More Equipment and Support for Ground Forces and Long-Range Aviation
The Russian MoD has revealed details of its anticipated deliveries during 2022, which include additional T-90M tanks for the First Guards Tank Army (1 GTA)and two Tu-160M strategic bombers for long-range aviation.
1 GTA will receive more than 150 new systems, including the T-90M ‘Breakthrough’ MBT, as well as additional T-80BVMs, BMP-3M IFV and BTR-82A IFV. The deliveries are also expected to include the Tor-M2 short-range air defence system, plus combat support assets such as the TDA-3 smoke vehicle, according to a 3 January report published by the MoD.
The Russian Ground Forces as a whole are expected to receive 400 modernised armoured vehicles in 2022, including the modernised BMP-2M Berezhok and T-72B3M MBT. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu stated in December that the Ground Forces, Naval Infantry and Airborne Forces would receive a total of 1,000 armoured vehicles throughout 2022.
Additional modernisations are anticipated for Russia’s NBC reconnaissance troops; 1 GTA, for example, is expected to receive the ARS-14KM decontamination vehicle. Other units will receive the RHM-9 NBC reconnaissance vehicle, based on the wheeled Typhoon-K armoured vehicle.
Improvements are already underway for Russia’s bridging capabilities. A 4 January MoD report states that engineers in the Southern Military District (SMD) have received the TMM-3M2 heavy mechanised bridge. Other SMD units have received ten PST-1 pontoon bridges, which can be used to position other pontoons.
The modernised Tu-160Ms will be added to four Tu-95Ms received in 2021. The aircraft are provided with new EW and navigation systems as well as modern weapons. The deliveries will be accompanied by additional training: a spetsnaz unit from Tambov in the Western Military District, for example, will increase its training by 15%, including night landings from the Mi-8AMTSh Terminator helicopter. On 5 January, the MoD reported that units in the SMD would also use exercises as experiments to validate new combat methods.
The Russian military has undergone extensive modernisation since 2009. Stated plans have included a minimum of 70% modernised equipment, with Ground Forces last on the list of priorities to receive their share of modernised equipment.
