Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/661228
priThe VDV modernization plans show that the priorities of these changes are modernization of a basic weapon systems and – at least partial – rebuilding of the capabilities of transferring a heavier equipment by air. Due to this, the VDV armored vehicles mod- ernization is directly concected the development programs of heavy equipment drop systems. Moreover, an intention to develop capabilities of transferring and landing of armored vehicles confirms a realized program of rebuilding a potential of the cargo trans- port in air forces which is revealed, inter alia, in a planned modernization of the Il-76md aircraft and ordering the new I-76md-90a planes. An evolution of the threats and postulates which resulted from a course of the modern armed conflicts, including those with a participation of the Russian airborne and air assault units, indicate that there is a necessity to modernize a basic VDV com- bat equipment. It is the most significantly proved by the recent war with Georgia which made it evident not only to the military servicemen that the basic combat and airborne support vehicles – the bmd-1p/pK and bmd-2 airborne infantry fighting vehicles, the btR-d armored airborne carriers or the 2s9 nona 120 mm self-propelled mortars – are significantly outdated. In 2011 the VDV modernization pace index increased to about 20%, although dropped to about 10%. According to the Russian data, a percentage of the modern combat equipment in the airborne forces was 45% in 2015 and 76% in 2016. New equipment and doctrine The Russian VDV, which are a separate structure within the armed forces and realize specific tasks as a part of task forces (connected, among others, with a different fight manner), will not be able to use all the new wheeled and caterpillar base platforms of the Land Forces, in that the bumerang (Boomerang, Russian: Бумеранг,), Kurganets-25 (Russian: Курганец-25) or typhoon (AFV family), and even lightweight ones such as IveCo lmv m65 www.fragoutmag.com