KIEV, Ukraine, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Ukrainian export company Ukroboronprom reports it has delivered the first five of 49 main battle tanks to Thailand.
The Oplot-M tanks, manufactured by Malyshevplant, a state-owned enterprise, arrived earlier this week at the port of Sattahip and are to undergo acceptance trials conducted by the Royal Thai Army.
Thailand ordered the main battle tanks from Ukraine in 2011 through a $200 million contract. The deal included an undisclosed number of BTR-3E1 eight-wheeled armored infantry combat vehicles.
A number of the armored personnel carriers were also delivered but additional details were not disclosed.
The Oplot is armed with a 125mm smoothbore gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun.
The vehicle weighs about 50 tons, has a top speed of about 43 mph and an operational range of about 340 miles.
Details on the expected delivery of the remaining tanks and support vehicles ordered were not provided.
