Russia shows modernization of T-62 tanks

The Russian 103rd Armored Repair Plant has just shed light on the modernization of Т-62 tanks.

Russia currently plans to modernize approximately 800 outdated Soviet-era Т-62М/MV tanks.

Modernization is conducted by installing a new radio, thermal sight, explosive reactive armor, and other protection.

The plant also conducts repair work on the BMP-2 IFVs and modernizes the BRDM-2 to the BRDM-2MS level.

The primary goal of the Т-62 tank modernization is generally justified: first of all, other tanks simply do not exist in the right amounts, as the Ukrainian military destroyed about 2,000 Russian vehicles.

Secondly, the level of training does not allow crews to quickly master more modern vehicles for the battlefield.

The factory demonstrated a Т-62MV tank with the 1PN-96MT-02 thermal sight with a built-in laser rangefinder installed in it.

Unlike the Sosna-U sight, it does not have a daytime channel – only a thermal, but with a laser rangefinder.

It is based on a non-cooling matrix influencing the target’s detection range (between two and three kilometers). Also, 1PM96MT-02 does not have the ability to target guided tank missiles.

To protect the tank, armor is welded onto the stern of the turret, and “Kontakt-1” reactive armor is installed.

However, the manufacturer left a vulnerable site in the form of equipment on the turret, which was not covered with reactive armor.

It is worth noting that the Russian military receive semi-DIY modernized obsolete tanks, adopted in 1961, instead of modern tanks, armored vehicles, which are demonstrated at parades.