ST.PETERSBURG. Jan 4 (Interfax-AVN) - The local Research and Production Association of Special Materials has completed operational development of an individual engineering set for sapper units, spokesman for the association Alexander Sautkin said on Friday.
The engineering set was designed by the association together with the administration of the head of the Defense Ministry engineering troops, Saro JS located in the town of Vorsma in the Nizhny Novgorod region and Proyekt R&D institute located in the Siberian city of Tomsk, Sautkin told Interfax-Military News Agency.
Some elements included in the set were upgraded after they were tested in real conditions. The set was used for accomplishment of specific combat missions, Sautkin said.
The engineering set comprises an individual masking device, its pillar that is also used as a prod, masking suits used for protection from wind and dirt, a combined infantry spade, a universal sapper grappler, a universal sapper knife, an individual stream-crossing device, special miner bags and a sapper's relief vest. A commission watching actions of the servicemen concluded that the set met all functional requirements. Expert assessments confirmed their conclusion.
Sappers fitted with the engineering set have been involved in surveying troops routes as part of a Land Forces maneuver party, as well as in accomplishment of combat missions related to deactivation of explosive devices, mine clearance and demolition works.
Tests of the set will resume in summer and continue until autumn, Sautkin said.