"We plan to designate areas in which further work will be carried out based on ongoing analysis. We expect to decide on this by the end of this year," TsNIITochMash CEO Dmitry Semizorov told RIA Novosti.
Semizorov outlined improving a "future soldier’s" combat efficiency and preserving life as two priority development areas. New and updated Ratnik equipment will include communications and ballistic improvements, as well as body armor material based on advances in ceramics research, he said.
The infantry combat system, protecting nearly 90 percent of the soldier’s body, is designed to improve Russian Armed Forces combat capability and connectivity
"Speaking of deadlines, we consider changing combat equipment within four, five, six years. Global experience suggests that, as a rule, the lifespan of combat equipment is four to five years," the chief executive stated.
Izhmash Unmanned Systems arms manufacturer deputy director Evgeny Zaitsev said last month the new gear would be equipped with newly-developed Muha drones with a 3-mile flight capacity over a span of up to 45 minutes.
