On Monday, Nicaragua’s army displayed the new Russian tank T-72B1, on the occasion of the Army’s 37th anniversary, after months of speculation about its acquisition.
General Julio Áviles, Army chief, showed the new battle tank during the opening of a naval, air and artillery exhibition that will be open to the public in Managua.
The Army had kept silent about the acquisition of 50 Russian tanks, (according to the media), and other military boats and helicopters that will be arriving to Managua in 2016 and 2017.
The acquisition of military equipment of an $ 80 million investment has been harshly criticized by the opposition, although Áviles said that it doesn’t increase the country’s debts.
This was the first time that Áviles spoke to the official media about the modern Russian equipment, but without giving any details about its type, quantity and value.
The military chief said that the purchased tanks and other equipment are part of the Army’s modernization and development to
strengthen the capacities and to cover the needs that we have.”
The Soviet T-55 and T-54 tanks, which have been serving for 34 years, will be replaced by new equipment in Nicargua.