Russia sets date for delivery of T-90 tanks to Vietnam

In 2017, Russian and international media reported that Vietnam and Russia signed a contract to purchase a total of 64 modern T-90S main battle tanks (MBTs) (including the T-90SK command tank version).

The unit responsible for assembling the above tanks for Vietnam is the famous UralVagonZavod production facility, which is also the place that manufactured 73 other T-90S/SKs for the Iraqi Army.

Speaking at the MAKS 2017 International Aerospace Exhibition, Mr. Aleksandr Mikheev - General Director of Rosoboronexport Group said that Moscow has provided Hanoi with a state credit package to purchase naval technical equipment and armored vehicles.

Thus, these T-90S/SK tanks will be purchased by Vietnam in the form of deferred loans from Russia, based on the usual form of payment being barter.

On February 7, Deputy Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) - Mr. Mikhail Petukhov announced that Russia will transfer each batch of goods to Vietnam in accordance with the terms of the signed contract that was publicly reported at the Thailand Defense Exhibition in November 2017.

Earlier in January this year, images of the T-90S tank being completed appeared on the Russian TV channel Rossiya 1.

Based on the paint color, they were identified as being under contract to the Iraqi Army.

Most recently, Russia delivered the first batch of T-90 tanks to this Middle Eastern country, which have arrived at the port and been put into combat service.

Iraqi T-90S/SK tanks are equipped with new side armor with Relikt 3rd generation explosive reactive armor, additional electric motors and air conditioning.

The fact that Iraq has received the first batch of tanks while the contract was signed almost at the same time as Vietnam has led to the question of when Vietnam will receive the first T-90S/SKs.

In early April 2028, the Ocean Energy transport ship, famous for its special shipments of T-90S tanks, received cargo at the port of St. Petersburg. Is it possible that Vietnam's T-90 contract is being accelerated?

Unfortunately, Interfax news agency and the military information site Weapon News said that the above deal will not be completed until the end of 2019.

But during that time, Russia will still deliver batches of T-90 tanks to Vietnam, possibly about 10 for each delivery.

The above progress is said to be greatly affected by the credit package that Russia provides to Vietnam. Only when the Russian bank fully pays the production facility will the delivery be carried out.