SWAT is equipped independently
Fighters prefer non-standard butts, sights, body armor and boots
The special forces of the Ministry of Defense, Internal Troops and Special Forces Unit of the Special Purpose Center (TsSN) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs agreed to tell the Military Industrial Courier newspaper why the American special forces are using the American camouflage of MULTICAM colors, how effective are the domestic body armor and night vision equipment, how to choose combat equipment and weapon.
In recent years, the main characters of television reports and photographs from the North Caucasus have become fighters from various special-purpose units performing tasks to combat the terrorist underground. On video and photo chronicle it is striking that field uniforms, body armor, means of communication, etc., among the special forces, are different, so to speak, with the world. In the modern world, the segment of private production of tactical equipment and means of protection is developing very dynamically. Even such well-funded Western divisions as the American Delta, the British SEDs, and others, are buying products for their money. After all, the success of any operation depends on the uniform, equipment, and especially weapons. How are things going with the Russian security officials? What problems do you have, what would you like to change?
Armor is strong
“We use body armor 6B23. There are new 6B43, but there are very few of them, ”says an officer of the Defense Ministry-based TsN in Moscow Region. According to him, the majority of servicemen buy imported products for their money, mainly covers, which are then hemmed in order to be able to install domestic armored panels. Colleagues from internal troops in the supply stand-off body armor developed by the beginning of the 90-s “Korund” ”, but now they have started to supply modern“ Bagari ”. Just as in the Ministry of Defense, in the explosives buy foreign body armor, in particular American. True, popular and domestic "Defender" and "Redoubts".
Employees of the TsSN MIA are protected by various products of Fort-Technologies and Armakom. All the interlocutors of the publication agreed that none of the types of body armor did not meet their requirements. What is needed is not ordinary body armor, but modular armor systems, which are a discharge vest (“unloading”) with armor panels and the ability to install the necessary pouches for the tasks to be performed. Now such systems have become an indispensable attribute of not only special forces, but also combined arms in many armies of the world.
“We would like to have a regular lightweight body armor according to the plate carrier scheme of the type of what the LBT and PIG tactical companies do. But since they are not there, many people buy their own and put on armor panels, ”says an officer in the Ministry of Defense. The same is done in the internal troops. “Americans have a good mounting system with a set of pouches called MOLLE. All quality, pouches hold securely. Something similar was done on the Bagariy, however, the quality is worse and there are only enough bags for two or three sessions. But we also have just 30 – 40 percent of such body armor, ”an officer of explosives complains.
But the officer of the SOBR, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, believes that domestic protective materials are better and protection classes for body armor are higher than those of foreign products. But he also recognizes the need for modular systems of body armor. All interlocutors of the publication are not satisfied with regular protective helmets. “Like a chamber pot on his head, he put it down. It is necessary to make a special boot for the landing, otherwise on the opening it can hook on the edge of the helmet with lines. There are no mounts for night vision devices, lanterns and similar things on ours, ”says the officer of the TsN Defense Ministry. Established ZSH-1 do not like the servicemen of the internal troops, and Altyn, Mask and Lynx-T do not like the SOBR of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
According to the general opinion, the most optimal variant of a protective helmet, which stands on supplying special purpose units around the world, was developed by the American company OpScoré.
“Very comfortable, fit well on the head, combined with glasses, headphones, oxygen mask, have a streamlined shape,” said the representative of the Ministry of Defense. He is supported by colleagues from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and internal troops. “ZSH-1 is the last century. We buy for our own money “ShBM” from Omnitek-M, similar to “Opskorovsky”. Under it you can easily put on headphones. It is easy to fit, lightweight. Under the ZSH-1, you must wear a special cap, and if in the summer, a bandanna, but under the CMB is not necessary, ”says an officer of the internal troops. At the same time, the SOBR of the Ministry of Internal Affairs uses a product of the Russian company Armak, which is similar to the American OpScore helmet. “Now we are working with the company to customize their products to our requirements. But this is a long process, not less than a year, ”explains the Interior Ministry official.
"Kalashnikov" with a foreign butt
“We mainly use AK74M. There used to be a lot of AKMSL, but now they are almost all worn out and written off. There are several AK103, but the current 5,45 cartridges (PP, BS, etc.) have reduced the advantage of the 7,62 caliber to zero. And the accuracy of small-caliber machine guns is higher, the ammunition with an equal weight is greater, ”says the officer of the TsSN Ministry of Defense. According to his colleagues from the internal troops, in addition to AK74M, there were AK-104 in the TsSN: “Now they were taken from us, but we liked them. They are shorter, more convenient to manipulate, throw them on their backs, etc. And we are happy with the firing range. ” There are in service with special forces and submachine guns. According to the officer of SOBR, his squad chose CP-2M "Heather". It is lighter, more mobile, and the cartridge is more powerful than that of the proposed Vityaz. But in the internal troops and the Ministry of Defense "Vereski" did not take root.
