L0ckAndL0ad

Kurganets-25 up close: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=231253&d=1427363110

I did not study VDV related info as much as I did on Ground Forces, but I'd say that the majority of vehicles in VDV are BMD-2 and BTR-D. BMD-2M upgrades are pending, within 2017 limits. BMD-4M is just getting into service, with small number of vehicles from mass production series that were delivered recently. Regarding BMD-4M: http://community.battlefront.com/topic/118616-question-about-vdv/?p=1590758

Yes, BMD-4M is said to have 80% parts commonality with BMP-3. And I like it very much, it looks awesome with side armor plates on. And it is actually the only IFV in Russian service currently that has thermals.

AFAIK there's no BMD-4 vehicles actually in service. Only the new BMD-4Ms, that are just being built.

Press Alt+Z and select a unit. On a semi-ralated note, you should also try Alt+P to show plotted paths for units. I find it very useful for coordinating movement.

Rear mounted optic suite? I'd say that looking at this profile, it looks like a commander's panoramic sight with 7.62 MG coax just like on T-90SM. How does that relate to this or this photo?

Uhm, how can you make a conclusion that it's similar? The photo you brought up shows only what might be an APS, but not the turret itself. There's a different photo, however. But even here, I bet they've put that box (prolly even wooden) on top of the barrel just to troll foreign intelligence. These kind of photos usually don't get out unless leaked on purpose.

Obj 195? Good god. No, it is not obj 195. You wanna really know what that is? That tilted thing at the back. It's an RTG, alright It takes a lot of power to be a Anyone who played Take on Mars knows I'm right

I don't really find those fan-made size comparison drawings to be correct. UAZ is just 2 meters tall.

Yeah, if you look closely, you can see both commander on the right, and driver's head sticking out in the center. The gunner seat is supposedly on the opposite side to the left from the commander.

Pretty much, yeah. Look at the road sign on the right that's visible at the last second of the video. It doesn't mean "Tank spotters park here and take pictures!" It means that the place is under surveillance.

Ahem... That's Nizhniy Tagil. That's where they make them. And it's exactly the same place where this video was taken:

Funny thing to note. That video was downloading slowly on my end, so I saw the gun and front part of the turret, and then it stopped. I thought it's a fake and actually a T-34 or something similar. But then.. yeah.. So, no multi-gun setup? There's no way it's hidden somewhere underneath that cloth. And not very high profile overall. Just a bit over that UAZ. Also, news about T-50 jet. Like I've said, they've had to cut the numbers. They'd buy only 12 T-50 fighters for now, and see how that goes. (russian source: http://kommersant.ru/doc/2693130)

Sheeet.

Also note that just as 2007-2015 program ГПВ-2015 was modified into ГПВ-2020 in early 2011, ГПВ-2020 is said to be modified in 2018 into ГПВ-2025. They need to realize that good old Soviet 5 year plan time spans were more realistic You might be right. Some suggest that something like this might be underneath: http://www.ampravda.ru/files/articles-1/40409/9f0kt7jy6vqo-5.jpg Note how both T-14 and Kurganets-25 have 7 wheels, compared to, say, BMP-3s 6. More T-14 images:

There are projected cost numbers, but with economy fluctuations they don't really mean anything anymore I guess. The ones I am looking at right now say 2.6 trillion rubles for Ground Forces alone. Again, disregard ships and aircraft. AFAIK they're already not making it in time. Projected numbers are 600 planes, 1000 helicopters, 24 subs, 51 surface ship (14-15 frigates and up to 25 corvettes). Aircraft can be also upgraded, obviously. But I really didn't look into that stuff, so can't say anything more than that. ADDED: They are already exceeding the budget. That's why they'll have to cut the numbers. The priority is to get the ball rolling, that's what I'm trying to say. BMP-3 and even T-90 is the 1980s design. It's 2015 already, it's time to move on. We need those vehicles for a future CM module, do we not?

Nobody said they'd be replacing everything at once. Hell no. Even what I said about BMP-2s going away is my own wishful thinking here. As for the numbers, I've answered Nerdwing on that. The key is to re-configure the production lines. But lets talk numbers a bit. Because the devil is in details. ГПВ-2020 (Government Rearmament Program 2020) is aimed to have 70% modern equipment by 2020. The exact numbers are 2300 armored vehicles (both tanks and IFVs/APCs) and 2000 artillery pieces. That includes keep making BTR-82As and BMP-3s, and upgrading T-72s up to B3 version. They are also considered modern! I haven't seen anyone actually say that they'll re-arm Armed Forces with 70% of next-gen stuff. How many of those 70% will actually be the next gen models remains mystery. What is important is the step towards actually producing them. Does that make it more clear to you? There's nothing too ambitious behind it, really. Added: forgot to add BTR-82AM (from BTR-80s) and BMP-2M upgrades to the list of "modern" stuff.

Oh, I know exaaactly what you mean, mate! I'd settle for those 10x Kurganets-25s and 3x T-14s. Enough to form a Motor Rifle Company Tactical Group. With less cloth, and more add-on armor on

Oh, come on! They did beat the NATO in Kosovo in 1999, didn't they? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incident_at_Pristina_airport

I agree. Almost.Time frame and numbers will most likely be off. But the main thing to do is to re-configure the production lines. I've watched the interview with a guy from Kurganmashzavod. He said that's the most important thing to them - a transition. Thus they're getting ready for mass production before hand, and already doing preparations, while making BMP-3s in smaller quantities to keep workers busy & paid. My point is, even if they'll blew the dead lines, does it really matter? Starting making new stuff is a key. Right now, Kurganmashzavod factories are making, what was it, 400 or 500 different vehicles each year? Also let me reiterate. "Next-gen" stuff is not some magical equipment (tho Armata's radar sounds looney indeed). It won't be even "next-gen" by western standards, I imagine. Should I remind you that BTR-82A and BMP-3 don't even have any thermals? Looking at the picture of Epoch turret and those 10 Kurganets-25 vehicles, would you call them magical? Mmm, yeah, kinda. Wonder how much fatter it'll be with armor plates on.

Uhm, how exactly any of the new gen Russian vehicles can be considered "game-changing"? They are all quite ordinary, if you ask me. Except for some parts of Armata's claimed abilities. BTW, neither of which were actually claimed by MoD, IIRC. Only by press. And lets leave the planes and the Navy out of the picture to make the discussion more on-topic.

Yep. Base model is suppose to be light. Additional protection comes from add-on armor. Note the frontal moving "knife-plate" similar to the one on BMP-3. It sticks out on the sides.

Wow, Kurganets-25 looks cute, even with side armor panels off. Kinda small, like a British Warrior/Scimitar, don't you think?

The height does not surprise me at all. It should be high enough to be functional. Optics should be able to reach certain level. Then there are antennas, meteo station masts, etc. And if it indeed has some kinda 2nd and 3rd medium caliber weapon, it has to be put somewhere too.

Welp, now we're talking. Something. Kinda. There's a higher (kinda) res picture: Khlopotov says that it appears that the turret is facing backwards, and that the side armor plates are taken off.