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This list shows equipment of Soviet Ground Forces in 1991.
Equipment of the Soviet Ground Forces | |
---|---|
Founded | 23 February 1946 |
Disbanded | 26 December 1991 |
Name | Type | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
SSh-40 | Helmet | Still used during the Soviet-Afghan war.[1] | |
SSh-60 | Helmet | Still used during the Soviet-Afghan war.[1] | |
SSh-68[2] | Helmet | Main service helmet. |
Name | Type | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
6B2 (Zh-RI) | Flak jacket | Issued in 1980, it provided inadequate protection in Afghanistan and subsequently phased out.[3]: 41 | |
6B3 | Flak jacket | Replaced the Zh-RI in 1983, it provided better protection, but it was heavier and uncomfortable to wear in the mountains of Afghanistan or in hot days.[3]: 41−42 | |
YaB4 | Flak jacket | Replaced the Zh-RI in 1984, it provided better protection, but it was heavier and uncomfortable to wear in the mountains of Afghanistan or in hot days.[3]: 41−42 | |
6B4 (Zh-85) | Ballistic vest | Issued between 1985 and 1986, the Zh-85t and Zh-85k provided chest protection against bullets in the front and spinal protection against fragments in the back.[3]: 42 | |
6B5 "Ulej" (Zh-86) | Ballistic vest | Issued in 1988, it replaced the Zh-85t and Zh-85k vests. The Zh-86 covers a larger body area, and its construction uses titanium alloy, ceramics, and special steel.[3]: 42 |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Makarov PM | Semi-automatic pistol | 9×18mm Makarov | Main service pistol[4]: 57 | |
PB Besshumnyy | Integrallly suppressed semi-automatic pistol | Silenced pistol issued to special forces[5] | ||
Stechkin APS | Machine pistol | [4]: 774 | ||
PSM | Semi-automatic pistol | 5.45×18mm | Standard sidearm of civil and military security forces[4]: 56 | |
PSS silent pistol | Semi-automatic pistol | 7.62×41mm SP-4 | Used by Spetsnaz.[6]: 57 | |
Tokarev TT-33[4]: 774 | Semi-automatic pistol | 7.62×25mm Tokarev | Limited use.[6]: 47 | |
Nagant M1895 | Revolver | 7.62×38mmR | Limited use.[6]: 47 |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Simonov SKS | Semi-automatic rifle | 7.62×39mm | Ceremonial use[4]: 194 |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
AK-74 | Assault rifle | 5.45×39mm | Main service rifle[4]: 201 | |
AKS-74 | Assault rifle | AK-74 variant with a folding stock[4]: 200 | ||
AKS-74U | Assault Carbine | AKS-74 variant with a shortened barrel[4]: 108 | ||
AKM | Assault rifle | 7.62×39mm | In service since 1959[4]: 198 | |
AKMS[4]: 198 | Assault rifle | AKM variant with a folding stock[4]: 196 |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
SVD | Designated marksman rifle | 7.62×54mmR | Main service designated marksman rifle[4]: 199 | |
VSS Vintorez | Designated marksman rifle | 9×39mm | Suppressed sniper rifle used by special forces like Spetsnaz[7] |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
RPK-74 | Light machine gun | 5.45×39mm | Main service light machine gun[4]: 774 | |
RPK | Light machine gun | 7.62×39mm | [4]: 318 | |
PKM | General-purpose machine gun | 7.62×54mmR | Main service general-purpose machine gun[4]: 319 | |
NSV "Utyos" | Heavy machine gun | 12.7×108mm | Main service heavy machine gun[4]: 323 | |
DShKM | Heavy machine gun | Being replaced by the NSV machine gun.[4]: 323 | ||
KPV-14.5 | Heavy machine gun | 14.5×114mm | Base for anti-aircraft guns[4]: 323–324 |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
SPSh-44 | Flare gun | 26 mm | ||
RSP-30 | Warning Flare | |||
RDG-2 | Smoke grenade | [4]: 571 |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
GP-25 Kostyor | Grenade launcher | 40 mm caseless grenade | [1][8]: 52 | |
AGS-17 Plamya | Automatic grenade launcher | 30x29 mm | [4]: 247–248 |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
