Moscow has sent to Syria a first T-90 attack armored force to support the imminent campaign south of Aleppo. The presence of third-generation tanks is motivated by the ability of the enemy (ISIS-rebels supported by the USA) to dispose of TOW (*) missiles, capable of destroying the less advanced armored platforms such as the T-72, standard tank of Heavy damask 41 tons.
The T-90 weighs 47 tons. It is armed with a 125 millimeter cannon and AT-11 Sniper anti-tank missiles. In addition to the standard passive armor, it is protected at the front by the third-generation explosive reactive shell Kontact-5 ERA, integrated with the "Shtora" electro-optical system (**).
The T-90 is the spearhead of the Russian armored forces, awaiting the entry into production of the "Armata" modular universal combat platform. Syrian media claim that the T-90 will be led into battle by loyalist troops, but appears highly unlikely and is clearly a propaganda gimmick.
The technology of the latest version of the T-90 is jealously guarded by Moscow and its "surrender" to the enemy is not considered acceptable by the Russian General Staff (as happened for the Iraqi Abrams, "given" to the enemy without being shot). Although their presence has been confirmed in Chechnya and Ukraine, the Syrian context represents the first risk in a war zone for the T-90 of the Russian army.
The new Russian countermove should be seen as yet another attempt to revive the Syrian government's troops in the civil war and counterbalance the TOW effect.
The presence of T-90, understood as g, represents a clear response to rebel anti-tank missiles, provided by rival countries to the regime behind the CIA program. The T-90's turret is surrounded by reactive plates capable of canceling all the hollow-charge anti-tank missiles. So to put them out of action, therefore, they would need double-charged missiles. Syrian media reports that T-90 tanks will join the Fourth Armored Division of the Syrian Republican Guard commanded by Ali Maher Assad, younger brother of President Bashar Assad.
Up to now, the task of the six Russian T-90s sent to Syria was to protect the city of Latakia on the Mediterranean coast of Syria. At least twenty T90A would already be in Syria. Their number could double within the next 96 hours in support of the Syrian armored divisions composed of about 200 T-72 (other 200 T-72 would be to protect the country's key points).
(*) TOW program
The TOW s programthe CIA's upkeep, it is totally separate from the miserably failed by the Pentagon which, according to intentions, should have influenced the result of the other war conducted in Syria, the one in the north-eastern part of the country against the Islamic State. The CIA launched the TOW program in the early months of the 2014, with the aim of combating Damascus by providing training, light weapons, ammunition and anti-tank missiles: instruments that would prove essential to bridge the gap with the heavy equipment of the loyalist government. The missiles arrive in Syria from Saudi Arabia, behind supply of the CIA. The plan, as described by the Pentagon, aimed to exercise sufficient military pressure against the forces of Assad and convince it to a political compromise. A sort of "invitation" to the negotiating table, perhaps avoiding the collapse that would have triggered chaos in the country. The entry into the scene of Russia, on the other hand, has distorted the whole strategy of the CIA. The TOW program, in spite of everything, continues.
Saudi Arabia reiterates its support (other is the US specular projection) to the rebels. Curious also a clause of the program: the missiles are delivered in limited quantities. To receive supplies, the rebels must demonstrate that they are in possession of the same launchers delivered. A clause, we do not know how much this can really work, to prevent systems from ending up on the black market. In the 2013, Saudi Arabia bought 13.975 anti-tank missiles, delivered entirely. By contract, the Saudi government must inform the United States of the final destination of the missiles. US approval is implied.
(**) Defensive Aids System Shtora-1
The Defensive Aids System Shtora-1 protects the tank from both SACLOS (Semi-Automatic Command to Line Of Sight) and laser missiles. It is considered effective against TOW, HOT, AT-4, AT-5 and Sagger missiles as well as against some ATGMs.
Developed by Zenit Research and Production Corporation, it entered service in the 1993. This is a warning system that detects the laser threat and orients the turret automatically in the direction of the threat, then triggering the shielding.
The Shtora-1 DAS consists of an electro-optic interference station (jammer, modulator and control panel), grenades for shielding against enemy "illuminations", a precision laser alarm system and the main control panel that processes information from the sensors, activating the defensive screen.
(photo: MoD Russian Federation / web)
