Russian super tank T-90 exposed weakness in close combat with Ukrainian armor

Siêu tăng T-90 Nga lộ điểm yếu khi giáp lá cà với thiết giáp Ukraine - 1 — Ukrainian Bradley armored vehicle fires at Russian T-90 super tank (Photo: Telegraph).

This month, a Ukrainian M2 Bradley armored vehicle destroyed a Russian T-90 tank in a battle at Stepove, outside Avdiivka.

In the confrontation with the tank equipped with more powerful weapons and armor, the M2 crew used innovative tactics to gain the advantage. It also showed the weakness of the T-90 that Ukraine successfully exploited.

Ukrainian Bradley armored vehicle destroys Russian T-90 super tank ( Video : Telegraph).

Mykola Salamakha, a tank warfare expert, said the T-90 has superior specifications and could theoretically overwhelm the M2 in a hand-to-hand fight. However, the T-90 also has weaknesses.

First, the T-90's sights and observation devices for both the tank commander and gunner are too narrow for close combat: 4⁰ at 12x zoom and 12⁰ at 4x zoom. This makes it difficult for the T-90 crew to fully observe the situation outside, especially in the context of Ukrainian armor approaching at a distance of only 150-200m.

Another feature is that the PNM-T's sight guard and panoramic sight are so large, making them perfect targets for shooting at 150m.

In the video above, the M2 crew aimed their fire at the T-90 tank's optical system. This is the system that helps the Russian tank crew observe the battlefield. At this point, the Russian tank became disoriented because it could not observe the battlefield and the Ukrainian soldiers began to launch the decisive blow.

The T-90 also has a problem with firepower. The tank’s reloading takes at least eight seconds, while the M2 Bradley’s M242 Bushmaster cannon can fire almost nonstop. In a close-quarters fight, rapid fire is crucial for one side to overwhelm the other. Vehicles will not have much time to react when they are attacked continuously.

In addition, according to expert Salamakha, the T-90 also has other weaknesses that are easily exploited in close combat.

The command tower is generally only protected by 30mm of armor, the turret has only 25mm of armor, the ammunition area behind the turret is 20mm of armor, and the 40mm of armor at the rear can withstand a grenade launcher shot but cannot withstand a Bradley armor-piercing round.

These are the weaknesses that the enemy can completely target when fighting the T-90 in close combat, significantly reducing the combat capability of this super tank. That is the reason why the T-90, despite overwhelming in terms of parameters, is at a disadvantage against the Bradley in a direct confrontation.

The Bradley is an infantry fighting vehicle developed by the United States in the 1970s to counter Soviet infantry fighting vehicles.

In addition to its ability to carry soldiers and protect infantry on the battlefield, this armored vehicle is also considered a "tank killer" when equipped with 2 launchers with 7 TOW anti-tank missiles. The Bradley's armor can withstand heavy machine gun fire from opponents.

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