Rússia duplica paraquedistas:
já sobe de 36 mil para 72 mil.
Russia is planning to double the size of its Airborne Troops (VDV) by 2019 to 72,000 personnel, it has been reported. A "high ranking" General Staff source told Russian news agency ITAR-TASS on 6 August that the Ministry of Defence has approved the proposal. Despite the increase, this would not take the armed forces over the currently authorised total of one million military personnel. ITAR-TASS reports that a third manoeuvre regiment will join existing airborne divisions and brigades, and entirely new formations will also be established. The airborne's current Spetsnaz regiment will be expanded to a brigade before the end of this year. Meanwhile, the commander of the Airborne Troops, Colonel General Vladimir Shamanov, told news agencies on 1 August that his branch intends to acquire more than 1,500 new BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicles, and 2,500 BTR-MD/BTR-D3 Rakushka troop transporters by 2025. Four thousand new combat vehicles would more than fully re-equip the airborne's current manoeuvre battalions. As recently as 2009 he believed only 200 of the new tracked BMD-4Ms would be purchased. Gen Shamanov said that in 2015 the airborne will receive two "battalion sets" of 32 BMD-4Ms, along with more than 20 Rakushkas.
Airborne units are currently field-testing both new combat vehicles. The VDV chief indicated that the airborne troops have reached a long-term agreement with vehicle maker Kamaz to develop more wheeled vehicles with different turrets or "combat modules." He said that a multipurpose vehicle might come in fire-support, mine-clearance, and other variants. Airborne forces are already using various configurations of the wheeled Kamaz Tigr 4x4 military utility vehicle, according to Gen Shamanov. The airborne commander also confirmed that his branch will receive its first strike-capable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in 2015. As reported earlier, the reconnaissance company in each of Russia's three airborne divisions will expand to a battalion on 1 December. Gen Shamanov said that his branch is not planning a permanent presence in the Arctic, but will continue training in Russia's far north. He indicated that a training centre for the ground forces, naval infantry, and airborne in Pechenga is being considered. The airborne will also conduct joint exercises with the Northern Fleet in 2015.
