Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14
By Fatih Karimov- Trend:
Iran wants to import technology from Russia to manufacture its own T-90 tank, Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force General Kiomars Heidari said.
He added that Iran's plan for purchasing T-90 tank is not canceled, YJC news agency reported Feb. 14.
Iran wants to transfer the technology of manufacturing the Russian tank to the country alongside with its purchase, Heidari said, adding the army has been ordered not to purchase the military equipments without importing the technology.
Iran previously held talks with Russia regarding the purchase of the T90 tanks, however later abandoned the idea.
Ahmad Reza Pourdastan, commander of the Iranian army's ground forces said Feb. 2 that purchase of T-90 tank from Russia is not on Iran's agenda, adding Tehran currently plans to use its domestic capacities to meet its demand for tanks.
"The Russian T-90 tank is one of our favorites," Pourdastan underlined.
The country's Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said Feb. 10 that Iran is manufacturing its own tank - Karrar, instead of purchasing Russian T90 tanks.
Karrar has all the capabilities of the T90, Dehghan said, claiming that "it is more advanced than T90."
According to some experts, the T-90 is more advanced in terms of its penetration capacity, fire power, navigation technology, fire control and guidance system, maneuverability, and sophisticated electronics compared to the existing tanks in Iran's arsenal.
The T-90 is considered to be among the 10 best main battle tanks in the world. Currently it is the most commercially successful main battle tank on the global market.
Earlier deputy director general of Russian Uralvagonzavod company Alexey Zharich said that his company proposed to license production of T-90 in Iran if the UN sanctions on the country are lifted.
Under international restrictions, Iran has turned to domestic talents to improve its military power, frequently unveiling new products.
Since 1992, Iran has been manufacturing its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles, radar, boats, submarines and fighter aircraft. Iran also unveiled its first long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in 2010.