MINSK, 15 April (BelTA) – Mechanized units continue preparations for participation in the military parade that will mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet people's victory in the Great Patriotic War. These days crews of the military vehicles are practicing cohesive maneuvering at a special site near the military airfield Lipki, BelTA has learned.
The vehicle column is expected to include 18 parade units led by the legendary tank T-34. A total of 185 units of hardware will be used. The total length of the column will be close to 2km. The column will take ten minutes to pass at speeds of 14kmph. Unlike parades of previous years this year's event will feature only new and upgraded hardware units of the Belarusian army, a parade unit of lightly armored vehicles Lis representing the internal troops of the Internal Affairs Ministry, and a parade unit representing the State Military Industrial Committee of Belarus. The latter will present 27 cutting-edge samples of weapon systems and military hardware.
The mechanized column will include powerful armored vehicles, air defense missile systems, artillery systems and multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS). In particular, those will be T-72B3 tanks, armored personnel carriers BTR-80 and BTR-70MB1, multiple-launch rocket systems BelGrad and Polonez, the air defense missile system Tor-M2, Bogatyr and Drakon vehicles, the armored vehicles Cayman, and unique cutting-edge communications solutions made by Belarusian defense contractors for the army.
The units participating in the parade include only the best, most qualified soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers, who had to pass a rigorous selection process in order to participate in the parade. As part of the preparations they are perfecting their driving skills and maintenance of the vehicles they have been entrusted with, said Deputy Commander of the Northwestern Operational Command, Major-General Vladimir Kulazhin.
In the course of the preparations the drivers pay close attention to maintaining the required distance between vehicles, the required speed and smooth maneuvering as part of mechanized columns. The units drive for about 60km in the course of five-hour practice sessions three times per week. They are expected to drive for a total of about 300km over the entire preparatory period. “The personnel work hard to prepare for the parade, show high responsibility and are ready for the parade,” Vladimir Kulazhin added.
