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Egypt signed a contract for 500 Russian T-90MS battle tanks

Under the alleged contract, the Uralvagonzavod corporation will build a facility to assemble T-90MS tanks under license in Egypt.

The T-90MS is a significantly upgraded version of the T-90S.

The battle tank is equipped with a 1,130 hp engine, a PNM Sosna-U gunner sight, a UDP T05BV-1 remote weapon station with a 7.62 mm machine gun, and a brand new navigation system with GLONASS.

The tank protection was improved with the addition of the new Relikt explosive reactive armour (ERA) that covers a large part of the chassis and turret.

If confirmed, the purchase of T-90MS battle tanks will significantly improve the offensive capabilities of the Egyptian Armed Forces. The contract will also allow Egypt to gain vast experience in the construction and maintenance of battle tanks.

Source: SOUTHFRONT

Notes:

T-90MS is a modernised version of the T-90 main battle tank (MBT) built by Uralvagonzavod. The modernised tank is being proposed for the Russian Army and potential export customers.

Features of the T-90MS main battle tank

The extensively upgraded T-90MS tank will deliver enhanced combat capabilities in present warfare scenarios. The tank offers superior firepower and protection than that of its predecessor.

T-90MS features improved automotive components, suspension, protection, firepower and mobility. It can accommodate three crew members, including a driver, commander and a gunner. The combat weight of the tank is 48,000kg.

The tank can incorporate an optional air-conditioner cooling unit and an auxiliary diesel generator producing a minimum electric power of 7kW. The specific power of the tank is 17.7kW/t.

Armament of the T-90MS MBT

The main armament of the T-90MS tank is a 125mm 2A46M-5 high accuracy gun. The cannon can fire different types of ammunition. The tank has the capacity to carry up to 40 rounds of 125mm ammunition. The applicable shell types for the tank are BPS, OFS, BCS, and UR.

The MBT is also armed with a 7.62mm 6P7K anti-aircraft machine gun on a remotely controlled weapon station mounted on top of the turret to destroy stationary and moving targets. It can carry 2,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 800 cartridges. Six smoke-grenade dischargers are also fitted on each side of the turret.

Self-protection

Modular explosive reactive armour (ERA) panels are installed on rear and side projections. The ERA panels protect the tank from small weapons and shell splinters. The forward hull and turret can be equipped with RELIKT ERA for protection against anti-tank missiles. The T-90MS includes a collective PKUZ-1A NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) protection system, and is also fitted with opto-electronic screening system, electromagnetic protection system and quick-action fighting equipment.

The rear hull and turret are fitted with slat armour to protect the engine section and ammunition compartment from grenade and rocket attacks. The anti-fragmentation panels made of aramid fabric protect the crew from the secondary flux of tank fragments.

Observation and fire control of the Russian main battle tank
The combined panoramic commander’s sight is equipped with television and thermal channels and a laser range finder. The sighting channel can identify the target at a maximum range of 5,000m. The minimum range for target identification through the thermal channel is 3,500m. The laser range finder can identify the target at a maximum range of 7,500m.

The Kalina fire control system of the T-90MS incorporates the multichannel main gunner’s sight consisting of sighting and thermal channels, laser range finder and in-built laser control channel. The fire control system also incorporates parallel sight with dependent sighting channel. The tank can identify targets at a minimum range of 2,000m during day and 1,000m at dusk.

T-90MS also consists of a digital ballistic computer featuring weather and topographical transmitting units and a barrel straightness monitor. The automatic target tracking is autonomously secured from the gunner’s and commander’s stations by implementing gunner-hunter mode.

The tank also features an enhanced dual-axis weapon stabiliser with electro-mechanical power traverse and electro-hydraulic power elevation.

Engine and mobility of the modernised MBT

T-90MS main battle tank is powered by a 12-cylinder V-92S2F diesel engine producing a maximum power output of 1,130hp. The engine is coupled to an automatic transmission with seven forward gears and one reverse gear.

The tank features torsion bar suspension integrating six hydraulic vane-type shock absorbers, as well as six road wheel and three track support rollers per side. It can accomplish a speed of 60km/h and a range of 550km. It can ford at a depth of 1.8m, while its maximum fording depth with USCE is 5m.

Header: T-90MS main battle tank (Photo by UralVagonZavod)