Tactical advantage: Russian military shows off impressive new gear

The Washington Times ^ | Rowan Scarborough

[McGruff]

Elite Russian troops are displaying a new arsenal of body armor, individual weapons, armor-piercing ammunition and collar radios — a menu of essential gear that gives them a big tactical advantage against a lesser-equipped Ukrainian army.

[McGruff]

Much more info at link. Pretty startling stuff.

[McGruff]

the new-generation body armor, in particular, would provide exceptional protection against small arms if Russian troops go street by street to capture Kiev and other cities.

First time I've heard anyone mention capturing Kiev. I don't see that happening but...

[Blueflag]

“It might be able to deflect NATO’s basic 5.56 mm rifle round. If so, Ukrainian soldiers face a daunting task because their AK-74 assault rifles fire a similar munition.”

Similar?? Really??

I guess that “similar” *IS* a subjective word.

Then again, the 30MM round the A-10 fires is similar; just larger, eh? I mean it IS just a larger assault rifle in the A-10, right?

[McGruff]

Not to worry though.

Biden Arrives in Ukraine as Tensions Rise .

[Bogey78O]

The 5.56 vs 5.45 is similar. The Russians copied it.

[Bogey78O]

The invasion of Georgia. Was a shakedown cruise for the Red Army. They filled the gaps and can field an equipped and competent force.

Not good.

[Blueflag]

Actually I *did* read too fast. Article list AK-74, not AK-47.

Good catch.

I stand corrected.

[Joe Brower]

5.45, 7.62... Modern combat armor resists rifle rounds like these handly now. Our own troops would have had much greater casualty rates over the last 10+ years if not for our own plate-carrier setups.

You can even buy your own for around $300.

Hot, heavy, but it beats getting punched through.

[tumblindice]

We should have some sort of kevlar-titanium hybrid armor, like ‘dragon scales’, for our own troops.
Won’t happen under this administration.
Just another example of Putin v. Barry, CICh. No contest!

[bill1952]

30mm is a cannon round. Not exactly the same thing but I see your point.

[bill1952]

Damn, that’s some kickass armor! Do you wear that with conventional body armor or in place of?

[Joe Brower]

You wear it over a t-shirt, preferably one that wicks away moisture, although here down south that's not good for much.

With the widespread deployment of body armor, over the last few years the US military has beein issuing 'combat shirts' -- undershirts with long sleeves that match the standard jacket in material and camo pattern. Those work really well, although again, they don't keep you from sweating like a hog.

Which is probably why most plate carriers are hydration-bladder compatible. $:-)

[Bailee]

“Putin actually goes out and shoots these things”

The Russian bear is definitley on the rise.

A weak country is what you get when you put a Manchild or Metro sexual in as CiC or SecState.

[Bogey78O]

I figured. It’s hard to have any discussion about the various soviet rifles when a typo or temp dyslexia derails it. Sogiets should have waited a year and made it a 75. I’m sure some supply clerk somewhere had to have had issues.

[fella]

The Soviets used to trot out their best equipment at their parades and circle them back again and again to make it appear that they had tons of the stuff when all they had was just a few.

[Mastador1]

Much more info at link. Pretty startling stuff.

yeah, but it's all stamped "made in China" and they didn't by the extra extended warranty so a year from now it all goes FFFFTTTT!