A mock-up of a Russian-made T-90 main battle tank, based on wheeled platform, was spotted at Chinese Army proving ground.

The photograph was shared online triggering an avalanche of comments, from the suggestion that a Chinese army will be used this T-90 mock-up for combat training of its troops.

The specific role of the realistic mock-up has not yet been clarified by Chinese officials but some experts said that it will be used to test on-board equipment of Army’s attack helicopters and fighter jets. Similar mock-ups of military vehicles and defense systems used in many parts of the world for training purposes.

The T-90 is a third-generation Russian battle tank introduced in 1992 by the manufacturer Uralvagonzavod. The T-90 quickly became a staple armor solution of the Russian Land Forces for its cost-effective blend of firepower, handling and durability.

This tank is an improved version of Soviet-era T-72 and originally called the T-72BU, but later renamed to T-90.  The tank is fitted with an automated fire control system allowing the gunner and the commander to effectively fire the gun, coaxial machine and antiaircraft machine gun at the halt.

The largest export operator is India which obtained 620 tanks in knock-down kits for local assembly and plans to produce 1 000 tanks locally. Additionally, export operators are Algeria, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Iraq, Vietnam and Venezuela.