UkrOboronProm Delivers Oplot-T Battle Tanks To Thailand

Ukraine’s state-owned defence holding, UkrOboronProm has successfully fulfilled the contract for supplying the main battle tanks "Oplot-T" to the Kingdom of Thailand.

The batch of combat vehicles successfully passed the test in the presence of customers and will soon be sent to Thailand, the press release states.

"The contract was fulfilled despite Russia’s unfair competition and military aggression. We are grateful to our strategic partners from Thailand for a wise understanding of the problems, faced by Ukraine and for their confidence that Ukraine is capable of overcoming the artificial obstacles, raised in our relationship," said Director General of the SC "UkrOboronProm" Pavlo Bukin.

"Having fulfilled the export contract with Thailand, the State Concern aims for the production of tanks for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The "Oplot" tank – passed into service in 2009 – requires renovation of some components, as important technological innovations emerged during this time. At the same time, the Armed Forces and UOP enterprises gained experience in operating the military equipment in the ATO zone. We are ready to integrate into the "Oplot” tanks for the Ukrainian Army technology, developed as a result of combat experience: We are talking about advanced digital equipment, in particular – the sighting complex and fire control system," Bukin added.

He noted that works on new “Oplot” tanks are being carried out in accordance with research and development works that are being currently coordinated with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

These works also include a significant T-64 upgrade – operated in the Ukrainian Army – for unification with the “Oplot” tanks. The achieved level of fit-out will be further applied for T-64 main battle tanks modernization. Such unification will significantly reduce “Oplot” production cost and reduce the cost of T-64 modernization.

UOP State Enterprise “Malyshev Plant” carried out the works on tanks manufacturing. Implementation of this contract allowed Ukraine to receive an inflow of foreign currency to the budget and load production facilities of the enterprise.