RPG-29 Vampir | Reusable high-explosive anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade | 105mm | [9] | |
RPG-27 Tavolga | Disposable high-explosive anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade | 105mm | [10] | |
RPG-26 Aglen | Disposable high-explosive anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade | 72.5mm | [11]: 34 | |
RPG-22 Netto | Disposable high-explosive anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade | 72.5mm | Seen in use during the Soviet-Afghan war.[4]: 404 | |
RPG-18 Mukha | Disposable high-explosive anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade | 64mm | [4]: 403–404 | |
RPG-16 | Rocket-propelled grenade | 58.3mm | Used by paratroopers and Spetsnaz.[11]: 33–35 | |
RPG-7 | Rocket-propelled grenade | 40mm | Reusable launcher with various types of anti-personnel and anti-tank munitions.[4]: 401–402 |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
SPG-9 Kopyo | Recoilless rifle | 73 mm | [4]: 405 | |
B-10 | Recoilless rifle | 82 mm | Limited use by paratroopers.[4]: 405 |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
9K32 Strela-2 | Infrared homing | 72 mm | NATO reporting name: SA-7 Grail. Being replaced by the Strela-3 and Igla systems[12] | |
9K34 Strela-3 | Infrared homing | NATO reporting name: SA-14 Gremlin[12] | ||
9K310 Igla-1 | Infrared homing | NATO Reporting name: SA-16[12] | ||
9K38 Igla | Infrared homing | NATO reporting name: SA-18. Replacing the Strela-2 and Strela-3 systems.[13] |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
9M17 Fleyta | MCLOS | 148 mm | NATO reporting name: AT-2 Swatter[4]: 407 | |
9M14 Malyutka | MCLOS | 125 mm | NATO reporting name: AT-3 Sagger[4]: 407–408 | |
9K111 Fagot | SACLOS | 120 mm | NATO reporting name: AT-4 Spigot[4]: 408 | |
9M113 Konkurs | SACLOS | 135 mm | NATO reporting name: AT-5 Spandrel[12] | |
9K114 Shturm | SACLOS | NATO reporting name: AT-6 Spiral[12] | ||
9K115 Metis | SACLOS | 94 mm | NATO reporting name: AT-7 Saxhorn [12] | |
9K112 Kobra | SACLOS | 125 mm | NATO reporting name: AT-8 Songster.[14]: II-22–II-23 | |
9M117 Bastion | Laser beam-riding | 100 mm | NATO reporting name: AT-10 Stabber.[14]: II-24–II-25 | |
9M119 Svir/Refleks | Laser beam-riding | 120 mm | NATO reporting name: AT-11 Sniper.[14]: II-26 |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
MON-50 | Anti-personnel | 700 g RDX | Widely used in the Soviet-Afghan war.[3]: 252 | |
MON-90 | Anti-personnel | 6.2 kg RDX | ||
MON-100[15] | Anti-personnel | 2 kg TNT | [16]: 83 | |
MON-200[15] | Anti-personnel | 12 kg TNT | [16]: 83 | |
OZM-72[15] | Anti-personnel | 660 g TNT | Widely used in the Soviet-Afghan war.[3]: 252 | |
PFM-1 | Anti-personnel | 37 g | [15] | |
PMD-6 mine | Anti-personnel | 200 g | PMD-7, and PMD-7ts variants also used.[15] | |
POMZ-2M[15] | Anti-personnel | 75 g TNT | [16]: 69–70 | |
PMN mine[15] | Anti-personnel | 240 g TNT | Widely used in the Soviet-Afghan war.[3]: 252 |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
TMD-44 | Anti-tank mine | 9.7 kg Amatol | [16]: 37–38 | |
TM-46[15] | Anti-tank mine | 5.7 kg TNT | [16]: 15–16 | |
TM-57[15] | Anti-tank mine | 6.34 kg TNT | [16]: 15–16 | |
TM-62 | Anti-tank mine | 7.5 kg TNT | [15] | |
TM-72 | Anti-tank mine | 2.5 kg HEAT | ||
PDM-1 | Amphibious anti-tank | 10 kg TNT | [16]: 91–92 | |
TM-83 | Off-route mine | 6.6 kg TNT |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
LPO-50 | Flamethrower | 986 mm | [4]: 249–250 | |
RPO Rys | Flamethrower | 122 mm | [1] | |
RPO-A Shmel | Flamethrower | 93 mm | [1] |
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
82-BM-37 | Light | 82mm | M-37M[4]: 474 | |
2B14 Podnos | Light | Used by paratroopers.[8]: 50 | ||
120-PM-38 | Heavy | 120 mm | [13] | |
120-PM-43 | Heavy | [4]: 476 | ||
2B11 | Heavy | [14]: V-33 | ||
2S12 Sani | Heavy | 1,387 units in 1991[13] | ||
