Iraq plans to create new tank brigade with Russian T-90S main battle tanks

Defense News February 2022 Global Security army industry
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According to information published by the "Topwar.ru" website on February 12, 2022, Iraq plans to create a new tank brigade equipped with new Russian T-90S Main Battle Tanks.
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Iraqi Army T-90S main battle tank at a military parade. (Picture source Twitter account H. Sumeri)

According to the Military Balance 2021, Iraqi armed forces have a total of 391 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) including 100 American M1A1 Abrams, 168 T-72M/M1, 50 Russian T-55, and 73 T-90S. The Iraqi army has two armored divisions consisting of two brigades each with 70 MBTs deployed in two regiments.

According to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) Arms Trade Database, Russia has delivered 73 T-90S/SK MBTs in 2018-2019.

The T-90S is an improved version of the T-90 MBTs designed and manufactured by the Russian Defense Company Uralvagonzavod with a production facility in Nizhny Tagil, Russia. The T-90S is also in service with India and Algeria.

The T-90S is armed with one 125mm 2A46M smoothbore gun that is stabilized in two axes and fitted with a thermal sleeve. The gun is able to fire a wide range of ammunition including APDS (Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot), HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank), and HE-FRAG (High-Explosive FRAgmentation). It can also fire 9M119 Refleks (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missiles with a range from 100 m to 4,000 m. The second armament includes one 7.62mm coaxial PKT machine gun and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun mounted on the commander hatch.

The T-90S features unrivaled 4-level protection: a low silhouette and small side and front areas; an electro-optical countermeasures system; composite armor; general-purpose explosive reactive armor.

The T-90S is powered by a V-92S2 V-12 diesel developing 1,000 hp, coupled to a manual transmission with seven forward and one reverse gear. The tank can run at a maximum road speed of 60 km/h with a maximum cursing range of 550 km. It can run at a maximum speed of 35 to 40 km/h in all-terrain conditions.