MINSK. Oct 12 (Interfax-AVN) - The Belarussian Peleng Scientific Production Enterprise in co-operation with French electronic-producing firms has developed a thermal image device designed to upgrade T-72 tanks and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, Chief of the Belarussian Armor Service Colonel Leonid Rychenko told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
The device will enable the crew to see the enemy at a distance of up to 3,100 meters at night, Rychenko said.
The fact that the French have already began installing the device on their Leclerc tanks is the best proof of its unique features. Representatives of the Russian Chief Armour Department of the Defence Ministry were present at the demonstration of the device's capabilities; they, too, highly appreciated the result of the Belarussian-French joint programme. Rychenko said the Belarussian Defense Ministry could not afford the new device, its relatively high price being the main reason. However, Rychenko added they were going to acquire several dozens of items as soon as next year.