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List of equipment of the Soviet Ground Forces
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This list shows equipment of Soviet Ground Forces in 1991.
Quick Facts Equipment of the Soviet Ground Forces, Founded ...
Equipment of the Soviet Ground Forces | |
---|---|
![]() Emblem of the Soviet Army | |
Founded | 23 February 1946 |
Disbanded | 26 December 1991 |
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This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2023) |
Infantry equipment
Helmets
More information Name, Type ...
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. |
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Body armor
More information Name, Type ...
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 |
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Small arms
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Pistols and revolvers
More information Name, Type ...
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 |
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Semi-automatic and bolt-action rifles
More information Name, Type ...
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] |
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Assault rifles and other automatic rifles
More information Name, Type ...
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 | |
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Designated marksman and sniper rifles
More information Name, Type ...
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] |
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Light and heavy machine guns
More information Name, Type ...
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 |
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Flares and Smokes
More information Name, Type ...
Name | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
SPSh-44 | Flare gun | 26 mm | ![]() |
|
RSP-30 | Warning Flare | |||
RDG-2 | Smoke grenade | ![]() |
[4]: 571 |
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Launchers
More information Name, Type ...
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 |
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Rocket-propelled grenade launchers
More information Name, Type ...
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 |
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Recoilless Rifles
More information Name, Type ...
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 |
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Man-portable air-defense systems
More information Name, Type ...
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] | |
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Anti-tank guided missiles
More information Name, Type ...
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 |
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Land mines
More information Name, Type ...
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 |
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Anti-tank mines
More information Name, Type ...
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 | ![]() |
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Flamethrower
More information Name, Type ...
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] |
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Mortars
More information Name, Type ...
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] |
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Hand grenades
More information Name, Type ...
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] |
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Vehicles
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Tanks
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]
More information Name, Type ...
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 |
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Infantry fighting vehicles
The Soviet Union had about 28,000 Infantry fighting vehicles in 1991[15]
More information Name, Type ...
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. |
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Self-propelled guns
More information Name, Type ...
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] |
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Towed mortars and anti-tank guns
More information Name, Type ...
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] |
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Towed Artillery
Anti-aircraft tanks and missile systems
More information Name, Type ...
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] |
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Anti-aircraft guns
More information Name, Type ...
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] |
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Rocket artillery
More information Name, Type ...
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] |
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Tactical ballistic missiles
More information Name, Type ...
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 |
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Armored personnel carriers
By 1991 the Soviet army had over 50,000 armored personnel carriers in service.[15]
More information Name, Type ...
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] | ![]() |
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Reconnaissance vehicles
Soviet army had about 8,000 reconnaissance vehicles in service in 1991.[15]
More information Name, Type ...
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 | |
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Engineering vehicles
More information Name, Type ...
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 |
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Unarmored trucks and utility vehicles
More information Name, Type ...
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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References
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