Ratnik (program)

Ratnik (Russian: Ратник; Warrior) is a Russian infantry combat system. It is designed to improve the connectivity and combat effectiveness of the Russian Army. Improvements include modernized body armor, helmet with special monitor (eye monitor, thermal, night vision monocular, flashlight), systems of communication and special headphones. It includes 10 subsystems and 59 items. As of October 2016, it has already been used in combat.^[1]

The "Strelets" ("Musketeer") system gives ability of voice and video communication. Also, it includes a GLONASS navigation module, so a squad leader can see location of each soldier on his small, book-sized, computer. With this computer, he also can give orders to his squad, send videos and photos to headquarters. Each soldier has his own tactical computer, but instead of the leader's computer, this one is smaller, telephone-sized.

"Ratnik" protects almost 90% of soldier's body. In general, weight of full "Ratnik" equipment with the special thigh and shoulder bulletproof shields is 19-20 kilograms. Basic "Ratnik" (for engineers and medics) weighs 15 kg (without thigh and shoulder guards).

"Ratnik" passed all of the tests, and has been adopted by the Russian Armed Forces. For the Navy, the bulletproof vest is combined with the life vest, so soldiers and sailors that are thrown into the water won't drown. All marine infantry units were equipped with Ratnik gear as of November 2016.^[2]

In 23 October 2014, the Russian Armed Forces decided to adopt "Ratnik".^[3]

Serial deliveries and batch production of Ratnik began in the first half of 2015.^[4] The Defence Ministry is said to buy 50,000 sets annually.^[5] In October 2014, the Defence Ministry signed a three-year contract for the supply of "Warriors" to the troops.^[6] Prototypes of the kits have already been distributed to select units in the army, Oleg Martyanov, a member of Russia's Military-Industrial Commission, which acts as the government's liaison with the defense industry, was quoted by state news agency RIA Novosti as saying.^[7] According to other sources, the Ratnik collection underwent final acceptance tests in late 2013. All the equipments of Ratnik (firearms, body armor, optic, communication and navigation devices, medical, and power supply systems plus uniform items including knee and elbow pads) have been tested and accepted. Initially only elite troops will receive the AK-12 as part of the Ratnik equipment, while the rest of the ground forces will continue using the AK-74 into the 2020s.^[8] 80,000 sets were delivered in 2015.^[9] About 120,000 sets have been delivered as of autumn 2016.^[10][11]

Gallery

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  Tactical Vest 6Б46

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  Bulletproof vest 6Б45

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  All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment 6Ш117

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  JSC ‘Cyclone’, thermographic monitor

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  Wearable NPI-2 indicator for the soldier.

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  Commanding personal tablet computer

References