Russian export T-90S tanks unexpectedly appeared in Iraq in the same marching column as American M1A1SA Abrams tanks. The footage went viral on social networks and messaging apps.
The T-90S tanks ended up in Iraq as part of a major defense contract concluded in 2017.
Interestingly, Iraq chose to diversify its tank fleet after the experience of operating American M1 Abrams tanks, selecting the T-90S for their reliability and effectiveness in desert conditions.
According to open-source information, Russia was to deliver 73 tanks to Iraq of the T-90S model and the T-90SK command modification. The first batch of 36 units arrived in the Middle Eastern country in February 2018, and the second in June of the same year, the Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade specified.
The delivered tanks were equipped with additional explosive reactive armor blocks instead of the \"Shtora-1\" system, which increased their resistance to anti-tank weapons specifically in urban combat.
It is known that the T-90S is equipped with a 125 mm smoothbore gun with an engagement range of up to 5 km. The hull of the combat vehicle is protected by multilayer armor with \"Kontakt-5\" explosive reactive armor, and 1,000 hp engines accelerate the tank to 70 km/h.