

[Foul skeptic]

the technological revolution changed social relations

Really? But you can’t say that.

[bessonov932]

"Please, forget the theory of class struggle developed in the 19th century by Marx-Engels.
This theory has been around for a long time.
The steam engines of the 19th century are long gone and the technological revolution has changed social relations..."
Do you drink? Drinking is harmful!

[Stardock]

Please write on-topic and don't be rude.

[Aristarkh Lyudvigovich]

These wonderful people worked in the West too. Serial production of tanks in the States ceased in 1995 for domestic use, and a few years later for export. Now the plant in Lima is capitalizing and upgrading previously built machines. Detroit's "Tank Arsenal," once the world's largest tank factory, is closed, partially sold for development, and part of the site is occupied by Army repair facilities.
The British had it at about the same time, but the plant in Leeds was closed and managed to be completely sold for development.
The French have not closed their plant in Roanne, but they do not build tanks.
New tanks in NATO are now being mass-produced only by the Germans, albeit in small quantities.

[foxes]

Western countries are members of NATO and are under the roof of the United States. The Russian Federation does not have its own bloc. The CSTO will definitely not harness Russia in the event of war.

[igorbrsv]

Well, you don’t speak for everything about the CSTO

[bug120560]

Why are you so concerned about Western tank building? Just for yourself, make a comparison of the performance characteristics of the latest modifications of the main types of tanks from the NATO and Russian blocs, and don’t forget to compare their numbers in the troops. And, as for production, you can believe that as soon as the need arises there, their production will very quickly be resumed and the number produced will increase. They have a completely different economic approach, where the state begins financing (gives money to the enterprise) immediately after the conclusion of the contract, while only finished products are purchased from us, that is, the entire production cycle is on the “shoulders” of the manufacturer. So they go with an “outstretched hand” to the banks for money, and there... I think you’ve heard about the Central Bank raising the key rate?

[Amin_vivec]

"These wonderful people" are waiting for a new "good war", when it will be possible to expand production and sell weapons to both sides of the conflict... They are waiting for a new "good war", long, bloody, very profitable and not theirs...

[Dedok]

One thing was jarring: how could a state-owned, largest tank plant be threatened bankruptcy?

it’s easier to become an owner... and government orders will remain...
By the way, the Kalashnikov concern is an example of this

[Gromovanton]

At one time, one alcoholic almost drank away the entire country. But it wasn't about the defense industry...

[Konnick]

According to Rossel, due to the fault of Chubais, Russia could lose one of the world's largest tank manufacturers - Uralvagonzavod (UVZ). When the State Planning Committee was liquidated, the state stopped purchasing products from enterprises. In the case of the defense sector, such an economic strategy is destructive. In turn, in the 1990s it was Chubais who headed the committee for state property management and was the ideologist of privatization.

I come to Chubais and say that we have Uralvagonzavod - 60 thousand workers. There are no military orders, the plant is standing still. We will buy tanks in Israel, and carriages in China,

- Kommersant quotes the lecturer as saying.

But this is according to Rossel. And so, in the late 90s, at one of the tenders where I was present, a representative of UVZ began to announce prices in dollars, he was sent by the deputy minister far and wide. Now Chubais is to blame for everything. Who is now preparing the privatization of UVZ?

The decree on the transfer of 100% of the shares of UVZ to Rostec was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2016. In March last year, the state corporation received the right to dispose of 97,48% of the shares, 2,52% remained the property of the state. At the same time, the head of Rostec, Sergei Chemezov, stated that in three years a sale of the UVZ share is possible.

And what else do we want?

[Byurer]

“By the way, the T-90M itself, which has already become famous in the zone of a special military operation in Ukraine”...
What did he become famous for there?

[AdAstra]

How his courtiers, the Gvargeians, abandoned him in full working order during "regroupings" after "difficult decisions".

[storm]

What did he become famous for there?

The fact that in 22, during the famous "regrouping" near Kharkov, a significant number of new T-90M and T-72B3M tanks fell into the hands of the Ukrainian Armed Forces...

[Illanatol]

Quote: Stardock

One thing was shocking: how could a state-owned, largest tank factory be threatened with bankruptcy?

If it is state-owned, then no way. But if it is a joint-stock company, then yes, easily.
And bankruptcy itself does not pose any serious threat to the enterprise. It is simply a change of owners and managers. Bankruptcy is not liquidation and not even always re-profiling.