Russia may develop a domestic version of ‘future soldier’ gear in the next three years, a high-ranking defense industry official said on Thursday.
“I think that an [Russian-made] infantry soldier system will appear in the next three years,” said Yury Borisov, first deputy chair of the Russian Military-Industrial Commission. “I believe that Russian arms makers are quite capable of creating ‘future soldier gear’ which can compete with any similar equipment in service with other armed forces around the world.”
Borisov said the Russian version would have a “reasonable” weight and consist of at least 10 modules to make it adaptable to different combat situations.
A typical infantry soldier system weighs less than 25 kilograms (55 lbs) and includes weapons, ammunition, combat clothing with body armor, a ballistic helmet, a portable computer and various communications equipment.
The Russian Defense Ministry said in February it was holding talks with France on the purchase of Felin advanced ‘future soldier’ equipment for “testing purposes.”
Some of the early ‘future soldier’ equipment was tested by the United States in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Various versions are being introduced as standard infantry soldier gear in NATO member states and some other countries.
Combat gear of Russian soldiers