Burst: A TAB-79 APC demonstrates the firepower of its 25mm cannon.
Kaboom: Capt Justin Bywater fires a Romanian RPG-7.
“FROM Russia with love,” the excited Australian soldiers yelled gleefully as they surveyed the arsenal of weapons they would soon fire.
Some 25 troops from Combat Team Tiger made the trip to Bardia Battle Space, in Dhi Qar province, to participate in the recent range activity at the invitation of the Romanian Army.
They said it was a golden opportunity to fire Russian-manufactured weapons they had seen so many times in war movies.
Capt Justin Bywater said each Australian soldier had the opportunity to fire the Kalashnikov AK-47, the SVD Sniper rifle and the RPG-7.
The range activity began with a safety briefing and an explanation how to use the weapons to the best effect.
The Australians were also treated to a demonstration of the firepower of the 25mm cannon mounted on the TAB-79 Véhicule de transport de troupe, which is the armoured personnel carrier that the Romanian Army uses in Iraq.
The Romanian Army unit is based at Camp Dracula, opposite the Australian Camp Terendak, and acts as the Quick Response Force.
