Alexey Fedorovich Maslov: biography. Alexei Maslov, Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, Colonel General: "Land groups are the only way to control the territory" Maslov General of the Army

08.07.2020

On June 1, the summer training period started in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. As practice shows, it is always more intense than in winter, and full of military exercises, shooting, hiking, flying, driving military vehicles. But what are the specifics of summer 2007? Is the supply of material sufficient? What are the main combat training activities planned for this period, and how will the transition of the army to one year of conscription service affect the combat readiness? Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces General of the Army Alexei MASLOV answers these and other questions in an interview with Military Industrial Courier. The conversation took place after the commander-in-chief completed checking the start of summer combat training in the 423rd motorized rifle regiment of the 4th Kantemirovskaya tank division.

PRIVATE BUSSINESS

MASLOV Alexey Fyodorovich

Born on September 23, 1953 in the village of Panskoe, Soviet District, Kursk Region. Graduated from the Kharkov Higher Tank command school(1974) military academy Armored Forces (1984), Military Academy General Staff(1998). He began his service as a platoon commander in the Carpathian military district. In 1986 - regiment commander, then - deputy division commander in the Central Group of Forces. Since 1990 - deputy division commander in the Volga-Urals military district, since 1994 - commander of a tank division. In 1998, he was appointed Deputy Commander of the Trans-Baikal Military District for combat training. Since 1999 - head of the combat training department of the Siberian Military District, then served as chief of staff - first deputy army commander of the Siberian Military District. In 2001-2003 - commander of the army corps of the Siberian Military District. Since March 2003 - Chief of Staff - First Deputy Commander of the North Caucasus Military District. By Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of November 5, 2004, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces. Awarded with the Order"For Service to the Homeland in the USSR Armed Forces" III degree.

- Alexei Fedorovich, before talking about the features of the summer combat training-2007, maybe we will briefly summarize the results of the winter period of training? What did he show? After all, everything, you see, is known in comparison ...

- Well ... The winter period of training in the Ground Forces was characterized by high intensity in combat and operational training. More than 550 tactical and about 250 command post exercises were conducted different levels, of which 40% on the ground. More than 4,000 firing squads and platoons took place. If we talk about the emerging trends, then with particular satisfaction I note a noticeable qualitative increase in the level and effectiveness of the combat training of troops. Stable financing in 2007 allows us to increase the specific expenditure in combat and operational training up to 25% per serviceman. This makes it possible to plan and conduct large-scale events. Much has also been done for methodological support combat training. Over the past three years alone, the High Command of the Ground Forces has prepared about 30 new statutory documents, as well as a number of teaching aids and programs.

The 423rd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment, where we are now, and other units and subunits of the 4th Tank Division showed their increased capabilities during exercises and training last year. As for the summer training period, this is an important starting point for every soldier. This is a hot time when we have to hone our skills with renewed vigor, improve the system of combat training, increase the power of formations and military units. Brigade and regimental tactical exercises with live firing will be held in all districts this summer. One of the largest - in August at the Chebarkul training ground (Volga-Urals military district).

The main task of training units and subunits in this period is to ensure the required level of combat and mobilization readiness. In the training of troops, all subjects of instruction (primarily firearms, driving) will, figuratively speaking, be subordinated to tactical training. What is it for? In order to achieve such a level of combat training of each serviceman, subunit, military unit, formation, which would allow to confidently carry out combat missions by destination.

- You spoke about the task of units and subunits. And what will be emphasized in the individual training of servicemen? After all, the coordination of units consists of many components ... What are the main events planned here?

- As Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, I determined that the main task of training troops is to increase the level of individual training of military personnel. First of all, of course, during the field training of formations and military units of constant readiness. The training of military personnel will be based on training in the methods of operations on the battlefield as part of crews, combat crews and a combat group with the maximum use of the combat capabilities of standard weapons. More attention will be paid to the coordination of units - this is a platoon, company, battalion. It will be based on live firing as part of squads and platoons, as well as company tactical exercises with live fire. The battalions will be trained as tactical groups capable of leading fighting on one's own.

