According to several media reports, the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) has received the second batch of new Russian-made T-90S main battle tanks.

The second batch of T-90S tanks from Russia arrived at a Vietnamese seaport on 21 February. The first 32 T-90S MBTs were delivered in early January 2019. In total, Vietnam ordered 64 T-90S tanks in Russia.

The T-90S tanks are likely to be used as replacements for the ageing T-55s, few of which remain operational.

The T-90S is a tracked combat vehicle featuring 125mm 2A46M smoothbore gun, advanced fire control system, heavy armor protection and also powered by a 840-horsepower (hp) V-84MS engine. The gun is stabilized in two planes and is loaded by an autoloader. The autoloader ensures a high rate of fire (up to 7 to 8 rounds per minute) which favorably distinguishes the T-90S from most of foreign MBTs.

A 12.7mm roof-mounted machine gun enables the commander to deliver pinpoint fire on air and ground targets using remote control actuators.

The tank is fitted with an automated fire control system allowing the gunner and the commander to effectively fire the gun, coaxial machine and antiaircraft machine gun at the halt and on the move, day and night.

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.

Its high cross-country capacity, mobility and maneuverability are ensured by a powerful diesel engine, a reliable running gear, manual transmission with hydraulic steering actuators, a deep-water fording kit, and tracks that can be fitted with rubber pads.