Pulling out the big guns! Russia's tank biathlon kicks off with a bang as military beasts compete in 10km race while blasting targets 

  • Several Russian teams were qualifying for the right to compete in the international tournament this summer 
  • The event has been taking place every year since 2013 and now has 12 nations competing in it 
  • The tanks must navigate a course as quickly as possible while firing at targets from varying distances 

By Paddy Dinham For Mailonline

Published: 15:24 EST, 16 February 2017 | Updated: 16:08 EST, 16 February 2017

When it comes to high-speed races, a tank may not be the fastest vehicle that springs to mind.

But scores of the armoured military beasts were pictured out in force, whizzing round a 10km course to qualify for an international biathlon.

The tanks undertake three laps of the circuit, firing at targets as they circle the track, in the ultimate test of complex tank training.

It is an annual event that has taken place since 2013, when only Russia, Kazhakstan, Belarus contested the title - won by the former.

But the competition has now expanded to 12 nations, with the likes of China and India joining in, although nobody has yet been able to topple the Russians.

The main tournament takes place during August, but several military divisions were trying their hand at qualifying today in order to compete for their countries.

Images show the rugged vehicles in action as they stormed around the course at the Sergeyevsky training ground, in Russia's Primorye Territory.

Fire in the hole: A T-72B1 tank crew of the Russian Eastern Military District's 5th Combined Arms Army competes in an individual race at a qualifying round

Fire in the hole: A T-72B1 tank crew of the Russian Eastern Military District's 5th Combined Arms Army competes in an individual race at a qualifying round

 Shots fired: The same team fire at another target as they compete to represent Russia at the full tournament in the summer

 Shots fired: The same team fire at another target as they compete to represent Russia at the full tournament in the summer

Flying the flag: Servicemen of the Russian Eastern Military District's 5th Combined Arms Army hold up flags and banners as they cheer on their comrades who are going around the track

Flying the flag: Servicemen of the Russian Eastern Military District's 5th Combined Arms Army hold up flags and banners as they cheer on their comrades who are going around the track

Taking on the course: A T-72B1 tank crew of the Russian Airborne Troops' 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade competes in one of the races

Taking on the course: A T-72B1 tank crew of the Russian Airborne Troops' 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade competes in one of the races

All done: Crew members of T-72B1 tank crew dismount from the their vehicle after completing their heat. It is an annual event that has taken place since 2013, when only Russia, Kazhakstan, Belarus contested the title - won by the former

All done: Crew members of T-72B1 tank crew dismount from the their vehicle after completing their heat. It is an annual event that has taken place since 2013, when only Russia, Kazhakstan, Belarus contested the title - won by the former

Explosive power: A T-72B1 tank crew of the Russian Eastern Military District's 5th Combined Arms Army fires a missile. The competition has expanded to 12 nations, with the likes of China and India joining in

Explosive power: A T-72B1 tank crew of the Russian Eastern Military District's 5th Combined Arms Army fires a missile. The competition has expanded to 12 nations, with the likes of China and India joining in

 Gearing up: Two competitors get into their tank as they prepare to take part in the qualifying heats 

 Gearing up: Two competitors get into their tank as they prepare to take part in the qualifying heats 

Birds eye: An aerial view of a T-72B1 as it lets off a shot during one of the races. The course has mostly been cleared but some leftover snow can still be seen on the terrain

Birds eye: An aerial view of a T-72B1 as it lets off a shot during one of the races. The course has mostly been cleared but some leftover snow can still be seen on the terrain

Wave to the crowd: Two crew members wave to the crowd following their heat at the event. The main tournament takes place during August, but several military divisions were trying their hand at qualifying today in order to compete for their countries

Wave to the crowd: Two crew members wave to the crowd following their heat at the event. The main tournament takes place during August, but several military divisions were trying their hand at qualifying today in order to compete for their countries

Double act: Another pair gear up to take part in the course, which is three laps of a 10km course, firing at targets as the circle the track, in the ultimate test of complex tank training

Double act: Another pair gear up to take part in the course, which is three laps of a 10km course, firing at targets as the circle the track, in the ultimate test of complex tank training

Smooth dismount: Another competitor hops down from his tank after completing his race. Nobody has yet been able to defeat the Russians at the proper tournament in the summer 

Smooth dismount: Another competitor hops down from his tank after completing his race. Nobody has yet been able to defeat the Russians at the proper tournament in the summer 

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