Russian Land Power Demonstrated at RAE 2013

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Russian Arms Expo 2013 opened today at Nizhny Tagil. This remote site, while far away from Moscow, provides the perfect setting for an excellent show of land power, by far the best live demonstration we have ever seen. While the expo is the ninth such event taking place at the Nizhny Tagil military proving grounds, it is the first organized under the RAE brand, with the ambition to position this event at par with the world’s leading military expos, like Eurosatory, IDEX and DSEI.

Challenging as it may be, given the remote location here at Tagil, the facility has been improved dramatically compared to past years, with three large exhibit halls, two outdoor static displays, with adjacent large tribunes overlooking the proving grounds, enabling thousands of guests to view the display. effective services, internet access, amenities for guests and visitors.

The heart of RAE is the live demonstration, which offers a unique opportunity to get a true impression of the hardware seen on the static display area. Every afternoon, the tanks, APCs, ARVs and trucks shown on the static area are deployed on a grueling test crossing an obstacle course and demonstrating a live firing program showcasing their true ability as effective and operational weapon systems.

This proving ground is perfect for this task, as this relatively empty area Sverdlovsk region in Ural, serving as the gateway to Siberia, was traditionally the heart of the Russian weapons manufacturing. At its center, Tagil offers one of the largest test areas for combat vehicles an artillery.

T-72 family of vehicles on display at the RA e 2013 Outdoor display area. Photo: Noam Eshel,  Defense-Update
T-72 family of vehicles on display at the RA e 2013 Outdoor display area. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update
Terminator (BMPT) tank support vehicle. The manufacturer is planning to unveil an improved model, based on the T-72 tomorrow. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update
Terminator (BMPT) tank support vehicle. The manufacturer is planning to unveil an improved model, based on the T-72 tomorrow. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update
Armored engineering vehicle based on the T-55 platform, the Russian T-72 manufacturer Uralvagonzavod is now offering an entire family of vehicles based on the T-72 platform, replacing the obsolete T-55s. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update.
Armored engineering vehicle based on the T-55 platform, the Russian T-72 manufacturer Uralvagonzavod is now offering an entire family of vehicles based on the T-72 platform, replacing the obsolete T-55s. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update.
Part of the fire support elements displayed at RAE-2013 is the TOS-1A, the vehicle, dubbed 'heavy flamethrower' actually fires 220mm rockets packing fuel-air (thermobaric) warheads. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update
Part of the fire support elements displayed at RAE-2013 is the TOS-1A, the vehicle, dubbed ‘heavy flamethrower’ actually fires 220mm rockets packing fuel-air (thermobaric) warheads. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update
The Eleron 10SV micro-UAV was launched prior to the live display and landed over two hours later, demonstrating effective mission endurance supporting tactical operations. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update
The Eleron 3SV micro-UAV was launched prior to the live display and landed over two hours later, demonstrating effective mission endurance supporting tactical operations. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update
This tracked UGV made its debut he ear RAE-2013, demonstrating the growing Russian interest in robotic vehicles for military, homeland security and emergency response. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update.
This tracked UGV made its debut he ear RAE-2013, demonstrating the growing Russian interest in robotic vehicles for military, homeland security and emergency response. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update.