The potential deal, which is to be handed to Ukraine defense group Ukroboronprom, would mark another export contract for the supply of the tanks following a deal signed in 2011 with Thailand. Bangkok is to obtain a total of 49 Oplots, Defense News reports.
In the 1990s, the Ukrainian defense industry supplied 320 T-84UD tanks to Pakistan’s military under a deal worth some $600 million.
In addition to export sales, Ukroboronprom is also producing Oplots for the country’s armed forces. Last month, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced that more than UAH 300 million (U.S. $12 million) will be allocated to acquire an undisclosed number of tanks for the Ukrainian land forces.
Read alsoOver 10,000 units of military equipment, arms to be bought for Ukraine's army in 2017A “lion’s share of the money” will be allocated to purchase Oplots “so that our soldiers can effectively fight,” Poroshenko said in a statement by Ukroboronprom.
Read alsoUkraine tests newest Corsar missile system (Photo)The Oplot has a weight of some 51 tonnes. The tank can carry a crew of three, and it is enabled with a maximum speed of 70 kph, according to data from Ukroboronprom. The Oplot is produced by the group’s subsidiary Malyshev at its plant in Kharkiv.
