Egypt, which is one of the cornerstones of the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, continues to spend on armament non-stop.

According to a report published in the Egyptian media yesterday, Cairo signed a major procurement agreement with the Russian Defence Export Agency Rosoboronexport. In this context, the Egyptian Ministry of Defence inked an agreement with UralVagonZavod, one of the subsidiaries of the institution, to manufacture 500 T-90MS main battle tanks under license in the country. The agreement includes establishing a factory in Egypt for the manufacturing activities of the platforms.

No explanation was made about domestic contribution rate for T-90MS, the export mode of T-90s, which the Egypt will provide. The MS model of the third-generation main battle tank has 2A46M-5 125 mm main weapon with improved gun-tube. The platforms, which can be equipped with a remote controlled weapon station (RCWS) optionally, are powered by the 1130 hp V-92S2F diesel engine. The operational range of the tanks, which weighs 48 tons, is 550 kilometers.