SANTIAGO, Chile. April 1 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia is expecting Peru to buy up to 100 T-90S tanks, a member of the Russian delegation to the 18th FIDAE International Air and Space Fair, which ended in Santiago, Chile on Sunday, told reporters.
"The T-90S tank delivery project was being discussed throughout last year and early this year. First, the sides were discussing 108 tanks, and that number was slightly cut by now, although several dozens to a hundred tanks might still be delivered," he said.
The T-90S procurement will not replace the country's armor, so it largely depends on the funds the country has on its hands, he said.
Russia is also offering that Peru buy armored personnel carriers. "These negotiations are in progress, but no details have been discussed as of now," he said.
In the opinion of Uralvagonzavod, T-90S significantly surpasses earlier models by its main combat efficiency parameters. It has larger fire power; it is well protected from most anti-tank weapons and has high levels of survivability and improved maneuverability.
A new turret is the main outcome of the tank modernization. It has a new automated fire control system, a 125-mm gun with improved precision, a 7.62-mm remotely controlled machine gun, new dynamic defense, which protects the tank from all existent types of anti-tank guided missiles, and additional protection from high precision weapons, mines and landmines.
A panoramic stabilized sight of the commander, a multichannel aiming sight of the gun layer and a 360-degree video monitoring system allow the automated fire control system to detect, identify and destroy targets from a position or in motion at any time of day. The automatic transmission and swing drive substantially improve the tank's maneuverability.
The modernized tank T-90S has a 1,130 h/p diesel engine. It is also equipped with an additional diesel generator for the tank's idle run, which reduces fuel consumption and infra-red visibility of the tank. At the same time, the traditional advantage of Russian tanks - a low mass and size - has been preserved. In the opinion of specialists, the modernized tank T-90S is the best tank on the international market by a combination of parameters.