74OA said:
More on the hundreds of almost antique T-62s Russia is reportedly upgrading. VINTAGE
Thanks for the link. Been wondering the actual nuts and bolts of that claim and couldn't find anything on my own on this current batch. I know the T-62M(odernized) was a drastic overhaul with everything from armor to engine to advanced fire control. With this new influx needed though, I just don't see every one of those boxes being checked off. We have several examples already of major shortcuts being taken by the Russians and I see no reason to think that it will not extend to these refits. So looks like Russia is just making more T-62Ms in the end?
As mentioned though, no expected upgrades to the main gun though. I remember reading a blurb somewhere way back when on this thread of a Twitter article explaining how the most current 115mm tank gun rounds is over 40 years old. If true, the degradation of the available 115mm stock has to be significant. Even detrimental.
Either way, no two ways around it at this point. Russia is scraping the bottom of the barrel. These things were designed to fight our M48s and M60s and even with the upgrades, might bring them up to par with T-80s on paper with all upgrade options. (minus the gun). Which again, I just don't see happening across all the units.