Yes, the Russians are working on a Future Soldier System program but it appears that their near-term plan is to purchase FELIN systems (Fantassin à Équipement et Liaisons Intégrés or Integrated Equipment and Communications Infantryman) from France, perhaps as a means to kick start their effort and get caught up. Cats and Dogs living together. While the deal still has not been inked, the purchase would only be for test articles of an as yet undetermined number. “The Voice of Russia” has a gallery of FELIN photos, so check them out.
However, we have read several reports over the last two weeks that indicate that the Russian military intends to eventually begin a domestic effort to digitize the Soldier. However, according to First Deputy Defense Ministry Vladimir Popovkin the system won’t be ready until 2020.
This isn’t the first modernization program that Russia is outsourcing to foreign concerns. They have also contracted to purchase two Mistral helicopter carriers from France as well as Iveco armored cars from Italy. In both cases, the initial systems will be produced in the originating countries and future examples will be built under license in Russia.
