YEKATERINBURG. Nov 8 (Interfax) - The 201st Russian military base in Tajikistan will receive the first batch of modernized T-72B3M tanks in November, Russian Central Military District Commander Alexander Lapin told reporters.
"We are continuing to bolster the combat potential of the formation. Before the end of this year, the 201st military base will modernize its fleet of combat vehicles with 30 modernized T-72B3M tanks. We are expecting the arrival of the first trains carrying these vehicles as early as November," Lapin said after an award ceremony for the winners of the district stage of the all-Russia press festival Media Ace Center 2021.
In all, the 201st military base will receive over 60 pieces of modern hardware this year, he said.
Motorized infantry battalions of the base have been supplied with BTR-82A armored personnel carriers and modernized BMP-2M infantry fighting vehicles, while air defense units have switched from Igla MANPADS to modern, all-weather Verba systems, Lapin said. In addition, the 201st military base has received Kornet anti-tank guided missile systems, ASVK-M Kord sniper rifles, AK-12 assault rifles, rocket-propelled infantry flamethrowers with increased range and capacity, and logistics and supply vehicles.
"These measures have significantly increased the fire power of the formation. The troops are maintaining a high level of combat preparedness and are ready to react to any threats in the Central Asian region," Lapin said.
It was reported earlier that the Russian military base in Tajikistan was being supplied with new weapons after the Taliban (terrorist organization banned in Russia) came to power in Afghanistan.