“We immediately handed over our CP-2M - for them, explosives did not buy cartridges. We use PP-2000. “Shieldmen” work with them (military personnel marching with bullet-proof shields. - Auth. Note). The submachine gun "Vityaz" was also available, but was not used in combat. There were technical problems with the constant mounting of cartridges. And there is no such task, where the “Vityaz” is better than Kalashnikov, ”says the officer of the explosives. In the CPS, the Ministry of Defense CP-2M is used as a second sniper weapon.
But the biggest headache and a source of fixed costs is the standard Kalashnikov assault rifles, which are being developed at their own expense. “We put adjustable butt stock. This is usually the American "Magpul" or Israeli products. We put purchased DTK (muzzle brake-compensator. - Approx. Aut.), Reduce the toss of weapons, and some models reduce the flash shot, which is very important when working with the NVD. Adapters with Picatinny rail. A fuse box with an additional pedal for easy switching between the middle and / or index finger, ”the special forces officer of the Ministry of Defense lists purchases. The same is done by the military personnel of TsSN VV and SOBR personnel.
“A gentleman's set on each machine is a front handle, a collimator sight, and an adjustable butt. If the employee is comfortable, he also adds a pistol grip. We put the Picatinny and Weaver adapter plates. The “Inkwell” (muzzle brake compensator. - Comm. Ed.) Is very necessary, indispensable for night work, ”the special forces officer of the internal troops said.
According to him, of the numerous collimator sights, now offered on the small arms market, the center opted for products from American firms Eotech and Aimpoint.
“We put Eotech on automatic machines, and Aimpoint - on machine guns. Russian and Belarusian sights do not like. The collimator is good with a three-fold enlarger, but this is too expensive, so not everyone has it, ”says the officer of the internal troops. In his opinion, the collimator sight should be protected as the pupil of the eye: “In Russia there are no licensed workshops of these firms, and it’s almost impossible to repair them yourself, especially if the matrix is broken.”
A SOBR officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs explained to the military-industrial complex publication that, in addition to imported parts, its divisions also purchase domestic production facilities of the Zenit company: I’d like TriJicon ACOG sights, but they are too expensive, so we opted for Aimpoint products. ”
Over the past four years, the ACU (Army Combat Uniform) field uniform, adopted in 2008 for supply by the Pentagon and different from the traditional field uniform with a short jacket with a stand-up collar and slant chest pockets, has become popular among Russian special forces. Also commonly used American camouflage coloring "cartoons", jokingly called in Russia "cartoon".
“ACU is more convenient, only pockets are needed with buttons. These are high-quality products from good materials, although, of course, there are exceptions. Coloring "cartoons" is well suited for regions where you have to work. And another moment - when working together with “fesniki” (fighters of the special forces of the FSB. - Approx. Aut.), Specialists from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and others. It turns out that everyone is dressed in one uniform and there are no problems with identifying each other, ”says the officer of the Center special purpose of the Ministry of Defense.
According to his colleagues from VV, these troops are now abandoning the “cartoons” colors in favor of Surpat (SURPAT), developed by the Russian company Survival Corps. "Cartoon" is worse in the forest, so the officers take it for everyday wear, sometimes they put on classes. It happens, we use a regular camouflage field uniform of internal troops. But the “surpat” in the ACU style is very convenient, especially the sewn knee pads. They do not overtighten the leg, do not disrupt the blood supply, ”says the special forces officer.
A SOBR officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs told the Military Industrial Courier that in his unit they also prefer the field ACU, which they purchase from British and American manufacturers: “We take the original form of the CRYE company. Our employees buy what they are comfortable to wear. We receive something from the field uniform regularly, but we buy most of it with our own funds. ” According to him, the use of the "cartoons" coloring allows you to quickly identify the friendly units involved in the operation. Although this coloring is not optimal for the North Caucasus.
According to all interlocutors, a big problem is uniforms, which cannot be worn. And again you have to buy on your own, giving preference to foreign products, and not only for military purposes: sports shoes are also in demand. Recently, the special forces of the explosives and the Ministry of Internal Affairs more and more like the boots of the domestic company "Faraday". “It is impossible to walk in uniform pieces of wood, it’s also dangerous for life. Now Faraday shoes have appeared no worse than imported ones, but at times cheaper. That would be her supply and they gave us a regular supply, ”the officer of the internal troops modestly dreams.
