22 October, 11:00
On 22 October, the Tank Biathlon competitive show will take place at the Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex with the support of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus. It will feature military vehicles and tank-biathlon crews that took part in the international Army Games 2016.
On 10 September 2016, during the Tankers’ Day celebrations at the Stalin Line complex, a demonstration was given for the first time by the Belarusian tank-biathlon team, which had finished fourth at the international Army Games 2016. The servicemen completed several laps in a T-72 and fired several blank rounds from its machine gun. The most spectacular moment was a shot from the tank gun. The crew also demonstrated several tactical manoeuvres while driving, including laying a smoke screen. Following the demonstration by the Belarusian crew, the complex received a great deal of positive feedback and its management decided to hold a separate competitive event for all enthusiasts of military vehicles.
A distinctive feature of the tank competition at the Belarusian venue will be the compact competition area. Visitors to the Stalin Line complex will be able to watch the tanks compete against one another to complete the course in the fastest time, with a clear view of the course from the spectator stands.
The competitive part of the event is planned to feature teams of servicemen from the Republic of Belarus and possibly teams representing the Russian Federation. Information about the stages and competition rules is available here.
Competition Rules
COMPETITORS
— One tank crew from each participating team
— Class: T-72
— Tank crew of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (subject to confirmation)
RULES
The Tank Biathlon competition requires each crew to complete a course approximately 5,000 metres long.
The course is equipped with natural and artificial obstacles and a control point for the panel of judges.
At the designated signal, the members of the first crew run to their vehicle and set off, negotiate the obstacles and proceed to the firing area, where they load a blank round.
The crews fire the tank gun from a stationary position at a tank-shaped target set up at a designated firing line.
At the second firing line, the crews fire the machine gun at a target in the form of a ruined house, using the blank ammunition provided.
The best tank crew is determined by combining each crew’s course-completion time with the time taken to prepare for and carry out the firing exercises.
JUDGING
Performance in the tasks included in the competition programme is assessed by a panel of judges and representatives of the competing teams. Each crew’s result comprises its total course-completion time and any time penalties imposed for failing to meet the assessment criteria when negotiating obstacles. The panel of judges may award competitors additional points for negotiating artificial obstacles—the hill, ditch and vehicle obstacle—in a particularly spectacular manner. These points will be taken into account when calculating the results.
Time penalty rules:
— During the firing exercises.
— Penalty points will be imposed if a crew leaves an artificial obstacle—the hill, ditch or vehicle obstacle.
— The total time may be increased for knocking down or striking a post, bypassing an obstacle or colliding with obstacles unrelated to the competition: a ten-second penalty will be imposed for each infringement.
During the competition, the event organisers will provide Tank Biathlon visitors with more than ten interactive entertainment and recreation zones. Visitors can test their skills at the Tank Crew School, paint a tank, take part in a tank quiz or tackle the many challenges in the Stalin Line Ready for Labour and Defence (GTO) competition zone. Visitors with children can enjoy a dedicated children’s room and children’s play area, a photo zone and the Stalin Line Cinema. The most active participants in the competitions will receive certificates and valuable prizes, as well as a ride in a military vehicle.
Cool autumn weather is expected on the day of the Tank Biathlon event, with possible precipitation and temperatures of between +3 and +5 °C. We recommend that visitors dress warmly and bring umbrellas, raincoats and waterproof footwear. The organisers will also provide places where visitors can warm up.
About Tank Biathlon
Tank biathlon is an entirely new format for public events: activities previously held behind closed doors are now open to everyone. It is based on practical contests between tank crews, testing their tank-driving skills and accuracy when firing the tanks’ primary and secondary armament.
According to sources within the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation and television programme credits, this competition was devised by the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergei Shoigu, personally. Nevertheless, the idea of tank-crew competitions has a much longer history. Competitions for tank crews from NATO countries, similar in essence, were held in West Germany for the Canadian Army Trophy from 1963 to 1991. In the late 1970s, tank firing on the ‘tank firing course’ at a training ground in Krasnodar Territory in the USSR was referred to as biathlon.
The first international tank-biathlon competition took place at the Alabino training ground near Moscow on 17 August 2013. Tank crews from Russia, Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan took part.
Provisional Event Programme*
11:00 Event begins. Guided-tour and interactive zones open to visitors
- “Stalin Line” Guided Tour Route
- Photo Area
- Stalin Line Cinema
- Children’s Room
- Children’s Play Area
- Tank Painting
- PT-76, BTR-40 and MT-LB Rides
- Quad Bike Rides
- “Cannon Firing” Demonstration
Please note: tank rides will not be available from 13:30 to 15:30.
11:30 Interactive Learning Zones Open
- Exhibition of Military Vehicles and Weapons from the Great Patriotic War and the War in Afghanistan
11:30 Opening of the Stalin Line Ready for Labour and Defence (GTO) Competition Area
Ready for Labour and Defence (GTO) Zone
The Stalin Line Ready for Labour and Defence (GTO) testing area has now been operating at the complex for two years. Visitor interest in this activity continues to grow, with more and more people taking part.
The most active visitors aged over seven who win a prize in the interactive Ready for Labour and Defence (GTO) zone will have the opportunity to ride in a military vehicle.
The results of all registered participants will subsequently be displayed at the information centre, where the winners will be awarded diplomas and prizes.
Visitors taking part in the interactive GTO activities will earn reward points, which they can exchange for Stalin Line souvenirs at the Gift Shop.
GTO Marksmanship
- Grenade Throwing
- Airgun Shooting
- Ring Toss
GTO Physical Training
- 50-Metre Race
GTO Knowledge
- AK-47 Disassembly and Reassembly
- Quiz
- “First Aid — Red Cross”
- Tank Crew School: “Basic Training”
14:00 Parade of Competing Teams
14:20 Competition Begins
16:00 Awards and Diploma Presentation
18:00 Event Ends
*the organisers reserve the right to make changes to the programme
Event Map
How to Get Here
The Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex is located at kilometre 31 of the P28 road (Minsk–Molodechno), 20 km from the Minsk Ring Road.
Visitors without their own transport can take a Minsk–Molodechno shared minibus from the Druzhnaya terminus. Services depart every 20 minutes; passengers paying the full fare can travel to the Stalin Line stop.
Two purpose-built car parks with 800 spaces are available for visitors arriving by car.
Directions to the Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex are available here.
Where can I buy a ticket?
Admission tickets are available to everyone on the website or from the complex ticket offices on the day of the event.
Tickets purchased online up to and including 21 October: adults 10 BYN, children 5 BYN
Tickets purchased online on 22 October or from the complex ticket offices on the day of the event: adults 13 BYN, children 5 BYN
Children aged 6 and under do not require a ticket and may attend the event free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Children aged 7 to 18 require a child admission ticket.
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