USSR: Motor Rifle Battalion, 1949-1989
Introduction
The Soviet Motor Rifle battalion developed over the years, from a unit in a motorised force, to a more organic fighting unit capable of fighting in a nuclear or conventional war.
1949
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| BTR-152 |
World War II saw the first real use of mechanised warfare using trucks, tanks, and armoured vehicles for transport. The 1949 Soviet motor rifle battalion was their first attempt at a modern unit. It was lightly supported, mainly due to the fact it belonged in a Motor Rifle Regiment, made up of two motor rifle battalions, and a tank battalion. This meant the motor rifle battalion would likely fit a supporting role rather than an active one. For comparison, a 1949 Rifle Battalion also had an artillery battery of two 57mm guns, four 12.7mm heavy machine guns (HMGs), and 4 anti-tank rifles; rifle companies with 3 medium machine guns (MMGs) each; and a host of supporting logistical units. These extra units meant a rifle battalion had a significant amount of extra infantry fire power and self support units compared to a motor rifle battalion.
The structure of a 1949 motor rifle battalion can be seen in figure 1:
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| Figure 1 |
This battalion was made up of 547 men. The mortar company had six 82mm mortars. The antitank battery had four 57mm guns (ZiS-2). The MMG company had six MMGs.
1954
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| 57mm ZiS-2 AT gun |
By now, the support structure of the motorized rifle battalion had changed significantly. The number of men had dropped from 547 to 433, and were converting to a totally motorised structure. The organisation can be found in figure 2.
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| Figure 2 |
1958
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| Soviet soldiers target practicing with their new AK-47s |
By 1958, the infantry had received much improved equipment, including the addition of 27 RPG-2 anti tank grenade launchers, and the AK-47 becoming the standard rifle in the Soviet Army. While the mortar battery was eliminated, the artillery battery received an additional two 82mm recoilless rifles (RR) and two 107mm RR. An anti-aircraft platoon was also added.
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| Figure 3 |
The size of the battalion had grown to 500 men by now. The AA MG platoon consisted of three 14.5mm AAMG's, and the HMG company boasted six 7.62HMGs. Note that by now, the 57mm ZiS-2 was likely only used in reserve battalions. By now, many units would have received the 100mm BS-3 or the improved 85mm D-48 though these would be more likely found at higher supporting artillery structures.
1966
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| BTR-60PB |
By 1966, the BTR-60 had been in production for five years and replaced the BTR-152 and BTR-50P as the standard APC. Mortars had returned due to an evaluation stating a lack of supporting firepower, however at reduced numbers. The artillery specialised into an antitank role, and the three gun anti air platoon increased in efficiency to a section of two guns.
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| Figure 4 |
The size of the battalion had shrunk to 386 men. The AT platoon fielded two 57mm AT guns or better, the mortar platoon consisted of three 82mm mortars, and the AA MG section of two 14.5mm AAMG.
1977
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| BMP-1 |
In 1967 the Soviets had introduced the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle. This meant that motor rifle battalions were now either equipped with BMPs or BTRs. The different capabilities of each vehicle meant different structures for the unit.
The structure of the 1977 BTR motor rifle battalion can be found in figure 5. The BTR-70 upgrade had been introduced since 1972.
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| Figure 5 |
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| Strela-2 |
At this stage the BMP equipped battalion was very similar, with the exception of the anti-tank platoon which was removed as the BMP feautred ATGM capabilities. This reduced the size of the battalion to 430 men.
There was some major changes within the rifle companies themselves by 1977. The AKM was replacing the AK-47, the RPG-7 had begun to replace the RPG-2, and three SA-7 (Strela-2) surface-to-air guided missiles (SAMs/MANPADs) were given to each rifle company. The MANPADs were being introduced since 1966.
1982 (BTR)
Not much had changed since 1977, but a small increase in firepower had been seen. Two additional Sagger (Malyutka) or Spiggot (Fagot) ATGM were added to the antitank platoon, as well as two RPG-16s. In the motor rifle companies, a weapons squad was created which employed two AGS-17 grenade launchers.
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| Figure 6 |
The mortar battery still had six 120mm mortars, and the battalion had 455 men.
1982 (BMP)
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| AGS-17 squad |
The BMP battalion had developed somewhat since 1977. Since the year before the BMP-2 had been introduced. The BMP-2 boasted a 30mm chain gun (compared to the BMP-1's ineffective 73mm cannon).
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| Figure 7 |
1989
Like the 1982 BMP battalion, this battalion had consolidated its anti-air into a support platoon and its AGS-17s into a fire support platoon. Additionally, the BTR-80 had been introduced since 1986.
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| Figure 8 |
The mortar battery had increased from six to eight 120mm mortars, and in some cases the mortars were replaced with the 82-mm automatic mortar, the Vasilek. The weapons squads in the rifle companies had now been changed to a MG/AT platoon containing three Spriggan (Kornet) ATGM and three MG's. The AT platoon still had two SPG-9 RR and four malyutka/fagot ATGM.
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| BMP-2 |
The 1989 BMP motorized rifle battalion did not change compared to 1982 but increased to 497 men. The extra men was due to the additional two mortars in the mortar battery and the machine gun platoon in the rifle companies. The BMP-equipped rifle companies lacked the Kornet ATGM as the BMPs had the ability to mount malyutkas, fagots, or Spandrel (Konkurs) missiles.
References
Grau Lester W, The Soviet Combined Arms Battalion - Reorganization for Tactical Flexibility, Soviet Army Studies, Kasas, september 1989
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