Russia’s T-90M Proryv tank has proved its effectiveness in the special military operation zone and, according to its developers, is expected to remain in service for decades.

Andrey Terlikov, chief designer at Uralvagonzavod, part of the Rostec state corporation, told TASS that the combat vehicle still has a long operational future. His remarks came as Moscow unveiled a monument to Yuri Maksarev, the creator of the world’s first tank assembly line for the T-34 and one of the founders of Russia’s domestic patent system.

Although the T-90M was developed in the 1990s, Terlikov said its service life was designed to last at least 50 years. Russian troops using the tank on the battlefield regard it as highly effective in carrying out combat missions in the special military operation zone.

Development of the vehicle is still ongoing. Uralvagonzavod continues to upgrade the T-90M to improve its tactical and technical performance, with particular emphasis on protection. One of the key additions already developed for the tank is an all-aspect fire system intended primarily to counter enemy unmanned aerial vehicles.

Terlikov also compared the Russian tank with Western models used by Ukrainian forces. In his assessment, the Abrams, Leopard and other NATO-made tanks have several serious drawbacks, including excessive weight, limited cross-country capability, reduced maneuverability and weak protection. Against that backdrop, he said, the T-90M outperforms foreign armored vehicles.

Uralvagonzavod is also working on a next-generation tank that is expected to incorporate new technologies, Terlikov said.

The monument to Yuri Maksarev was unveiled on May 26 outside the Rospatent building in Moscow. In October 1941, Maksarev took charge of Plant No. 183 after it was evacuated to the Urals and merged with Uralvagonzavod. Under his leadership, the enterprise introduced the world’s first flow-line conveyor system for assembling the legendary T-34 tank.