Airborne waiting for new weapons
Today, the delivery of weapons systems and military equipment to the troops is a controversial and controversial issue, when the Ministry of Defense declares that there are no problems and all work is carried out according to previously agreed plans and programs, slightly different information comes from the troops themselves. Lieutenant-General Vladimir Shamanov, commander of the Airborne Forces, made a number of important reports about the prospects for further development, as well as technical re-equipment of the "winged infantry" headed by him. From the voiced information we can conclude that with the supply of new modern technology, things are not at all as good as representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Russia report.
A few weeks ago, V. Shamanov said that he was afraid of a possible disruption by the Kurganmashzavod of the state defense order for the 2011 year. We are talking about 10-ti BMD-4M and 10-ti improved, developed on the basis of BMD-4M. Their release was also under threat. According to the Commander of the Airborne Forces, the company evades from providing any guarantees that it will manufacture the ordered armored vehicles. Moreover, the main reason for the breakdown, as in many other cases, is the lack of project funding. Meanwhile, Vladimir Shamanov noted: “Today there are no guarantees that if all the money is transferred, our important order will be fulfilled. We plan that the family of new armored vehicles in the Airborne Forces will be BMD-4M, armored personnel carrier "Shell", as well as an improved self-propelled landing artillery "Sprut". But now these plans may not be realized. ”
He noted that BMD-4М was created by Kurganmashzavod in close cooperation with the 3 Central Research Institute of the Russian Defense Ministry. However, the commander of the Airborne Forces drew attention to the fact that at the moment the timing of deliveries to the military units of the BMD-4M is not known. “At the moment, the products we are offered have not passed the full cycle of inspections in accordance with the requirements that were previously approved by the General Staff,” said V. Shamanov. Also, the commander said that in the coming days will be checked for checks on the "armor penetration" and "undermining" the factory model BMD-4M.
The BMD-4М is an air transportable tracked combat vehicle, which can be landed at a specified point by parachute and landing, both with and without personnel. Provides for the conduct of maneuverable defensive and offensive actions in the autonomous mode and in cooperation with other types of weapons.
In the forward part of the combat vehicle is located the driver’s office-mechanic, then there is a tower with places for the commander and gunner and built-in main armament. Behind the tower is a compartment, designed for three paratroopers, for their dismounting is the aft hatch. In the stern is the engine compartment. The combat vehicle is equipped with a six-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine with a built-in gas turbine supercharging 2В06-2, which allows to achieve the power of the 450 HP. Transmission hydromechanical. For movement on the water surface at a wave level up to 3 points, the BMD-4М is equipped with two special hydro-jet water jet propellers.
BMD-4М weighing 13,6 tons, with a power reserve of up to 500 kilometers and fuel in 450 liters, can travel along an equipped road (water) at speeds up to 70 (10) km / h.
The BMD-4M armament consists of 100-mm 2А70 guns, a single 30-mm automatic 2А42 cannon block and a PKTM 7,62-mm machine gun paired with it. The ammunition BMD-4M includes: 4 pcs. - guided missiles of the “Arkan” type (“Competition”), 34 pcs. - 100-mm charges, 350 ammunition - 30 mm, 2000 ammunition - 7,62-mm, 6 pcs. - 81-mm smoke smoke ZD6 (ЗД6М).
The BMD-4M, according to experts, has no analogues abroad, and the new combat compartment, in comparison with the BMD-3, is at least 2,5 times, and for some individual characteristics an order of magnitude higher in firepower and allows paratrooper units to solve tasks without fire support tanks and artillery not only in the offensive, but also in the conduct of defensive operations.
Paratroopers are waiting for the new Sprut CAU 2C25 CAPS. At the beginning of the 90-s of the last century, specialists of JSC Volgograd Tractor Plant, taking as a basis the elongated base of the BMD-3 combat vehicle, created a new anti-tank self-propelled gun 2С25. The artillery unit for CAU 2C25 was developed by specialists of the Ekaterinburg Artillery Plant №9. Although the original self-propelled gun was intended exclusively for the airborne troops, it is now successfully used by the units of the marines to provide fire and anti-tank support during special landing operations. In the forward part of the body of the combat vehicle is located the driver’s office-mechanic, behind it is the fighting compartment with a turret, the engine-transmission compartment is located in the stern. The commander's combined sight is stabilized in two different planes and combined with an integrated laser sight for precise targeting of 125-mm projectiles with a laser beam.
Like the rest of the lightly armored fighting vehicles, the Octopus self-propelled gun "Sprut" is floating and has two built-in jet propulsion for movement on the water surface, which allows it to reach a maximum speed of 2 km / h. The car has quite good nautical qualities, which allows the crew to fire at a wave of 25 points.
A very noticeable message appeared on the Day of the Airborne Forces. The Deputy Director of the Research Institute of Parachute Engineering, Y. Nazarenko, announced the conduct of field trials of a new parachute, called “Listik”, the development of which was commissioned by the defense department to provide airborne units. It is noteworthy that the research institute is engaged in the development of a new parachute at its own expense, since the program’s funding was completely stopped by the Ministry of Defense of Russia. According to Yuri Nazarenko, the disruption of funding is primarily due to the desire of the Russian military to purchase foreign-made parachute systems. “We have parachutes created for our planes, there is a definite relationship. Any foreign parachute will not be suitable for use on our aircraft. Proceeding from this, if we purchase foreign parachutes, it will be necessary to purchase foreign aircraft, ”Y. Nazarenko said.
