Russia may be replacing 100 tanks a month — but with older models, which 'smacks of absolute desperation,' expert says

• Russia generates 100-plus tanks a month, largely replacing its battlefield losses, UK intel said.
• That rate is likely possible only if it's taking old tanks out of storage, experts told BI.

A UK intelligence claim that Russia is generating more than 100 tanks a month likely means it's relying on older models kept in storage, but it can't keep pulling them out forever, experts told Business Insider.

The UK Defense Ministry said late last month that Russia had lost up to 365 main battle tanks since October but could "probably generate at least 100 MBTs a month," meaning it would be able to replace its battlefield losses.

But William Alberque, who runs the arms-control program at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that this figure was likely possible only if Russia was taking older tanks out of storage.

It wouldn't be able to produce new tanks at this rate, he said.

Alberque added that Russia would not be able to rely on this method in the long term, as that stock is limited.

Nicholas Drummond, a defense analyst, agreed, telling BI that Russia was relying on older models as its ability to produce new ones was limited.

He said some of the tanks would be "almost museum-quality machinery."

Russia has been using decades-old tank models during its invasion of Ukraine, such as the T-62s that entered service in the 1960s.

But Drummond is skeptical that Russia can even make battle-ready 100 of the older tanks a month.

He said the number was "not credible" based on what's known about Russian tank production, in both making new tanks and refurbishing old ones.

The UK Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment on its figure.

Ramping up production

Russia has seemingly been increasing its output of new tanks, while still relying on older models.

As of February 2023, it was estimated that Russia was making about 20 new tanks a month.

George Barros, a Russia expert at the Institute for the Study of War, told BI that open-source information pointed to Russia making up to 35 tanks a month by September, but it's not clear where that figure is now.

He said reaching 100 would be in line with Russia's stated goal for last year, when it said it wanted to make 1,500 tanks, about 125 a month.

Russia had to turn to older tanks, with upgrades, after Ukraine destroyed many of its newer models early in its invasion.

It's been able to use the older vehicles effectively, but in support roles normally done by infantry fighting vehicles, experts said.

Even so, getting out older tank models "smacks of absolute desperation," Alberque said.

These tanks are not likely to be a big help for Russia in its attacks because they're not very powerful, he said.

"If I'm getting a bunch of T-62s and T-64s and told to attack a Ukrainian position, then no, that doesn't make me more reckless. It makes me hopeless," he said.

But another expert said these older tanks could still create a problem for Ukraine.

"Every time the Russians attack in waves, they have to spend ordinance defeating that attack, and their supplies are running low," Rajan Menon, a director at the US think tank Defense Priorities, told BI.

Ukraine has lost fewer tanks than Russia, according to weapons trackers and experts, but Russia "can throw more soldiers, men, and machines into the fight," Menon said.

And while Ukraine is increasing its weapon production, it's not able to do so for tanks, giving Russia the advantage.

Russia, Menon said, can simply bring more and more equipment and soldiers to the front line and force Ukraine to expend scarce resources. And that's especially a problem now, he said, with future aid from the US in doubt.