MOSCOW, May 24. /TASS/. Tank battalions will be set up within six air assault large units of Russia’s Airborne Force before the end of 2018, a high-ranking source in the Airborne Force told TASS on Tuesday.

"All our air assault large units, i.e. two divisions and four brigades, will start setting up tank companies in the second half of the year. We are planning to complete this work by the end of the year to transform these companies into battalions," the source said.

"Thus, each air assault large unit will have a T-72B3 tank battalion by 2018," the source added.

TASS does not have any official information.

Airborne Force Commander Vladimir Shamanov said earlier that the Airborne Force would set up six tank companies in 2015.

According to the source, these plans were not fulfilled "due to financial problems."

"These plans have been adjusted and we will start fulfilling them in the second half of the year," the source said.