Over 1,500 companies will put on display more than 28,000 pieces of weaponry and military hardware during the Army-2020 forum to be held in Russia next month, a senior Russian Defense Ministry official said.
The Army-2020 international military and technical forum will run from 23-29 August 2020 at the Patriot military-patriotic park, the Kubinka airfield, the Alabino and Ashuluk practice ranges and in Russia’s military districts. One of the forum’s highlights will be the presentation of a unique anti-UAV system at the Ashuluk training ground in south Russia. On top of that, the forum’s business schedule lists more than 170 events.
According to Colonel Oleg Kulakovsky, the Head of the Exhibitions Department at the Russian Defense Ministry’s Main Directorate of scientific research and engineering support of advanced technologies (innovative research), the Ministry will showcase more than 370 pieces of serially produced weaponry, military and special equipment during Army-2020.
“Overall, we expect more than 1,500 companies to participate in the forum’s display section, presenting over 28,000 samples of their products and technologies,” the official said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper, published on Wednesday.
According to Kulakovsky, the Russian Defense Ministry’s display will feature the T-14 Armata main battle tank and the T-15 Armata heavy infantry fighting vehicle with the Kinzhal combat module, as well as other prospective armaments.
Russia will also showcase the BMPT “Terminator” tank support fighting vehicle, the Drok wheeled self-propelled mortar based on the chassis of Taifun-VDV, the Buk-M3 multi-missile medium-range air defense missile system, the Bumerang K-16 armored personnel carrier, the 2S38 Derivaciya PVO self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG), 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV 152mm self-propelled howitzer and modernized T-90M and T-80BVM tanks.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said last month at the Ministry’s board meeting that the Army-2020 defense forum will be held this year in a new format. Alongside the Forum, the International Army Games will open and Tank Biathlon teams will start competing at the Alabino practice range outside Moscow. According to the Minister’s estimates, over 1,000 defense companies will showcase over 25,000 pieces of weaponry and military hardware.
“Difficult epidemiological situation undoubtedly complicated preparations for the forum, particularly with regard to the foreign states’ participation. Official invitations were send to defense chiefs of 133 states. By now, 35 states confirmed the participation of their delegations,” noted Colonel Oleg Kulakovsky.
According to Kulakovsky, at least 11 states (Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, Greece, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Sri Lanka, South Africa and South Ossetia) will send high-level delegations to the event.
Four countries have already organized preparations of their national displays as part of the forthcoming military forum.
“The novel coronavirus epidemiological situation in Russia has improved. It has also stabilized in certain countries, and coronavirus restrictions are being eased. Work with foreign states continues,” Kulakovsky said, adding that sanitary and epidemiological issues will be treated with full seriousness during the forum.
“The forum will be the first large-scale international exhibition in Russia in 2020, held after quarantine restrictions were lifted in Russia and worldwide,” he went on.
According to the official, at least four types of preventive measures will be in place during the forum: barring people displaying symptoms of respiratory viral infection from the event, social distancing of 1.5 meters, use of personal protective equipment and disinfection.
“The entire set of precautions has been carefully thought-out, and we are convinced that it would ensure the safety of all groups of participants and visitors and will not affect the quality of the forum’s events,” the official added.