Communication and night vision devices
Night vision devices are a headache for Russian special forces. On the question of whether you consider the Russian devices adequate to the tasks set, the officer from the Special Purpose Center of the Ministry of Defense answered concisely: “Are you kidding?”
According to the officer of the internal troops, his colleagues prefer to buy imported items, sometimes Belarusian “Filins”. “For snipers there are good regular Russian“ night lights ”DS-4 and DS-6. But they are few in our center. Now purchased the Russian "Shahin". We immediately said that they do not suit us. The same "Cyclone" (manufacturer - NPO "Cyclone") is much better, more reliable and easier. But the Intelligence Directorate of the Air Force considered that such people would get away with us, ”the special forces member of the internal troops were indignant.
Also, all the interlocutors admitted that their units acquire, at their own expense, active headphones with integrated communications, which amplify weak sounds and dampen strong ones. Prefer headphones company Peltor.
“They are not needed everywhere, but only for a task, otherwise the hearing sets very quickly. For fun, try to go in active headphones along a mountain stream or through a forest with a strong wind. But indoors or in training on fire they are good, ”- explains the officer of the Ministry of Defense.
His colleague from the internal troops believes that for action in the forest, active headphones are necessary: “There they amplify the sound and you can hear the enemy in advance. Although I personally prefer the usual headset. "
Continuing counter-terrorism actions in the North Caucasus require the continued participation of military personnel and special forces units of all security agencies. If at the beginning of 90-s the quality and quantity of equipment was determined by the capabilities of the department, now even for elite special purpose centers it all depends on the thickness of the wallets of the servicemen themselves. It can be argued that foreign specialists spend their money, because everyone chooses what is more convenient to fight. But one thing - shoes and field uniforms, and when it comes to body armor, helmets, communications, "body kit" on the weapon, there is already worth thinking about. The international market for weapons and equipment in the last 10 – 12 years is at the peak of activity. With rare exceptions, Russian companies do not participate there, although the military and law enforcement officers have gained sufficient combat experience, which can be implemented in new families of body armor, communication equipment, active headphones, etc. At the same time, the latest AEK-971 and AK-12 assault rifles presented for testing without full collimator sights of domestic production. Although the same Belarus is actively producing these products. It remains to be regretted that foreign special forces are supplied by the departments, and the Russian by their families, donating money from the family budget.
The special forces of the Ministry of Defense, Internal Troops and Special Forces Unit of the Special Purpose Center (TsSN) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs agreed to tell the Military Industrial Courier newspaper why the American special forces are using the American camouflage of MULTICAM colors, how effective are the domestic body armor and night vision equipment, how to choose combat equipment and weapon.
In recent years, the main characters of television reports and photographs from the North Caucasus have become fighters from various special-purpose units performing tasks to combat the terrorist underground. On video and photo chronicle it is striking that field uniforms, body armor, means of communication, etc., among the special forces, are different, so to speak, with the world. In the modern world, the segment of private production of tactical equipment and means of protection is developing very dynamically. Even such well-funded Western divisions as the American Delta, the British SEDs, and others, are buying products for their money. After all, the success of any operation depends on the uniform, equipment, and especially weapons. How are things going with the Russian security officials? What problems do you have, what would you like to change?
Armor is strong
“We use body armor 6B23. There are new 6B43, but there are very few of them, ”says an officer of the Defense Ministry-based TsN in Moscow Region. According to him, the majority of servicemen buy imported products for their money, mainly covers, which are then hemmed in order to be able to install domestic armored panels. Colleagues from internal troops in the supply stand-off body armor developed by the beginning of the 90-s “Korund” ”, but now they have started to supply modern“ Bagari ”. Just as in the Ministry of Defense, in the explosives buy foreign body armor, in particular American. True, popular and domestic "Defender" and "Redoubts".
Employees of the TsSN MIA are protected by various products of Fort-Technologies and Armakom. All the interlocutors of the publication agreed that none of the types of body armor did not meet their requirements. What is needed is not ordinary body armor, but modular armor systems, which are a discharge vest (“unloading”) with armor panels and the ability to install the necessary pouches for the tasks to be performed. Now such systems have become an indispensable attribute of not only special forces, but also combined arms in many armies of the world.“We would like to have a regular lightweight body armor according to the plate carrier scheme of the type of what the LBT and PIG tactical companies do. But since they are not there, many people buy their own and put on armor panels, ”says an officer in the Ministry of Defense. The same is done in the internal troops. “Americans have a good mounting system with a set of pouches called MOLLE. All quality, pouches hold securely. Something similar was done on the Bagariy, however, the quality is worse and there are only enough bags for two or three sessions. But we also have just 30 – 40 percent of such body armor, ”an officer of explosives complains.