M-160 | Heavy | 160mm | [4]: 477 | |
M-240 | Heavy | 240 mm | [13] |
Name | Type | Photo | Caliber | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
F1 | Anti-personnel | 55 mm | [4]: 567 | |
RGD-5 | Anti-personnel | 58 mm | [4]: 567 | |
RGN | Anti-personnel | 60 mm | Offensive type hand grenade.[4]: 568 | |
RGO | Anti-personnel | Defensive type hand grenade.[4]: 568 | ||
RKG-3 | Anti-tank grenade | 362 mm | [4]: 570 | |
RPG-6 | Anti-tank grenade | 103 mm | Still used for training purposes.[4]: 569 | |
RPG-43 | Anti-tank grenade | 95 mm | Still used for training purposes.[4]: 569 | |
VOG-25 | Launcher grenade | 40 mm | Used on the GP-25.[17] |
The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated that the Soviet Union had around 16,000 tanks of unknown types in storage east of the Urals in 1991.[13]
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
T-80 | Main battle tank | 5,400[13] | T-80U/T-80BV | |
T-72 | Main battle tank | 9,000[13] | T-72B | |
T-64 | Main battle tank | 4,900[13] | T-64BV | |
T-62 | Main battle tank | 8,500[13] | T-62MV-1 | |
T-55 | Main battle tank | 10,600[13] | T-55AMV-1 | |
T-10 | Heavy tank | ~350[12] | T-10M | |
PT-76 | Light tank | 1,000[13] | PT-76B |
The Soviet Union had about 28,000 Infantry fighting vehicles in 1991[13]
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
BMP-1[13] | Infantry fighting vehicle | N/A | Between 1972 and 1988 Czechoslovakia delivered 5,100 BVP-1s to the Soviet Union[18] | |
BMP-2 | Infantry fighting vehicle | N/A | [13] | |
BMP-3 | Infantry fighting vehicle | ~700[13] | ||
BMD-1 | Infantry fighting vehicle | ~3,000[13] | Used by airborne troops. | |
BMD-2 | Infantry fighting vehicle | Used by airborne troops. | ||
BMD-3 | Infantry fighting vehicle | Only used by airborne troops. |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
ASU-57[12] | Assault gun | Only used by airborne troops. | ||
ASU-85[12] | Assault gun | Only used by airborne troops. | ||
2S1 Gvozdika | Self-propelled artillery | 2,331[13] | ||
2S3 Akatsiya | Self-propelled artillery | 2,044[13] | ||
2S4 Tyulpan | Self-propelled mortar | 54[13] | ||
2S5 Giatsint-S | Self-propelled artillery | 494[13] | ||
2S7 Pion | Self-propelled artillery | 304[13] | ||
2S9 Nona | Self-propelled artillery | 442[13] | Only used by airborne troops. | |
2S19 Msta | Self-propelled howitzer | 13[13] | ||
152 mm SpGH DANA[13] | Self-propelled artillery | 150 delivered by Czechoslovakia between 1986 and 1990.[18] |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Caliber | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2B9 Vasilek | Gun howitzer | 82 mm | Used by motor rifle and airborne units.[4]: 475 | ||
D-44 | Anti-tank gun | 85 mm | [4]: 404 | ||
BS-3 | Anti-tank gun | 100 mm | [13] | ||
T-12 | Anti-tank gun | [12] | |||
2B16 Nona-K | Gun howitzer | 37[13] | 120 mm | ||
2A45 Sprut-A | Anti-tank gun | 125 mm | [19] |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Caliber | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2A18 D-30 | Field Gun | 2,044[13] | 122 mm | ||
D-74 | Field Gun | [12] | |||
KS-30 | Field Gun | 12[13] | 130 mm | ||
D-20 | Field Gun | 767[13] | 152 mm | ||
2A36 Giatsint-B | Field Gun | 574[13] | |||
2A65 Msta-B | Field Gun | 400[13] | |||
S-23 | Field Gun | ~180[12] | 180 mm |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
ZSU-57-2 | Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun | 750[20]: 84–85 | In reserve.[20]: 84–85 | |
ZSU-23-4 Shilka | Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun | N/A | [12] | |
2K11 Krug | Transportable SAM system | 1,350[13] | NATO reporting name: SA-4 Ganef. Being replaced by the Buk and S-300 systems[12] | |
2K12 Kub | Transportable SAM system | 850[13] | NATO reporting name: SA-6 Gainful[12] | |
2K22 Tunguska | Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun | 130[13] | NATO reporting name: SA-19 Grison[13] | |
