List of equipment of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces

This is a list of the equipment used by the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces.

Small arms

Name	Image	Caliber	Type	Origin	Notes
Pistols
PM [1]		9×18mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Soviet Union	Standard issue pistol.
APS [2]		9×18mm	Machine pistol	Soviet Union	Used by Special Forces
CZ 52 [3]		7.62×25mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Czechoslovakia
Browning Hi-Power [1]		9×19mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Belgium
Submachine guns
PPS wz.1943/1952 [1]		7.62×25mm	Submachine gun	Soviet Union Poland
PM-63 RAK [4]		9×18mm	Submachine gun	Poland	Used by some MTT units.
Sa 23 [1]		9×19mm	Submachine gun	Czechoslovakia
Heckler & Koch MP5 [5]		9×19mm	Submachine gun	Germany	MP5A3 used by Black Wasp (Cuban Special Forces)
Uzi [6]		9×19mm	Submachine gun	Israel
M3 Grease Gun [7]		9×19mm	Submachine gun	United States	M3 and M3A1
Rifles
SKS		7.62×39mm	Semi-automatic rifle	Soviet Union	Mostly limited to use as a ceremonial weapon.
AK [1]		7.62×39mm	Assault rifle	Soviet Union
AKM [1]		7.62×39mm	Assault rifle	Soviet Union	Standard issue assault rifle.
AKS-74U [8]		5.45×39mm	Carbine Assault rifle	Soviet Union
AS Val [9]		9×39mm	Assault rifle	Soviet Union
Type 58 [10]		7.62×39mm	Assault rifle	North Korea
Type 68 [11]		7.62×39mm	Assault rifle	North Korea
Vz. 58 [1]		7.62×39mm	Assault rifle	Czechoslovakia
Machine guns
DP-27 [12]		7.62×54mmR	Light machine gun	Soviet Union	DP and DPM
RP-46 [12]		7.62×54mmR	Light machine gun	Soviet Union
Vz. 52/57		7.62×39mm	Light machine gun	Czechoslovakia
ZB-53 [13]		7.92×57mm	Medium machine gun	Czechoslovakia
SG-43 [14]		7.62×54mmR	Medium machine gun	Soviet Union
RPK [1]		7.62×39mm	Squad automatic weapon	Soviet Union
PKM [1]		7.62×54mmR	General-purpose machine gun	Soviet Union
KPV		14.5×114mm	Heavy machine gun	Soviet Union
DShK [1]		12.7×108mm	Heavy machine gun	Soviet Union
Sniper rifles
Mosin-Nagant [15]		7.62×54mmR	Bolt-action Sniper rifle	Russian Empire China
SVD		7.62×54mmR	Designated marksman rifle Sniper rifle	Soviet Union
Alejandro		7.62×54mmR	Sniper rifle	Cuba
Mambi AMR		14.5×114mm	Bullpup Anti-materiel rifle	Cuba
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
RPG-7 [1]		40mm	Rocket-propelled grenade	Soviet Union
RPG-29 [16]		64mm	Rocket-propelled grenade	Soviet Union
Grenades
RGD-5			Hand grenade	Soviet Union Cuba
F-1			Hand grenade	Soviet Union Cuba
Grenade launchers
AGS-17 [1]		30×29mm	Automatic grenade launcher	Soviet Union

Anti-tank weapons

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Caliber	Notes
SPG-9 [17]		Recoilless rifle	Soviet Union	73mm
9M14 Malyutka [18]		Anti-tank weapon	Soviet Union		Mounted on the BTR-60
9K111 Fagot [18]		Anti-tank weapon	Soviet Union		99.9 in service.

Vehicles

Tanks

See also: Tanks of Cuba

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
PT-76		Amphibious Light tank	Soviet Union	50 [19]
T-55		Main Battle Tank	Soviet Union	1100	960 T-55A 120 T-55M 20 T-55AM
T-62M		Main Battle Tank	Soviet Union	400

Tank destroyers

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
2P26		Tank destroyer	Soviet Union	250 [20]
2P27		Tank destroyer	Soviet Union
9P133 [21]		Tank destroyer	Soviet Union	40
C-AP-AT-BMP-100 [21]		Tank destroyer	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	100mm D-10T mounted on BMP-1 chassis

Scout cars

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
BRDM-1		Amphibious Scout car	Soviet Union	50
BRDM-2		Amphibious Scout car	Soviet Union	100 [22]
CBAF-100 [21]		Scout car	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	Modified 100mm D-10 tank gun mounted on BTR-60 chassis
CBAF-115 [21]		Scout car	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	115mm U-5TS mounted on modernized BTR-60 chassis

