Russian team leads at the second heat of the 2014 Tank Biathlon world championship

Russian Federation came first [with the result of] 26 minutes 27 seconds, the Republic of Kazakhstan came second [with the result of] 30 minutes 14 seconds and the Republic of India was the third [with the result of] 31 minutes 26 seconds


All Photos credit: Olga Sokolova of Russia and India report

http://in.rbth.com/economics/2014/08/06/12_countries_participate_in_tank_biathlon_37235.html

Indian Army crew.

Major Puneet Sushil of the Indian Army

The tank biathlon runs on August 4-16 in Alabino, a town to the southwest of Moscow, and begins on Monday with the championship’s first stage, which is individual’s race consisting of three heats and runs on August 4-6.

Crews from Angola, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Serbia will compete in the first heat. They will be followed by the crews of hosts Russia, China, Kuwait and Armenia in the second heat and then by India, Belarus, Venezuela in the third heat.Each member state is represented by four tank crews – three primary ones and a backup team.

The championship’s second stage, which is 3 km Sprint, runs on August 8-9 and the third stage, which is pursuit, runs on August 11-12.All international crews were provided with Russia’s T-72B tanks, or Slingshot, according to NATO classification, while China brought their own tanks for the championship.

According to the rules of tank biathlon, crews must navigate a distance of up to 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) evading various obstacles, crossing rivers and bridges and shoot at a set of targets. Tanks that miss a target get a penalty lap.