In the wake of the significant tank losses experienced by Russia in the conflict, a considerable number of T-62s have been reactivated from reserves.
The update of the T-62MV Obr. 2022 incorporates improvements in optics, reactive armor, anti-drone defenses and a minehunting system, marking a significant advance in the operational capacity of this historic 42-tonne model with a crew of four.
Tactical and technological improvements of the T-62MV Obr. 2022 on the battlefield
The T-62MV Obr. 2022, belonging to the 5th Tank Brigade of the Russian army, has been equipped with advanced defense systems, including additional reactive armor, a minehunting device, specific anti-drone protections and a radio jamming system known as a radio hammer.
Despite these upgrades, the vehicle maintains the limitations of its original design, such as relatively weak armor and a 115-millimeter cannon of limited accuracy. However, in the current context, where Ukrainian forces face a severe ammunition shortage, the relevance of these deficiencies may be debatable.
The presence of the T-62MV Obr. 2022 Enhanced has been confirmed via video analysis by open source analyst @naalsio26, noting its assignment to the 5th Tank Brigade located in the Donetsk Oblast, southern Ukraine.
This brigade maintains a critical sector of the front in the prolonged Russian confrontation against Ukraine. The possibility of these tanks operating under the 39th Donetsk Motorized Brigade is also contemplated.
In the wake of the significant tank losses experienced by Russia in the conflict, a considerable number of T-62s have been reactivated from reserves. These vehicles, originally built in the 1960s and modernized in the 1980s, have been deployed to the front, some without modifications and others such as the T-62MV Obr. 2022, receiving upgrades such as explosive reactive armor and modern optics for its main cannon.
Capabilities and limitations in the performance of the T-62MV Obr. 2022
Among the additional improvements of the T-62MV Obr. 2022 includes plow systems to unearth mines and cage armor designed to intercept explosive FPV drones, plus RP-377 radio jammers to counter drone control signals. These adaptations are a direct response to the most frequent threats in the current theater of operations: land mines and FPV drone attacks.
The T-62 ‘s fundamental shortcomings, however, remain unaddressed. With a 620 horsepower diesel engine and a weight that can exceed 45 tons due to additional armor, its power-to-weight ratio is insufficient compared to more modern models such as the T-90M or the Ukrainian M-1A1. This disadvantage directly affects their mobility and ability to maneuver in mined environments.
The armor system, although improved, remains vulnerable to penetrating projectiles, and despite the defenses implemented against drones, maneuverable FPV models represent a significant threat. Additionally, Ukrainian drone operators have developed tactics to evade the RP-377 ‘s signal jams by adjusting their control frequencies.
The continued shortage of ammunition in Ukraine, exacerbated by political blockades on foreign aid, relativizes the effectiveness of the T-62MV Obr. 2022 on the battlefield. Despite its limitations, the ability to withstand small-arms fire and support offensive operations remains vital in limited-resource warfare.
