Yuri Mikhailovich, what work is now underway on the creation of new engineering equipment, the introduction of robotic systems?
Yuri Stavitsky: work on the creation of engineering equipment, which would meet the most modern demands, we are continuously. In particular now is to develop robotic systems for the engineering troops. So, for the needs of our divisions is created for engineering multifunctional complex robotic demining heavy class IMRT-RT. It is designed for breaching antitank minefields and complete demining of the area. Moreover, this complex is controlled remotely. In addition, work is underway on the creation of engineering multifunctional robotic complex IMRT-FR. This complex is created for the battalions of the assault and obstacle clearing. IMRD-FR required in order to help the engineering assault units to perform tasks under enemy fire in terms of urban and industrial developments. Collaborate with industry to develop proactively new components to engineering equipment – passive exoskeleton and backpack sapper-attack aircraft.
What other novelties can appear in the engineering troops?
Yuri Stavitsky: To increase the mobility of troops is creating new tools to overcome the destruction of obstacles and mechanization of excavation. So, it has been developed and passes the state tests armored universal engineering machine UBIM, which is created on nodes and aggregates of the T-72B3. This machine is equipped with the combat module to defeat manpower and light armored vehicles of the enemy. This new product is created instead of engineering machinery obstacle clearing IMR-3M and petepaladin BAT-2.
in addition, we are working on the creation of armored vehicle-launched bridge MTU-2020. Its capacity increased to 60 tons, which allows to ensure the crossing including the newest tanks T-14 “Armata”. MTU-2020 must replace the armored vehicle launched bridges, which are now on the supply of troops.
we Also develop heavy mechanized bridge TMM-7. In this machine the use of advanced composite materials, which allowed to increase the length of a bridge section up to 16 meters. A new scheme of erection of the bridge, modern hydraulic equipment and increased automation of the Assembly process of the bridge, reduce the time of equipment bridge crossings.
For the needs of the Arctic and the far North is developed the equipment for water UPVC-5. It will be used for desalination of snow and ice, and cleaning water from surface sources. This unit will be able to produce at least 5 Kubo��etrov of water per hour.
What kinds of new weapons and special equipment enrolled in the army corps of engineers in the past year and how much is planned to be delivered in 2020?
Yuri Stavitsky: last year, the troops received more than 133 thousand sets of engineering equipment. In particular, this engineering – mine trawls TMT-To, drill-drum machine BOOM-2, military mobile sawmill complexes, sets the rapid deployment of temporary roads CRWD modern pontoon Park PP-2005, station complex water treatment MSE-10, power station, mobile repair systems, towing motor boat BMK-MO, excavators, mobile cranes of various capacities and more. In 2020, in the framework of the state defense order is planned to supply more than 600 units of engineering equipment.
experts of the International mine action centre, which for a second time were sent to Laos to aid in the clearance of territories after the American bombing, returned home from a five-month trip. Please tell us about the specifics of our engineers in those conditions.
Yuri Stavitsky: To assist the Lao side in the clearance area from October 2019 to March 2020, Laos has completed the task 33 member of the International anti-mine centre of the Russian Armed forces. They cleared an area of more than one hundred thousand square meters in the province of Xiengkhouang.
For site clearance adjacent to the famous plain of jars, a UNESCO world heritage site. In the course of demining discovered 836 explosive objects. Most of them had to dig out of the ground at a depth of two meters.
This high density mining this territory is due to the fact that the Americans heavily bombed area during the Vietnam war in the years 1964-1973. Through this area passed the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail, which served as a corridor for the transportation of personnel, weapons and military equipment.
in Addition to the clearance center teachers held classes with Laotian experts to study the Russian mine-clearing equipment and the protection of the sapper, the order of execution of demining tasks. Only trained 20 professionals. After graduation of the Lao armed forces free of charge transferred military goods – means of engineering armament.
How long have our engineers help Laos get rid of American “heritage”?
Yuri Stavitsky: For the experts mine action centre is the second trip to Laos, the first was from October 2018 to March 2019. Then it was proven 100 hectares in the province of Bolikhamsai. Most of the 340 identified��tion at the mine during the first trip of explosive subjects were cluster sub-munitions dropped by American aircraft. The teachers of the center was prepared by 19 of the Lao military experts in humanitarian demining.
of Course, our engineers is not the first time helping Laos to clear the area. In late 1979, at the request of the Lao government, arrived in the country specially formed in the USSR battalion.
his task was a continuous clearance sections of the district the plain of jars. The work was carried out within six months. During this time Soviet specialists, in spite of severe climatic conditions, has cleared more than 200 thousand items of unexploded ordnance, mostly anti-personnel mines action of the pressure. During the war they “dissipated” with the American planes with the help of special tapes, to block the rebel forces stationed in the plain of jars.
in Parallel with the demining of the area was conducted and training Lao troops, which allowed during the year to prepare a group of engineers, able to perform the work.
And now, after 40 years Russian engineers are back in the province of Xiengkhouang. This is because over time the earth pushes to the surface unexploded ordnance.
generally speaking, that date represent the corps of engineers? What tasks do they have?
Yuri Stavitsky: Engineering troops of the Armed Forces consist of military control bodies, formations, military units and subdivisions of engineering troops of species, genera and troops not included in the types and kinds of troops of the Armed Forces. They are designed to perform the most complex tasks of engineering, requiring special training of personnel, use engineering machinery, engineering, ammunition and engineering equipment.
the army corps of engineers is entrusted with many tasks, the most substantial of which are fortification equipment, and maintenance of engineering barriers, clearance, preparation and maintenance of routes of movement of troops, equipment and maintenance of the crossings.
the Unique diversity of tasks led to exceptional latitude range of engineering equipment among the troops, which are among the most diverse and technically rich, they number more than eight.
Being a constant and systematic work to improve the tactical and technical characteristics of samples of armament and military equipment, had time to prove itself. Created entirely new tools based on breakthrough, innovative technologies.
What events of combat training of the military engineers completed and what ��zaplanirovany?
Yuri Stavitsky: the Main events of combat training in 2020 will be strategic command-staff exercise in the southern military district. They will involve forces and means of the engineer troops of the district and also military units of Central subordination. To control the availability of these maneuvers will be carried out special exercises of engineering troops under my command.
If we talk about those exercises that have already taken place, we can recall that from 10 March to 15 April 2020 on the basis of the 33rd combat training Center of the Western military district (village Moulineaux Nizhny Novgorod region) held a joint gathering of engineering assault units. It was attended by more than 500 engineers, stormtroopers, involved more than 50 units of military and special equipment, including installation clearance UR-77, engineering machinery obstacle clearing IMR-3M, BTR-82A armored vehicles, protected vehicles “Typhoon-K”.
In the course of training to the military personnel of engineering assault units was necessary in the shortest possible time to overcome the terrain with various engineering obstacles, including mine-explosive, to destroy the Outpost and seize the building in two ways.
In the advance they were subjected to fire of the imaginary enemy, which must be suppressed. In addition to storm the building were set various traps and has a system of underground communications in which soldiers have to operate in the dark.
the tasks engineers-storming helps modern combat equipment and special equipment. This is the latest military kit clearance OVR-3SH in which, in addition to fighting special protective equipment providing a high level of protection consists of special hydraulic tools, tools for collections of doors and scaling-ladder, enabling penetration to ground targets and to overcome vertical obstacles.
given the coronavirus situation traditionally, for the seventh time, will be organized the all-army stages of the competitions “Open water”, “Safe route” and “Engineering formula”, which will determine the participants in the international Army games – 2020. They have to demonstrate their skills obtained in the course of combat training.
