MINSK. May 25 (Interfax-AVN) - New contracts on exporting the new T-90S main battle tank, developed by the Uravagonzavod Plant, are expected to be signed in the near future.
"The contract on delivering T-90S tanks to Algeria is being successfully fulfilled, while negotiations with India on exporting an addition batch of such MBTs are underway. Libya and Saudi Arabia are also extremely interested in the T-90S," head of the Uralvagonzavod Advertisement Service Viktor Yamov told Interfax-AVN at the MILEX 2007 arms show in Minsk.
According to him, an additional contract with India is expected to be signed in the near future. "The Indian defense minister has recently said that India planned to sign another contract on procuring a large batch of T-90S MBTs," Yamov said.
He pointed out that the T-90S had been tested in Malaysia, India, and Algeria. It was highly appreciated and confirmed its superiority over foreign counterparts.
"We have repeatedly suggested that our rivals conduct comparison tests. However, they did not agree to it, as they know that they will lose," Yamov said.
According to him, combat capabilities of all contemporary MBTs, including Leopard, Leclerc, Merkava, M-1 Abrams, and T-90S, are about the same. However, the T-90S is an obvious leader as far as the cost-efficiency ratio is concerned.
"The T-90S boasts such advantages over its foreign rivals as reliability, outstanding chassis, and high fuel efficiency. While all other modern MBTs use up their fuel load to span 250 km, the T-90S covers 500 km and still has enough fuel to go on for 50-70 km more," Yamov said.
According to him, another advantage of the T-90S consists in its missile armament, enabling it to kill targets at a range of up to 5.5 km with a hit probabiliy of 0.9. "The T-90S demonstrated a 100% accuracy during live fire tests," Yamov said.
The tank's protection comprise the Shtora optronic jamming system, which protects the MBT against TOW, HOT, Dragon, and Milan ATGMs, as well as laser-guided artillery rounds.