Russian soldiers in beauty contest

Russian soldiers in beauty contest

Contestants must show their military skills

Russia's cash-strapped army is trying to boost its appeal by staging a beauty contest of its women soldiers.

Sixteen finalists - ranking from private to captain - are vying for the title of Miss Epaulettes 2003.

The finalists beat off competition from about 90,000 servicewomen during the preliminary rounds.

"The aim is to make service in the armed forces more attractive," Russia's Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Vadim Tarasov was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

"We hope to promote the defence of the fatherland and to raise the prestige of army service," the spokesman said.

Among the 16 contestants are psychologists, intelligence agents, engineers and military journalists.

They have to strut in uniform, show their general military skills and also take questions about Russia's military history.

The winner will be crowned on 8 March, International Women's Day, which is a popular public holiday in Russia.

Army reform

The Russian million-strong army is chronically under funded, and draft-dodging, deserting and shoot-outs within units are widespread.

Politicians have been trying to kick-start the army reform by trying to end compulsory military conscription for men and introducing model units of professional soldiers.

Last year, a first fully professional unit was formed as part of an experiment.

But the generals have been dragging their feet, arguing that Russia did not have the necessary funds to switch from a free conscript army to an expensive, professional force.

Russian women are not subject to conscription but can volunteer for non-combat roles.