Prospects of non-lethal weapons development

Prospects of non-lethal weapons development, and application of this category of special devices by law enforcement units to maintain public order during mass gatherings, sporting and entertainment events

In 2007 the Ministry continues its efforts to supplement and upgrade the material and technical resources at the disposal of the law enforcement agencies and interior troops of the Ministry of the Interior.

If you look at the current scientific and technological trends in the field of law enforcement weapons and gear development, there is a discernible tendency toward the development and application of non-lethal weapons that minimize the risk of injury to offenders.

Reference: the types of non-lethal weapons that are classed as special devices under the Federal Law "On the Police" include:

- non-penetrating, non-injurious blunt impact munitions (bullets and rounds);

- irritants and incapacitating weapons (aerosol sprayers, hand grenades, bullets and rounds, high-pressure backpack sprayers, pyrotechnic gas generators);

- flash-bang distraction and psychophysical impact devices (cassette devices, grenades, rounds, stationary installations);

- electric stun guns;

- devices immobilizing the offender or transport vehicle (throw nets, instant roadblocks).

The Russian Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has extensive expertise developing special devices in this category. Within the Ministry, the main agency in this field is the state-owned research and development association Special Equipment and Communications of the Russian Ministry of the Interior, which provides scientific support for the implementation of the Ministry's single technical policy of refitting the law enforcement agencies with modern weapons, special equipment and devices, including non-lethal types of special weapons and munitions.

Under the National Plan of the Russian Federation to Implement the International Program of Joint Efforts to Combat Crime in 2005-2007, the Russian Ministry of the Interior jointly with the Federal Security Service and the Ministry of Defense have prepared a proposal to grant the Special Equipment and Communications association of the MOI of Russia status of a core research and development institution in the field of non-lethal weapons development for the law enforcement agencies of CIS member states.

The MOI has drawn up a relevant draft provision on the core institution as well as draft resolutions (resolution by the Council of Interior Ministers of CIS Member States to submit for the consideration of the Council of Government Heads the issue of granting core institution status to the Special Equipment and Communications association of the MOI of Russia, and a resolution by the Council of Government Heads to the same effect), which would establish the association's status.

The draft provision and resolutions have been approved by the Ministry of Defense and the Federal Security Service and submitted to the Foreign Ministry of Russia in order to have them discussed by experts representing CIS member states and subsequently submit them for the consideration of Interior Ministers of the CIS member states.

It is planned that this issue will be finalized by the end of 2007.

This will create a real possibility for the Russian research and development institution within the MOI to coordinate the development of consolidated solutions in this field, ensuring a uniform technical policy and opening up new horizons for cooperation, while simplifying the handling of individual types of special weapons and gear during joint operations.

Speaking of the results of the Special Equipment and Communications association's work during 2006, it is worth mentioning a significant increase in the number of prototypes introduced into service, which rose 2.5 times from 2005 (53 prototypes in 2006 versus 135 prototypes in 2006).

There has been a significant increase in the rate of effectiveness of scientific research and design and development projects, with 83 design and development projects and 14 scientific research projects completed in 2006.

Following the monitoring of the weapons and special equipment market conducted during 2006 to select promising prototypes, the association completed evaluation trials and approved 72 new prototypes of weapons and special equipment, of which 37 prototypes have been endorsed and recommended for introduction into service.

Reference: 77 items of body armor; 2 prototypes of weapons, munitions, special devices, and weapons practice gear; 8 devices for forensic units; 12 radio communication devices; 2 small-size watercraft; 1 special vehicle; 1 search and inspection device.

Last year the association completed the development of the "Lavina-Uragan" (Russian for "Avalanche and Hurricane") special armored vehicle with a water cannon (the vehicle has been introduced into service).

Experimental trials of the "Eucalypt" vehicle interception device for special operations have been successfully completed as part of operations of the Special Police Force of the Interior Ministry Department in Togliatti.

A diving gear set "Aqua" has been developed for the special diver units of the MOI interior troops. Being one of its kind in Russia, this new diving gear set has also generated great interest among special police units of the MOI. Development of the "Sova" (Russian for "owl") system of acoustic surveillance of enemy fire has been completed. Acceptance trials have proven the high quality of the new system and good prospects of its application for countering sniper attacks.

Evaluation and practical trials of 44 new prototypes of weapons and special equipment are continuing from 2006:

- 17 devices selected as part of the international exhibition "Interpolitech-2006" that displayed devices designed for the protection of state security.

- 21 prototypes of firearms, munitions, and body armor (acceptance trials are to be completed during January 2007).

- 6 special technical devices for making secret audio and video recordings.

During 2006, close to 50 devices developed as part of government defense orders underwent experimental trials.

In addition, January 2007 will see completion of acceptance trials of 9 more prototypes of weapons, special devices, body armor, and vehicles that have been developed.

Reference: Weapons and gear developed:

- "Lafet" cassette-type carriage for special weapons; installed on special or armored vehicles; equipped with remotely controlled aiming drives;

 - irritant gas and flash-bang hand grenade "Drofa";

- "Vzlom" set of devices for rapid entry;

- "Sokol" light-weight blast protective set;

- "Zabor-6" bulletproof armor assault shield.

Experimental trials have been conducted as part of units of almost all Ministry departments. Introduction into service of said weapons and equipment has helped develop new tactics, increase the effectiveness of criminal investigations, and improve the speed, quality, and security of information processing.

Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation

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