Graphic: Soviet Air Assault Brigade Organization 1986
Added 2023-10-13 18:47:20 +0000 UTCThis is a graphic of the USSR Ground Forces' Separate Air Assault Brigade from the late 1980s. The lore dump is in the text box but basically they were army airborne/air assault units existing in parallel with the VDV's Airborne Divisions. While the VDV served the armed forces as a whole and was characterized as a "strategic" airborne force, Separate Air Assault Brigades were "operational-tactical". They supported fronts (army groups) mainly. The Separate Air Assault Battalions served armies, and divisions could create their own air assault elements ad hoc.
Comments
Thanks. BMDs are one of those things that are so central to the VDV, but are often glossed over in western writing about the VDV (see the Osprey book on VDV - Soviet Airborne Forces 1930–91 (Elite), which doesn't even mention BMDs). I think they're a topic ripe for a new book (I nominate you), even if access to Russian/Soviet sources are limited these days.
Gustavo Sanchez
2023-10-14 18:25:35 +0000 UTCThanks mate. The Air Assault Companies each had nine BMD-1Ps in the platoons, one BMD-1PK in the Company HQ, and four BTR-Ds (two in the 82mm mortar platoon and two in the MG platoon). There were no ASU-85s in this formation. They were in service with the VDV at the division-level as a battalion. But after the adoption of the BTR-RD ATGM carrier, the ASU-85-equipped separate self-propelled artillery battalion was reorganized as a separate anti-tank artillery battalion in 1983 with one ASU-85 battery and one BTR-RD battery. By 1986, the ASU-85s were completely phased out by the BTR-RD. The exception was the 103rd Airborne Division's battalion which was reorganized as a separate tank battalion with T-62s for Afghanistan.
Battle Order
2023-10-14 03:17:33 +0000 UTCGreat work as usual. How many BMDs and BTR-Ds in the air assault companies? Any ASU-85s anywhere?
Gustavo Sanchez
2023-10-14 02:12:39 +0000 UTCCool, maybe MACV-SOG organization in the future?
Miy Eterp
2023-10-14 00:32:28 +0000 UTC
