Russian Army/Ground Forces Discussion and Updates

Ananda

The Bunker Group
However nowhere does CIT, at least that I saw, indicate an anticipated ability to produce ~1k MBTs per year.
From the perspective of restoring combat capability and based on our estimated production rates, assuming hypothetically that combat operations end on Dec. 31 this year, Russia could produce nearly 1,000 new tanks within three years, 1,500 within five years, and 3,000 within ten years. However, this estimate does not account for potential increases in output, such as the possible resumption of T-80 tank production in Omsk.
I think the CIT report that being quote by Army Recognition (as 1000 production by 2028) is from this part. This is on end part of the article.

but increasing MBT production is more difficult then something like a Shahed. There are multiple potential bottle-necks, and while by peace-time post-Cold War standards UVZ is a massive tank plant, it also means that expanding that massive plant requires massive efforts and also time.
Agree on this, however it is also shown Russia manage to increase their production rate even on their current production infrastructure. I just don't buy all the talk from the so call Western Think Tank pundits that claim Russia MIC and other industrial capabilities goes downhill by the western sanctions and will not be able to recovered.

Yes it give them much hardship, but also shown Russia resiliances to find other way around to keep their MIC running and recovering without using western supplies.
 
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Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
I think the CIT report that being quote by Army Recognition (as 1000 production by 2028) is from this part. This is on end part of the article.
Yeah, that's not the same thing though. It says 1000 new tanks within 3 years is ~333 per year. Not 1000 per year. 1500 within 5 clearly envisions 300 per year, as does 3000 within 10 years. None of these numbers are interesting, as they were all well known for a while.

Agree on this, however it is also shown Russia manage to increase their production rate even on their current production infrastructure. I just don't buy all the talk from the so call Western Think Tank pundits that claim Russia MIC and other industrial capabilities goes downhill by the western sanctions and will not be able to recovered.

Yes it give them much hardship, but also shown Russia resiliances to find other way around to keep their MIC running and recovering without using western supplies.
I think it's pretty clear Russia can produce thousands of armored vehicles of various types despite the sanctions and is unlikely to lose that ability any time soon.
 
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seaspear

Well-Known Member
I would not doubt that Russia will for some time produce various armoured vehicles whether brand new or heavily refurbished ,but numbers being produced are more emphasised than fit for purpose , with adequate sensors for all of these not a priority
 

swerve

Super Moderator
Yeah, that's not the same thing though. It says 1000 new tanks within 3 years is ~333 per year. Not 1000 per year. 1500 within 5 clearly envisions 3000 per year, as does 3000 within 10 years. None of these numbers are interesting, as they were all well known for a while.
300. ;) I think your fingers slipped.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
I would not doubt that Russia will for some time produce various armoured vehicles whether brand new or heavily refurbished ,but numbers being produced are more emphasised than fit for purpose , with adequate sensors for all of these not a priority
Imagine they had the best sensors available to AFVs in the world today. Would it help much from the confines of a tank-shed? Are we seeing the kind of longer range engagements where marginal differences in sensors make a large difference? What I think the real issue is that Russia needs either an HAPC or HIFV, that it can mass-produce at scale, that will offer drastically better survivability.

300. ;) I think your fingers slipped.
It did, thanks.
 

wsb05

Member
What are the bottlenecks for increased tank production? They are installing new guns, engines, pneumatics and electronics.
I suspect they are not increasing new builds simply because of the availability of tanks to refurbish.
They probably simply need extra welders for modern turrets.
 

seaspear

Well-Known Member
I don't believe this has been covered but there have been articles of an increase of twenty fold in H.I.V amongst Russian military forces ,reports that needles are used multiple times by by nurses treating wounded ,or that there was no testing of "recruits" from prisons into the Russian army
The clip below goes also into this
 

wsb05

Member
Imagine they had the best sensors available to AFVs in the world today. Would it help much from the confines of a tank-shed? Are we seeing the kind of longer range engagements where marginal differences in sensors make a large difference? What I think the real issue is that Russia needs either an HAPC or HIFV, that it can mass-produce at scale, that will offer drastically better survivability.



It did, thanks.
They will probably manufacture BMPT
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update.

BMP-3M deliveries continue. Nakidka thermal shrouds are mentioned and they are sometimes seen on the front lines, but I'm skeptical of claims that all newly delivered vehicles come with them. We also have some fresh footage of production, including what looks like some sort of command vehicle on the BMP-3 chassis.


A new BMP engine, the UTD-32T is being tested. A more powerful BMP engine is a prerequisite for heavier and better protected vehicles.


