Russia’s military equipment sets Ratnik performed well in preliminary tests carried out in September in the Moscow region, paving the way for their implementation.

“A whole number of new equipment sets leaves behind the world equivalents,” Donyushkin said

Russian defence equipment sets "Ratnik", nicknamed “future soldier uniforms”, performed well in recent tests, paving the way for their implementation, said the senior army official. "Ratnik" (“Warrior”) comprises more than 40 components, including firearms, body armor, optic, communication and navigation devices, life support and power supply systems and even knee and elbow pads, said the commander of the Land forces colonel-general Vladimir Chirkin.

The equipment can be used by regular infantry, rocket launcher operators, machine gunners, drivers and scouts, noted Chirkin. The equipment sets are light and come in summer and winter variants, Chirkin added, without elaborating on the weight. "Ratnik" was tested during recent Caucasus-2012 command post exercise, the general said. Tests are also ongoing at Alabino testing grounds outside Moscow. The “wonderful sets” may “soon” be introduced in the military, Chirkin said. He gave no timeframe.

Russia planned to buy the limited number of FELIN infantry combat systems from France in 2011, but later opted to produce its own equipment. Development and implementation are expected to be finished by 2015, the government official said last december.