Defense Minister Serdyukov indicated today that, although Russia is interested in foreign light armored vehicles, it won’t buy any, and wants to produce its own.
During last week’s visit to Italy, IVECO put on a demonstration for Serdyukov at Moscow’s request.
According to RIA Novosti, Serdyukov said:
“The Defense Ministry is actively studying modern tendencies in arms employment. Particularly in transporting personnel, medical personnel, and also reconnaissance in light armored vehicles. The experience of Afghanistan and Iraq and our experience (in the regions), where explosions often occur, shows it’s essential to transport Defense Ministry sub-units in armored vehicles.”
Maybe Serdyukov should have said we already transport troops in armored vehicles, but we need to transport them in good, modern ones.
Serdyukov also noted that Germany is actively studying armor protection for troops, and Russia’s Defense Ministry is interested in similar production of its own. He called Germany the leader in armor, and noted that German armor is mounted on Italian vehicles. Serdyukov continued:
“We’re not talking about purchases of these vehicles in Italy or another country. The main thing is to organize production of such equipment in Russia.”
Russian Defense Policy 