So, we begin our story about visiting the ARMY-2016 forum. Last year it was, let's say, a test of the pen. We flew in for one day, filmed what we could, and left. This year everything was a little different, and we spent all three days at the forum, when the show was “not for everyone”.
This, by the way, was the main difference from last year. Not bad from the point of view of the correspondent. This year, the organizers decided to make the first three days for guests and the press, and the next - for everyone who wants to see. That, I will immediately notice, is an excellent solution. For the pandemonium that we saw last year is quite comparable to that of Babylon. This was easier to work with.
Although I can't help but notice that for every smart decision, the organizers found a couple of actions that completely neutralize themselves. Army, what they wanted …
But I'll start from the very beginning. And in the beginning there was a letter from the interaction group, in which we were informed that we were admitted to the forum. Perfectly. And at the same time there was a list of what will be shown on the forum, from which not only salivates flowed, my head, excuse me, was spinning. "Armata", "Coalition", "Msta", "Kurganets", BMPT-14, Su-30SM, Su-35 and others, albeit less new, but no less interesting pieces from our military-industrial complex.
By the way, there are no claims to the Ministry of Defense. After reading the letter after one more time, I have not found anywhere a mention of who will be shown everything that we have the right to be proud of. On the spot, it turned out that they would not show us, and, moreover, not mere mortals. Show will be closed to those who, probably, can buy all this.
Moreover, the closed screenings were made according to the principle “everything for the client”. On the first day, having brought us to the training ground for a dynamic demonstration (when they ride and shoot), the organizers without batting an eye, apologizing, however, put us under lock and key for two hours. Since the unscheduled private show began. Apparently, someone jumped into the head to look at something "here and now." By the way, it was funny. The castle was served by riot police, who had drawn out of nowhere, who did not allow to leave the press center more than three meters from the entrance to the press center. And to argue with the riot police … In short, they saw the booze. Everything from Channel 1 to us.
After watching the show, we decided that we would not go to these dynamic impressions again. Time is already short, and spending it on blatant old stuff like T-72 (albeit B3) and "Shilki" with "Tunguska" will be too expensive.
And, after thinking hard, we started looking for new items. Something that will be really interesting to tell about. It turned out there is. True, you have to walk around and look. The main part of the exposition was filled with equipment made back in the USSR, but a lot of interesting things could be found along the edges. And we found it.
Yes, probably, unfortunately for the majority of readers, we will not write or show anything about our new means of destruction, alas. But, nevertheless, there will be materials about modern Russian developments, the essence of which we did not understand immediately. And when they understood, they grabbed a frank thrill from understanding. We hope that you will have only positive emotions.
In general, even in six days, it is unrealistic to go around everything that is presented at the exhibition. That is, just go through and see completely, but talking, filming, and even for people to tell, is difficult here. Unfortunately, far from always, people who are able to develop and embody "what a hell of a thing" in metal can tell beautifully about it on camera. But everyone tried.
In general, the impressions from the forum were positive. If we put aside some of the frankly strange jumps of the organizers (such as the incomparable idea of paid parking) and the everlasting army mess, it’s not bad at all.
But only one question arises. Why can't we show Russians what they pay for? Why can we see the latest developments in action only on TV and without the slightest comment? Such a strange attitude. Carefully observing the flags on the passes, from what I know, I saw China, Vietnam, the Emirates, Brazil, India, Pakistan, Iran. I am simply silent about African countries, along the way they were there everyone who had money. Although those who do not have them, they also did.
This was probably the biggest negative. I wanted, of course, to see our new products point-blank, but if it is impossible, then it is impossible.
Otherwise, we can say that the forum was a success. It was very good in terms of information support, this year there were more volunteer students who did their best to help find this or that object. And it almost always worked.
There were many radio-equipped medical students on tricycles with first aid kits. There was even a bike rental for those who wish. But the most popular means of transport after the buses that ran between clusters was the fold-out scooter.
Evaluating our work, I think it turned out quite well. We saw a lot, filmed a lot. So we think everyone will like it. And let's start, perhaps, with a new cluster, which should have been opened exactly by the beginning of the forum, the videoconferencing cluster.