Infantry fighting vehicles

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
BMP-1		Infantry fighting vehicle	Soviet Union	200 [22]
CBI-73M [21]		Infantry fighting vehicle	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	73mm 2A28 Grom mounted on BTR-60 chassis

Armored personnel carriers

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
BTR-152 [21]		Armored personnel carrier	Soviet Union	150
BTR-50 [21]		Amphibious Armored personnel carrier	Soviet Union	200
BTR-60 [21]		Armored personnel carrier	Soviet Union	400
BTR-70M [21]		Armored personnel carrier	Soviet Union	6
Paguito [21]		Gun truck	Cuba	Unknown	With ZU-23-2 on the roof

Utility vehicles

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
GAZ-69 [23]		Utility vehicle	Soviet Union	Unknown
UAZ-469 [24]		Utility vehicle	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown
UAZ-452		Utility vehicle	Soviet Union	Unknown
Dongfeng EQ2050 [25]		Utility vehicle	China	Unknown
Fiero [21]		Buggy	Cuba	Unknown
Trucks
GAZ-63 [26]		Utility truck	Soviet Union	Unknown
GAZ-66 [27]		Utility truck	Soviet Union	Unknown
ZIL-157		Utility truck	Soviet Union	Unknown
ZIL-131 [26]		Utility truck	Soviet Union	Unknown
ZIL-135		Missile vehicle	Soviet Union	Unknown
Ural-4320 [28]		Utility truck	Soviet Union	100+
KamAZ-4310		Utility truck	Soviet Union	Unknown
Ural NEXT		Utility truck	Russia	Unknown
KrAZ-255 [29]		Utility truck	Soviet Union	Unknown

Artillery tractors

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
ATS-59 [30]		Artillery tractor	Soviet Union	Unknown
BTS-4 [21]		Armored tractor	Soviet Union	Unknown

Command vehicles

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
R-145BM [21]		Command vehicle	Soviet Union	Unknown

Air Defence Command Vehicle

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
PU-12 [21]		Command vehicle	Soviet Union	10

Engineering vehicles

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
IMR-1 [21]		Combat engineering vehicle	Soviet Union	Unknown
TV-62 [21]		Combat engineering vehicle	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown [21]
TMM-3 [21]		Bailey bridge	Soviet Union	Unknown

Radars

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
P-10 "Knife Rest B [21]		Radar	Soviet Union	Unknown
P-12 "Spoon Rest A" [21]		Radar	Soviet Union	Unknown	S-75 radar
P-14 "Tall King" [21]		Radar	Soviet Union	Unknown
P-18 "Spoon Rest D" [21]		Radar	Soviet Union	Unknown
P-18 "Flat Face B" [21]		Radar	Soviet Union	Unknown
SNR-75 [21]		Radar	Soviet Union	Unknown
P-35 "Bar Lock" [21]		Radar	Soviet Union	Unknown
1S91 [21]		Radar	Soviet Union	Unknown	2K12 Kub radar

Artillery

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
Self-propelled artillery
2S1 Gvozdika [21]		Self-propelled artillery	Soviet Union	20
2S3 Akatsiya [21]		Self-propelled artillery	Soviet Union	40
BTR-100 [21]		Self-propelled artillery	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	100mm T-54/55 turret mounted on BTR-60 chassic
C-AP-T-130 [21]		Self-propelled artillery	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	130mm M-46 mounted on T-34-85 chassis
C-AP-MP-T-100 [21]		Self-propelled artillery	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	100mm KS-19 mounted on T-34-85 chassis
C-AP-T-122 [21]		Self-propelled artillery	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	122mm D-30 mounted on modernized BMP-1 chassis
C-AP-BMP-122 [21]		Self-propelled artillery	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	122mm D-30 mounted on modernized T-34-85 chassis
Jupiter II [21]		Self-propelled artillery	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	122mm D-30 mounted on KrAZ-255B chassis
Jupiter V [21]		Self-propelled artillery	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	130mm M-46 mounted on modified KrAZ-255B chassis
C-AP-T-152 [21]		Self-propelled artillery	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	152mm ML-20 mounted on unknown chassis
Rocket artillery
BM-14 [21]		Multiple rocket launcher	Soviet Union	30
BM-21 Grad [21]		Multiple rocket launcher	Soviet Union	145	Ural-4320 chassic Ural NEXT chassic
9P132 Grad-P [31]		Multiple rocket launcher	Soviet Union	Unknown
Mortars
BM-37 [21]		Infantry mortar	Soviet Union	Unknown
PM-41 [21]		Mortar	Soviet Union	Unknown
PM-43 [21]		Mortar	Soviet Union	Unknown
Field artillery
ZiS-2 [21]		Anti-tank gun	Soviet Union	600
A-19 [21]		Field gun	Soviet Union	100
D-44 [21]		Field gun	Soviet Union	28
M-46 [21]		Field gun	Soviet Union	197
ML-20 [21]		Howitzer	Soviet Union	100
M-30 [21]		Howitzer	Soviet Union	100
D-1 [21]		Howitzer	Soviet Union	50
D-20 [21]		Howitzer	Soviet Union	100
D-30 [21]		Howitzer	Soviet Union	180

