Russian airborne troops continue recapitalisation
Russia’s airborne troops, an elite and highly-mobile independent branch of country’s military numbering 45,000 personnel, has continued a comprehensive recapitalisation in 2017.
Col Gen Andrey Serdyukov, the branch’s commander-in-chief, revealed that 2017 saw the re-equipment of three landing-assault battalions with the new BMD-4M airmobile IFV and the BTR-MDM Rakushka APC.
Two of the battalions are included in the 31st Independent Landing-Assault Brigade in the city of Ulyanovsk and another in the 76th Landing-Assault Division in Pskov.
Each battalion received 27 BMD-4Ms, three BMD-4MK commander's vehicles and 16-20 BTR-MDMs. In total, some 150 new IFVs and APCs were taken in 2017.
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
Milrem THeMIS robot tests weapon firing to beyond one kilometre
The Milrem Robotics Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) has seen extensive service in Ukraine with an additional six ordered for Ukraine in May.
-
Tests almost completed on German Army Wolf vehicles with deliveries soon
The Germany Army (Bundeswehr) signed for 1,500 Mercedes-Benz Defence Vehicles Wolf 2 all-purpose 4×4 light utility vehicle in July last year, a deal which ultimately be for 5,800 units. Testing is ongoing and first production vehicles are expected to be delivered in November.
-
Kyiv works to replicate unmanned air success with ground vehicles
The conflict in Ukraine has seen the country’s defence firms emerge as technological innovators in response to the Russian invasion of the country in 2022. The drone war in the air has been a significant development while the efforts on the ground have been less acknowledged.