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Alexander Yermakov

Research Fellow at the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations under the Russian Academy of Sciences, RIAC expert

While the Rio Olympic Games start on August 5 and are dominating the headlines, there is another major international sporting event that kicks off this week, and Russia will surely not be banned from this one for PED violations. The International Army Games 2016 will be held across Russia between July 30 and August 13.

 

This will be the second International Army Games, having started as an annual Tank Biathlon and Aviadarts competition, still the Games’ are the most spectacular part. The recipe is quite simple: a pinch of exchanging experiences among the national armies of countries that enjoy friendly relations; a sprinkle of military training; two spoonfuls of military hardware advertising; and propaganda for armed forces’ contract services to taste.

 

Photo by Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

 

Such events have a long history abroad. For example, the Tank Biathlon is thought to be a replica of the NATO tank competitions that were held as part of the Canadian Army Trophy during the Cold War. The NATO Tiger Meets are basically more about fun and games, and the U.S. Exercise Red Flag, the largest of its kind, is a showcase event. A distinctive feature of the International Army Games is the massive media coverage: last year, the Tank Biathlon was shown live by all leading state channels. Given that this year’s competition coincides with the Olympic Games – hardly a coincidence – simultaneous broadcasts from Rio de Janeiro and the tank test range of Alabino, outside Moscow, may confuse nebbish TV viewers.

 

The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation should be applauded for expanding the games and giving them a truly international status. There will be 23 events at this year’s Games, although Russia is the only team that will field competitors in all of them. The number of countries taking part has increased from 17 last year to 20 this year. One newcomer is Greece, a NATO member, set to take part in the Sniper Frontier. The media has made a point of mentioning that leading Western countries turned down invitations to take part in the event (allegedly they are afraid of fair competition). However, this year’s German delegation will be among the observers and, naturally, the military attachés of interested countries will be watching the highlights as VIP guests.

 

Photo: gorodkirov.ru
Tank Biathlon

 

Most participating countries will field teams only in a few disciplines. Many availed to the host’s generous offer to use T-72B3 tanks (for advertising purposes, of course). Those who win top places will even be allowed to take the tanks home as a prize! The foreign “sportsmen” will put the Russian tanks through their paces: last year, the tankmen from Kuwait managed to overturn the vehicle at a sharp bend, no easy task for a tank weighing in around 50 tonnes.

 

However, most spectators will rightly be eager to see the main guests at the International Army Games – the Chinese servicemen. They try to use as much of their own military hardware as possible. The Tank Biathlon will see them driving the latest version of their Type 96 tank, and they have brought their combat vehicles for similar competitions of motorized infantry and marines all the way to the Moscow and Kaliningrad Regions. According to tradition, Chinese planes will fly across the whole of Russia, with several stops, to take part in the Aviadarts event. This is not surprising, as it is a matter of honour for the country (in terms of its exports) to put its best foot forward and promote its wares to would-be buyers. Clearly, the most interesting opponents for the Russian military will not be partners from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), who will be using borrowed Russian machines. China will take part in 22 out of the 23 disciplines (passing up on the Depth competition for military divers). The next largest participant after China is Kazakhstan, which will take part in 21 disciplines and will offer its test ranges for some events.

 

Photo by Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

Chinese tanks

 

Photo by Daria Kalinicheva / vesti-kaliningrad.ru

People's Liberation Army Marine Corps

 

Photo: wizarden.ru

Xian JH-7 (Flounder), Chinese fighter bomber

 

Although the International Army Games are often discounted for being nothing but a show, on the whole it is an interesting and potentially useful event. This time around, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation has not simply copied Western ideas; rather, it has creatively elaborated on them. Time will tell whether the changes are beneficial, but judging from the growing number of participants, foreign interest in the games is rising. In any case, the Tank Biathlon inspired NATO to revive similar competitions this past spring.[1]

 

After all, inviting foreign military from favourably disposed countries to take part in a big sporting event is nothing if not a manifestation of "soft power", which is so often sorely missed.

 


[1] The winners were German tankmen, who would regularly win the Canadian Army Trophy as well.

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