On 27 June 20, Russian media outlets cited sources in the Russian defence industry in saying that the Egyptian Ministry of Defence and Military Production concluded an agreement with Russia’s defence manufacturer Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) corporation and arms export agency Rosoboronexport to produce 500 T-90MS main battle tanks.
Russian tank producer UVZ was reported to build a facility in Egypt to assemble the tanks under licence in Egypt, with many of the parts to be imported from Russia. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
The Egyptian military is reportedly interested in the T-90MS because it is lighter than the American M1 Abrams tank, which is considered too heavy to be transported by Egypt’s Mistral-class Helicopter Carriers.
Complete localisation of producing T-90MS tanks in Egypt remains unlikely, defence sources said. T-90MS is an export variant of the Russian-made T-90 third-generation main battle tank. It features powerful weaponry, modern fire control system, and high manoeuvrability. It is capable of fighting in any climate.