In general, the main tasks in the summer period of training will be to increase the level vocational training officers; field training of formations, military units, permanent readiness formations transferred to the contract method of recruitment, without additional coordination; training of motorized rifle and tank battalions to conduct combat operations together with units of the types and branches of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

In the new training period, we planned to conduct tactical (special tactical) exercises not only with subunits, but also with military units and formations as the final stage of their coordination. There will also be anti-terrorist exercises. As I already said, one of the large-scale exercises will be at the Chebarkul training ground with the armed forces of the SCO countries - the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. From our side, up to 2,000 servicemen will be involved. The ground forces, in particular, will be represented by formations and units of the 34th motorized rifle division. Army and front-line aviation, special units of the Internal Troops and the FSB, and other anti-terrorist departments are involved. Approximately 600 members of the Chinese Armed Forces will also arrive. The rest of the countries will be represented by separate divisions. We use over 500 vehicles. To date, almost all issues have already been agreed upon, documents have been developed, and the arrangement of places for the exercise and accommodation of military personnel is being completed. At the stage of solution is the issue of the passage of Chinese military personnel through the territory of Kazakhstan.

Let me emphasize that combat training is the main thing in the activity of all commanders and chiefs. Therefore, the approach to its organization and conduct should be appropriate. Each training session, lesson, exercise must be carried out with maximum efficiency and benefit. And the most high task is the revival of the former glory and power of the Ground Forces as a branch of the Armed Forces.

“Today, almost half of the servicemen standing in the army combat formation voluntarily linked their fate with military service and continue to master the basics of military affairs already as professionals. We're talking about contractors. How is the process of transferring the Ground Forces to the contract method of manning going?

- I note with satisfaction that since the beginning of this year, the same 423rd motorized rifle regiment, for example, has been successfully solving the problem of transferring to a contract recruiting method in accordance with the Federal target program. And in general, this year the FTP on the transfer to new way the recruitment of a number of formations and military units has practically entered the final stage. As part of its implementation, more than 75,000 people are serving under contract as sergeants and soldiers. Already 50 formations and military units are fully equipped with this category of servicemen. In 2007, another 21,000 will be recruited from the troops and reserves.

Today it is obvious: units manned by contract servicemen show top scores in combat training, demonstrate a higher level of discipline, and can lead military teams. But when creating a professional army, one should not forget, of course, about social issues. Care for military personnel is an eloquent confirmation that the leadership of the state, the Armed Forces approaches the solution of issues of strengthening the country's defense capability with understanding and responsibility. At present, a lot of work is being done in all military districts to equip permanent readiness units: new dormitories for contract servicemen, educational buildings, canteens, and social infrastructure facilities are being put into operation. So the second trend is probably that the period of uncertainty in the Armed Forces is over. The army regains power, strength, internal firmness. And most importantly, the awareness of their state significance and relevance is returning to people in uniform.

In parallel with the arrangement of military camps, much attention is paid to improving the educational and material and technical base, which is extremely important for high-quality combat training. The construction and reconstruction of firing ranges, military shooting ranges, firing camps, tankodromes, and other facilities are being actively carried out. As you can see, a lot is being done to establish full-fledged combat training.

Since 2008 school year in the Ground Forces formations and military units of permanent readiness, staffed by contract servicemen, are switching to an annual training cycle. In this regard, subunits will devote more time to individual training of military personnel, coordination of squads and platoons. The duration of tactical exercises will increase, which will improve the quality of their conduct. As a result, each serviceman in a real combat situation will firmly know his place in the combat order of the unit, his maneuver.

- As you know, a cruise missile was recently tested for the Iskander-M operational-tactical complex. Why is it necessary to create such a missile, what are the prospects for the supply of new weapons to the troops?

— You can talk a lot about Iskander. Prior to the adoption of the missile system (RK) "Iskander", the Rocket Forces and artillery of the SV included only missile systems of tactical missiles "Tochka" (adopted in 1976) and their modernization "Tochka-U" (adopted in 1989 ), which are difficult to consider modern weapons. Taking into account the maximum range of missiles, these complexes, and hence the Missile Forces of the Ground Forces as a whole, could not hit the enemy at ranges over 70 and 120 km (and if we take into account the distance of missile formations from the line of contact, the maximum range of destruction is 55 and 100 km - according to the type of RK).

At one time, the production of missiles for these RK was discontinued, and the missiles currently available for technical suitability are coming to an end. Missile complexes of operational-tactical missiles were either destroyed in accordance with the 1987 agreement between the USSR and the United States on the elimination of intermediate and shorter-range missiles (RK "Temp-S" and RK 9K714 "Oka"), or removed from service due to obsolescence (RK " Scud"). Thus, the adoption of the Iskander-M missile system in accordance with the order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation preserved the Rocket Forces of the Ground Forces as such.