It appears Russia is upgrading BMD-2 hulls to carry extra armor kits. This may be the start of the BMD-2M upgrade program. This is similar to the BMP-2M but for the BMD-2, with extra armor, new FCS, Kornet ATGM. However it's also possible they will simply mount the extra armor.


Russia's new BTR-22 has shown up in Belarus during West-2205 exercises. The future of the type remains unclear.


The BT-3F has reportedly began state trials. This is an awkward conversion of the BMP-3 into an APC. Awkward because it retains the rear engine layout, meaning climbing in and out is difficult, and the interiors are cramped and awkwardly situated, though it does reportedly seat 12 dismounts. So presumably if you take a standard Russian assault squad of 6, you'd have plenty of space.


A photo of the Marine BMP that was under development some years ago has surfaced. The project is now likely dead. Reportedly it's a 2022 photo from UVZ.


There are reports that work on the Kurganets IFV are continuing.


Some BMP-1AMs in Chita. The type is definitely outdated even with all the upgrades, but it still represents a serious threat to most things on the Ukrainian battlefield, and is more capable than most troop transports used by both sides.


Work on the T-62 upgrade and refurbishment continues at a high pace.


The 155th MarBde is officially turning back into the 55th MarDiv. Note the unit is likely already a division in all but name.


The 71st Guards MRDiv has been formed.


Reportedly Belarus has booted up production of artillery shell components on Chinese equipment, likely for export to Russia.


Trials of a new Russian unmanned mine clearing vehicle called Belogor. Reportedly this vehicle can do anti-tank mines as well as anti-personnel. With large minefields to clean up in occupied areas Russia will need much mine clearing equipment to get the job done.


Deliveries of the new TOS-3 continue, all on the T-80 chassis.


Russia's new unmanned system forces reportedly include battalions and regiments. There's still no details on their org-structure.


Russian South MD forces using a laser imitator system called SLIB-177. It's taken Russia a while to make this part of their regular training.


Deliveries of Kornet ATGMs and Krasnopol'-M2 guided shells continues. While Krasnopol' is definitely inferior to the Excalibur, even in the M2 variant, it's available in much larger quantities meaning Russian command can strike far more targets with guided shells. It's interesting that upgraded Konkurs ATGM variants are also being delivered, presumably refurbished from storage.


Some leaked documents appear to reveal Russian MBT plans for the forseeable future. The production schedule for UVZ reportedly looks as follows;

2027 - 31 T-90M2s, 201 T-90Ms, and 58 T-90Ms modernized from older variants. (total 290)
2028 - 280 new T-90M and M2s, and 138 T-90Ms modernized from older variants. (total 418)
2029 - 253 new T-90M and M2s, and 147 T-90Ms modernized from older variants (total 400)
2030 - data is absent
From 2031 onward there are no plans for T-90M production only overhauls and upgrades. Perhaps those contracts haven't been signed yet. Or perhaps these production slots are meant for the T-14.

The plans also reveal the intent to upgrade ~300 T-72As into T-72B3s. You'll note that the annual totals exceed the 400 tanks per year that were previously cited as the maximum throughput of the main conveyor. It's possible that the recent expansions at UVZ has increased the throughput. It's also possible the 400 limit isn't a hard limit. The number don't surpass it by much. Lastly the plans may simply be over-optimistic.


UVZ has started pulling large numbers of T-72A hulls for some purpose. Up until now only relatively small quantities of T-72As were pulled for service. It's unclear if the intent is to turn them into the T-72B3s, or convert them into BMPTs, or even produce some sort of upgraded T-72A variant.


A recent video from the UVZ factor floor shows that despite some T-72s getting Relikt on the hull, plenty are going through the production line with K-5 on the hull. We also have sighting of a T-72 with Relikt on the hull and turret. This may be the future of the T-72B3M, or this might be what they intend to do to the older T-72As.


A new batch of BMPTs were recently handed over. We see minor changes to the ERA layout and rear ERA..


We have a look at changes to the T-80BVM armor layout from this war. The extra fuel tanks are replaced by extra ERA, and the ERA layout on the front hull and turret have been adjusted.


Some time ago the Shturm unmanned MBT program was revealed. We now have our first look at the prototype rolling around UVZ. It features an unmanned turret, a short-barreled 125mm main gun, and lots of extra ERA. We can also see the H-APC command vehicle for it. In my opinion the latter vehicle is more sensible than the assault tank, if produced as just an H-APC or H-IFV.


New T-80BVMs are being delivered. The type remains a workhorse in the war.


