The Legend of the T-95
Many moons ago, long before the Book of Faces and supposed smart phone… Whispers could be heard coming out of the newly formed Russian Federation.
The Birth of a New Main Battle Tank
Whispers of a new Main Battle Tank that was not held down by the doctrine of the now defunct USSR. This new tank would have been leaps and bounds better than what had been created during the Soviet Times. Not just another “upgrade” to the current tanks already in service, this new tank promised a lot. Not only would it have a new main gun that would fire new anti-tank rounds, it would have a new auto-loader that used a cartridge style system. It would use new state-of-the-art (for the time) optics, a new suspension system, and new armor to protect the vehicle and its occupants.
In all, this new tank promised a lot, but all things considered, were reasonable. There was even a chance that the new tank could have been on par with western models like the Abrams and Leopard. But there was just one minor problem…
The Struggles in the 1990s
This was Russia in the 1990s, a time when the country was still feeling the effects of the collapse of the USSR. Corruption was rampant (kinda still is really) and there was not much money to develop anything. Which was why many were very much interested when it was said that Russia was developing a new MBT, especially at a time when no one was really doing anything.
But when it came time to show off this new tank, now dubbed the “T-95” by some, there really wasn’t much to show. In fact, it was hardly ever seen. During an arms convention in 1997, the T-95 was kept far away from any would-be onlookers and was covered by camo netting for some reason. When it did make its “appearance,” it only drove around for a bit before being rushed away before anyone could get a good look at it.
The Illusive T-95
It would not be “seen” again for another 2 years, where it would make another appearance at an arms convention in Siberia. It drove around a little more, but once again it was covered by a tarp. Despite promising a lot and getting a lot of people’s attention, the “T-95” never really existed.
The “prototypes” that were shown were nothing more than a modified T-80 prototype from the 1980s, but that program was cancelled. The one seen in 1997 didn’t even have a real gun or turret, just a wooden mock-up. The one in 1999 did have a “working” turret, but a fake main gun.
The End of the Myth
But of course, this did not stop the Russian government from continuing to promote this new tank… until they announced that the program was cancelled in 2010, though the reason as to why has never been made public.
~NC
