MOSCOW. Nov 22 (Interfax-AVN) - A total of 31 T-90 tanks will enter the inventory of the Russian Armed Forces in 2006, a source in the federal defense order agency told Interfax-Military News Agency Tuesday.
"In compliance with the decision made, all of the 31 T-90s are expected to come in service with the Taman division of the Moscow Military District in 2006," he said.
He added that 151 T-90 tanks have been fielded with the Russian Land Forces so far. "The state defense order envisages that the total number of these armored vehicles in service will reach 182 next year," he said.
He maintained that of the 125 armored personnel carriers to be procured for the Land Forces in 2006, at least half will be BTR-70s.
"These vehicles, as well as the older BTR-60 versions, will be propelled by advanced up-to-date engines with increased power," he said.
He recalled that the warehouses of the Russian Armed Forces still contain about 6,000 BTR-60s and BTR-70s.
"So, we have plenty of vehicles to stand modernization," he emphasized.