NEW DELHI. Jan 20 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia is about to complete supplies of its T-90S main battle tanks to India, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday.
"Over 130 tanks have been delivered to India. Ready-made tanks were supplied to India last year. The transfer of components to the Indian party for subsequent assembly of a new batch of tanks at Indian enterprises is underway," Ivanov said.
"If India needs more T-90S tanks, the Russian industry is ready to supply them, because our defense industry has gained momentum thanks to the tank contract," he noted.
"Indian specialists praise technical specifications of our tanks. Thanks to application of up-to-date equipment, Russian tanks are capable of operating in any conditions, including at night," the minister said.
According to him, Russia and India are considering a contract on the upgrade of Soviet-made T-72 tanks in the Indian army's inventory.
The total value of the contract for the supply and licensed production of 310 T-90S tanks amounts to USD700m.
The T-90S tank is superior to almost all foreign tanks of this class put up for export as far as the cost-efficiency ratio is concerned. The tank is equipped with missile systems that enable it to destroy the enemy's tanks before they approach close enough to get T-90S within the efficiency range of their cannons. The cannon mounted on the T-90S can fire guided missiles, armor- piercing subcaliber, armor-piercing hollow and high-explosive shells. The crew has in stock 42 cannon rounds, including 22 in the charging unit. The tank's area of manpower elimination by high-explosive charges is twice higher than that of its foreign analogies.