Russian Army Ratnik combat gear weapons should be ready to operate in Arctic 50208161

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Defence & Security News - Russia
 
Russian Army Ratnik combat gear weapons should be ready to operate in Arctic
Weapons of the Russian-made Ratnik combat gear should be adapted for operation throughout Russia, including in the Arctic region, Airborne Force Commander Colonel-General Vladimir Shamanov said.
     
Russian Army Ratnik combat gear weapons should be ready to operate in Arctic 640 003
The AK-12 (Photo Vitaly Kuzmin)
     
"We have already made proposals on the Ratnik combat gear so that it fully meets the specifics of the Airborne Force. These weapons are expected to be airdropped together with our combat gear and operate throughout Russia, including in the Arctic region," Shamanov said.

According to the commander, the Airborne Force is involved in the operational evaluation of the combat gear. "The operational evaluation involves the special brigade in Kubinka [in the Moscow Region] and a unit in Ryazan [in central Russia]," he added.

CEO of Russia’s Kalashnikov Corporation Alexei Krivoruchko told TASS earlier that the Defense Ministry would choose a rifle for the Ratnik combat gear in the autumn of 2016.

The Defense Ministry will choose between the AK-12 rifle manufactured by the Kalashnikov Corporation and the AEK-971 weapon produced by the Degtyaryov Plant.
     
Russian Army Ratnik combat gear weapons should be ready to operate in Arctic 640 002
The AEK-971 (Photo Vitaly Kuzmin)
     
CEO of the Precision Engineering Research Institute (TsNIITOChMASh) Dmitry Semizorov said in late March that the Ratnik combat gear had not been made operational as a decision on the weapon, either the AK-12 or the AEK-971 rifle, had not been made yet.

Semizorov said at that time that the two rifles had passed preliminary state trials.

The Ratnik combat gear includes winter and summer two-sided camouflages that allow accomplishing various tasks in mountainous terrain at temperatures between -25°C and +45°C.

The outfit’s ammunition comprises about 40 protection and life support elements, including body armor vests and helmets, waterproof overalls and ear, eye, elbow and knee joint protection systems.

The Ratnik combat outfit also features an autonomous heat source, a personal water filter, first-aid and respiratory protection gear.
     
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