Russian Military To Get New Soldier Uniform By 2015

The Russian military has tested and plans to implement its new future soldier uniform, equipped with 40 components including firearms and navigation devices by 2015. The Ratnik is a light weight with summer and winter variants, includes firearms, body armor, optic, communication life support and power supply systems, knee and elbow pads which can be used by rocket launcher operators, machine gunners drivers and scouts. Ratnik was tested during recent Caucasus-2012 command post exercise. In 2011, Russia planned to buy Felin infantry combat system suite from France but later decided to produce the equipment on its own. The military also tested the Zarya (“Dawn”) troop command system during the Caucasus-2012 exercise, Chirkin said. The system needs improving, but will likely be finished in the next few years, he said.