Early T-90 tanks, model 1992, were equipped with a cast turret, like on the T-72B. But already on the T-90A, Russia switched to a welded-rolled turret, and the T-90M "Proryv" received a fundamentally new welded turret module.

"Pervy Tekhnichesky" explains why Tagil engineers abandoned casting and what it gave the vehicle.

Morning is wiser than evening, and welding is stronger than casting

Welded-rolled armor of medium hardness is stronger than cast armor of the same thickness — by approximately 10–15%. During casting, defects can form, including cavities and other inhomogeneities, and the manufacturing precision of a large casting is lower than that of rolled parts. Therefore, the transition to a welded structure allowed using the advantages of rolled armor and increasing the manufacturing precision of the turret.

The transition to welded turrets allowed the use of rolled armor with higher anti-projectile resistance and the creation of a structure with more precise geometry.

They meet by clothes, but see off by mind

The T-90M turret differs from the turrets of the T-72 and early T-90 in shape, dimensions, and internal structure. It has a new turret design with combined armor protection, and in the aft part, there is a separate protected module with additional ammunition.

This design allows for increasing protection and changing the layout for new systems — which the cast turret did not provide.

In cramped quarters, but not offended?

The T-14 "Armata" went further. It has a welded uninhabited turret, and the crew is placed in an isolated armored capsule in the hull. This is a different philosophy — the turret becomes a carrier for the gun and autoloader, not a place for people.

The T-90M retained an inhabited turret but switched to welding — and this is a step in the same direction: to move away from the limitations of the cast structure.

"Proryv" is not "T-72 with new stuffing". It is a vehicle with a new turret, welded from rolled plates. Russia did not keep the old cast technology — it abandoned it already on the T-90A. And the T-90M brought this line to a modern level.