During Putin's visit to the Motovilkha artillery works, old 155mm versions of the Msta were pulled out for display. A 2S35 was also shown, and the future of that type also remains murky. I would have guessed they pulled these systems out because Msta-S and Msta-B were not available for display, but there are at least 80 Msta-S still in storage on recent satellite imagery. Recent satellite imagery suggests that the fatory in question has been recently expanded. It remains to be seen what the expanded production space is dedicated to.


A video of the 2S44 Giastint-K in action. It reveals some interesting details about the system design.


Planshet-M-IR artillery command vehicles on the Patrul' MRAP chassis are being delivered.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Russian National Guard exercises recently revealed they're gone back to operating heavy artillery and MBTs. They've also shown off their new Streit Group Spartan SUT amored cars... built on a Ford chassis. So US industry is now part of the supply chain for the Russian military. They even have a mortar variant called the 2B24 Deva, suggesting this is adapted for a Russian mortar system. Now it's possible the vehicle is misidentified, and we're looking at some sort of Chinese knock-off.


Moscow National Guard unit shows off their Streit Group Cobra LAMV. This is the second Streit Group vehicle we have seen in Russian service, the first was the Spartan SUT.


Russia reportedly intends to purchase the "new" Sarma 300mm MLRS with 12 TELs and 12 loaders ordered. This of course isn't a new system at all. It was previously presented under the name Kama, and it's one half of a BM-30 on a Kamaz chassis. In my opinion this is a road to nowhere, and the far more logical choice was a unified TEL for the Kalibr and Tornado-S. Note, the max range here is being described as 200kms which might indicate a new munition, as normal Tornado-S fires ~90kms, and previous Kama variants were listed with a range of 100kms.


A Courier UGV carrying a spool of fiber-optic cable for control and one carrying a laser system for mine clearing.


Russia continues testing of turrets for anti-UAV work. So far the results are unimpressive. We have HMGs, existing auto-cannon modules like the Spitsa turret, currently being used on Vystrel (also known as the BPM-97 Dozor) armored cars, and a ZU-23-2 upgrade.


Russia is testing a new MANPADS called Hermes (Germes). This is confusing because that's also the name of another missile system, but a surface-surface one.


Buk-M3 deliveries reportedly are continuing. Footage of them in service remains exceedingly rare, but what's more significant is that when we do see them, they don't carry a full combat load suggesting continuing shortages of SAMs.


A look at new Tor-M2 variants, with built-in EW, presumably for drone defense.


Russian troops at West-2025 are spotted with new Kvadrat and Sprint satcom terminals.


Russia's 83rd VDV Bde and 7th VDV division with the new RPL-20 LMG.


UVZ has gotten into producing armor kits and drone-cages for trucks. Here we have several different variants.


Fresh Kamaz trailer trucks delivered to the Russian ground forces with EW installed.


An entire column of Chekan armored trucks was recently spotted. The type appears to still be in production. The desert paint jobs suggests their destination isn't Ukraine.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Some of these links are old, it's taken me a while to dig through this, I'll try to flag old news where I can.

Some footage from OTM of continued work on the T-80BVM. There's still no sign of preparations for resumption of T-80 production at the factory in either the BVM or the Burlak variant (or more likely with the Proryv turret, making it a gas-turbine T-90M). Satellite images show 203 T-80s sitting outside the factory waiting for repairs, down from 253 over a 3-month period. If that tempo holds the factory can put out over 200 upgraded T-80s per year.


We have an updated version of the Proryv turret pantented with a different side armor and roof design. Some speculate that this is the design meant to be used on a future gas-turbine chassis, or the T-90M2.


A batch of T-90Ms and T-72B3Ms were delivered in December and another in May of '26. In factory footage we see T-72B3s and T-90Ms with Arena-M installed on the production lines and we have at least one T-90M seen being transported post-delivery with Arena-M. The question remains whether the T-90M with Arena are the T-90M2 or just a regular T-90M with the APS installed.


And we have our first sighting of the T-72B3A with Arena-M from Center MD, somewhere in the rear areas of the war in Ukraine. Russia now official has MBTs with an APS in service, and an APS that protects from top-attack (and according to some sources from FPV drones too).


We also have a continued evolution of how Russia mounts both side-screens and ERA elements on the tanks.


Russia has begun upgrading T-72As to something similar to the T-72B3, but with Relikt ERA to provide better protection levels. This is a sensible step, and all things considered good use of resources.


We have Russia's T-80U-E1 turrets back in use, on some sort of T-80 chassis, possibly Russia has begun repairing the T-80UD type.


Meanwhile un-upgraded T-55As are also being re-activated. It's interesting that some T-62s are at least getting thermals and other improvements, while the T-54/55 are just being handed over as is.


