Breaking news
Russian airborne forces will receive 50 new BMD-4M airborne infantry vehicles and 30 BTR-MD 12907153.
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Defence & Security News - Russia
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| Russian airborne forces will receive 50 new BMD-4M airborne infantry vehicles and 30 BTR-MD. | |||
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Russia’s Airborne Forces are to receive 50 newest BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicles and 30 BTR-MD Rakushka tracked armoured personnel carrier vehicles before the end of the current year, the forces' commander Vladimir Shamanov told reporters on Wednesday, July 29, 2015
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 Russian-made BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicle |
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It became known in mid-June that new fighting vehicles for the Airborne Forces successfully completed the state test program and were recommended for service.
"By the end of the year we plan to receive 50 BMD-4M assault vehicles and 30 BTR-MD Rakushka vehicles," he said. The BMD-4M is the latest generation of Russian-made airborne armoured infantry fighting vehicle that can be para-dropped to provide firepower and support for airborne troops. It is an upgraded variant of the BMD-4 (BMD-3M). The BMD-4M is fitted with a two-man turret armed with a 2A70 100mm caliber gun, coupled to a 30mm 2A72 cannon and a 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun mounted to the right of the main armament. The BTR-MD Rakushka is a Russian-made airborne multi-role armoured vehicle designed and manufactured by the Company VMK Volgogradsky Tractor Plant. The vehicle is based on the chassis of the airborne tracked armoured infantry fighting vehicle BMD-3, but without turret and with a bigger hull. He said that the Russian Airborne Forces "have undergone major changes" over the past three years. "Three airborne brigades have been returned to the forces. Five reconnaissance battalions have been formed on the basis of reconnaissance companies and two drone companies have been created," the commander said. In addition, Shamanov said, modernization of the Ryazan Airborne School is nearing completion, so the school will become "the world’s best military academy" by the end of the year. |
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The commander also said the forces will get 6 tank companies by the end of 2015.
"We plan to form 6 tank companies by the end of the year," he said. Shamanov previously said that all Airborne Forces' formations would get tank battalions. According to the military official, the Russian Airborne Forces have received additional resources for the research and development work on a wheeled vehicle with a combat module for special units. It has been reported that the Airborne Troops are working on a modular wheeled armoured vehicle jointly with the KamAZ truck manufacturer. |
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