During the day at the Army-2023 forum, contracts worth more than 400 billion rubles were signed
On August 16, the Russian Defense Ministry signed 11 state contracts with manufacturers of weapons and ammunition at the Army-2023 forum. One of the most significant was the agreement for the supply of the latest wheeled howitzers "Malva". They will serve in the newly formed artillery brigade of the Airborne Forces, which is located in the SVO zone. According to experts, these systems will significantly increase the firepower of paratroopers. Among other novelties presented at Army-2023 are the Drok self—propelled mortar, VKPO 3.0 equipment and new models of small arms.
Long-awaited contracts
At the military-technical forum "Army-2023" on August 16, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation signed 11 state contracts worth more than 400 billion rubles, said the head of the Main Armament Department of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Anatoly Gulyaev.
According to him, as a result of their implementation, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will receive more than 2.5 thousand new samples of weapons, military and special equipment and over 1.8 million units of weapons of destruction.
Among the signed documents are state contracts for the manufacture and supply of a multifunctional robotic mine clearance complex MRTK—R "Uran-6", anti-aircraft missile systems "Tor-M2", 300-millimeter projectiles for the multiple launch rocket system "Tornado-S". One of the most anticipated was the contract for the supply of the newest wheeled howitzers "Malva". During the forum, these systems were shown to the general public for the first time.
Multifunctional robotic mine clearance complex (MRTK-R) "Uran-6" at the exhibition within the framework of the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2023" on the territory of the congress and exhibition center of the military-patriotic park "Patriot"
Image Source: Photo: TASS/Vladimir Gerdo
As sources in the military department told Izvestia, the Malva howitzers will be put into service by artillery brigades, including the newly formed artillery brigade of Airborne troops. In addition to the installations themselves, the troops will also receive special vehicles to ensure the operation of these self-propelled guns. Including transport-loading and fire control systems, the interlocutors said.
The formation of a new airborne brigade was announced on August 2 by the commander of the Airborne Troops, Colonel-General Mikhail Teplinsky. In his congratulation on the eve of the Airborne Forces Day, he noted that during a special military operation, an artillery brigade of this kind of troops was formed, which is already in the combat zone.
Shown for the first time
The 152 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer "Malva" will increase the mobility of heavy artillery and the speed of withdrawal of vehicles from positions, which is very important today in the conditions of active counter-battery work of the enemy.
The 152-millimeter 2A64 gun, which is equipped with the Malva, is similar to what is used on the Msta-S tracked artillery system, which has proven itself in battles. "Malva" is designed to destroy a variety of targets — from infantry and equipment on the front line to tactical nuclear weapons of attack in the near rear at a range of up to 24 km.
Msta-S self-propelled artillery installation during a demonstration of the capabilities of weapons and military equipment at the Alabino training ground within the framework of the Army-2023 International Military-Technical Forum
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Maxim Blinov
Mobility of the howitzer will be provided by the all-terrain chassis of the Bryansk Automobile Plant BAZ-6010-027 with a wheel formula of 8x8. The open installation of the "Mallow" without additional armor protection or a tower made it possible to lighten the car. With an ammunition load of 30 shells, its weight is 32 tons . This is a quarter lighter than the tracked "Msta-S" with the same gun.
— The wheel formula is better speed, better mobility compared to tracked vehicles, — military expert Vasily Dandykin told Izvestia. — There are innovations related to the firing range. Tracked vehicles are now few in the West. They move well on the roads. High mobility means that you can quickly leave firing positions. The rate of fire of the "Mallow" is increased, as far as I know. That is, this weapon is just for paratroopers. It is less heavy, unlike tracked self-propelled guns. The Airborne Forces had the most important guns "Octopus", "Nona", and now there will be a larger caliber, it's still 152 mm.
Visitors at the Drok self-propelled mortar based on the Typhoon-AIRBORNE armored vehicle K-4386, presented at the exposition of the arms exhibition of the International Military-Technical Forum at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Center
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Ilya Pitalev
Another model that is expected on the front line is the 82—mm self-propelled mortar "Drok" based on the mine-protected armored vehicle "Typhoon-Airborne". The machine can act both as a self-propelled gun, firing from a mortar mounted in the turret, and as a means of transportation: the barrel is easy to remove and install on bipods and a plate.
The new 82 mm mortar, in addition to conventional ammunition, can also use new elongated mines with an enhanced charge. This allows you to fire "cannon-style" — direct fire as an assault weapon. Such a universal self-propelled gun of the leading edge can replace several popular options for installing various old models of guns on common platforms at once.
Equipment
Weapons and equipment of military personnel are being changed. Following the summer set of the VKPO 3.0 uniform, the supply of demi-season and winter layers of the new uniform is being prepared for the troops. It is also planned to supply a new modular set of individual armor protection. Its main advantages were the increased area of anti-fragmentation protection, which is important for the conditions of its own, where artillery remains the main means of destruction.
Military camouflage at the exhibition within the framework of the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2023" at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Center
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov
Last week, Alan Lushnikov, president of the Kalashnikov Concern, said in an interview with Izvestia that VKPO 3.0 is the result of several years of hard work by the company.
— We initially created it for the needs of special purpose units, — he noted. — Then, when there was a serious need and the volume of purchased uniforms increased dramatically, we offered our developments to the Ministry of Defense. Now there is a military operation of a large serial batch, it shows a good result. Positive reviews prevail. In our kit, users like first of all ergonomics, the quality of the material and tailoring. We are working very closely with the customer and will increase production volumes.
Other novelties
Changes are also expected in small arms. The next, third generation of the AK-12 machine gun has received many changes from the experience of using it during its operation, both small and quite significant. A new microwave sniper rifle, already mass-produced, is also presented. For the first time in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, a sniper rifle is delivered immediately with a set of all modern additional equipment and equipment, including bipods, a silent shooting device, a backpack and much more.
Visitors at the stand of the Kalashnikov Concern at the exhibition within the framework of the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2023" at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Center
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov
Among the engineering equipment at the forum, a new model of the UBIM universal combat engineering vehicle based on the T-90 tank is presented. It is designed to overcome powerful engineering barriers that the enemy sets up on their prepared lines of defense. The vehicle is equipped not only with powerful armor, but also with modern dynamic protection, so it will be able to operate in advanced armored vehicles during the offensive. The latest universal tool installed on UBIM allows you to overcome almost all common types of anti-tank barriers.
Roman Kretsul
Dmitry Astrakhan
Alexey Ramm
