Ukrainian state arms exporter Ukrspetsexport has signed a contract with the Ethiopian Defence Ministry for delivery of more than 200 T-72 tanks to the Ethiopian Army, UNIAN news agency has reported.
The T-72 Ukrainian export variant is equipped with modernised propulsion, guided weapons and a reactive armour system of both the turret and the tank’s battle chassis for improved battlefield survivability.
The tank was originally produced in the erstwhile USSR in the 1970s and was largely exported to several African, Asian and Middle Eastern states.
Contract details have not been disclosed, although it is thought to be one of the largest contracts in the last 15 years.
Ukraine also expects to receive further orders for repair and upgrade of the tanks supplied to Ethiopia.
