Russian soldiers compete in the qualifying round of the 2017 tank race
Russian tank soldiers train to prepare for Tank Biathlon 2017.
The 20 best crews of Russia’s 5th Army are competing at the Sergeevskoe shooting range, in the Russian Far East to select candidates to participate in the national qualifying round of the annual tank racing tournament (Tank Biathlon 2017).
The 20 best crews of Russia’s 5th Army are competing at the Sergeevskoe shooting range, in the Russian Far East to select candidates to participate in the national qualifying round of the annual tank racing tournament (Tank Biathlon 2017).
This year, the 83rd Guards Independent Airborne Brigade participated in the competition for the first time.
This year, the 83rd Guards Independent Airborne Brigade participated in the competition for the first time.
The crews all trained and competed on the old T-72B1 tank, before being transferred to the more modern T-72B3 model.
The crews all trained and competed on the old T-72B1 tank, before being transferred to the more modern T-72B3 model.
The main purpose of the Tank Biathlon is to improve the training quality of tank forces, test combat readiness and find outstanding tank soldiers.
The main purpose of the Tank Biathlon is to improve the training quality of tank forces, test combat readiness and find outstanding tank soldiers.
The competition has many different contents, requiring the crew to master control skills as well as use of weapons equipped on the vehicle.
The competition has many different contents, requiring the crew to master control skills as well as use of weapons equipped on the vehicle.
Main activities include racing on complex terrain such as conquering mud, going up and down slopes, as well as overcoming obstacles and crossing rivers.
Main activities include racing on complex terrain such as conquering mud, going up and down slopes, as well as overcoming obstacles and crossing rivers.
The crew will have to fire both the main gun and the 12.7 mm machine gun at predetermined targets at a distance of hundreds to thousands of meters.
The crew will have to fire both the main gun and the 12.7 mm machine gun at predetermined targets at a distance of hundreds to thousands of meters.
At each shooting point, the crew must leave the vehicle to move the ammunition boxes gathered on the side of the road to the compartment before reloading and firing.
At each shooting point, the crew must leave the vehicle to move the ammunition boxes gathered on the side of the road to the compartment before reloading and firing.
A T-72 vehicle is firing its main gun.
A T-72 vehicle is firing its main gun.
In addition to the T-72 tank, Tank Biathlon also has a side competition for the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle.
In addition to the T-72 tank, Tank Biathlon also has a side competition for the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle.
Tu Quynh (Photo: TASS)
