DAMASCUS, SYRIA (2:30 P.M.) – Details have emerged of a newly brokered deal between Baghdad and Moscow. On Saturday, Iraq’s Ministry of Defence confirmed it had signed a deal to purchase 73 T-90 tanks after lengthy negotiations with Russian military officials.
The T-90S MBTs and T-90SK battle tanks serve to beef up the mechanized arsenal of the Iraqi Armed Forces who previously relied on the T-72, T-55 and BMP-1 armored vehicles along with the American-produced M1A1 Abrams in the fight against the Islamic State.
Although the deal strengthens ties between the Iraqi and Russian governments, the two countries could not agree upon the delivery of the S-300 air defense system due to disagreements regarding a payment plan.
Yesterday, the Iraqi Army officially declared victory in Mosul, thereby restoring control over its second largest city after a deadly 9-month battle.
The T-90 battle tanks are able to confuse most guided missiles and well serve to speed up coming military campaigns in the ISIS-held Hawija, Tal Afar and western Anbar regions.
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