A batch of IMR-3Ms were delivered to the Russian armed forces. Information on deliveries of engineering vehicles is scarce despite their importance to the war effort. It's unclear if Russia is only receiving tiny quantities, or if deliveries aren't being covered.


Russian armed forces have received a batch of BREM-80 ARVs, possibly built on old T-80 chassis. If the chassis are new-built, this would be a definite sign that the factory is preparing for restarting production of the type.


Russian armed forces have received an armored bridgelayer using the MTU-72 kit on a T-55/54 chassis.


The UBIM, a combined ARV, as well as engineer recon vehicle, and general purpose engineering vehicle, has been accepted for service. There has been no word on deliveries and I suspect there won't be any, since it uses a T-90 chassis.


Something interesting was seen at the UVZ plant, it's likely a hull of the planned control vehicle for unmanned T-72 urban assault variants. We've seen a prototype of this rolling around before.


A lightly armored variant of the loaf van, the "bukhanka" has shown up. This is questionable in terms of value, and I wonder about the effect on mobility. The engine isn't typically very powerful in these vans.


We have another updated extra-armor variant of the BMD-4M and BTR-MDM vehicles. It's unclear what the purpose it, the type isn't really in production and only a few hundred were made pre-war.


Russia has begun up-armoring BMD-2s with new factory kits, as well as doing the Bereg upgrade for the turrets. This is similar to the Berezhok turrets for the BMP-2 and the extra-armor kits for them.


We have another BMP-3 upgrade variant in development under OKR Karkas, and it seems to include both new EW and external Kornet launchers. Both are logical moves, but neither addresses the real issues of the vehicle, poor ergonomics and inadequate protection. Note in actual assault use, the vehicle usually doesn't pack any 100mm shells because they almost guarantee the destruction of the vehicle in the event of a penetration.


An updated BTR-22 variant was recently shown off. The type is well behind modern APCs but a decent improvement over the BTR-82A. We have one variant with the 6MB turret and the other with the newly planned Ballista turret.


Meanwhile Kamaz has declared they intend to produce their own new APC. In principle they should be able to do something based on the Kamaz Tayfun single-body variant. It was already loser to an APC then an MRAP. However they've also produced some very questionable armored vehicles in the fairly recent past.


A look at the production lines in Remdiesel, in Naberezhnie Chelny. They're manufacturing armored trucks and MRAPs.


We have tank trailer towing trucks carting around new T-90Ms, but the interesting part is that the towing truck is a new armored variant.

 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Back in August of '25 during a video about Rubicon center we saw a new missile system, unclear if it's an unknown SAM or a new surface-surface tactical missile system. It could also be a DPRK import/loan.


It seems Russia is developing a domestic laser anti-drone system, with a few candidates tested last year. However there's been no sighting of anything other than the Chinese import we've seen with the Kochevnik teams.


A look at the new Zubr MMG anti-drone system.


Russia is testing an automated drone-defense turret, this one likely meant for FPV drones.


Reportedly Kalashnikov concern is preparing production of the Krona SAM, a clear updated version of the Sosna SAM that integrates the updated missiles made for the Strela-10, along with their own original missile.


A new short-range anti-drone SAM, the Redut-UR, is being developed in Russia.


New Courier 2.0 UGVs have been developed in Russia. The type remains the most common UGV in Russian service.


A new Russian Uran-3 mineclearing UGV is in trials.


Delivery of AK-15K carbine variants of the AK-12 has begun.


It appears Russia has begun rebuilding an old Soviet military base near Petrozavodsk, near the Finnish border.


Russia is restoring the Chelyabinsk Tank Officer Academy, a questionable initiative all things considered.


Russia is reportedly updating the Khrizantema ATGM.


Russia is starting production of a "new" Sarma MLRS with deliveries reportedly already begun.. Really it's one half of a BM-30 on a Kamaz chassis. It's not an illogical move, with the Tornado-S missiles it has better accuracy and doesn't necessarily need the larger volley size. But this is a simplified version of the pre-war Kama which was also a 6-pack of 300mm launch tubes except with a packet-reloading option. As a wartime adaptation if more TELs are needed it makes sense, but it's not in any way impressive or forward-looking.


A new patent has shown up for the auto-loader meant for the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV. The type was in experimental exploitation pre-war with 8 cannons delivered but nothing since and that was late 2021.


Deliveries of the 2S43 and the Uragan-1 continue. Both use the BAZ Voschina armored truck chassis, and the Uragan-1 is an old Soviet launcher on the new chassis.

 
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