Air defence systems

Man-portable air-defense systems

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
9K32 Strela-2 [21]		MANPADS	Soviet Union
9K34 Strela-3 [21]		MANPADS	Soviet Union
9K38 Igla [21]		MANPADS	Soviet Union

Towed anti-aircraft guns

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
ZPU [21]		Anti-aircraft gun	Soviet Union	200
ZU-23-2 [21]		Autocannon	Soviet Union	400
61-K [21]		Autocannon	Soviet Union	300
KS-19 [21]		Anti-aircraft gun	Soviet Union	Unknown	KS-19 KS-19M

Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
ZSU-57-2 [21]		SPAAG	Soviet Union	25
ZSU-23-4 [21]		SPAAG	Soviet Union	36
Duplex-BTR-37 [21]		SPAAG	Soviet Union Cuba	Unknown	Twin 37mm 61-K mounted on BTR-60 chassis

Surface-to-air missile systems

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
S-75 Dvina [21]		Surface-to-air missile	Soviet Union	24
S-125M1 Pechora-M1 [21]		Surface-to-air missile	Soviet Union	12
2K12 Kub [21]		Surface-to-air missile	Soviet Union	3
9K31 Strela-1 [21]		Surface-to-air missile	Soviet Union	60
9K33 Osa [21]		Surface-to-air missile	Soviet Union	10
9K35 Strela-10 [21]		Surface-to-air missile	Soviet Union	200

Coastal defence systems

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
4K51 Rubezh [21]		Anti-ship missile	Soviet Union	4

Historical equipment

Sidearms

• M1911 ^[1]

Rifles

• M1903 Springfield ^[32]
• M1 Garand ^[33]
• M1 Carbine ^[34]
• M1941 Johnson rifle ^[34]
• ArmaLite AR-10
• FN FAL ^[34]

Shotguns

• Browning Auto-5 ^[35]

Submachine gun

• M1A1 Thompson ^[36]
• Sten ^[37]
• Sterling L2A1 ^[38]
• PPSh-41 ^[34]
• Star Model Z-45 ^[39]

Machine guns

• M1917 Browning ^[40]
• M1918 BAR ^[34]
• M1919 Browning ^[1]
• M1941 Johnson LMG ^[41]
• MG-34
• SIG KE7 ^[42]

Grenade launchers

• M20 Super Bazooka ^[34]

Tanks

• 8 Marmon–Herrington CTLS
• 12 M3A1 Stuart
• 15 M4A1 Sherman ^[43]
• 15 Comet A34
• 41 IS-2M
• 642 T-34 ^[44]
• 51 T-72

Infantry fighting vehicles

• 70 BMD-1

Armored personnel carriers

• 20 M8 Greyhound ^[21]
• 28 T17E1 Staghound ^[45]
• 100 BTR-40

Tank destroyers

• 100 SU-100 ^[21]

Field artillery

• ZiS-3
• D-74
• 2A29 T-12 ^[46]

Multiple rocket launchers

• 20 BMD-20
• 20 BM-24 ^[47]
• 20 RM-51 ^[48]

Mortars

• 45 M2 ^[34]
• MT-13

Anti-aircraft artillery

• Vz. 53

Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns

• M53/59 Praga

Balllistic launchers

• 45 2K6 Luna ^[49]
• 70 9K52 Luna-M ^[49]

