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Putin tours int’l arms show in Nizhny Tagil

The prime minister examined the state-of-the-art Russian tank T-90S

NIZHNY TAGIL, September 9 (Itar-Tass) —— Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited a static exposition of the 8th international exhibition of weapons, military hardware and ammunition “Nizhny Tagil-2011”, which is timed this year to the 75th anniversary of one of the leading Russian defence enterprises Uralvagonzavod.

The prime minister examined the state-of-the-art Russian tank T-90S. The modernized model of the tank differs from its famous predecessor with a more powerful engine, the reinforced armour, which along with the traditional armour includes the electromagnetic shield system.

Putin was watching a video presentation of the upgraded tank. After the presentation, Uralvagonzavod acting chief designer Andrei Terlikov told the prime minister about the main advantages of the new tank. Putin was so interested in the tank that he took off the jacket and got inside the T-90S tank turret, where the latter tested the control system at the seat of the tank commander. The tank has a circular overview system, laser rangefinders, gunfire sights and other electronic equipment, which is equal to western counterparts.

“We see and shoot no worse than our western opponents, and our armour is beyond any competition,” Terlikov said.

Then the Uralvagonzavod acting chief designer familiarized Putin with a chart, which compares the main features of such armoured vehicles as Abrams (the United States), Leopard (Germany), T-90S and its modernized model. Terlikov noted that the advanced Russian tank contrary to its predecessor and western counterparts is armed with the missiles with a fire range of up to five kilometres, moreover, conventional shells hit the targets at a distance of up to two kilometres.

“We call it ‘a long arm’. So, they see us, but cannot hit us, but we can hit them,” Terlikov noted.

“This is a very important component. This is what the Defence Ministry always claimed for,” Putin answered, referring to the claims of the Defence Ministry for the fire range of Russian tanks.

After the examination of the T-90S tank Putin passed to a static exposition, where he was immediately brought to an artillery system M-309. “Dmitry Anatolyevich [Medvedev] learnt to shoot from this gun,” the prime minister said, adding that this weapon was already decommissioned. “Kudrin also learnt to shoot from it,” Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov added.

After the radar systems and a sophisticated air plasma cutting system, the prime minister examined the long-range supersonic anti-tank missile system Khrizantema-5, which Russia was to supply on contracts to Libya. These three missile systems were lost during the Libyan revolution.

“What is their fate?” Putin asked.

“The fate is unclear,” the prime minister received the answer.

At the end of a tour at the arms show the prime minister examined a new airborne combat vehicle BMD-4M.