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This list shows equipment of Soviet Ground Forces in 1991.
Equipment of the Soviet Ground Forces | |
---|---|
![]() Emblem of the Soviet Army | |
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 The SKS carbine remained in the Soviet Army until the very end and is still used by the post-Soviet countries today. [7] |
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 [8] |
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 |
RPD | Light machine gun | 7.62×39mm | ![]() | Was succeeded in Soviet service by the RPK. [9] |
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] [10] : 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 | | [11] |
RPG-27 Tavolga | Disposable high-explosive anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade | 105mm | ![]() | [12] |
RPG-26 Aglen | Disposable high-explosive anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade | 72.5mm | ![]() | [13] : 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. [13] : 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 [14] |
9K34 Strela-3 | Infrared homing | ![]() | NATO reporting name: SA-14 Gremlin [14] | |
9K310 Igla-1 | Infrared homing | ![]() | NATO Reporting name: SA-16 [14] | |
9K38 Igla | Infrared homing | ![]() | NATO reporting name: SA-18. Replacing the Strela-2 and Strela-3 systems. [15] | |
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 [14] |
9K114 Shturm | SACLOS | ![]() | NATO reporting name: AT-6 Spiral [14] | |
9K115 Metis | SACLOS | 94 mm | ![]() | NATO reporting name: AT-7 Saxhorn [14] |
9K112 Kobra | SACLOS | 125 mm | ![]() | NATO reporting name: AT-8 Songster. [16] : II-22–II-23 |
9M117 Bastion | Laser beam-riding | 100 mm | ![]() | NATO reporting name: AT-10 Stabber. [16] : II-24–II-25 |
9M119 Svir/Refleks | Laser beam-riding | 120 mm | ![]() | NATO reporting name: AT-11 Sniper. [16] : 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 [17] | Anti-personnel | 2 kg TNT | ![]() | [18] : 83 |
MON-200 [17] | Anti-personnel | 12 kg TNT | ![]() | [18] : 83 |
OZM-72 [17] | Anti-personnel | 660 g TNT | ![]() | Widely used in the Soviet-Afghan war. [3] : 252 |
PFM-1 | Anti-personnel | 37 g | ![]() | [17] |
PMD-6 mine | Anti-personnel | 200 g | ![]() | PMD-7, and PMD-7ts variants also used. [17] |
POMZ-2M [17] | Anti-personnel | 75 g TNT | ![]() | [18] : 69–70 |
PMN mine [17] | 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 | ![]() | [18] : 37–38 |
TM-46 [17] | Anti-tank mine | 5.7 kg TNT | | [18] : 15–16 |
TM-57 [17] | Anti-tank mine | 6.34 kg TNT | ![]() | [18] : 15–16 |
TM-62 | Anti-tank mine | 7.5 kg TNT | ![]() | [17] |
TM-72 | Anti-tank mine | 2.5 kg HEAT | ![]() | |
PDM-1 | Amphibious anti-tank | 10 kg TNT | ![]() | [18] : 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. [10] : 50 | |
120-PM-38 | Heavy | 120 mm | | [15] |
120-PM-43 | Heavy | ![]() | [4] : 476 | |
2B11 | Heavy | ![]() | [16] : V-33 | |
2S12 Sani | Heavy | ![]() | 1,387 units in 1991 [15] | |
M-160 | Heavy | 160mm | ![]() | [4] : 477 |
M-240 | Heavy | 240 mm | | [15] |
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. [19] |
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. [15]
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
T-80 | Main battle tank | 5,400 [15] | ![]() | T-80U/T-80BV |
T-72 | Main battle tank | 9,000 [15] | ![]() | T-72B |
T-64 | Main battle tank | 4,900 [15] | ![]() | T-64BV |
T-62 | Main battle tank | 8,500 [15] | ![]() | T-62MV-1 |
T-55 | Main battle tank | 10,600 [15] | ![]() | T-55AMV-1 |
T-10 | Heavy tank | ~350 [14] | ![]() | T-10M |
PT-76 | Light tank | 1,000 [15] | ![]() | PT-76B |
The Soviet Union had about 28,000 Infantry fighting vehicles in 1991 [15]
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
BMP-1 [15] | Infantry fighting vehicle | 26,000 units, including variants. [20] | ![]() | Between 1972 and 1988 Czechoslovakia delivered 5,100 BVP-1s to the Soviet Union [21] |
BMP-2 | Infantry fighting vehicle | 35,000 units, including variants. [22] | | [15] |
BMP-3 | Infantry fighting vehicle | 1,840 units [23] | | |
BMD-1 | Infantry fighting vehicle | ~3,000 [15] | ![]() | 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 [14] | Assault gun | ![]() | Only used by airborne troops. | |
ASU-85 [14] | Assault gun | ![]() | Only used by airborne troops. | |
2S1 Gvozdika | Self-propelled artillery | 2,331 [15] | | |
2S3 Akatsiya | Self-propelled artillery | 2,044 [15] | ![]() | |
2S4 Tyulpan | Self-propelled mortar | 54 [15] | ![]() | |
2S5 Giatsint-S | Self-propelled artillery | 494 [15] | ![]() | |
2S7 Pion | Self-propelled artillery | 304 [15] | ![]() | |
2S9 Nona | Self-propelled artillery | 442 [15] | ![]() | Only used by airborne troops. |
2S19 Msta | Self-propelled howitzer | 13 [15] | ![]() | |
152 mm SpGH DANA [15] | Self-propelled artillery | ![]() | 150 delivered by Czechoslovakia between 1986 and 1990. [21] |
