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T-90MS tank

Egypt will be the first operator of the modern version of the Russian Main battle tanks T-90MS with the establishment of a local production line, As it will replace the old Soviet T-55/54 & T-62 Tanks & serve in the Egyptian army beside the M-1A1 MBTs. Moscow and Cairo signed a contract for the supply of 400-500 T-90MS tanks for the Egyptian army. The contract provides for the transfer of technologies and the organization of joint production of military vehicles in Egypt. This was announced on June 26, 2020 by the Minister of Transport of the country, Major General Kamel al-Wazir. T-90MS is a simplified T-90M (Breakthrough-3).

"Organization of the T-90MS production will allow Egypt to acquire technologies for creating tanks and armored vehicles, enriching the already existing experience in the joint production of M1A1 Abrams tanks with the American side, which has been ongoing since 1992" the minister wrote.

The year 2017 was relatively rich in news concerning the export of Russian weapons to various countries. Key news on supplies aviation equipment, armored vehicles and air defense systems. Perhaps one of the main news in June was information about the possible delivery to Egypt of up to 400-500 Russian MBT T-90MS. This is only a rumor, but several Egyptian bloggers actually wrote about the Egyptian-Russian talks on a very large deal on "one of the strongest tanks in the world." Allegedly, this issue was previously discussed during the visit of the Russian ministers Sergey Shoigu and Sergey Lavrova to 29 in May (supply of arms in exchange for the resumption of air communication between the states). Once again, this question could have been raised the next day during the negotiations of the second Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense, Mohammed bin Salman, with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the meeting was held in the Russian capital.

An official announcement from Russian manufacturer UralVagonZavod revealed plans regarding the establishment of a local assembly line and maintenance facility for 400 T-90S/SK main battle tanks to be assembled in Egypt by late 2019, at a rate of about 50 units a year, according to Russia Today in March 2019.

Al-Wazir stressed that this deal will provide an opportunity to significantly increase Egypt's military power in the region, making it the largest operator of T-90MS tanks. At the same time, Egypt will be the first state to simultaneously produce Russian and American tanks.

Egypt had numerous tank troops. Of more or less modern combat vehicles, Cairo has 34 T-80U tanks and 1100 M1A1 Abrams. In storage were 840 pieces of T-54/55 and 260 Ramses II tanks (American modernization of the T-54/55). Of the 500 T-62 units, only 200 are in service, the remaining are in storage. There are still 300 old American M60A1 and 850 M60A3.

It is noteworthy that the assembly of Russian T-90MS tanks in Egypt will be carried out at the same factory where the assembly of American Abrams tanks was previously carried out. At the moment, the capacity of the Egyptian plant is such that every year the company will be able to collect 50-60 T-90MS tanks, however, it is planned that production capacities can be increased.

T-90MS was created in the framework of development work on the theme “Breakthrough-2”. The tank is the most modern export version of the T-90 tank. to reduce production costs, the manufacturer of the T-90MS, Uralvagonzavod, decided to equip the combat vehicle with a smoothbore gun 2A46, which was installed on the basic version of the T-90, and not a newer gun 2A82-1M, installed on the T-90M and the tank of the "next generation" of the Armata project. Despite active measures to maintain competitiveness, the T-90MS, according to The national Interest, will cost about $ 4.5 million per unit, which is much more expensive than its predecessor – the T-90S, which cost about 2.5—3.5 million. T-90MS is a tank, the mass of which, together with the ammunition load, is 48 tons. Power density - 23 hp per ton. The maximum speed is 70 km / h. The height of the combat vehicle is 2228 mm. The range of target recognition in daytime conditions is up to 5 km. The caliber of the gun is 125 mm. The tank has a high degree of automation, is equipped with a laser guidance system for the target, a laser rangefinder, thermal imaging complex, dynamic protection "Relic".

Some doubted that Egypt has so much money. The country is already not rich, but there are also problems with tourism due to the coronavirus. And traditional sponsors, CA and the UAE, are experiencing great financial difficulties. So finding about 2,5-3 billion dollars for the purchase of 500 tanks and another about 2 billion dollars for the 24 Su-35s is almost impossible for Egypt. One way remains - loans.