The successful demonstration of BTR-MDM airdrop at the exercise near Ryazan shows the Russian Airborne Forces operate full-fledged combat vehicles, Airborne Commander Colonel-General Andrey Serdyukov said.

Russian army BTR-MDM airborne armoured vehicle personnel carrier at Army-2017 defense exhibition near Moscow, Russia. (Picture source Army Recognition)

"The crew was for the first time airdropped from an altitude of 1,800 meters at a speed of 10 meters per second inside BTR-MDM which weighs 14 tons. The valor of the crew shows full-fledged combat vehicles have become operational," he said.

Military-transport aviation Commander Lieutenant-General Vladimir Benediktov said the airdrop of BTR-MDM with the crew was a historic event. "The exercise was successful. The personnel are ready for combat missions. The airdrop of BTR-MDM with a crew inside is a historic event as for the first time people were inside the airdropped hardware. It has a major significance for the future," he said.

BTR-MDM Rakushka is a Russian airdroppable armored personnel carrier which will replace BTR-D operational since 1970s. It weighs 13.2 tons and is armed with two 7.62mm machineguns. The crew comprises two men and the number of paratroopers is 13. Maximum road speed is 71 km/h, on water - 10 km/h. Road driving range is 500 km.

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