The Russian Airborne Forces held over 3,000 combat training events in 2021, Deputy Commander of the forces Major-General Anatoly Kontsevoi told the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper: “It is possible to say that all the tasks have been fulfilled with good quality and in a full volume this year. Over three thousand combat training events, including over 2.5 thousand live-fire drills and tactical exercises were held. It is above the last year's level,” he said.
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Russian paratroopers trained to jump from 10,000 meters in Arctica (Picture source: Russian MoD)
Zapad exercise
The Airborne Forces trained at six ranges in Russia and two ranges in Belarus during Zapad-2021 strategic exercise. They landed operational and tactical assaults, operated as mobile reserves and a strike echelon to seize a stronghold on the seacoast and promote an amphibious assault. The paratroopers also seized residential settlements, important objects, and closed the gaps in defense to promote a high pace of advancing troops.
The paratroopers trained joint actions with a mobile strike echelon and an air assault battalion on BMD-4M vehicles to reinforce the main direction and support the tactical assault, Kontsevoi said.
BMD-4M IFV of the Russian Airborne forces (Picture source: Army Recognition)
New assault methods
The Airborne Forces train new air assault methods and introduce advanced training forms as the troops are rearmed with new weapons and hardware. “This year the methods and techniques of combat actions were linked to increased firepower and maneuvering capabilities of units that changed the composition of weapons and strength. The reform of the air assault and the upgrade of the airborne components played a specific role,” Kontsevoi said.
The forces continue the experiment to create formations of a new type and updated air assault actions in joint activities with army helicopters at Zapad-2021. “The effectiveness of such helicopter units in maneuverable combat in a big space and in various geographic conditions was confirmed by a high air mobility,” Kontsevoi said.
Simulators
The development plan for the training material base was completely fulfilled this year. “The forces for the first time began to receive this year simulators to train fire support and driving of BMD-4M airborne vehicles and BTR-MDM armored personnel carriers. Two simulators have been supplied to Ryazan school and another two are to be delivered to Omsk training center in December. Besides, two modern classrooms for the training of BMD-4M and BTR-MDM crews will be arranged shortly,” he said.
In 2021, the Airborne Forces received 24 sets of simulators and range equipment (over 400 units of technical training means).
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