Oplot tanks for Thailand undergo trials in Kharkiv region

KYIV, September 16 /Ukrinform/. Two Oplot tanks produced at the Malyshev Plant under an order from Thailand have successfully undergone firing trials at a firing range near the town of Chuhuiv in Kharkiv region.

Director General of the Ukroboronprom State Concern Serhiy Hromov said this on Monday, the press service of the state enterprise reported.

"The combat vehicles have successfully completed the first stage of riding and firing tests. The tanks demonstrated maneuverability at different speeds. During the firings the tanks made shots from 125-mm cannons, 7.62-mm coaxial machine guns and 12.7-mm anti-aircraft guns. All targets were hit," he said.

According to Hromov, the trials of the Oplot main battle tank confirmed the high quality and technical specifications of the battle tank, as envisaged by its designers.

"The other three tanks from the first export batch, which are produced for Thailand at the Malyshev Plant, will be tested soon. In particular, these are riding and firing tests," Ukroboronprom's director general said.

He said that the contract was being implemented under an agreement with the Thai side and that the first batch of tanks would be transferred to the customer within the stipulated terms.

As reported, a contract for the supply of 49 Oplot tanks to Thailand was signed in September 2011. The total value of the contract exceeds $200 million.

ap