Reports are presently making rounds that Nigeria plans on procuring Russian T-90S modern main battle tanks. This news was reported by Military Africa, quoting a Nigerian high-ranking official who was in attendance for the Army-2023 forum in Russia.
Things to Note:
Nigeria has only a few Russian weapons in service. In particular, in 2017, the African country acquired Mi-35M helicopters. On the issue of armoured tanks, Nigeria uses the T-55 and several alterations of the T-72.
The T-90S is an export version of the T-90 tank. The modernisation comprises of a new turret with an improved fire control system and a 2A46M gun of 125mm calibre. The tank also possess a new automatic loader with an additional remote-controlled machine gun.
The T-90S is also, equipped with a bigger main engine and is accompanied by an extra power plant, designed to supply power when the main engine is turned off.
It is, at the time of writing this, not yet known how many Russian tanks Nigeria intends to purchase. The market value of one T-90S is approximately $2.5 million.
