Russian President Vladimir Putin has cut the ribbon on a military theme park as part of the country’s “military-patriotic work with young people.”

The unique theme park in Kubinka, around an hour’s drive from the Russian capital of Moscow, includes military-themed attractions such as military rations for lunch, as well as tanks, missiles and grenade launchers to ‘play’ with.

The emphasis at the military-backed park is ‘the glory of war’. Speaking at the launch, President Putin said the government believes the theme park will help instil a new sense of patriotism in Russia’s youth.

In the coming months, Patriot Park will hold military re-enactments of famous battles in Russian and Soviet history, as well as showcase the latest in Russian defence technology, with regular displays of military hardware and training opportunities.

Plans are also in the works to open hotels and entertainment centres on-site to allow visitors to spend several days at the park. A second phase of development is expected to be fully complete by 2017 and is being funded by Russia’s Defence Ministry at a cost of RUB20bn (US$375m, €329m, £236m).

Patriot Park’s launch was marked by ‘Army 2015’, a military showcase for arms dealers and defence contractors, with delegations from around the world coming to the park to buy and sell military equipment. Russia and President Putin are looking towards the attractions industry to inspire patriotism in its people, with plans for a Russian version of Puy du Fou in Moscow and a historical theme park in the disputed Crimea region both in the pipeline.