Russian Military to Acquire Lighter Tanks with Greater Maneuverability

Russia intends to acquire the T-99 tank as of 2015, and is expected to introduce more than 2,000 tanks into operational activity as of 2020.

The Russian military intends to begin acquiring the new T-99 campaign tank already in 2015. The tank is designed in a manner that is similar to the Israeli Merkava tank - designing an advanced hull upon which an advanced campaign tank, APC or an armored combat engineering vehicle can be installed upon.

The prototype of the new tank will begin undergoing testing in 2013. The Russian military intends to introduce more than T-99 2,000 tanks into operational activity as of 2020.
The new tank will weigh less than older Russian tanks and will possess greater maneuverability.

It is known that Russia has developed reactive armor systems such as the ones protecting the IDF’s Merkava tanks. It remains unclear if Russia intends to equip the new tank with active defense systems such as Rafael’s Trophy system, which protects the Merkava Mark 4 tanks, by diverting threats such as antitank missiles launched towards them.