Armenia and Russia have begun an ambitious program of modernization of T-72 main battle tanks of the former's armed forces.

The tanks will be upgraded to the level of the T-72B4, used by Tank Biathlon participants, Izvestia reports.

Armenian Defense Ministry press secretary Artsrun Hovhannisyan said work on improving the tanks has already begun. According to him, the exact number of military vehicles to be modernized and completion dates are not specified.

A source familiar with the matter told Izvestia that several dozen pieces of equipment will be improved.

The main work will be carried out in Armenia, which will allow the Armenian side to make them less costly, and thus upgrade more tanks.