But the officer of the SOBR, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, believes that domestic protective materials are better and protection classes for body armor are higher than those of foreign products. But he also recognizes the need for modular systems of body armor. All interlocutors of the publication are not satisfied with regular protective helmets. “Like a chamber pot on his head, he put it down. It is necessary to make a special boot for the landing, otherwise on the opening it can hook on the edge of the helmet with lines. There are no mounts for night vision devices, lanterns and similar things on ours, ”says the officer of the TsN Defense Ministry. Established ZSH-1 do not like the servicemen of the internal troops, and Altyn, Mask and Lynx-T do not like the SOBR of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
According to the general opinion, the most optimal variant of a protective helmet, which stands on supplying special purpose units around the world, was developed by the American company OpScoré.
“Very comfortable, fit well on the head, combined with glasses, headphones, oxygen mask, have a streamlined shape,” said the representative of the Ministry of Defense. He is supported by colleagues from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and internal troops. “ZSH-1 is the last century. We buy for our own money “ShBM” from Omnitek-M, similar to “Opskorovsky”. Under it you can easily put on headphones. It is easy to fit, lightweight. Under the ZSH-1, you must wear a special cap, and if in the summer, a bandanna, but under the CMB is not necessary, ”says an officer of the internal troops. At the same time, the SOBR of the Ministry of Internal Affairs uses a product of the Russian company Armak, which is similar to the American OpScore helmet. “Now we are working with the company to customize their products to our requirements. But this is a long process, not less than a year, ”explains the Interior Ministry official.
"Kalashnikov" with a foreign butt
“We mainly use AK74M. There used to be a lot of AKMSL, but now they are almost all worn out and written off. There are several AK103, but the current 5,45 cartridges (PP, BS, etc.) have reduced the advantage of the 7,62 caliber to zero. And the accuracy of small-caliber machine guns is higher, the ammunition with an equal weight is greater, ”says the officer of the TsSN Ministry of Defense. According to his colleagues from the internal troops, in addition to AK74M, there were AK-104 in the TsSN: “Now they were taken from us, but we liked them. They are shorter, more convenient to manipulate, throw them on their backs, etc. And we are happy with the firing range. ” There are in service with special forces and submachine guns. According to the officer of SOBR, his squad chose CP-2M "Heather". It is lighter, more mobile, and the cartridge is more powerful than that of the proposed Vityaz. But in the internal troops and the Ministry of Defense "Vereski" did not take root.
“We immediately handed over our CP-2M - for them, explosives did not buy cartridges. We use PP-2000. “Shieldmen” work with them (military personnel marching with bullet-proof shields. - Auth. Note). The submachine gun "Vityaz" was also available, but was not used in combat. There were technical problems with the constant mounting of cartridges. And there is no such task, where the “Vityaz” is better than Kalashnikov, ”says the officer of the explosives. In the CPS, the Ministry of Defense CP-2M is used as a second sniper weapon.
But the biggest headache and a source of fixed costs is the standard Kalashnikov assault rifles, which are being developed at their own expense. “We put adjustable butt stock. This is usually the American "Magpul" or Israeli products. We put purchased DTK (muzzle brake-compensator. - Approx. Aut.), Reduce the toss of weapons, and some models reduce the flash shot, which is very important when working with the NVD. Adapters with Picatinny rail. A fuse box with an additional pedal for easy switching between the middle and / or index finger, ”the special forces officer of the Ministry of Defense lists purchases. The same is done by the military personnel of TsSN VV and SOBR personnel.
“A gentleman's set on each machine is a front handle, a collimator sight, and an adjustable butt. If the employee is comfortable, he also adds a pistol grip. We put the Picatinny and Weaver adapter plates. The “Inkwell” (muzzle brake compensator. - Comm. Ed.) Is very necessary, indispensable for night work, ”the special forces officer of the internal troops said.
According to him, of the numerous collimator sights, now offered on the small arms market, the center opted for products from American firms Eotech and Aimpoint.
“We put Eotech on automatic machines, and Aimpoint - on machine guns. Russian and Belarusian sights do not like. The collimator is good with a three-fold enlarger, but this is too expensive, so not everyone has it, ”says the officer of the internal troops. In his opinion, the collimator sight should be protected as the pupil of the eye: “In Russia there are no licensed workshops of these firms, and it’s almost impossible to repair them yourself, especially if the matrix is broken.”