I'll say more. This missile system has absorbed the best scientific, technical and design achievements in the field of operational-tactical missile systems. These are weapons of a completely new generation, surpassing in their performance characteristics the existing RK in Russia and abroad. The Iskander missile has a high probability of overcoming missile defense and air defense systems, since it is made with elements of the Stealth technology (invisibility for radars). The missile is controlled throughout the flight, immediately after launch and when approaching the target it maneuvers vigorously, and its accuracy is ensured by a unique homing head. This increases the capabilities of the missile brigades of the Ground Forces by an order of magnitude. And if the industry tries, then in 2008 the development of a new missile will be completed, it will go to state tests. The most important feature of the Iskander launcher was also the placement of not one, but two missiles on it. A minute after the start of the first of them, the second one can start.

May 29 this year at the Kapustin Yar training ground in the Astrakhan region, as part of the tests, another successful launch of a cruise missile for the Iskander-M missile system took place, which will replace the obsolete Tochka and Tochka-U complexes in the troops. In the same place, in the training center for combat training of the Rocket Forces of the Ground Forces, the first operational missile-tactical division armed with Iskander-M complexes was formed. Across Training Center we will miss all the combat crews of the brigades rearmed on it. By the end of the year, one brigade of the Volga-Urals military district will already be retrained.

In accordance with the "Prospects for the Construction and Development of the Arms of the Armed Forces until 2015", the RV&A will have five missile brigades equipped with the Iskander-M missile system in its combat strength. The delivery of the first complexes to combat units, in particular to one of the missile formations of the Volga-Urals Military District, will begin at the end of this year.

- As you know, the BMPT tank support combat vehicle is also being tested. To what extent is it necessary for the troops and at what tactical level can it be used?

This car is desperately needed. Once defended the tank from the fire of grenade launchers and faustpatrons landing on the armor. In close combat, he performed the very important task of covering the combat vehicle so that its crew could focus on hitting armored and other important enemy targets. Now they have made a car that is armed with two 30-mm cannons, machine guns, AGS. Last year she passed state tests. And, I think, within three years we will buy these machines for one company.

We have developments in its place in combat formations. Alternatively, it will be the third vehicle of the tank platoon. Other experts suggest creating a separate unit of such vehicles, for example, in a regiment or battalion, which will provide tank battalions in battle. Time, as they say, will tell. When it enters the troops, we will conduct comparative tests and then we will finally decide on a place in the ranks. And its task, I repeat, is to hit lightly armored targets, infantry, and all anti-tank weapons.

- Alexey Fedorovich, the next question is about the mountain brigades being formed now. When will they engage in planned combat training at their bases?

- In short, since December 1, 2007. In parallel with the recruitment of brigades, we are forming their departments, which are already at their permanent locations. In particular, officers and their families are already in units. And the management of the brigades with support units carry out the reception of residential and barracks-service fund. The picking schedule is drawn up and strictly followed.

As of May 28, 2007, 44 objects were prepared for commissioning in the military camp of the 33rd Motorized Rifle Brigade (g) (Botlikh, Republic of Dagestan), which is 30% of their total number. And in total, according to the plan - 153. Currently, work has been launched at 70 facilities: construction of 5 residential buildings, an officer's canteen, a school and kindergarten, cultural and leisure center, as well as warehouses and storage facilities for equipment.

In the military camp of the 34th Omsbr (g) (Zelenchukskaya station, Karachay-Cherkess Republic), 52 objects (49% of the total) were prepared for commissioning. According to the plan - 107. Currently, construction work has been launched at 55 sites - among them are soldiers' hostels, brigade and battalion headquarters, the commandant's office, a life center, a soldier's club, a clinic and many others.

The provision with weapons, military equipment and other materiel, taking into account the accumulation, is 100%. The necessary weapons and military equipment and other material resources are sent from the bases of the center and concentrated in the arsenals, bases and warehouses of the North Caucasus Military District. At present, 80% of weapons and military equipment and other materiel have been accumulated. And the missing special and climbing equipment is planned for delivery under the state defense order in 2007.

The selection and staffing of formed units with personnel is carried out in the Moscow, North Caucasian, Volga-Urals, Siberian military districts. For the 33rd and 34th brigades, more than 90% of officers and ensigns, sergeants and soldiers serving under the contract have been selected to date. At the end of June, it is planned to send units of the departments of the 33rd and 34th Omsbr (g), formed in the military districts, to the points of permanent deployment. And by August 1, separate motorized rifle battalions will be formed at the points of permanent deployment, in September and October - separate reconnaissance battalions and separate self-propelled artillery battalions.

