Russia To Supply Ammunition For India's
T-90 Tanks
By Jay Menon
jaymenon68@gmail.com
Source: AWIN First
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April 09, 2012
India is likely to take delivery of 16,000
rounds of ammunition from Russia for its
T-90 tanks this year.
“A contract for procurement of 16,000
rounds of Fin Stabilized Armor Piercing
Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS) ammunition for
T-90 tanks was signed with
Rosoboronexport ... in December 2010. It
became effective in March 2011, and the
complete consignment is likely to be
delivered in the first half of 2012,” a defense
ministry official says.
The Indian army has been looking for high-
quality 125mm FSAPDS ammunition for in-
service T-72 and T-90 tanks. And the
government was recently criticized after
army chief Gen. V.K. Singh noted that there
was a shortage of shells for armored
regiments.
A contract for 66,000 rounds of ammunition
for 84mm rocket launchers also was signed
in March 2011 with Swedish firm Saab, the
official says.
Meanwhile, the Russian arms export firm
Rosoboronexport hopes India will be
interested in upgrading its T-90 tanks into
T-90MS versions. At the recent DefExpo in
New Delhi, Russia displayed a prototype of
its T-90MS tank. The upgraded tank has
improved capabilities in firepower,
protection, mobility and command ability.
India has overtaken China as the world’s
largest conventional arms buyer in the last
five years, according to a recent report from
the Swedish Stockholm International Peace
Research Institute. India spent $12.7 billion
on weapons in that period, 80% of which
came from Russia.
Russia To Supply Ammunition For India T-90 Tanks