The very expensive (380,000 rubles, equivalent to over $12,000 per unit with pre-Crimea exchange rates) Orsis T-5000 sniper
rifle has also been displayed alongside Ratnik gear; it is a very modern chassis-based sniper rifle, and reportedly very accurate:
Image source:
spacebattles.com
This image gives a good view of the ruck and bedroll arrangement introduced with Ratnik.
Ratnik is not just introducing body armor and small arms, however, but also smaller items, like a universal multitool/knife made by Milita, and
a submersible watch made by Vostok-Design. The new
6B47 helmet is made of composite materials and very lightweight, at only 1 kilogram (the US ACH starts at 1.36 kg).
The 6B47 Ratnik helmet, weighing 1,242 grams fully loaded. The ACH in loaded configuration is 1.63 kg. Image source: rbcdaily.ru
6B47 Helmet after testing. Image source rbcdaily.ru
A further focus of the program is networked comms gear, allowing for better integration with electronics systems, and better communication within the organization of the Russian Army. This gear, perhaps somewhat optimistically, is expected to improve the infantry’s effectiveness by 1.5-2 times.
GLONASS GPS receiver with Ratnik gear. Image source rbcdaily.ru
A dummy wearing some of the comms equipment developed for Ratnik. A radio handset and personal computer are visible. While this does not resemble Strelets sets I’ve seen previously, it may be a variant or improved version. Image source: rbcdaily.ru
The Russian army is also introducing new “all-purpose” uniforms, called VKPO.
This picture-heavy article by Denis Mokrushin goes into exhaustive detail about the VKPO uniform, for those interested. The Ratnik program will also introduce new camouflage pattern smocks, shown below:
Ratnik camouflage smocks, in desert and forest patterns.
The equipment expected to be fielded with the Ratnik program has not yet reached service, but field tests began in May of this year. Paratroops who evaluated the new equipment
are reportedly very happywith the new weapons, and vests, but there is some dissatisfaction with the optics, helmets, backpacks, and the user interfaces and software of the electronics (a common problem for military digital systems). Regarding the backpacks, below is a translated segment from the VZ.ru article linked above:
We were given two backpacks: the so-called “Raid”
backpack (V-50 liters) and 10 liters – “Assault”
backpack. If the “Assault” is very comfortable, thanks to good straps, “Raid” is very uncomfortable. Incidentally, inside of assault backpack there is armor plate inserted. It is not clear why they put in there, but if they are pulled out, the
backpackloses its shape and becomes a bag.
(…)
Sleeping bag is too cold and again cumbersome. And the funny thing – it is difficult to fit into the compartment on the raid
backpack designed specifically for it.
Some elements of Ratnik have already been adopted by the Russian Army, but fielding of most systems is not expected to begin until next year at the earliest. Reportedly,
the Ratnik system has already been fielded with Siberian Army Special Forces units, though how much of the equipment they have received is unclear.
Finally,
the Russians are looking ahead to Ratnik-2, a program expected to equip the Russian Army for the late 2030s. That program seeks fairly ambitious advancements in low visibility in the IR and thermal spectrums, as well as color-changing camouflage, and a power supply in the soldier’s vest.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/10/07/the-ratnik-russias-warrior-of-the-future/
