    |
 |
|
The driver practices driving BTR-80 vehicle across the river |
BTR-80 vehicles specializing in nuclear and biochemical reconnaissance roared across the training grounds from early morning to late afternoon. The vehicles were seen speeding up at certain times and skillfully overcoming obstacles deployed on the 5.5 km racetrack of the “Safe Environment” event at other times.
Unlike the hot weather in Xinjiang, China, where the chemical competition of the Army Games 2019 took place, the average temperature in August in Kostroma is under 10 degrees Celsius. Such chilly weather has negatively affected the health of troops from tropical countries like Vietnam.
The number of the teams participating in the “Safe Environment” event of the Army Games 2020 is larger than in last year’s edition. They include strong and experienced teams from China, Uzbekistan and Belarus as they have participated in “Safe Environment” since the first edition.
These competitors are also battle-tested and familiar with the cold weather as well as weaponry and equipment used at the competition.
|
|
 |
|
BTR-80 vehicles used in the “Safe Environment” event |
The Army Games 2020 is the second time Vietnam has sent a chemical team to participate in the “Safe Environment” event. Some members of the team have participated in the competition for the first time so they have had no practical experience.
Nevertheless, the Vietnamese Chemical Team, which bagged a bronze medal last year, is still very confident and determined to win a medal at this year’s thought-to-be-fiercer competition.
On the regulations of the competition, the vehicles and equipment, including the two most important items: BTR-80 vehicles specializing in nuclear and biochemical reconnaissance and IMD-2NM radiation dose measuring devices, to be used at the “Safe Environment” event are provided by the host country.
BTR-80 armored vehicles are mainly used to transport combat troops but they can also be redesigned for various other functions. They are produced by Russia and equipped to armies that import Russian weapons, except for Vietnam. So the Vietnamese competitors have spent more time than some of their peers in mastering the vehicle’s technical features, operational skills and combat capabilities.
|
|
 |
|
Vietnamese troops practice detecting toxic chemicals |
However, there are exceptions to the rules of the competition as chemical teams from some countries like China and Belarus can use their own vehicles at the “Safe Environment” event. These exceptions obviously offer some advantages to the rivals of the Vietnamese team as they can bring their vehicles with superior technical and operational features.
Facing various difficulties and disadvantages, every member of the Vietnamese team has to work harder in preparation for the competition.
In this context, coaches of the Vietnamese Chemical Team have also crafted an effective training timetable for the team while every member of the team has used their time to enhance their skills and gain experience.
|
|
 |
|
A competitor drills in overhead line crossing |
Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Van Toan, a member of the Vietnamese Chemical Team, said that, “The BRT-80 is new to us. It is dark and noisy inside while the contents of the competition are very complex. So we have created a sign language to communicate with each other. This also requires every crewmember to perform all moves exactly and harmoniously.”
The shooting content of this year’s “Safe Environment” event is different from last year’s. Targets are arranged strangely, which makes gunners easily forget or miss targets. Colonel Dang Minh Loi, a coach of the Vietnamese Chemical Team, said, “While training, we helped identify the number and order of targets at each position. Every time the vehicle approaches a shooting position, the commander of the crew should tell the gunner the layout, number and order of the targets to shoot at.”
|
|
 |
|
Vietnamese troops practice using IMD-2NM equipment to detect radioactive sources |
At the end of each training section, the Vietnamese Chemical Team has a meeting to discuss arising issues and learn from the training experience.
After hard training days, the strong-willed Vietnamese Chemical Team is determined and ready to compete in the “Safe Environment” event of the Army Games 2020. Hopefully, they will attain excellent achievements at the competition.
Reported by Pham Kien from the Federation of Russia
Translated by Thu Nguyen