MOSCOW, September 14. /TASS/. The new-generation Armata platform, medium platform-based Kurganets-25 tracked infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and Bumerang wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC) will start their operational trials in 2016, Russian Army Commander-in-Chief Oleg Salyukov told journalists on Monday.
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"The development of the advanced armored vehicles, such as the Armata-based tank and IFV, Kurganets-25 IFV and Bumerang APC, are on schedule. The efforts are planned for completion in 2016 along with the official trials," he said.
The service chief also said that small-batch deliveries of the hardware were planned for the same period to conduct operational test and evaluation.
The Armata is a commonized heavy platform that has served as a basis for a tank and an IFV. An armored recovery vehicle is being derived from it too.
The new tank has been furnished with an unmanned turret, all-digital controls and an isolated armored crew compartment. Its main armament is a 125-mm gun, but the introduction of a 152-mm gun sometime in the future is a possibility.
The Kurganets-25 platform is another novelty along with the heavy Armata, medium Bumerang and light Typhoon. The IFV derived from it was displayed in Moscow on May 9 during the Victory Day Parade. The platform is expected to spawn a 120-mm self-propelled artillery piece and a 57-mm antiaircraft gun system.