References

1. Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland S., eds. (January 27, 2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 (35th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. ISBN   978-0-7106-2869-5.
2. "Photo by Francesco Rossi". Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
3. "For Sale: Rare CZ 52 Cuban 7.62x25 Surplus Semi Auto Pistol NO MAG". armslist.com. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
4. "PM-63 RAK - Submachine gun". Archived from the original on 15 April 2021.
5. "Cuban Special Forces - MININT and Black Wasps". Youtube. 5 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2019-02-16.
6. Gonzalez, Servando (2001). The Secret Fidel Castro: Deconstructing the Symbol. Oakland, California: InteliNet/InteliBooks. p. 93. ISBN   0-9711391-1-3. FN manufactured Uzis were provided in 1960 in an arms shipment aboard 'La Coubre'. An example can be seen in the Military Museum at Valencia, with Cuban markings.
7. Jurado, Carlos Caballero (1990). Central American Wars 1959–89. Men-at-Arms 221. London: Osprey Publishing. p. 38. ISBN   978-0-85045-945-6.
8. "Fidel Castro Ruz, pagando en vida por crímenes cometidos". Cuba al Descubierto. Retrieved 2017-01-14.
9. "Tropas Especiales "Avispas Negras"". cuba-militaria.org (in English, Spanish, and German). 8 April 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
10. Iannamico, Frank (11 September 2018). "DPRK's AKs: Inside the Shadowy World of North Korean AK Rifles". Tactical Life Gun Magazine.
11. Mitzer & Oliemans (2020), p. 23. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFMitzerOliemans2020 (help)
12. Smith 1969, p. 22.
13. Rob Krott (April 2000). "The Bay of Pigs Museum: Playa Giron, Cuba". Small Arms Review. Vol. 3, no. 7. Chipotle Publishing. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
14. Smith 1969, p. 300.
15. Snodgrass, Brent. "The Chinese Type 53 Mosin Nagant Carbine". Mosin-Nagant.net. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
16. "RPG-29 Vampir (Vampire)". www.militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 2022-07-02.
17. The Military Balance 2016, p. 393.
18. International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (14 February 2018). "The Military Balance 2018". The Military Balance. 118. Routledge.
19. "Cuban Tanks". Cuban Aviation • Rubén Urribarres. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
20. "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Archived from the original on 2010-04-14. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
21. Oryx. "The Oryx Handbook Of Cuban Fighting Vehicles". Oryx. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
22. International Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2025, p. 429
23. Foss & Gander 1985, p. 311. sfn error: no target: CITEREFFossGander1985 (help)
24. Foss & Gander 1999, p. 728. sfn error: no target: CITEREFFossGander1999 (help)
25. Oryx. "The Oryx Handbook Of Cuban Fighting Vehicles". Oryx. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
26. Foss & Gander 1991, p. 392. sfn error: no target: CITEREFFossGander1991 (help)
27. Foss & Gander 1991, p. 645. sfn error: no target: CITEREFFossGander1991 (help)
28. https://translatingcuba.com/the-cuban-army-exhibits-its-new-acquisitions-russian-ural-4320-trucks-and-chinese-howo-trucks/] Translating Cuba(11/04/2024)
29. Владислав Морозов. Остров в океане. Бронетанковая техника Революционных Вооружённых сил Республики Куба 1961 - 2016 гг. // «Техника и вооружение», № 4, 2016. стр.14-24
30. Fermoselle 1987, p. 527. sfn error: no target: CITEREFFermoselle1987 (help)
31. "Легкая переносная реактивная система «Град-П»".
32. Thompson 2013, p. 63. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThompson2013 (help)
33. Thompson 2012, p. 59. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThompson2012 (help)
34. de Quesada, Alejandro (10 Jan 2009). The Bay of Pigs: Cuba 1961. Elite 166. pp. 60–61. ISBN   978-1-84603-323-0.
35. Jowett, Phillip, Latin American Wars 1900-1941: Osprey Publishing (2018)
36. Yenne 2009, pp. 111–114. sfn error: no target: CITEREFYenne2009 (help)
37. Weyman, Bay. "Finding Fidel: The Journey of Erik Durschmied". TV Ontario. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
38. Moss 2018, p. 64. sfn error: no target: CITEREFMoss2018 (help)
39. Gander, Terry J. (2000). "National inventories, Cuba". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. p. 1508.
40. Jowett, Philip (28 Jun 2018). Latin American Wars 1900–1941: "Banana Wars," Border Wars & Revolutions. Men-at-Arms 519. Osprey Publishing. p. 38. ISBN   9781472826282.
41. SMALL ARMS OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTIONS PART1: ?Cuba Libre? Firearms News. February 1, 2021. Paul Scarlata
42. "Los guerrilleros de Fidel Castro utilizaron toda clase de armamento ligero al comienzo de la revolución". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
43. Rivas, Santiago (22 April 2018). "Paraguayan Army retires last M4 Shermans from service". Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
44. IISS 2010, p. 78. sfn error: no target: CITEREFIISS2010 (help)
45. Zaloga 2009, p. 43. sfn error: no target: CITEREFZaloga2009 (help)
46. International Institute for Strategic Studies (2006). "Caribbean and Latin America". The Military Balance. 106 (1): 323. doi:10.1080/04597220600782895. S2CID   219623774.
47. Prenatt 2016, p. 25. sfn error: no target: CITEREFPrenatt2016 (help)
48. "Stockholm International Peace Research Institute". Archived from the original on 2011-05-13. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
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Works cited

• International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. Vol. 116. Routlegde. ISBN   9781857438352.
• Smith, Joseph E. (1969). Small Arms of the World (11 ed.). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: The Stackpole Company. ISBN   9780811715669.