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Russia preps for future soldier systems trials while opening dialogue with Rheinmetall on kit

Russia has confirmed that tests of future soldier systems will commence in April 2013 as Moscow continues discussions with European defence companies concerning the supply of infantry soldier and battlefield technologies.
Russian defence ministry ground forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Donyushkin confirmed the time scale for the tests on 6 January. He added that preliminary tests carried out in September 2012 involving Russia's indigenous Ratnik package were satisfactory.
Ratnik is made up of more than 40 components, including firearms, body armour, optic, communication and navigation devices, life support, and power supply systems, according to the defence ministry. The equipment can be used by regular infantry, rocket launcher operators, machine gunners, drivers, and scouts.
Significantly, discussions between Russian and European suppliers concerning the acquisition of foreign systems - or technologies for licensed productions - relating to future soldier requirements have continued.
 
Finmeccanica and Rheinmetall
 
Finmeccanica of Italy first confirmed in July 2012 that talks had taken place concerning the supply of the company's future soldier and network-centric technologies; discussions which took place at a government-to-government level.
A spokeswoman for Finmeccanica subsidiary Selex ES confirmed on 8 January that discussions are on-going.
"Last year Selex Galileo, now Selex ES, presented its latest solutions for the digital battlefield in Italy to the Russian end user," spokeswoman Solange Distefano said. "We are still in talks with our potential customer."
Sources close to Moscow informed  IHS Jane's , meanwhile, that Russia has also held talks regarding future soldier technologies with Rheinmetall of Germany. Rheinmetall had not returned calls for confirmation at the time of going to press.
Finmeccanica Future Soldier combat observation suite
Discussions with Italy appear to relate to the Finmeccanica Future Soldier combat observation suite of Selex ES.
This includes: the lightweight, compact Scorpio grenade launcher fire-control system; the ASPIS day/night miniaturised integrated multifunctional individual weapon system; the Linx handheld target acquisition system; and the NIMOS modular, lightweight, helmet-mounted display integrated with a low-light level digital TV for soldier night mobility. NIMOS can receive and display the ASPIS Rifle Sight Infrared (IR) or TV video channels by wireless data link for "shooting around the corner" capability, according to information provided by Selex ES. NIMOS can also be integrated with the C2/C4I systems to directly display digital maps, coded messages, and alarms.
 
Rheinmetall Future Soldier - Enhanced System
 
Moscow's discussions with Germany may have related to the Rheinmetall's Future Soldier - Enhanced System (IdZ-ES).
The IdZ-ES seeks to improve combat efficiency, survivability, and mobility of infantrymen while connecting them to a computer network. The basic system is already operational, but the company is working on the second generation of kit, according to brochures offered by the company.
In a 8 January release, French manufacturer Thales announced it had received a subcontract from Rheinmetall to manufacture and supply 310 night vision goggles of type Lucie II D and 16 IR modules for 30 combat systems for the second-generation IdZ project, as well as SOLAR 400 EG-E radio systems, indicating further progress on the second generation of equipment.
Italy and Germany in Russia.
 
The Russian defence market has opened to foreign suppliers to an unprecedented degree in recent years, and Italy and Germany were among the principal beneficiaries.
Rheinmetall established a partnership with Russia's JSC Oboronservis in 2011 to build the training facility in Mulino in the Volga region by 2014. The EUR100 million (USD131 million) contract is for the creation of a 500 km facility for mechanised infantry training, with services including live combat simulation, commander training, and marksmanship.
Italy, meanwhile has supplied the Iveco M65 light multirole armoured vehicle in knock-down kit and completed form, while Finmeccanica has been involved in discussions relating to the supply of railway technologies, unmanned aerial vehicles technologies, and manned aerospace systems.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin - who heads Moscow's powerful State Military Industrial Commission - visited Italy towards the end of 2012 to hold talks with companies including Iveco, Oto Melara, Beretta, AgustaWestland (of Finmeccanica), and Fincantieri.
The stated aim of the visit was to enhance defence industrial and commercial ties, but also to "reset relations" to ensure greater returns on such accords for Russian industry.
The Russian acquisition of foreign military materiel has proved to be unpopular with the country's military industrial complex.
The policy of greater market openness was pursued by Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who was replaced by Sergei Shoigu in 2012. Shoigu was appointed with a brief to improve procurement in general, and relations between government and industry in particular.

Copyright © IHS Global Limited, 2013
  

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