Ratnik (program)

Ratnik (Russian: Ратник; Warrior) is a Russian infantry combat system. It is designed to improve the connectivity and combat effectiveness of the Russian army. Improvements include modernized body armor, helmet with special monitor (eye monitor, thermal, night vision monocular, flashlight), systems of communication and special headphones.

"Strelets" ("Musketeer") system gives ability of voice and video communication. Also, it includes a GLONASS navigation module, so a squad leader can see location of each soldier on his small, book-sized, computer. With this computer, he also can give orders to his squad, send videos and photos to headquarters. Each soldier has his own tactical computer, but instead of leader's computer, this one is smaller, telephone-sized.

"Ratnik" protects almost 90% of soldier's body. In general, weight of full "Ratnik" equipment with the special thigh and shoulder bulletproof shields is 19-20 kilograms. Basic "Ratnik" (for engineers and medics) weighs 15 kg ( without thigh and shoulder guards).

"Ratnik" passed all of the tests, and going to be adopted by Russian Armed Forces. For Navy, bulletproof vest is combined with the life vest, so thrown to the water soldier won't drown.

In 23 October 2014, Russian Armed Forces decided to adopt "Ratnik".^[1]

Serial deliveries and batch production of ratnik will begin in spring of 2015 (March–April). Defence Ministry is said to buy 50,000 sets anually.^[2] In October 2014 Defence ministry signed a three year contract for the supply of "Warriors" to the troops.^[3] Prototype of the kits have already been distributed to select units in the army, Oleg Martyanov, a member of Russia's Military-Industrial Commission, which acts as the government's liaison with the defense industry, was quoted by state news agency RIA Novosti as saying.^[4] According to other sources Ratnik collection underwent final acceptance tests in late 2013. All the equipments of Ratnik (firearms, body armor, optic, communication and navigation devices, medical, and power supply systems plus uniform items including knee and elbow pads) have been tested and accepted. Initially only elite troops will get Ratnik while the rest of the ground forces will be stuck with the AK-74 into the 2020s.^[5]

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