ArmInfo.Armenia and Russia have launched a large-scale project to modernize the Main Battle Tanks T-72 operationally available at the Armenian Army.
Armenian Defense Ministry Official Representative Artsrun Hovhannisyan told Izvestia that the modernization process has been launched, but the number of the vehicles to be modernized and the deadline of the project are not reported. The tanks will be modernized to the level of T-72B4, the models used during the Tank Biathlon. It is noteworthy that earlier the Defense Ministry of Armenia planned to sign a contract to modernize the tanks with Bumar Labedy SA, Poland.
A reliable source told Izvestia that several dozens of tanks will be modernized and the main activities will be carried out in Armenia, which will make the process less expensive.
Uralvagonzavod Corporation, the designer and manufacturer of T-72B4 tanks, refrained from comments. Editor-in-chief of Otvaga-2004 Internet project Vitally Moiseyev says Armenia planned to sign a contract for modernization of 84 tanks with Bumar Labedy SA under the project PT-72U.
"The contract would cost Armenia $100 million. However, Armenian tank troop officers who participated in the Tank Biathlon in Russia praised the modernized models T72B4. Perhaps, this fact has influenced the choice of the country's leadership," Moiseyev said.
As ArmInfo reported earlier, Zorayr Gabrielyan, representative of the Armenian Armed Forces, said the Defense Ministry of Armenia elaborates a project to modernize the tanks operated by the Armed Forces and is negotiating with research and industrial facilities and international companies engaged in the field to launch the modernization in the country to avoid transportation and others costs