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 | [15] | |
T-12 | Anti-tank gun | ![]() | [14] | ||
2B16 Nona-K | Gun howitzer | 37 [15] | ![]() | 120 mm | |
2A45 Sprut-A | Anti-tank gun | ![]() | 125 mm | [24] |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Caliber | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2A18 D-30 | Field Gun | 2,044 [15] | ![]() | 122 mm | |
D-74 | Field Gun | ![]() | [14] | ||
KS-30 | Field Gun | 12 [15] | ![]() | 130 mm | |
D-20 | Field Gun | 767 [15] | ![]() | 152 mm | |
2A36 Giatsint-B | Field Gun | 574 [15] | ![]() | ||
2A65 Msta-B | Field Gun | 400 [15] | | ||
S-23 | Field Gun | ~180 [14] | | 180 mm | |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
ZSU-57-2 | Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun | 750 [25] : 84–85 | ![]() | In reserve. [25] : 84–85 |
ZSU-23-4 Shilka | Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun | N/A | ![]() | [14] |
2K11 Krug | Transportable SAM system | 1,350 [15] | ![]() | NATO reporting name: SA-4 Ganef. Being replaced by the Buk and S-300 systems [14] |
2K12 Kub | Transportable SAM system | 850 [15] | ![]() | NATO reporting name: SA-6 Gainful [14] |
2K22 Tunguska | Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun | 130 [15] | | NATO reporting name: SA-19 Grison [15] |
9K31 Strela-1 | Transportable SAM system | 430 [15] | | NATO reporting name: SA-9 Gaskin. Being replaced by the Strela-10 system [14] |
9K33 Osa | Transportable SAM system | 950 [15] | ![]() | NATO reporting name: SA-8 Gecko [14] |
9K35 Strela-10 | Transportable SAM system | 860 [15] | ![]() | NATO reporting name: SA-13 Gopher [14] |
9K37 Buk | Transportable SAM system | 300 [15] | ![]() | NATO reporting name: SA-11 Gadfly [14] |
9K330 Tor | Transportable SAM system | 20 [15] | ![]() | NATO reporting name: SA-15 Gauntlet. Replacing the Kub and Osa systems [15] |
S-300 | Transportable SAM system | 70+ [15] | ![]() | NATO Reporting name: SA-12A Gladiator [14] |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Caliber | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AZP S-60 | Autocannon | ![]() | 57 mm | [14] | |
ZU-23-2 | Autocannon | ![]() | 23x152 mmB | [14] | |
ZPU-2 | Anti-aircraft gun | ![]() | 14.5x114 mm | In reserve. [25] : 210–212 | |
KS-30 [14] | Anti-aircraft gun | | 130x845 mmR | In reserve. [25] : 202 | |
KS-19 | Anti-aircraft gun | ![]() | 100x695 mm | [14] |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
BM-14 | Multiple rocket launcher | ![]() | [14] | |
BM-21 Grad | Multiple rocket launcher | 1,550 [15] | | |
BM-24 | Multiple rocket launcher | ![]() | [14] | |
BM-27 Uragan | Multiple rocket launcher | 554 [15] | ![]() | |
9K58 BM-30 Smerch | Multiple rocket launcher | 158 [15] | ![]() | |
TOS-1 | Multiple rocket launcher | ![]() | First used in 1987 during the Soviet-Afghan war. [26] |
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
9K52 Luna-M | Tactical ballistic missile | 500 [15] | ![]() | |
9K79 OTR-21 Tochka | Tactical ballistic missile | 300 [15] | ![]() | |
RT-17 Scud | Tactical ballistic missile | 550 [15] | ![]() | Scud-B and Scud-C variants |
By 1991 the Soviet army had over 50,000 armored personnel carriers in service. [15]
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
BTR-80 | Armoured personnel carrier | 5,200 built [27] | ![]() | [14] |
BTR-70 | Armoured personnel carrier | 10,000 built, including variants [28] | ![]() | [14] |
BTR-60 | Armoured personnel carrier | Some 2,500 units were produced [29] | | BTR-60P [14] |
BTR-50 | Armoured personnel carrier | Over 6,500 units built [30] | ![]() | BTR-50P [14] |
BTR-152 [15] | Armoured personnel carrier | 15,000 units [31] | | Some vehicles were kept by 1980s as ambulances, command, radio, and engineering vehicles. [16] : III-5 |
BTR-D | Armoured personnel carrier | 1,000 units [32] | ![]() | Used by airborne units. [16] : IV-10−IV-11 |
MT-LB | Tracked Armoured personnel carrier | 4,500 units [15] | | |
PTS-2 | Amphibious armoured personnel carrier | Around 1,200 vehicles, including variants. [33] | ![]() | |
PTS-M | Amphibious armoured personnel carrier | Several hundred. [34] | ![]() | |
BAV-485(ZIS-485) | Amphibious armoured personnel carrier | Over 2,000 units, including variants. [35] | ![]() |
Soviet army had about 8,000 reconnaissance vehicles in service in 1991. [15]
Name | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
BRDM-2 | Amphibious armoured scout car | 3,500 [15] | ![]() | |
BRM-1K | Reconnaissance tank | ![]() | [16] : III-40 | |
IRM Zhuk | Engineer reconnaissance tank | ![]() | [16] : 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 | ![]() | [36] |
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. [37] : 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. [37] : 35–36 |
ZIL-131 | Medium truck | N/A | ![]() | Some had ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns mounted in Afghanistan. [36] |
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