Kazakhstan stuns at Tank Biathlon contest in Russia

MOSCOW. August 19. KAZINFORM Kazakhstani tankers did astoundingly good at the Tank Biathlon International Competition that took place near Moscow last week. Four CSTO member countries, including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, fought for the title of the best tank crew in the competition that is about armor races and precision gunnery.

Within the framework of the tank biathlon the crews had to cover about 20 km in shortest time on T-72B combat tanks and hit all the targets like in a classic biathlon.

The judging panel ranked the Russian team as the best after it covered the distance in 26 minutes. Kazakhstan came second with great result of 26 minutes 52 seconds. Our crew lost only because of the penalty of 1 minute 10 seconds for technical mistakes, according to the jury. Belarus and Armenia's crews were ranked third and fourth respectively (27:41 and 32:17).

Amir Khalikov, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Major General, said Kazakhstan accomplished its task and showed remarkable result.

"This is the first time such competition is held and we are happy to be a part of it," he said. Major General Khalikov noted that Russian colleagues praised the level of training and added 'Kazakhstani crew was ready to force the obstacles at the tank biathlon.'

Kazakhstani team at the Moscow Tank Biathlon included Senior Lieutenant Dzhanat Kuanyshev, Sergeant Miras Nurko, gun pointer Staff Sergeant Kalioldin Aidyn and tank driver private first class Maksat Tussupov.

Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoygu and the CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha awarded the winners. According to S. Shoygu, during the tank biathlon competition all crews demonstrated high professionalism and team play.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank our guests from the Armed Forces of Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan for making this tank contest international. I hope this biathlon will become a good tradition and an important factor in strengthening the friendly ties and trust between our countries," Minister Shoygu said at the awarding ceremony.