Russian army will be soon equipped with a wheeled tanks produced locally 2909123.

"Several countries use wheeled tanks. He is not excluded that such military equipment could be produced locally in the near future and delivered to Russian Armed Forces," said General Tchirkine.

Wheeled armored vehicles have longer life and use less fuel than tracked armored. "Moreover, it is not to replace all Russian tracked armoured vehicles by wheeled armored because of the climate and topography of Russia," said the commander.

A representative of the Italian company Oto Melara has previously said to RIA Novosti that Russia could purchase a license for the production of Centauro wheeled tank. According to him, four Centauro tanks will be used for trial tests on the polygon Alabino in the Moscow region, before the end of 2012.

According to military experts interviewed by RIA Novosti, the Russian army will test Centauro to acquire knowledge about foreign military equipment, but it is unlikely that Russia would like to launc licensed production of these vehicles.

The Centauro is currently in service with the Armed Forces of Italy, Spain, and Oman.