Before the end of the year, the Russian army should finally get rid of footcloths, Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu said on Jan. 14th, at a news conference.
"I ask to provide additional funds to completely abandon the concept of footcloths. It is already 2013, but we still use footcloths in the army," said the minister.
It is worthy of note that footcloths, or foot wrappings, were used in all armed forces of the world, dating back to the army of the Ancient Rome. To date, the armies of many countries abandoned footcloths, but the Russian Armed Forces still use them.
Earlier, it was reported that in 2014, the Russian Army would have new uniforms.
The new uniforms were tested in ground troops and also in special forces. The new uniforms can be worn at temperatures from plus 40 to minus 40 degrees Centigrade.
The set includes 19 items, including suits, jackets, shoes and hats. Five hundred pieces of clothing were tested last year in military units in different regions of Russia. The price of one set of new uniform is 35,000 rubles ($1,200).