The UralVagonZavod (UVZ) has signed the contract to provide 64 T-90S third-generation main battle tanks for the People’s Army of Vietnam, the corporation said in the 2016 report published on Tuesday.
The report identifies foreign contracts among its priorities, noting, among others “a contract with … Contractor 704 to deliver 64 T-90S/SK tanks.”
Under the Russian state standard of national codes, number 704 is assigned to Vietnam.
The T-90S main battle tank (MBT) is a new-generation hi-tech weapon system developed drawing on century-long experience gained in world and Russian tankbuilding industries, lessons learned from combat use of tanks in various countries around the world, studies and analysis of their field service and intensive trials in the most severe environments.
The T-90S is a tracked combat vehicle featuring lethal armament, advanced fire control system, heavy armor protection and high maneuverability. Its main armament is a 125mm increased-accuracy smoothbore gun with a built-in boresighting system and a quick-release barrel. The gun is stabilized in two planes and is loaded by an autoloader.
The autoloader ensures a high rate of fire (up to 7 to 8 rounds per minute) which favorably distinguishes the T-90S from most of foreign MBTs. The ammunition load includes high-performance APFSDS, HE and HEAT rounds. The tank gun’s capabilities to engage ground and low-level air targets have been enhanced through the use of a guided missile system: a laser-beam-riding HEAT missile is chambered by the autoloader and then fired by the gun.
A 12.7mm roof-mounted machine gun enables the commander to deliver pinpoint fire on air and ground targets using remote control actuators.
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 and on the move, day and night.
The T-90SK tank is designed to provide command and control over subordinate units, facilitate communications with superior commanders, and conduct operations as
part of units and subunits.
This command tank is a derivative of the T-90S tank and is distinguished by an R-168-100KBE HF radio set, TNA-4-3 tank navigation equipment set and PAB-2M aiming circle.
Its basic specifications are on par with the baseline T-90S model. The command tank’s armament system, protection systems, power plant, transmission, running gear, vision devices, deep-water fording kit, self-entrenching equipment, and mine-clearing equipment mountings are similar to those of the T-90S MBT.