MINSK, September 15 (AVN) - Belarus is planning to boost potential of its tank troops by means of thorough modernisation of the T-72 main battle tank, Colonel Anatoly Rakitsky, head of ordnance service of the Belarussian Armed Forces, said on Friday.
The Peleng JS and the 140th repair plant have completed preparations for mounting television devices and additional source information preparation sensors on the tanks, Rakitsky told the Military News Agency. Test have demonstrated that the new equipment will considerably enhance the tank's firepower thanks to expanding search and fire control capacities, he noted.
The modernisation will be carried out in close co-operation with Russia, the colonel stressed. It will be written into the joint armament programme for 2001-2005, he added.
The parties are planning to improve tank protection by means of using new high-durability composites, Rakitsky went on. In order to boost manoeuvrability, hydromechanical transmission with pump-controlled hydraulic steering gear will be installed. Modernised T-72 tanks will also be fitted with the latest communication means, up-to-date on-board control devices, quick cold-start equipment, etc.
The tanks will be modernised at the 140th plant, located in the city of Borisov, as it has all the necessary equipment for the works.
According to Rakitsky, Belarus is not planning to purchase new tanks in the next few years.