RUSSIAN MOD PLANS TO PROCURE MINE CLEARANCE ROBOTS

The Russian Ministry of Defence revealed plans to deploy robotic systems for munitions disposal and mine clearance operations in the battlefield, taking soldiers away from dangerous situations. The MoD issued an invitation to tender, requesting the production of new types of weapons and military hardware, including robots. Currently being considered is the procurement of civilian robotic equipment, including snow and swamp-traversing vehicles, Yel-10 and Yel-4 firefighting complexes and LUF-60 tracked firefighting support units. Robotisation of critical military missions is not only expected to protect soldiers, but also results in RUR75bn ($2.4bn) as cost savings to the ministry between 2012 and 2014.