The modernization of the Russian Armed Forces continues. Particular attention is paid to the airborne troops. As part of the "winged guard" new structures and formations appear, as well as purchases of the latest weapons and equipment. In recent years, the military department has done a lot to improve the Airborne Forces, and does not plan to stop. A few days ago, the latest results of the troop modernization program became known, as well as some plans for the near future.
On March 12, the official publication of the Ministry of Defense "Krasnaya Zvezda" published the article "The Winged Guard is increasing its combat potential" by Alexander Tikhonov. The author of this publication spoke with the commander of the airborne forces, Colonel-General Andrei Serdyukov. In his interview, the commander recalled the known facts, and also cited a number of new data on the modernization of the Airborne Forces. From other recent reports on this topic, the new interview was distinguished by its thoroughness and detail.
One of the main goals of the current renewal of troops is to increase their number with a simultaneous increase in combat capability. According to A. Serdyukov, since 2012 the number of personnel of the airborne troops has increased by 48%. More than 30 thousand privates and sergeants are now serving under contract. At the moment, contractors make up more than 70% of the total personnel of the Airborne Forces. In 2020, the share of contract servicemen will be increased to 80%.
At the same time, the non-commissioned officers are already fully staffed with contract soldiers. Also, contractors go to the positions of specialists in the operation of various weapons and equipment. They, first of all, enter service in battalion tactical groups. As the commander of the Airborne Forces notes, the number of such groups is constantly increasing.
To date, the structure of the Airborne Forces has undergone certain changes. Now the troops have four divisions, five separate brigades, as well as support units and educational institutions. Redesigning the structure of troops and improving the command and control system lead to an increase in their combat capabilities.
They touched upon the supply of new materiel, first of all, weapons and military equipment. General Serdyukov said that deliveries within the framework of the State Defense Order from 2012 to 2017 made it possible to increase the share of new weapons and equipment in the Airborne Forces by 3.5 times. The number of modern armored vehicles has grown by 2, 4 times, air defense systems - by 3, 5 times. The share of modern airborne vehicles of all types has increased by 1, 4 times.
Within the framework of the latest programs, the airborne troops have already received more than 42 thousand units of weapons and equipment. Due to this, the maneuverability of the troops increased by 30%, the level of survivability - by 20%. The increase in the ability to fire damage is estimated at 16%. It is curious that in some areas there are simply outstanding successes. The direction of unmanned aerial vehicles is developing most actively. Since 2012, seven units have appeared in the Airborne Forces, equipped with such equipment. The supply of drones has increased the capabilities of the troops in aerial reconnaissance by 12 times.
A. Serdyukov revealed some details of the supply of military equipment and weapons that have taken place in recent years. So, the industry handed over to the troops five battalion sets of BMD-4M airborne combat vehicles and BTR-MDM armored personnel carriers. Seven artillery divisions are equipped with modernized 2S9-1M self-propelled guns, as well as the latest 1V119-1 reconnaissance and control points. Artillery formations received the Sobolyatnik and Aistenok radar reconnaissance stations, due to which the divisions are integrated into the automated control system of the Airborne Forces. The main consequence of this is the reduction in the time required to detect and engage targets.
The state defense order for the current 2018 again provides for the purchase of new and repair of existing samples of weapons and equipment. According to the commander of the Airborne Forces, this year the troops will receive two battalion sets of BMD-4M and BTR-MDM vehicles. Artillery will transfer two battalions of self-propelled guns 2S9-1M. Air defense units will begin operating the reconnaissance and control systems MP-D and MRU-D. Radiation, chemical and biological protection will receive three regimental sets of chemical reconnaissance vehicles RHM-5M.
Particular attention is paid to modern control facilities, namely the creation of a unified automated system that monitors the work of troops. Most of the combat units of the airborne forces are fully equipped with the modern Andromeda-D automated control system. Units of immediate response have already been fully transferred to such equipment. All this significantly increases the capabilities of the troops due to a sharp reduction in the time required for bringing subunits to combat readiness.
The result of deliveries in 2018 will be another increase in the share of modern material. According to current plans, based on the results of the next purchases under the new State Defense Order, this parameter will grow to 63.4%. The ultimate goal of the current State Arms Program, the implementation of which will be completed in 2020, is to bring the share of new weapons and equipment to 75%.
The new material part does not stand idle and is constantly used in various combat training activities. Combat training of units has become a priority. As A. Serdyukov notes, over the past five years the number of training events has grown by 74%. Now, 200 thousand parachute jumps are performed annually by fighters in different weather conditions, day and night. The number of parachute landings of equipment and weapons has doubled over the specified period.
The Airborne Forces regularly participate in surprise readiness checks announced by the Supreme Commander. During these events, the Airborne Forces have repeatedly demonstrated a high level of training and readiness to perform their tasks.
