Will Vietnam's T-90 be equipped with new generation armor?

Russia has now replicated the configuration of explosive reactive armor combined with box armor and cage armor on its main battle tanks. Will the T-90S and T-90SK tanks that Vietnam ordered from Russia and are in the process of being delivered have this advanced new generation armor integrated?

During the parade celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the victory over fascism on Red Square, for the first time, Russia introduced T-72B3 main battle tanks with upgraded defense systems.

Specifically, the tanks above are equipped with side armor similar to the T-90SM, which are modules of Relikt 3rd generation explosive reactive armor, in addition the turret is also equipped with additional armor and cage armor on the back.

This configuration is considered to provide superior protection for the T-72B3, even not inferior to the T-90MS, and its aesthetic level has also increased significantly compared to before.

T-72B3 main battle tanks wearing new armor practice for parade at Alabino base

After announcing the above modernization package, realizing the success and the cost still being at an acceptable level (not much increase compared to when using old generation armor), the Russians deployed it on a large scale for their T-72 tanks.

That method is even applied to another tank line, the T-80BVM, modernized from the T-80BV. Compared to the 2017 T-72B3, the T-80BVM is even more superior in that it is equipped with Relikt explosive reactive armor around the turret instead of Kontakt 5.

Besides integrating it into domestic tanks, Russia also said they are willing to equip the above armor set for export tanks if they receive requests from customers, this is quite an attractive offer.

Main battle tank T-80BVM with new armor more advanced than the type equipped on T-72B3 2017 model

At this time, perhaps the issue of concern is whether the T-90S and T-90SK tanks Vietnam ordered from Russia and are in the process of being delivered have this new generation of advanced armor integrated, or are still "simple" like the basic configuration T-90.

Currently, there is no specific information regarding any weapon configuration on the tanks that will soon join Vietnam's service. However, before officially announcing the contract to buy T-90S/SK, all predictions are that we will choose the T-90MS variant.

Vietnam's decision to "close" the T-90S order may be due to its old purchasing habit of prioritizing weapons that have proven their capabilities over a long period of operation, but since it is interested in the T-90MS, it is likely that Vietnam will request to install the integrated armor on this tank for its T-90S/SK.

Hopefully there will soon be the first images of Vietnam's T-90S/SK main battle tank to give the most accurate overview.

According to baodatviet