History
Development
The T-90 tank is a deep modernization of the T-72B tank, created in Nizhny Tagil at UKBTM in 1989 under the leadership of Chief Engineer Vladimir Potkin (factory name "Object 188"). In 1989, the tank was transferred to GSI, which were successful[15].

UKBTM specialists began developing a new tank in accordance with the resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 741-208 of June 19, 1986. The first cases were manufactured in April 1988. The designers, according to Vladimir Potkin, invested in it all the experience of combat testing and military operation of T-72 tanks[16]. The "Object 188" was developed in parallel with the much more advanced experimental tank "Object 187", both objects were carried out according to the program of bringing the T-72B tank to the level of the T-80U\UD. The booking of the T-72B of the late series (sample of 1989) corresponded to this level, and the main drawback was the lack of an automated fire control system. The very simple and reliable 1A40-1 sighting system no longer met the modern requirements for tanks. To increase the firepower of the tank, it was planned to install a new SLA on it. The solution was the installation of the fire control system 1A45 "Irtysh", used on T-80U and T-80UD tanks. It has been modified to work in combination with the automatic loading of the T-72 tank. The modified complex received the designation 1A45T[17]. The 9K119 reflex-guided weapon system made it possible to increase the firing range to 5000 m at targets moving at speeds up to 70 km/h. Unlike the T-72B, the "Object 188" could fire a missile on the move at a speed of up to 30 km/h. For the first time in the world, the TSHU-1 optoelectronic suppression system was installed on the machine. The developers of the protection came to the conclusion that the best way to repel "smart" ammunition is to prevent them from hitting at all[16].

In January 1989, the tank "Object 188" was presented for state tests. Within six months, they were tested in the Moscow, Kemerovo and Dzhambul regions, as well as at the Uralvagonzavod landfill[16]. Tests have shown the high reliability of the new tank. On March 27, 1991, by a joint decision of the Ministry of Defense and the Defense Industry, the tank was recommended for adoption by the Armed Forces of the USSR under the designation T-72BU. The development of "Object 187" had to be curtailed. However, the subsequent period in the life of the country and the conclusions drawn after receiving the results of the combat use of T-72 tanks in Operation Desert Storm did not allow a final decision to be made. In addition, the Soviet Union ceased to exist in December 1991.