From the Kremlin, however, a hard-line was taken immediately and in December 1994 a full-scale military intervention started. This majority Muslim country tried to secede from the USSR already in November 1991, and declared independence, headed by General Dzhokar Dudayev. The ground Forces were then rapidly involved in a series of conflicts on border states, nationalistic insurrections of minorities following the end of the Soviet Union and the lifting of its iron fist on these regions. Almost a cold case of conscience emerged when Boris Elstine ordered the attack on the parliament, by a reluctant General Grachev, then at the head of the newly-formed Russian Ground Forces. Just created with what was left of the gigantic stockpiles of Soviet AFVs, the Russian armored forces were reorganized, following the Internal crisis of 1993 -due to the constitutional change and set up of a federation. Not only it counts many innovative features like a central capsule system and unmanned turret with a wide array of remote-controlled weapons, but the chassis is also conceived as a base for a whole family of tracked vehicles, including a new generation IFV (intended to replace the BMPs), and tracked APCs as well, among others.Īlthough criticized for costs overruns, its the most striking symbol of the Russian Ground Forces full recovery of its potential and a way forward. Sharing only with previous MBTs its low profile silhouette, this tank, years in the making is probably one of the most daring project and possibly a forerunner of 5th generation Main Battle Tanks. A quarter of a century after, at the occasion of a memorable may parade on the Kremlin red square, the Armata was unveiled. It would be years after the political turmoil following the collapse of the Soviet Union before Russia could emerge as a potent military power, with the inheritance of a massive Soviet army counting many obsolete models, no wages, no ammunition or even gasoline to operate properly.

Modern Ground Forces of the Russian Federation (post-1990) Vehicles

Lego russian modern tank