As for combat training, it is planned to organize it in brigades (at the stage of formation of units) in the places of their formation. And after that - in accordance with the Combat Training Program for Mountain Units and the guidelines of the Civil Code of the SV.

Since 1970 in the service of Soviet army.
In 1974 he graduated from the Kharkov Guards Higher Tank Command School named after the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR. After graduating from college, he commanded a tank platoon, company and battalion in the Carpathian military district.
In 1984 he graduated from the Military Academy of Armored Forces named after Marshal Soviet Union R. Ya. Malinovsky.
Since 1984 - chief of staff, since 1986 - commander of a tank regiment, since 1988 - deputy commander of a tank division in the Central Group of Forces in Czechoslovakia.
Since 1990 - deputy commander of a tank division in the Volga-Urals military district.
Since 1994 - commander of the 15th Guards Mozyr Tank Division in the Urals.
In 1998 he graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff armed forces Russian Federation and was appointed to the post of Deputy Commander of the Trans-Baikal Military District for combat training.
Since 1999 - Head of the Combat Training Directorate of the headquarters of the Siberian Military District.
Since March 2000 - Chief of Staff of the 36th Army in the Siberian Military District.
Since 2001 - commander of the 57th Army Corps in the Siberian Military District.
Since April 2003 - Chief of Staff - First Deputy Commander of the North Caucasian Military District.
On November 5, 2004, by Decree of the President of Russia, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces of the Russian Federation
By the decree of the President of Russia Putin V.V. dated December 15, 2006, A.F. Maslov was awarded military rank army General.
On August 1, 2008, he was appointed Chief Military Representative of the Russian Federation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels.
In October 2011, he was fired from military service.

Awards

Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" IV degree
Order "For Service to the Motherland in the USSR Armed Forces" III degree
Medals.

Our fellow countryman - Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces

On November 5, our fellow countryman, a native of the village, was appointed commander-in-chief of the ground forces of the Russian Federation. Panskoe of the Mansurovsky Village Council, Lieutenant General Alexei Fedorovich Maslov.

In 1974 he graduated from the Kharkov Higher Tank Command School, in 1984 - from the Military Academy of the Armored Forces. After that, he commanded first a regiment, and then a division in the Volga-Urals Military District. In 1998, after graduating from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, he was appointed head of the combat training department of the Trans-Baikal Military District.

In 1999, Alexei Fedorovich was appointed head of the combat training department of the Siberian Military District. Since March 2000 - Chief of Staff, First Deputy Commander of the Siberian Military District. From March 2003 until his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, he served as First Deputy Commander of the North Caucasian Military District.

Biography
Since 1970 he has been serving in the Soviet Army.
In 1974 he graduated from the Kharkov Higher Tank Command School. Upon graduation, he commanded tank units in the Carpathian military district.
In 1984 he graduated from the Military Academy of Armored Forces named after Marshal of the Soviet Union R. Ya. Malinovsky.
Since 1986 - regiment commander, later - deputy division commander in the Central Group of Forces on the territory of Czechoslovakia.
Since 1990 - Deputy Division Commander in the Volga-Urals Military District.
Since 1994 - commander of a tank division in the Urals.
In 1998 he graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and was appointed to the position of Deputy Commander of the Trans-Baikal Military District for Combat Training.
Since 1999 - Head of the Combat Training Directorate of the headquarters of the Siberian Military District.
Since March 2000 - Chief of Staff - First Deputy Commander of the Combined Arms Army in the Siberian Military District.
Since 2001 - commander of an army corps in the Siberian Military District.
Since March 2003 - Chief of Staff - First Deputy Commander of the North Caucasian Military District.
On November 5, 2004, by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces of the Russian Federation
By the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation V. V. Putin of December 15, 2006, A. F. Maslov was awarded the military rank of General of the Army.
In August 2008, he was appointed Chief Military Representative of the Russian Federation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels.
Awards
Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" 4th class
Order "For Service to the Motherland in the USSR Armed Forces" III degree
Medals.
Married. Has two children.

