MOSCOW, July 29. /TASS/. Russia’s Airborne Forces are to receive 50 newest DMD-4M airborne assault vehicles and 30 Rakushka armoured fighting vehicles before the end of the current year, the forces' commander Vladimir Shamanov told reporters on Wednesday.

It became known in mid-June that new fighting vehicles for the Airborne Forces successfully completed the state test program and were recommended for service.

"By the end of the year we plan to receive 50 BMD-4M assault vehicles and 30 Rakushka vehicles," he said.

He said that the Russian Airborne Forces "have undergone major changes" over the past three years. "Three airborne brigades have been returned to the forces. Five reconnaissance battalions have been formed on the basis of reconnaissance companies and two drone companies have been created," the commander said.

In addition, Shamanov said, modernization of the Ryazan Airborne School is nearing completion, so the school will become "the world’s best military academy" by the end of the year.

Airborne Forces to get 6 tank companies by yearend

The commander also said the forces will get 6 tank companies by the end of 2015. 

"We plan to form 6 tank companies by the end of the year," he said.

Shamanov previously said that all Airborne Forces' formations would get tank battalions.

According to the military official, the Russian Airborne Forces have received additional resources for the research and development work on a wheeled vehicle with a combat module for special units. It has been reported that the Airborne Troops are working on a modular wheeled armoured vehicle jointly with the KamAZ truck manufacturer.