MOSCOW, May 11. /TASS/. The Russian Airborne Force will start setting up tank companies furnished with upgraded T-72B3 tanks in the second half of 2016, a source in the Russian Defense Ministry told TASS on Wednesday.

"The Russian Airborne Force will start setting up tank companies armed with T-72B3 tanks in the second half of the year. They will be expanded into tank battalions within the next two years," the source said.

TASS does not have any official information.

Airborne Force Commander Vladimir Shamanov said earlier that the Airborne Force would set up six tank companies before the end of 2015. The source did not specify the reason for the delay.

The T-72B3 tank is the advanced upgrade of the T-72 tank. Unlike its predecessors, the T-72B3 tank is furnished with new sighting equipment and communications systems. The T-72B3 tank has the Relikt explosive reactive armor and a more powerful engine.