Russia continues to promote the T-90MS tank, even in the face of significant losses in Ukraine

Russia plans to showcase its T-90MS main battle tank at the IDEX-2025 defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi, even though the vehicle has experienced significant losses in Ukraine.

Rosoboronexport, the primary arms exporter for Russia, has announced that a T-90MS model will be featured at the exhibition, scheduled for February 17–21, which is anticipated to host over 1,350 exhibitors from 65 nations.

The T-90MS is the export version of Russia’s T-90M tank, which Moscow has consistently promoted as one of the most sophisticated tanks globally. Russian state media and President Vladimir Putin have highlighted the tank’s capabilities, despite the fact that numerous units have been destroyed or captured in Ukraine.

Open-source intelligence analysts, including the Dutch organization Oryx, have confirmed at least 123 losses of T-90M tanks since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. International military experts suggest that these losses account for nearly one-third of Russia’s newly manufactured T-90M fleet, raising questions about the tank’s operational effectiveness.

Although the T-90M is equipped with improved armor, a sophisticated fire-control system, and enhanced survivability, it has shown susceptibility to contemporary anti-tank weapons, suicide drones, and precision-guided artillery. Ukrainian forces have consistently targeted these tanks with Western-supplied Javelin and NLAW missile systems, as well as domestically produced attack drones, resulting in considerable battlefield losses.

In spite of the substantial combat losses, Russia persists in promoting the T-90MS as a premier combat vehicle. The tank is derived from the Soviet-era T-72 design, a Cold War platform that has demonstrated significant weaknesses against modern anti-armor systems.

Western military analysts contend that Russia’s dependence on older platforms with minor enhancements underscores its difficulties in deploying genuinely next-generation armored vehicles. The Armata T-14, which was intended to be Russia’s flagship battle tank, has encountered significant delays, budget overruns, and logistical issues, compelling Moscow to focus on upgrading its existing T-90 and T-80 fleets.

The choice to present the T-90MS at IDEX-2025 coincides with a growing global demand for contemporary tanks, especially in regions like the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Nevertheless, the performance of Russian tanks in the Ukraine conflict may negatively impact export opportunities, as prospective buyers evaluate the effectiveness of Russian armor in comparison to Western models such as the Leopard 2, M1 Abrams, and South Korea’s K2 Black Panther.

With a dwindling inventory of advanced tanks, Moscow confronts both reputational and logistical hurdles in sustaining its status as a prominent arms exporter. The actual combat performance of the T-90M in Ukraine could overshadow the promotional efforts for the T-90MS at IDEX-2025, casting doubt on its effectiveness in modern warfare.