9K31 Strela-1 | Transportable SAM system | 430[13] | NATO reporting name: SA-9 Gaskin. Being replaced by the Strela-10 system[12] | |
9K33 Osa | Transportable SAM system | 950[13] | NATO reporting name: SA-8 Gecko[12] | |
9K35 Strela-10 | Transportable SAM system | 860[13] | NATO reporting name: SA-13 Gopher[12] | |
9K37 Buk | Transportable SAM system | 300[13] | NATO reporting name: SA-11 Gadfly[12] | |
9K330 Tor | Transportable SAM system | 20[13] | NATO reporting name: SA-15 Gauntlet. Replacing the Kub and Osa systems[13] | |
S-300 | Transportable SAM system | 70+[13] | NATO Reporting name: SA-12A Gladiator[12] |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Caliber | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AZP S-60 | Autocannon | 57 mm | [12] | ||
ZU-23-2 | Autocannon | 23x152 mmB | [12] | ||
ZPU-2 | Anti-aircraft gun | 14.5x114 mm | In reserve.[20]: 210–212 | ||
KS-30[12] | Anti-aircraft gun | 130x845 mmR | In reserve.[20]: 202 | ||
KS-19 | Anti-aircraft gun | 100x695 mm | [12] |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
BM-14 | Multiple rocket launcher | [12] | ||
BM-21 Grad | Multiple rocket launcher | 1,550[13] | ||
BM-24 | Multiple rocket launcher | [12] | ||
BM-27 Uragan | Multiple rocket launcher | 554[13] | ||
9K58 BM-30 Smerch | Multiple rocket launcher | 158[13] | ||
TOS-1 | Multiple rocket launcher | First used in 1987 during the Soviet-Afghan war.[21] |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
9K52 Luna-M | Tactical ballistic missile | 500[13] | ||
9K79 OTR-21 Tochka | Tactical ballistic missile | 300[13] | ||
RT-17 Scud | Tactical ballistic missile | 550[13] | Scud-B and Scud-C variants |
By 1991 the Soviet army had over 50,000 armored personnel carriers in service.[13]
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
BTR-80 | Armoured personnel carrier | N/A | [12] | |
BTR-70 | Armoured personnel carrier | N/A | [12] | |
BTR-60 | Armoured personnel carrier | N/A | BTR-60P[12] | |
BTR-50 | Armoured personnel carrier | N/A | BTR-50P[12] | |
BTR-152[13] | Armoured personnel carrier | N/A | Some vehicles were kept by 1980s as ambulances, command, radio, and engineering vehicles.[14]: III-5 | |
BTR-D | Armoured personnel carrier | N/A | Used by airborne units.[14]: IV-10−IV-11 | |
MT-LB | Tracked Armoured personnel carrier | 4,500[13] | ||
PTS-2 | Amphibious armoured personnel carrier | |||
PTS-M | Amphibious armoured personnel carrier |
Soviet army had about 8,000 reconnaissance vehicles in service in 1991.[13]
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
BRDM-2 | Amphibious armoured scout car | 3,500[13] | ||
BRM-1K | Reconnaissance tank | [14]: III-40 | ||
IRM Zhuk | Engineer reconnaissance tank | [14]: III-42 |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
BAT-2 | Military engineering vehicle | N/A | [3]: 248 | |
BTM-3 | Trencher | N/A | [3]: 250 | |
IMR-2 | Military engineering vehicle | N/A | [3]: 248 | |
MDK-3 | Trencher | N/A | [3]: 250 | |
MTU-20 | Bridgelayer | N/A | [3]: 248 | |
TMK-2 | Trencher | N/A | [3]: 250 | |
TMM | Bridgelayer | N/A | [3]: 248 | |
PMP Floating Bridge | Pontoon bridge | N/A | [3]: 247 |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
UAZ-469 | Light utility vehicle | N/A | [22] | |
Lada Niva Legende | Light utility vehicle | N/A | ||
GAZ-69 | Light utility vehicle | N/A | ||
UAZ-452 | Light truck | N/A | Used mostly as ambulances or special operation vehicles.[23]: 115 | |
GAZ-53 | Medium truck | N/A | Used by engineering units in Afghanistan.[3]: 248 | |
GAZ-66 | Medium truck | N/A | The GAZ-66B variant was used by Airborne troops.[23]: 35–36 | |
ZIL-131 | Medium truck | N/A | Some had ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns mounted in Afghanistan.[22] |
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