Russia has started the delivery of T-90S MBT tanks to Iraq.

According to a video released on Youtube, February 1, 2018, recorded at the Russian port of Ust-Luga near Leningrad. Russia could have started the shipping of first main battle tanks T-90S to Iraq. These T-90S seems to be painted with a desert camouflage which is not used by the Russian army.

Print screen video footage Youtube account Mikhail Bar of T-90S in desert camouflage at the port  of Ust-Luga near Leningrad (Picture source Youtube)

In July 2017, it was announced that Iraq has purchased 73 main battle tanks (MBTs) to Russian Company Uralvagonzavod including T-90S MBTs and T-90SK command post for tank battalion unit. With the purchase of T-90S MBTs, the Iraqi armed forces will increase the fire power of its tank battalions with latest generation of Russian-made main battle tanks.

The T-90S is an enhanced version of the Russian-made T-90 Main Battle Tank (MBT) to meet the operational requirements of countries in Asia. The T-90S is used by India under the name of Bhishma. The T-90S is the latest development in the T-series of Russian tanks and represents an increase in firepower, mobility and protection. It is manufactured by the Russian Company Uralvagonzavod based in Nizhnyi Tagil.

Main armament of the T-90S includes one 125 mm 2A46M smoothbore gun, stabilized in two axes and fitted with a thermal sleeve. It can also fire a 9M119M laser guided projectile fitted with a tandem HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead out to a maximum range of 5,000 m. A 7.62 mm 6P7K machine gun is mounted coaxial with the main armament and a 12.7 mm 6P49 machine gun is mounted on the turret roof and can be laid and fired from within the turret.

The latest version of the T-90S MBT features an air conditioning system for operations in high ambient temperatures. A French Thales Optronics second-generation thermal camera has been installed with the commander and gunner both being provided with a screen. The day/night sighting system is called the ESSA (thermal vision and sighting system) and has been developed by Thales, Uralvagonzavod and the Peleng Joint Stock Company of the Belarus.

The layout of the T-90S MBT is similar to the standard T-90 MBT, with the driver's compartment at the front, two-man turret in the centre and engine compartment at the rear. The T-90S tank is protected by both conventional armour-plating and latest generation Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armour (ERA).