The Russian press agency TASS reported that Russian defense company Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) enterprise had sent a batch of upgraded BREM-1M Armoured Recovery Vehicle to the Russian Defense Ministry on December 23, 2021. BREM-1M was originally developed for export, to support the export of T-90S main battle tanks. It is powered by a more powerful V-84MS diesel engine, developing 840 hp, or a V-92S2, developing 1 000 hp. The T-90 tank has been exported to Algeria, Azerbaijan, India, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and possibly some other countries. It is unknown if any of the BREM-1M recovery vehicles have been exported. However, it was adopted by the Russian Army.
The BREM-1M Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) is designed for the recovery of damaged tanks and other armor materiel from the battlefield to maintenance workshops and shelters. The turret has been removed and a new superstructure fitted. It is fitted with a front-mounted dozer blade, crane, winch, and other specialized equipment. BREM-1M fulfills the following tasks: towing, lifting, disassembly, assembly, weighing, maintenance, transportation of spares and materials, technical surveillance, weeding, digging, and many other support tasks. The BREM-1M ARV is an irreplaceable support vehicle on the battlefield and a multifunctional general support vehicle in peacetime.
The BREM-1M is based on the T-90S platform and its protection level corresponds to that of the tank, thus increasing the survivability and safety of the crew. BREM-1M equipment includes: a winch, cargo platform, hoisting crane, bulldozer blade, towing gear, electric welding equipment, etc. The BREM-1 is fitted with a 4.4 m crane. It has a 19 t capacity at 2 m and a 3 t capacity at 4.4 m. The vehicle can move over level ground with the 3 000 kg of load lifted. However, the suspension is locked automatically once the load exceeds 3 000 kg. In traveling order, the crane folds along the hull. For self-defense, the ARV is equipped with a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun mount.
UralVagonZavod is a Russian machine building company located in Nizhny Tagil, Russia. The name UralVagonZavod means Ural Railroad Car Factory. It is one of the largest scientific and industrial complexes in Russia and the largest main battle tank manufacturer in the world. Production of T-90 main battle tanks accounts for 18–20% of the company’s overall production. This represents the highest level of tank production at UralVagonZavod and in Russia as a whole since 1993. The company was greater than the number of main battle tanks produced in all the other countries of the world taken together.