A SOBR officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs explained to the military-industrial complex publication that, in addition to imported parts, its divisions also purchase domestic production facilities of the Zenit company: I’d like TriJicon ACOG sights, but they are too expensive, so we opted for Aimpoint products. ”
Over the past four years, the ACU (Army Combat Uniform) field uniform, adopted in 2008 for supply by the Pentagon and different from the traditional field uniform with a short jacket with a stand-up collar and slant chest pockets, has become popular among Russian special forces. Also commonly used American camouflage coloring "cartoons", jokingly called in Russia "cartoon".
“ACU is more convenient, only pockets are needed with buttons. These are high-quality products from good materials, although, of course, there are exceptions. Coloring "cartoons" is well suited for regions where you have to work. And another moment - when working together with “fesniki” (fighters of the special forces of the FSB. - Approx. Aut.), Specialists from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and others. It turns out that everyone is dressed in one uniform and there are no problems with identifying each other, ”says the officer of the Center special purpose of the Ministry of Defense.
According to his colleagues from VV, these troops are now abandoning the “cartoons” colors in favor of Surpat (SURPAT), developed by the Russian company Survival Corps. "Cartoon" is worse in the forest, so the officers take it for everyday wear, sometimes they put on classes. It happens, we use a regular camouflage field uniform of internal troops. But the “surpat” in the ACU style is very convenient, especially the sewn knee pads. They do not overtighten the leg, do not disrupt the blood supply, ”says the special forces officer.
A SOBR officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs told the Military Industrial Courier that in his unit they also prefer the field ACU, which they purchase from British and American manufacturers: “We take the original form of the CRYE company. Our employees buy what they are comfortable to wear. We receive something from the field uniform regularly, but we buy most of it with our own funds. ” According to him, the use of the "cartoons" coloring allows you to quickly identify the friendly units involved in the operation. Although this coloring is not optimal for the North Caucasus.
According to all interlocutors, a big problem is uniforms, which cannot be worn. And again you have to buy on your own, giving preference to foreign products, and not only for military purposes: sports shoes are also in demand. Recently, the special forces of the explosives and the Ministry of Internal Affairs more and more like the boots of the domestic company "Faraday". “It is impossible to walk in uniform pieces of wood, it’s also dangerous for life. Now Faraday shoes have appeared no worse than imported ones, but at times cheaper. That would be her supply and they gave us a regular supply, ”the officer of the internal troops modestly dreams.
Communication and night vision devices
Night vision devices are a headache for Russian special forces. On the question of whether you consider the Russian devices adequate to the tasks set, the officer from the Special Purpose Center of the Ministry of Defense answered concisely: “Are you kidding?”
According to the officer of the internal troops, his colleagues prefer to buy imported items, sometimes Belarusian “Filins”. “For snipers there are good regular Russian“ night lights ”DS-4 and DS-6. But they are few in our center. Now purchased the Russian "Shahin". We immediately said that they do not suit us. The same "Cyclone" (manufacturer - NPO "Cyclone") is much better, more reliable and easier. But the Intelligence Directorate of the Air Force considered that such people would get away with us, ”the special forces member of the internal troops were indignant.
Also, all the interlocutors admitted that their units acquire, at their own expense, active headphones with integrated communications, which amplify weak sounds and dampen strong ones. Prefer headphones company Peltor.
“They are not needed everywhere, but only for a task, otherwise the hearing sets very quickly. For fun, try to go in active headphones along a mountain stream or through a forest with a strong wind. But indoors or in training on fire they are good, ”- explains the officer of the Ministry of Defense.
His colleague from the internal troops believes that for action in the forest, active headphones are necessary: “There they amplify the sound and you can hear the enemy in advance. Although I personally prefer the usual headset. "
Continuing counter-terrorism actions in the North Caucasus require the continued participation of military personnel and special forces units of all security agencies. If at the beginning of 90-s the quality and quantity of equipment was determined by the capabilities of the department, now even for elite special purpose centers it all depends on the thickness of the wallets of the servicemen themselves. It can be argued that foreign specialists spend their money, because everyone chooses what is more convenient to fight. But one thing - shoes and field uniforms, and when it comes to body armor, helmets, communications, "body kit" on the weapon, there is already worth thinking about. The international market for weapons and equipment in the last 10 – 12 years is at the peak of activity. With rare exceptions, Russian companies do not participate there, although the military and law enforcement officers have gained sufficient combat experience, which can be implemented in new families of body armor, communication equipment, active headphones, etc. At the same time, the latest AEK-971 and AK-12 assault rifles presented for testing without full collimator sights of domestic production. Although the same Belarus is actively producing these products. It remains to be regretted that foreign special forces are supplied by the departments, and the Russian by their families, donating money from the family budget.
Information