Large shipment of used armored vehicles after repairs can go to Cyprus or the middle East
Photo: TASS/ Vladimir Sayapin
Moscow intends to return the tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, shipped to Seoul in the 1990-ies of the last century in the repayment of the Soviet debt. This was reported by “Izvestia” an informed source in military-diplomatic circles. It is assumed that the tanks are designed for disassembly for parts, however, interviewed military experts do not exclude the possibility of resale Cyprus or Yemen.
— The decision on return of the T-80 tanks and BMP-3 was made in 2015, — said the interlocutor of “Izvestia”. — Now completed assessment of the status of these machines and prepared a document with our offer. He was transferred to one of the working groups in the framework held on 3 September visit to Russia President of South Korea. Russia expects not to buy, and mutually beneficial for both countries to barter.
According to the interlocutor of “Izvestia”, a fighting machine, despite intensive use in South Korea are in good condition and fully fit for a comeback, although some of them will likely be cannibalized for parts.
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Recall, the leaders of Russia and South Korea, Vladimir Putin and Park Geun-Hye on Saturday held talks on the status and prospects of development of bilateral relations in the framework of the Eastern economic forum held in Vladivostok.
A discussion of the possible repayment of the debt of the Soviet Union, by deliveries of weapons and military equipment Moscow and Seoul began in 1993. The supply of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles began in 1996. Only Russia has put Koreans 70 BMP-3, 33 BTR-80A and 80 T-80U.
Head of the Department of Korea, Institute of Oriental studies Alexander Vorontsov believes that, despite some friction which have arisen in recent years between Moscow and Seoul, bilateral relations remain at a high level and a deal to buy military equipment is quite feasible.
Seoul shows interest in maintaining the high level of bilateral cooperation in the economic and political sphere, which was achieved in previous years, ” explains orientalist. President Park Geun-Hye understands the importance of good-neighbourly relations with Russia and now, for example, arrived in Vladivostok to reiterate that the us missile defense on the Korean Peninsula is not a threat to Russia. It should be noted that South Korea officially joined the sanctions imposed against Russia, the US and its allies.
At the same time chief editor of the magazine “arms Export” Andrey Frolov doubt that the Korean T-80U and BMP-3 Moscow plans to use for the needs of the Russian army.
— We have T-80U almost was not in the army, so parts for this model are not needed, and spare parts for the BMP-3 we still do produce, — explained Andrey Frolov. It will set-off: we pick up the tanks, and the Koreans supply parts or documentation, for example, for helicopters Ka-32, which they have a lot in fire protection, rescue services and even the army.
According to the expert, the much more likely option with the resale of refurbished military vehicles, the more potential buyers they have.
— This tank is much better than T-72, he could appeal to the Cypriots, who at one time bought a large lot in the middle of 1990-ies, — explained the military expert.
The version of a possible resale of tanks indirectly confirms the fact that in 2009-2011 Cyprus has purchased from Russia a second batch of 41 used and upgraded at the factory in Omsk T-80U (the first was delivered in 1996-1997).
There is another potential buyer — Yemen. In 2011 it became known about the sale there 66 T-80BV from Belarus. In light of the current crisis in Yemen, where the government of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi with the support of the UAE and Saudi Arabia fighting with the rebels Houthis, there is a high demand for military equipment, familiar with local tankers.
Concurrent redemption of the BMP-3 as evidence of a possible Yemeni future Korean tanks. The fact that these war machines the government forces of Yemen recently received from UAE and now we can talk about the expansion at the expense of purchases in the Russian Federation.
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