Army 2016 forum: Top 8 newest Russian weapons

Military machines displayed during the international military-technical forum ARMY-2016 at the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Center in the Military Patriotic Park of Culture and Recreation of the Russian Armed Forces, near Moscow.

Military machines displayed during the international military-technical forum ARMY-2016 at the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Center in the Military Patriotic Park of Culture and Recreation of the Russian Armed Forces, near Moscow.

Alexey Filippov/RIA Novosti
Russian weapons designers have presented over 11,000 items of modern weaponry and equipment at the Army 2016 international military and technology forum in the Moscow Region. We’ve selected eight of the most exciting pieces on show.

1. Drel aerial bomb 

This 540 kg glide cluster bomb is intended for hitting targets at a distance of 30 km (20 miles). Infra-red and radar-guided, it is used for destroying enemy armored vehicles, command posts and power units.

Drel aerial bomb / Source: Dmitry Reshetnikov/TASSDrel aerial bomb / Source: Dmitry Reshetnikov/TASS

It operates despite natural and man-made interference.

2. Soratnik robot

This is a system for rendering fire support to troops, patrolling and guarding an area. The robot is remotely controlled, with further upgrades (the Kalashnikov concern is now working on these) potentially not requiring any human intervention at all.

Soratnik robot  / Source: Press PhotoSoratnik robot / Source: Press Photo

The tracked chassis robot can be fitted with light firearms. In its basic version, it has an AK-74M assault rifle and a Dragunov sniper rifle.

3. Floks self-propelled artillery system

This is Russia’s first self-propelled artillery system with a 120 mm gun. It combines the functions of a long-range weapon, a howitzer and a mortar. It can fire at enemy positions at a distance from 100 meters to 10 km (110 yards to 6 miles).

Floks self-propelled artillery system / Source: Ladislav Karpov/TASSFloks self-propelled artillery system / Source: Ladislav Karpov/TASS

It has a remote combat module with a 12.7-mm Kord machine-gun installed on its roof.

4. Uran-9attack robot

This robot conducts reconnaissance missions and provides fire support for troops; it can also be used in counterterrorist operations. It has a 30 mm automatic gun and a 7.62 mm machine-gun, as well as Ataka anti-tank guided missiles.

Uran-9 attack robot / Source: Ladislav Karpov/TASSUran-9 attack robot / Source: Ladislav Karpov/TASS

The robot can operate at a distance of 3 km (2 miles) from its operator. By the end of 2016, five of these robots will come into service with the Russian armed forces.

Each comprises four combat vehicles: a reconnaissance robot or a fire support robot, a mobile post, and two power tugs.

5. Gibka-S air defense vehicle

The system is intended for protecting military units from enemy aircraft at low and super low altitudes (1,600 and 500 feet respectively). It is fitted with the newest portable surface-to-air missile system, the Verba.

Gibka-S air defense vehicle / Source: Press PhotoGibka-S air defense vehicle / Source: Press Photo

Eight missiles can be mounted on the vehicle.

6. RPK-16 light handheld machine-gun

The new RPK-16 for 5.45 mm cartridges is an upgrade of the Soviet RPP-74 machine-gun.

This model has a Picatinny rail, making it possible to fit it with any type of sights, from night to thermal to collimator to optical sniper sights.

RPK-16 light machine rifle at the Kalashnikov pavilion / Source: Grigoriy Sysoev / RIA NovostiRPK-16 light machine rifle at the Kalashnikov pavilion / Source: Grigoriy Sysoev / RIA Novosti

According to its designers, the machine-gun can be used to fire single shots and hit 20-cm-diameter targets from a distance of 300-400 meters (according to its technical and tactical characteristics, the machine-gun can hit enemy personnel at a distance of 800 meters).

The machine-gun has got a lighter 96-round drum magazine. The weapon now weighs just 4.5 kg.

7. Vikhr reconnaissance robot

The Vikhr reconnaissance and strike robot has been created on the basis of the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. The system, which can operate on a tracked or wheeled chassis, has a 30 mm gun and a 7.62 mm machine-gun as well as Kornet-M guided anti-tank missiles.

Vikhr reconnaissance robot / Source: Dmitry Reshetnikov/TASSVikhr reconnaissance robot / Source: Dmitry Reshetnikov/TASS

In its automated mode, the robot can detect, capture and track targets, with the decision to fire still taken by the module operator. Thanks to an HD camera and a thermal imager, the Vikhr can operate at any time of day or night.

8. BT-3Famphibious armored personnel carrier

The new amphibious personnel carrier can accommodate up to 12 paratroopers and can withstand fire from the 14.5 mm KPVT large-caliber machine-gun from a distance of 200 meters.

BT-3F amphibious armored personnel carrier / Source: Press photoBT-3F amphibious armored personnel carrier / Source: Press photo

On its roof, the BT-3F has a remote combat module with a 7.62 mm machine-gun fitted with a television and a thermal sight.

In future, the turret will be able to accommodate a 12.7 mm or a 14.5 mm machine-gun as well as a 30 mm or 40 mm grenade-launcher. 

Video: See the T-14 Armata and other Russian tanks in action>>>

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