Russia Begins Delivering T-90S/SK Tanks to Vietnam, Says Report

08 November 2017

A Russian T-90S MBT fitted with the Shtora defensive aids suite. (photo : UralVagonZavod)

Russia has begun delivering T-90S and T-90SK main battle tanks (MBTs) to Vietnam, according to a report by Russian state-owned news agency Interfax.

“As a result of a series of negotiations between Russian and Vietnamese experts, a contract was signed for the delivery of T-90S and T-90SK tanks, and the parties have now started implementing it,” Interfax quoted Mikhail Petukhov, a deputy director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), as saying on 7 November.

The announcement comes after Vietnamese and Russian media outlets reported earlier this year that Hanoi had ordered 64 T-90S/SK MBTs from Russia. The reports said at the time that the acquisition would be funded by credit provided by Moscow.

In July Russian tank manufacturer UralVagonZavod announced in its annual report that it had secured an order from Vietnam for the tanks. The T-90S is the basic export model, while the ‘K’ postfix is a reference to command versions.

The value of the T-90 deal has not been disclosed but is thought to be about USD250 million. The investment represents the first major order of new MBTs that the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) has secured for many years. Investment over the past decade and more has been firmly focused on modernising the Vietnamese navy and air force.

Petukhov also confirmed that Moscow is in discussions with Hanoi over the potential supply of Russian-made anti-aircraft missile systems. “The Vietnamese side is engaged in a dialogue on the supply, repair, and modernisation of anti-aircraft missile systems,” he was quoted by Interfax as saying.

(Jane's)