A photo from open sources
We have already written about strange sports. Those of Europeans who have little football, compete in throwing mobile phones, eating hamburgers for speed and captivating worms. American soldiers came up with bed races. The Russian military said, “And we too we can! “In accordance with its national mentality Russians came up with tank races – tank biathlon.
It all started with a joke
Folk rumor ascribes the invention of this sport personally Minister of Defense Shoigu. Allegedly, one day he was told a joke that Russian racers have applied for racing “Formula 1”. Russian pilots caused a panic among rivals, stating that they intend to speak on a car created on the basis of the tank T-72, which, though it drives slowly, but quickly shoots. Having appreciated the joke, Sergey Kuzhugetovich noticed that the T-72 also drives quickly, as he shoots, and the next day he voiced his idea about organization of international tank biathlon competitions.
Perhaps this is only a legend. Every military maneuvers with the use of military equipment is a competition between crews. Before organizing competitions is just one step away. And he was done. First World Tank Biathlon Championships held in August 2013 of the year.
Tank Biathlon – 2013
A photo from open sources
The competitions were held in the Moscow region at the Alabino training ground of the 2nd Guards. motorized rifle Taman division. According to the program, tank the crews had to go 20 km in their cars, breaking obstacles: snake, ford, barrow, track bridge and escarp, hitting along the way, several targets located at a distance from 900 to 2200 m. The competition was attended by the team of Russia, which took I place, Kazakhstan (II), Belarus (III) and Armenia (IV). The members crews who took I and II places, except for medals received the car “Lada”. Belarusians got ATVs, Armenians – medals and congratulations. Everyone was happy and agreed to meet. in a year.
A photo from open sources
A photo from open sources
Tank Biathlon 2014
Competition organizers previously sent invitations to more than 40 countries. In addition to the participants of the 2013 championship responded Venezuela, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Angola, China, Serbia, India and Kuwait. NATO countries amicably refused, but asked if it’s possible to come see? “Well,- answered them – come see. The spectacle will be more interesting racing on the beds. ”
A photo from open sources
In contrast to the 2013 competition, the track was extended by 1.000 m, added a “comb”, anti-tank ditch, slope, fire band and pontoon bridge. The track was extended to 40 m so that the participants in the race could overtake each other. (Can you imagine these races? Formula 1 is resting!)
So that none of the teams have a technical advantage, all Teams perform on the T-72B provided by the Russian side. The crews arrived long before the competition in order to have time to “break in” your tank and do not ask technicians during the competition: “And this button for what? “The Chinese soriginal: arrived with their Type-96 tanks (modernized T-60), having issued them at customs as sport equipment. Marveling at the ingenuity of the sons Celestial and taking into account the peculiarities of the Chinese mentality (they even brought pasta with them), the organizers made for them an exception.
This is not bed racing!
A photo from open sources
From August 4 to August 16 at the test site in the presence of more than 70 thousand spectators (and spy observers from more than 20 states) teams of 12 countries fought for the right to be called “the best tank the crew of the world. ”
The competition program was divided into 4 stages:
- Individual race (3 laps of 7 km with overcoming obstacles)
- Sprint (2x4km) and pursuit (3x4km)
- Sports stage (running, strength exercises, lane obstacles)
- Relay race (3x4km with crew change after each lap)
Each stage includes firing from a firing range from a gun (target “Tank”), anti-aircraft machine gun (“target” Helicopter “) and PKT (target “RPG”).
The first place, as in 2013, was taken by the Russian crew. (Whoever doubted!) As part of the crew, contract soldiers: Bulat Tsyrenov, Alexander Rybakov and Sandan Dashiev. Talking about his plans for the future, each of them said that he plans to enter military school.
The second place was taken by the team of Armenia, last year the former 4th. In addition to medals, the crew received a tank tied with a ribbon T-90 in a gift box. Armed forces of Armenia replenished one more combat unit.
On the third step of the podium drove on their Type-96 Chinese.
Our interest
It would be naive to think tank biathlon is just military sports show. First of all, it’s advertising and promotion. domestic defense industry products, establishing contacts between the military different countries, attracting future allies to the military-political blocks. Western observers carefully studied the list of participants and evaluated the training of their crews. An unpleasant surprise for them very good crew results from India and Serbia.
For the general public, behind the scenes, there were military meetings, politicians and sharks of the arms business. Behind closed doors, wherever called journalists, signed “protocols of intent” and contracts for the supply of Russian military equipment. And since besides tanks, Russia also produces aircraft and ships, then in 2015 in addition to the World Tank Biathlon Championships, we will see Aviadarts, and in the Caspian Sea a class of naval crews will show.
Hurry up to see!
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