Field tests of "Listika" are already in full swing. “In the 2010 year, we conducted various tests with dummies, and this summer, tests are conducted with the involvement of real parachutists,” Nazarenko said. Y. Nazarenko did not disclose details about the design of the “Leaf” parachute dome and the materials used in it. The new parachute system consists of a backpack with the main and reserve parachutes and a chest container for ammunition and other property. "Leaf" is designed for weight up to 165 kg. and allows directional descent downwind and upwind, to perform turns in the process of descending.
In mid-July of this year, at a meeting that was devoted to the fulfillment of the state defense order for 2011, Russian President D. Medvedev said that the Russian Defense Ministry should buy military equipment and weapons abroad if domestic manufacturers do not have the opportunity to offer cheap and at the same time quality alternatives. "Today you can not buy junk," - said the president. Apparently, the Russian military department regarded this statement as a call for active action.
It is difficult to judge how domestic parachute systems are “junk”. Meanwhile, in 2009, it became known that the Ministry of Defense of Russia purchased an impressive batch of parachutes unsuitable for combat operation. The total purchase price amounted to 280 mln. Rubles. According to Sergey Fridinsky, the chief military prosecutor, the money was received by a Moscow enterprise, which manufactured parachutes using old parts. As a result of an inspection carried out by procuratorial investigators, it turned out that such parachutes pose a danger to life.
Interestingly, the paratroopers themselves were surprised to learn the results of the investigation by the prosecutor's office. So, Major-General V. Borisov, deputy. Commander of the Airborne Forces Airborne practical training, said that subordinate paratroopers never had any complaints about the quality of the procured domestic parachutes. According to him, the investigation did conduct a thorough check, “but there were no specialists. An employee of the prosecutor's office came in and only on the basis of a visual, cursory examination of three of the 44 systems presented, wrote that they were made from old parts. ” Borisov also added that later the paratroopers carried out an independent check of the existing parachutes and were satisfied with their quality.
Now it is almost impossible to say with the utmost accuracy who is right and who is not, but there is one fact which is quite difficult to challenge. While there is an internal struggle for whose weapon better - domestic or foreign, airborne units remain without new weapons systems, such as BMD-4M, SAU 2С25 and the Listik parachute. A loud call to the paratroopers, proclaimed by President Dmitry Medvedev on the day of the Airborne Forces, began to look ambiguous: "Actively master modern, high-tech weapons and equipment." When this weapon appears in the army, the president did not specify.
A few weeks ago, V. Shamanov said that he was afraid of a possible disruption by the Kurganmashzavod of the state defense order for the 2011 year. We are talking about 10-ti BMD-4M and 10-ti improved, developed on the basis of BMD-4M. Their release was also under threat. According to the Commander of the Airborne Forces, the company evades from providing any guarantees that it will manufacture the ordered armored vehicles. Moreover, the main reason for the breakdown, as in many other cases, is the lack of project funding. Meanwhile, Vladimir Shamanov noted: “Today there are no guarantees that if all the money is transferred, our important order will be fulfilled. We plan that the family of new armored vehicles in the Airborne Forces will be BMD-4M, armored personnel carrier "Shell", as well as an improved self-propelled landing artillery "Sprut". But now these plans may not be realized. ”
He noted that BMD-4М was created by Kurganmashzavod in close cooperation with the 3 Central Research Institute of the Russian Defense Ministry. However, the commander of the Airborne Forces drew attention to the fact that at the moment the timing of deliveries to the military units of the BMD-4M is not known. “At the moment, the products we are offered have not passed the full cycle of inspections in accordance with the requirements that were previously approved by the General Staff,” said V. Shamanov. Also, the commander said that in the coming days will be checked for checks on the "armor penetration" and "undermining" the factory model BMD-4M.
The BMD-4М is an air transportable tracked combat vehicle, which can be landed at a specified point by parachute and landing, both with and without personnel. Provides for the conduct of maneuverable defensive and offensive actions in the autonomous mode and in cooperation with other types of weapons.
In the forward part of the combat vehicle is located the driver’s office-mechanic, then there is a tower with places for the commander and gunner and built-in main armament. Behind the tower is a compartment, designed for three paratroopers, for their dismounting is the aft hatch. In the stern is the engine compartment. The combat vehicle is equipped with a six-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine with a built-in gas turbine supercharging 2В06-2, which allows to achieve the power of the 450 HP. Transmission hydromechanical. For movement on the water surface at a wave level up to 3 points, the BMD-4М is equipped with two special hydro-jet water jet propellers.
BMD-4М weighing 13,6 tons, with a power reserve of up to 500 kilometers and fuel in 450 liters, can travel along an equipped road (water) at speeds up to 70 (10) km / h.
