Russia's Annual Defense Expo Army-2020 Begins Near Moscow

RT: Roaring tanks, fast-sailing cars, big bucks: Visitors flow to annual military expo near Moscow for brand new equipment & gear show

Army-2020, the annual defense expo where Russian arms producers show their gear to foreign clients and visitors, has started. Contracts worth billions are expected to be inked between tank races and other entertainment.

The week-long expo was launched on Sunday with a ceremony, but only opened to the general public on Monday. The forum is happening at Patriot Park near the Russian capital. A record number of journalists – over 750 – are covering the event.

The opening event had a clear athletic vibe, with delegations from various nations marching behind bearers of their national flags.

The sports resemblance is not coincidental. This year’s Army-2020 was merged with an international military competition. So between sessions of working groups and talks, many of the generals, defense ministers and other officials attending the expo will also be able to root for their teams at the Tank Biathlon.

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Update #1: Sixth international military forum Army-2020 begins near Moscow on Sunday (TASS)
Update #2: Army 2020 Expo and International Army Games Open in Russia – Video (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: The entertainment in this Expo are the military competitions between participating countries. All that I can say is that it is too bad the Americans are not here.

Russia's Tank Biathlon World Championship Competition Has Started

Russia Tank Biathlon World Championship Begins -- The Telegraph

The world championship tank biathlon using T-72 machines begins in a military training area near Moscow

Twelve countries have taken part in the start of Russia's tank biathlon world championships.

The contestants include many former USSR republics, amid the worsening situation between Ukraine and Russia.

Angola, Venezuela, India and Kuwait are also among the countries represented in the obstacle race which involved driving T72 B tanks across bridges and through water.

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More News On Russia's Tank Biathlon World Championship Competition

2014 World Tank Biathlon championship kicks off outside Moscow -- ITAR-TASS
Tank Biathlon 2014 international competition gets underway in Moscow region -- Russia Beyond The Headlines/Interfax
Russia's tank biathlon world championship kicks off outside Moscow -- The Guardian
Russia Kicks Off 2014 Tank Biathlon World Championship With 11 International Competitors -- IBTimes
Russia Tops Standings at World Tank Biathlon Championship -- RIA Novosti
Russia leads after first day of 2014 Tank Biathlon World Championship -- ITAR-TASS
Tank Biathlon to Strengthen Friendship Between Nations -- RIA Novosti
Chinese tanks appear in international tank competition -- ECNS.cn
Are You Ready for Some Tank Biathlon? -- Joshua Keating, Slate

My Comment: A number of countries were suppose to attend .... including the U.S. .... but sanctions over Ukraine has meant that many countries have decided to stay home. Too bad .... it would have been fun to see America's M1 go up against German, Chinese, or Russian tanks.

Russia's Tank Biathlon World Championship Competition Has Started

Russia Tank Biathlon World Championship Begins -- The Telegraph

The world championship tank biathlon using T-72 machines begins in a military training area near Moscow

Twelve countries have taken part in the start of Russia's tank biathlon world championships.

The contestants include many former USSR republics, amid the worsening situation between Ukraine and Russia.

Angola, Venezuela, India and Kuwait are also among the countries represented in the obstacle race which involved driving T72 B tanks across bridges and through water.

Read more ....

More News On Russia's Tank Biathlon World Championship Competition

2014 World Tank Biathlon championship kicks off outside Moscow -- ITAR-TASS
Tank Biathlon 2014 international competition gets underway in Moscow region -- Russia Beyond The Headlines/Interfax
Russia's tank biathlon world championship kicks off outside Moscow -- The Guardian
Russia Kicks Off 2014 Tank Biathlon World Championship With 11 International Competitors -- IBTimes
Russia Tops Standings at World Tank Biathlon Championship -- RIA Novosti
Russia leads after first day of 2014 Tank Biathlon World Championship -- ITAR-TASS
Tank Biathlon to Strengthen Friendship Between Nations -- RIA Novosti
Chinese tanks appear in international tank competition -- ECNS.cn
Are You Ready for Some Tank Biathlon? -- Joshua Keating, Slate

My Comment: A number of countries were suppose to attend .... including the U.S. .... but sanctions over Ukraine has meant that many countries have decided to stay home. Too bad .... it would have been fun to see America's M1 go up against German, Chinese, or Russian tanks.

The U.S. And Other Countries Will Be Participating In Russia's Tank Biathlon Competition

The first tank biathlon was held in the Moscow suburb of Alabino in August last year. © RIA Novosti. Valery Melnikov

US To Compete In Russia’s Tank Biathlon -- RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, January 22 (RIA Novosti) – The United States and a number of European countries have asked to participate in Russia’s international tank biathlon, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

“They filed a request with the Defense Ministry to participate. We will be happy [to have them],” Putin said while fielding questions from students at a Moscow university.

Russia invited the US to participate back in August at a meeting of defense officials.

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More News On Russia's Tank Biathlon Competition

Russian Tank Biathlon is Gathering Momentum -- Defense Update
Russian Defense Ministry negotiating world tank biathlon championship with 40 states -- Voice of Russia
22 states ready participate in tank biathlon in Russia -- Voice of Russia
Russian military base in Armenia getting ready for tank biathlon -- Armenpress