Russia decides to reinforce airborne troops with aviation units
The Deputy Commander of the Russian Airborne Forces, Lieutenant General Alexander Vyaznikov, announced at the meeting with foreign military attaches that Russian airborne troops will be reinforced by army aviation, air defense and anti-missile units, reports Interfax.
Speaking about the development of the Airborne Forces, Vyaznikov pointed out that there are significant threats to the security of Russia, which affect vital areas of the state’s activity. To prevent them, Russia will continue to develop mobile components of the armed forces, said Vyaznikov.
“In the future, the land component will be strengthened by the formations, which will include units of army aviation, air defense and missile defense, with an integrated capacity for striking an enemy,” explained the lieutenant-general.
In May, the Airborne Forces Command announced the transfer of the newest weapons to the Russian military. The paratroopers received drones Orlan-10 and Eleron-3, combat vehicles BMD-4M and armored personnel carriers BTR-MDM Shell. In August, the Commander of the Russian Airborne Troops, Andrey Serdyukov, reported that land troops will have three new tank battalions by the end of 2018.
Until 2010, the Airborne Forces had their own transport avaiation. However, in 2010 it was transferred to the Air Force. Airborne combat vehicles and various types of armored personnel carriers remain in service of the Airborne Forces.