Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Col. Sergei Vlasov said on Monday, “A military delegation, headed by Deputy Commander of the Russian Ground Forces Lt. Gen. Nikolai Bogdanovsky, is on a three-day working visit to Italy to exchange experience in the development of combat gear.”
According to RIA Novosti, Russian officials are going to inspect versions of the Italian Forza NEC system in both field and static display conditions. The system is manufactured by a consortium of five companies led by Selex Communications and includes a Larimart computer using a standard 4-inch touch-screen for command and control, GPS and GIS. Additionally, there is a protection component with body armor featuring stab protection and protection against 9-mm rounds as well as a helmet with two visor options; bullet-proof and frag protective. Also included are laser protective goggles. Finally, the clothing component is FR and offers CBRNE options. However, it is not expected that the Russian delegation will expect much interest in the Italian ARX-160 rifle.
Once again, this is very much a NATO ‘Starship Troopers” program and not the first time that the Russian military has expressed interest in NATO Soldier Modernization Programs. Just a year ago, they expressed interest in purchasing copies of the French FELIN system. Their goal is to launch a domestic Russian program in the near future.
