The T-64 was then modernized to become the T-80 and qualities of the popular T-72 were included in this revised design. In the end, however, it was the T-72 that gained the larger legacy thanks to export sales while the T-64 was limited to Soviet territories due to its "state secret" status. The T-64 was designed as the technology-laden (and therefore more expensive) primary Soviet Army tank solution while the T-72 was intended as the cheaper, production-/export-friendly mark. Both tank designs showcased an autoloader feeding a large-caliber 125mm smoothbore main gun. This was then later complemented by the T-72 of 1971. During the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Army enjoyed the prospect of fielding two Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) side-by-side, beginning with the introduction of the T-64 in 1963. As such, many projects were either shelved indefinitely or canceled altogether. With the fall of the Soviet Empire in 1991, the Russian military fell into a period of low morale and curtailed spending. As with other Soviet-era tanks, the T-90 makes use of an integrated autoloader, three-man crew and low profile design. Compared to its contemporaries, the T-90 is one of the best protected tanks in the world and also one of the most heavily armed combat systems. The T-90 is the current Main Battle Tank of the Russian Army and developed from the successful qualities of the preceding T-72 and T-80 series.
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