The commander of the Airborne Forces recalled the main goals and objectives of the current modernization of troops. He noted that this type of service will play an important role in the country's military security system in the future. The airborne troops will have to tackle new tasks that are noticeably different from those that were set before them just 10-15 years ago. These troops will now develop as the backbone of the Rapid Reaction Force.
The plans of the military department for the next few years provide for the direction of the main efforts to update the materiel and improve the level of training. By 2021, the share of modern weapons and equipment should reach 70%. Due to this and with the help of new training measures, it is planned to increase the level of personnel training.
It should be noted that the issue of modernizing the Airborne Forces in general and the material part of the troops in particular was already raised a few days ago by the command of this type of troops. So, on March 4, "Krasnaya Zvezda" published an interview with the deputy commander of the Airborne Forces for airborne training, Lieutenant General Vladimir Kochetkov. He spoke about the available means of landing, about the latest models of this kind and about plans for their development.
According to V. Kochetkov, the development work of Bakhcha-U-PDS is currently being completed, the purpose of which is to create parachute landing equipment for modern military equipment, such as BMD-4A or BTR-MDM. An important feature of the new means will be the ability to drop a combat vehicle with a crew inside. The state joint tests have already been completed, and this year the new devices will go into service.
Work continues on the topic with the code "Parachute". This project proposes the creation of a unified parachute platform for equipment and cargo weighing up to 18 tons. First of all, it will be used with KamAZ vehicles and equipment based on them, entering the troops. The Dalolet product is intended for airborne personnel from altitudes of 1200-8000 m at aircraft speeds of up to 350 km / h with a parachute deployment delay of up to 10 s. Descending from the maximum height, the fighter will be able to fly up to 60 km. At the same time, a container with a carrying capacity of 50 kg will be transported with it by parachute.
Several new projects are planned. Already in March, the "Renovation" should start, providing for the modernization of the D-10 and Z-5 parachutes. The aim of this project is to adapt the existing systems for joint use with the "Ratnik" equipment. ROC "Shelest", launched this year, should end with the emergence of a new parachute system for airborne soldiers with a full set of service weapons and equipment.
New means of personnel training are also being created. As General Kochetkov said, an aerodynamic installation was built at the Ryazan Guards Airborne School to practice the actions of a paratrooper using wing-type systems. The multifunctional installation provides simultaneous training of five paratroopers at once with a full set of equipment and weapons. Last year, the design of the training complex UTK-VDP, intended for initial parachute training, was completed. A schedule has already been set for the supply of such products to educational institutions and units.
According to V. Kochetkov, the appearance of a number of new parachute systems for people and equipment will significantly increase the combat effectiveness of the airborne troops. The ability to drop any equipment in a given area and systems with a long flight range will significantly improve the mobility of troops. An important advantage of the new products will be full compatibility with the "Ratnik" equipment.
On March 6, Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu revealed some details of the rearmament of the Airborne Forces. This year, this branch of troops will have to receive T-72B3 tanks, BMD-4M airborne combat vehicles, BTR-MDM armored personnel carriers, D-30 howitzers and other materiel. The total number of armored combat vehicles and artillery systems for the Airborne Forces, the delivery of which is scheduled for this year, is more than 30 units. Also, according to S. Shoigu, the development of control facilities, material and technical support, infrastructure and training base will continue. The troops will receive not only military equipment, but also reconnaissance and electronic warfare equipment.
On March 14, Colonel General A. Serdyukov told RIA Novosti about some plans to create advanced weapons specifically for the airborne forces. According to him, the industry is currently working on a new anti-aircraft missile system with the code "Birds". This short-range air defense system is created in accordance with special requirements that stipulate the possibility of parachute landing. Thus, for the first time in history, a missile system with similar capabilities will enter service with the Airborne Forces.
As the commander of the Airborne Forces said, at the present time the "Poultry" project is at the stage of determining the technical appearance of the future complex. Over the next few years, the necessary development work will be performed, after which the system will be able to enter service. According to current plans, the Ptitselov air defense system will join the troops in 2022. Thus, the purchases of serial equipment will be carried out within the framework of the new State Armaments Program, in force in 2018-2025. The complexes of the new type are intended to replace the existing Strela-10M3 combat vehicles, which do not have a number of critical capabilities for the Airborne Forces.
Several years ago, when drawing up a plan for the development of the armed forces, the military and political leadership of the Russian Federation decided to make the airborne troops the backbone of the rapid reaction forces. For this, the modernized army needs new weapons and equipment, improved communication and command facilities, as well as other complexes, systems, etc. Special attention should now be paid to the training of personnel. Acting within the framework of the approved plans, the Ministry of Defense has already been able to significantly increase the main indicators of the Airborne Forces; similar processes will continue in the future. And this means that in a few years the command of the troops will be able to proudly report on the complete fulfillment of the assigned tasks and a new contribution to the country's defense capability.
