MOSCOW, November 2. /TASS/. Russia’s Central Research Institute of Precision Machine-Building (TsNIITochMash, part of the state tech corporation Rostec) is working on the Ratnik third-generation soldier’s combat outfit, President of the Kalashnikov Group Alan Lushnikov said on Wednesday.
"As you know, the Ratnik is second-generation gear. We are now moving on to developing the third generation. TsNIITochMash is the key institution in this process. This is its primary competence," he said.
"When we talk about combat gear, it consists of several systems, including the weapons suite. It, of course, also includes small arms ammunition. Various options of ballistic solutions are being explored. This is all in the works right now. I can’t disclose the details but this work is ongoing," he said.
As its key feature, Ratnik second-generation combat gear offers an opportunity to adapt the outfit to a soldier’s physical abilities and particular combat missions. In addition to the baseline combat gear, the defense contractor has developed the commander’s version, outfits for snipers, machine-gunners and crews of combat vehicles.
The Ratnik integrates individual protective gear and means of protection against weapons of mass destruction. The combat outfit’s weapons suite includes small arms, ammunition and sights. The Ratnik also offers an opportunity to integrate a fighter into the single troop command and control system based on communications, control and navigational devices.