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RUSSIA'S INTERIOR TROOPS TO GET A NEW ARMORED CAR

RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, March 24, (RIA Novosti) - The interior troops of Russia are to get a new armored car able to fulfill missions in cities, Colonel-General Nikolai Rogozhkin, commander-in-chief of the interior troops of Russia's Interior Ministry, told journalists on Thursday.

"In 2005, we plan to test the Tigr armored car, which has been endorsed as an element of road traffic," Rogozhkin said.

He said this vehicle will enable interior units to successfully fulfill their tasks in cities. "The interior troops are gradually going over to new types of equipment. We are giving up heavy vehicles and will gradually replace them with more mobile and lighter armored cars," the general noted.

Apart from that, he said that about 90% of all equipment with the interior troops is in good repair. Rogozhkin also reported that the interior troops are being armed with new non-lethal weapons and new small arms.

"The new specimens of small arms are being supplied mainly to special-purpose units," Rogozhkin emphasized.

He said that at present the interior troops have 16 Spetsnaz units.

Towards the end of 2005, the 46th interior brigade, deployed in Chechnya, will be converted fully to a contract basis, to be followed later by four Spetsnaz detachments. Rogozhkin said that the interior troops now can choose among applicants those who can continue serving under contract.

"Contract boys are certainly good," remarked the general. "At present, 35 to 40 per cent of all special-purpose units are already manned with contract servicemen," he added.