Ukraine to Upgrade Pakistani T-80 Tanks: IDEX 2017 News

Ukraine to Upgrade Pakistani T-80 Tanks: IDEX 2017 News

Pakistan and Ukraine have signed an MOU to enhance defence cooperation and specifically to upgrade Soviet origin T-80 tanks manufactured in Ukraine.

An agreement to this effect was signed at the IDEX 2017 show in Abu Dhabi between Rana Tanveer Hussain, Pak Minister for Defence Production and the Director-General of Ukraine’s Defence Ministry today.

“Both countries have agreed to enhance their defence cooperation concerning research and development and production of Ukrainian origin tanks with the Pakistan Army,” UAE’s WAM news agency, which witnessed the signing ceremony said in a report.

Pakistan has some 330 T-80 UD tanks procured in the late 1990s from Ukraine. It wants to upgrade the tanks with a modern turret, fire control system and improvements to its engine and communication system.

Ukraine had replaced many Russian origin parts in the T-80 tanks meant for Pakistan.