Russia. It was thanks to them that the main victories in wars and military conflicts were achieved. Their main command was disbanded three times and recreated anew. Last time in 1997. On October 1, the land workers will celebrate the first professional holiday in their history. First, because until recently no one could determine exactly when this type of troops appeared in Russia. Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Alexei Maslov tells Izvestiya correspondent Dmitry Litovkin about what the Ground Forces are today.

It all depends on the purpose of the war

question: Alexei Fedorovich, what is the Ground Forces?

answer: In the minds of many, the image of the Ground Forces has developed from books and films - these are infantry, artillery and tanks. This is not entirely true. Everything is much more complicated. If we talk about what the Ground Forces are today, then, apparently, we need to start from 1992. It was then that as part of the reform of the Armed Forces, large-scale transformations took place in our country, and the appearance of the troops seriously changed. And at first, far from better side. So, at first, the military reform was essentially reduced to the reduction of the Armed Forces, including the Ground Forces. From 1989 to 1997, associations, formations, military units stationed in the territories of 8 military districts were transferred from the NE to the CIS countries, troops were withdrawn from 4 groups of troops, 17 armies, 8 army corps, 104 divisions were reduced. The number of personnel during this period decreased by more than 1.100 million military personnel, including 188 thousand officers were reduced (dismissed from military service). All this was a crushing blow to the troops. Only since 1997 has the reform been carried out more purposefully. Thanks to this, the Ground Forces now consist of motorized rifle and tank troops, missile troops and artillery, air defense troops (which are military branches), as well as special troops (reconnaissance, communications, electronic warfare, engineering, radiation and chemical protection, technical support, rear protection, rear units and organizations). The basis of their combat strength is motorized rifle, tank divisions and brigades (including mountain), brigades (regiments) of military branches and special forces, organizationally consolidated in the army and front (district) groupings of troops (forces).

Q: What is the share of the Ground Forces in the Russian Armed Forces?

A: Now the share of the Ground Forces in the Armed Forces does not exceed 30%. This is the lowest figure compared to other armies in the world. In the US, for example, it is 34%, in the UK - 54%, in France - 52%, in Germany - 69%, in Turkey - 78%, in China - 71%.

Q: Recently, it is often said that the Ground Forces have outlived their usefulness. After all, future wars are "non-contact", and the main tasks in them are solved by aviation and cruise missiles ...

A: Such claims are absolutely unfounded. First, it all depends on the purpose of the war. If it is to force the government of the enemy country to take some specific political decision, then such a scenario can take place. And even then, provided that this state has nothing to answer: there is no modern aviation, air defense system, means for delivering powerful retaliatory strikes. If, however, the goal is to capture the territory of the enemy, then the Ground Forces will play a decisive role. After all, it was the land groups that were and remain the only means capable of holding and controlling the territory. This is especially important for our country, given its size, geographical position and the length of land borders - more than 22.5 thousand km.

Secondly, we are armed with long-range weapons that allow us to destroy the enemy without entering into close combat with him. These are missile systems, air defense systems, long-range artillery, anti-tank guided missiles, etc. In addition, the effective firing range of small arms, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, grenade launchers is constantly increasing. Therefore, we should not talk about reducing the role of the Ground Forces in modern warfare, but about the need to equip them with modern long-range high-precision means of defeating the enemy, which is one of the priorities of their development at the present stage.

Thirdly, it is not entirely correct to talk about the leading role and significance of certain branches of the Armed Forces and combat arms. Victory in a modern operation, as experience shows, is achieved only by their joint, well-coordinated efforts. Combined-arms groupings, the basis of which will be the formations and military units of the Ground Forces, will have to finally smash the enemy. For example, in the same United States, the same amount of funds is allocated for the development of combat systems of the future in the interests of the SV, as for research in the field of nuclear weapons.

Contract soldiers, sergeants and rearmament

Q: If the effectiveness of the Ground Forces directly depends on their equipment with high-precision weapons, do they exist in the troops?

A: Despite some difficulties of the transition period, the current state of the Ground Forces as a whole makes it possible to efficiently and effectively solve the tasks they face. However, this does not mean that all problems have been solved. One of them was the technical equipment of the SV with weapons and military equipment. The share of modern weapons is extremely low - only 20%. True, in formations and units of constant readiness, this figure is slightly higher. The basis of the fleet of combat vehicles is currently made up of samples with a service life of 20 years or more. Also not enough high level the intensity and quality of combat training of formations and units are still being developed, which is associated with difficulties in logistical support, the lack of the required number of modern training complexes and the latest training ground equipment.