The BMD-4M armament consists of 100-mm 2А70 guns, a single 30-mm automatic 2А42 cannon block and a PKTM 7,62-mm machine gun paired with it. The ammunition BMD-4M includes: 4 pcs. - guided missiles of the “Arkan” type (“Competition”), 34 pcs. - 100-mm charges, 350 ammunition - 30 mm, 2000 ammunition - 7,62-mm, 6 pcs. - 81-mm smoke smoke ZD6 (ЗД6М).
The BMD-4M, according to experts, has no analogues abroad, and the new combat compartment, in comparison with the BMD-3, is at least 2,5 times, and for some individual characteristics an order of magnitude higher in firepower and allows paratrooper units to solve tasks without fire support tanks and artillery not only in the offensive, but also in the conduct of defensive operations.
Paratroopers are waiting for the new Sprut CAU 2C25 CAPS. At the beginning of the 90-s of the last century, specialists of JSC Volgograd Tractor Plant, taking as a basis the elongated base of the BMD-3 combat vehicle, created a new anti-tank self-propelled gun 2С25. The artillery unit for CAU 2C25 was developed by specialists of the Ekaterinburg Artillery Plant №9. Although the original self-propelled gun was intended exclusively for the airborne troops, it is now successfully used by the units of the marines to provide fire and anti-tank support during special landing operations. In the forward part of the body of the combat vehicle is located the driver’s office-mechanic, behind it is the fighting compartment with a turret, the engine-transmission compartment is located in the stern. The commander's combined sight is stabilized in two different planes and combined with an integrated laser sight for precise targeting of 125-mm projectiles with a laser beam.
Like the rest of the lightly armored fighting vehicles, the Octopus self-propelled gun "Sprut" is floating and has two built-in jet propulsion for movement on the water surface, which allows it to reach a maximum speed of 2 km / h. The car has quite good nautical qualities, which allows the crew to fire at a wave of 25 points.
A very noticeable message appeared on the Day of the Airborne Forces. The Deputy Director of the Research Institute of Parachute Engineering, Y. Nazarenko, announced the conduct of field trials of a new parachute, called “Listik”, the development of which was commissioned by the defense department to provide airborne units. It is noteworthy that the research institute is engaged in the development of a new parachute at its own expense, since the program’s funding was completely stopped by the Ministry of Defense of Russia. According to Yuri Nazarenko, the disruption of funding is primarily due to the desire of the Russian military to purchase foreign-made parachute systems. “We have parachutes created for our planes, there is a definite relationship. Any foreign parachute will not be suitable for use on our aircraft. Proceeding from this, if we purchase foreign parachutes, it will be necessary to purchase foreign aircraft, ”Y. Nazarenko said.
Field tests of "Listika" are already in full swing. “In the 2010 year, we conducted various tests with dummies, and this summer, tests are conducted with the involvement of real parachutists,” Nazarenko said. Y. Nazarenko did not disclose details about the design of the “Leaf” parachute dome and the materials used in it. The new parachute system consists of a backpack with the main and reserve parachutes and a chest container for ammunition and other property. "Leaf" is designed for weight up to 165 kg. and allows directional descent downwind and upwind, to perform turns in the process of descending.
In mid-July of this year, at a meeting that was devoted to the fulfillment of the state defense order for 2011, Russian President D. Medvedev said that the Russian Defense Ministry should buy military equipment and weapons abroad if domestic manufacturers do not have the opportunity to offer cheap and at the same time quality alternatives. "Today you can not buy junk," - said the president. Apparently, the Russian military department regarded this statement as a call for active action.
It is difficult to judge how domestic parachute systems are “junk”. Meanwhile, in 2009, it became known that the Ministry of Defense of Russia purchased an impressive batch of parachutes unsuitable for combat operation. The total purchase price amounted to 280 mln. Rubles. According to Sergey Fridinsky, the chief military prosecutor, the money was received by a Moscow enterprise, which manufactured parachutes using old parts. As a result of an inspection carried out by procuratorial investigators, it turned out that such parachutes pose a danger to life.
Interestingly, the paratroopers themselves were surprised to learn the results of the investigation by the prosecutor's office. So, Major-General V. Borisov, deputy. Commander of the Airborne Forces Airborne practical training, said that subordinate paratroopers never had any complaints about the quality of the procured domestic parachutes. According to him, the investigation did conduct a thorough check, “but there were no specialists. An employee of the prosecutor's office came in and only on the basis of a visual, cursory examination of three of the 44 systems presented, wrote that they were made from old parts. ” Borisov also added that later the paratroopers carried out an independent check of the existing parachutes and were satisfied with their quality.
Now it is almost impossible to say with the utmost accuracy who is right and who is not, but there is one fact which is quite difficult to challenge. While there is an internal struggle for whose weapon better - domestic or foreign, airborne units remain without new weapons systems, such as BMD-4M, SAU 2С25 and the Listik parachute. A loud call to the paratroopers, proclaimed by President Dmitry Medvedev on the day of the Airborne Forces, began to look ambiguous: "Actively master modern, high-tech weapons and equipment." When this weapon appears in the army, the president did not specify.
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