Mr Putin visited a special proving ground and was shown the potential of the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle and the T-90A main battle tank already serving with the Russian army. Both armoured vehicles hit targets from various types of weapons. For instance, the T-90A tank hit a target 4 kilometres away.

Prime Minister Putin was particularly interested in the BMPT tank support combat vehicle, a new and unique fighting vehicle intended to destroy small soft and hardened targets on any terrain. The BMPT displayed its impressive combat potential while shooting at targets located 700 to 1,600 metres away.

The Nizhny Tagil Institute of Metals Testing, which marked its 70th anniversary in 2009, is a unique agency specialising in research, production and testing of ammunition, weapons and military equipment at every stage of their development and production. In December 2009, the Institute received the status of a leading defence industry research agency responsible for testing missiles, artillery systems, aircraft and naval weapons. In May 2009, the Institute became the main agency in charge of developing proving ground control and measuring instruments and systems for the conventional weapons, ammunition and special chemicals industry of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and proving grounds of the Defence Ministry.