Q: And what to do?

A: We have already identified for ourselves the most important and urgent areas of work up to 2010. First, it is necessary to increase the combat potential of formations and military units of constant readiness by transferring them to the contract method of manning. In total, in the Ground Forces, it is planned to transfer 60 formations and military units to the contract, for which more than 100 thousand people need to be recruited. The task is not easy, given the not too great desire of today's young people to connect their lives with the army. To date, two motorized rifle divisions, more than 30 units and subunits have already been transferred to the contract method of manning, in total more than 55 thousand people have been selected. In 2006, in the Ground Forces, 18 formations and units with a total strength of more than 24 thousand people are transferred to the contract. Active work on this issue has been launched in all military districts. And this inspires confidence that the federal program for the Ground Forces will be completed in a timely manner. Great importance in the Ground Forces is also attached to the creation of an institution of professional sergeants, which implies a change in the system of their selection, training and service.

Secondly, it is necessary to ensure a balanced and complete development of the armament system, re-equipment (re-equipment) with modern (modernized) models of weapons and military equipment, reconnaissance equipment, communications of formations and units of constant readiness. To this end, the Main Directions for the Development of the Armament System of the Ground Forces for the period up to 2015 have been developed. A feature of state defense orders in recent years (and this trend is likely to continue in the future) is the supply of equipment that provides complete equipment for specific units and subunits of the Ground Forces. As a result, the results of such deliveries are immediately visible. Thus, this year the Ground Forces are to receive 31 T-90 tanks (one battalion set), 125 armored personnel carriers (4 battalion sets) and 3,770 multi-purpose vehicles.

When preparing proposals for the state defense order, the need to modernize the existing fleet of weapons and military equipment is also taken into account. In 2006, it is planned to carry out a major overhaul with the modernization of 139 tanks, 125 artillery pieces and other equipment. Despite the fact that these are the highest rates of deliveries and modernization of weapons and military equipment for last years, they cannot fully meet the needs of the troops. After all, the natural loss of weapons and military equipment due to physical and moral aging should be compensated by the timely arrival of new models in the amount of at least 5% annually. It is unlikely that this figure will be reached in the coming years.

From space exploration to equipment

Q: We are told a lot that there will be no more global wars involving a large number of people and equipment. Countries will have to face regional or local conflicts. How does the reform of the Ground Forces fit in with these views?

O: It really is. In modern armed conflicts and local wars, success, as a rule, is achieved through the conduct of autonomous combat operations by small tactical units (tactical groups) dispersed over a vast territory, in cooperation with military formations of various ministries and departments. As experience shows, it is extremely difficult to effectively manage them, organize and maintain interaction without a unified automated combat control system and a reconnaissance and information support system. The key directions in solving these problems should be the development spacecraft reconnaissance, communications and navigation, air reconnaissance and relay facilities associated with automated ground points for receiving and processing data. We are already working on this issue. For example, when developing promising reconnaissance assets, priority is given to deploying them on unmanned aerial vehicles.

When modernizing existing and developing the latest models of equipment, the main efforts should be focused on creating a family of multifunctional complexes for interspecific use. Everything is important here - up to the individual equipment of military personnel. Maybe for now it sounds like a fantasy, but if the new equipment includes, for example, a single information and targeting system designed for highly effective combat missions for both individual servicemen and the unit as a whole, then this will make the troops qualitatively different. And all this together will allow us to successfully fulfill the tasks before us.

Alexey Maslov: from a cadet of a tank school to commander-in-chief

Colonel-General Maslov Alexey Fedorovich was born on September 23, 1953 in the village of Panskoye, Soviet District, Kursk Region. In 1974 he graduated from the Kharkov Higher Tank Command School. He served as a commander of a platoon, company, battalion of the Carpathian military district. In 1984 he graduated from the Military Academy of Armored Forces. In 1986 he was appointed regiment commander and then deputy division commander in the Central Group of Forces. Since 1990, the deputy division commander in the Volga-Urals military district. Since 1994 - commander of a tank division in the Ural Military District. In 1998, after graduating from the Military Academy of the General Staff, he was appointed to the post of Deputy Commander of the Trans-Baikal Military District for combat training. From 1999 to 2003 - in various positions in the Armed Forces. By presidential decree of November 5, 2004, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces. On June 12, 2004, by decree of the President of the Russian Federation, he was awarded the rank of Colonel General. Married. Has two children.