Russia's armed forces phased in over 20 new models of weapons in 2003

In 2003, the Russian Agency of Conventional Arms (RAV) supplied more than 20 new models of armaments and military equipment to the Russian Defence Ministry and other security bodies, the RAV's press service told RIA Novosti Wednesday.

The Russian Defence Ministry adopted a new Tunguska M-1 gun/missile system designed by a Tula-based instrument engineering office.

"This model's combat capability exceeds both previous Russian models and analogous foreign models. Its radar-optical control system is highly jam-resistant and ensures high precision homing, which allows it to track and hit targets in any weather conditions, day or night," said the agency.

Russia's security agencies phased in three of the newest models of 9mm pistols, a GSh-18 small pistol, a Yaryghin pistol and a Serdyukov self-loading pistol. "The tests of the Khrizantema anti-tank guided missile system and the Iskander high precision ground-to-ground missile system have been completed," said the arms agency.

Moreover, Alfa produced a universal night-vision targeting device, the Alfa-1962, which is designed for precision firing from small arms, reading maps and driving vehicles in poor visibility.

In 2003, the companies within RAV worked on designing weapons for antiterrorist operations, including devices for detecting underground hideouts and drugs, and for sensing targets.