Organization of the ground forces. Land forces of the Russian Federation, their number and structure

Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

Base:
Divisions:	Troop types: Ground troops air force Navy Independent types of troops: Troops of the East Kazakhstan region Airborne Strategic Missile Forces
Command
Supreme Commander:	Vladimir Putin
Minister of Defense:	Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu
Chief of the General Staff:	Valery Vasilievich Gerasimov
military forces
Military age:	From 18 to 27 years old
Service life on call:	12 months
Employed in the army:	1 000 000 people


	2101 billion rubles (2013)
Percentage of GNP:	3.4% (2013)
Industry
Domestic providers:	Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern UAC-UEC Russian Helicopters Uralvagonzavod Sevmash GAZ Group Ural KamAZ Severnaya Verf JSC NPO Izhmash UAC (JSC Sukhoi, MiG) Federal State Unitary Enterprise MMPP Salyut JSC Corporation Tactical Missile Weapons
Annual export:	US$15.2 billion (2012) Military equipment is supplied to 66 states.

Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (AF of Russia)- the state military organization of the Russian Federation, designed to repel aggression directed against the Russian Federation - Russia, for the armed protection of the integrity and inviolability of its territory, as well as to perform tasks in accordance with Russia's international treaties.

Part Russian Armed Forces includes types of aircraft: Ground Forces, Air Force, Navy; separate types of troops - Aerospace Defense Troops, Airborne Troops and Strategic Missile Troops; central bodies of military command; The rear of the Armed Forces, as well as troops that are not included in the types and types of troops (see also MTR of the Russian Federation).

Russian Armed Forces created on May 7, 1992 and at that time had 2,880,000 personnel. This is one of the largest armed forces in the world, the number of their personnel is more than 1,000,000 people. The number of staff is established by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, as of January 1, 2008, a quota of 2,019,629 personnel was established, including 1,134,800 military personnel. The Russian Armed Forces are distinguished by the presence of the world's largest stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, and a well-developed system of their delivery systems.

Command

Supreme Commander

The Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces is the President of Russia. In the event of aggression against Russia or a direct threat of aggression, he introduces martial law on the territory of Russia or in certain areas of it, in order to create conditions for repelling or preventing it, with an immediate report on this to the Federation Council and the State Duma for approval of the corresponding decree.

To resolve the issue of the possibility of using Russian Armed Forces outside the territory of Russia, a corresponding resolution of the Federation Council is required. In peacetime, the head of state exercises general political leadership. armed forces, and in wartime directs the defense of the state and its armed forces to repel aggression.

The President of Russia also forms and heads the Security Council of the Russian Federation; approves the military doctrine of Russia; appoints and dismisses high command Russian Armed Forces. The President, as Supreme Commander-in-Chief, approves the Military Doctrine of Russia, the concept and construction plans armed forces, mobilization plan armed forces, mobilization plans for the economy, civil defense plan and other acts in the field of military development. The head of state also approves the combined arms charters, regulations on the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff. The President annually issues decrees on conscription for military service, on the transfer to the reserve of persons of certain ages who have served in sun, signs international treaties on joint defense and military cooperation.

defense Department

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (Ministry of Defense) is the governing body Russian Armed Forces. The main tasks of the Russian Ministry of Defense include the development and implementation of state policy in the field of defense; legal regulation in the field of defense; organization of application armed forces in accordance with federal constitutional laws, federal laws and international treaties of Russia; maintaining the necessary readiness armed forces; implementation of construction activities armed forces; ensuring social protection of military personnel, civilian personnel armed forces, citizens discharged from military service, and members of their families; development and implementation of state policy in the field of international military cooperation. The Ministry carries out its activities directly and through the governing bodies of the military districts, other bodies of military command, territorial bodies, military commissariats.

The Ministry of Defense is headed by the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, who is appointed and dismissed by the President of Russia on the proposal of the Prime Minister of Russia. The minister reports directly to the President of Russia, and on issues referred by the Constitution of Russia, federal constitutional laws, federal laws and presidential decrees to the jurisdiction of the Russian government, - to the chairman of the Russian government. The Minister bears personal responsibility for solving problems and exercising the powers vested in the Russian Ministry of Defense and military establishment and carries out its activities on the basis of unity of command. The ministry has a collegium consisting of the minister, his first deputies and deputies, heads of ministry services, commanders-in-chief of types armed forces.

The current Minister of Defense is Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu.

General base

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is the central body of military control and the main body of operational control armed forces. The General Staff coordinates the activities of the border troops and bodies of the federal security service (FSB), internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD), the Railway Troops, the federal body for special communications and information, civil defense troops, engineering and road construction military formations, the Foreign Service intelligence (SVR) of Russia, federal bodies of state protection, the federal body for providing mobilization training of state authorities to carry out tasks in the field of defense, construction and development armed forces, as well as their applications. The General Staff consists of main directorates, directorates and other structural divisions.

The main tasks of the General Staff include the implementation of strategic planning for the use armed forces, other troops, military formations and bodies, taking into account their tasks and the military-administrative division of the country; conducting operational and mobilization training armed forces; translation armed forces on the organization and composition of wartime, the organization of strategic and mobilization deployment armed forces, other troops, military formations and bodies; coordinating activities to conduct military registration activities in the Russian Federation; organization of intelligence activities for defense and security purposes; planning and organization of communications; topographic and geodetic support armed forces; implementation of measures related to the protection of state secrets; conducting military scientific research.

The current Chief of the General Staff is General of the Army Valery Gerasimov (since November 9, 2012).

Story

The first republican military department appeared in the RSFSR ( cm.Red Army), later - during the collapse of the USSR (July 14, 1990). However, due to the rejection by the majority of people's deputies of the RSFSR of the idea of independent sun the department was called not the Ministry of Defense, but the State Committee of the RSFSR for Public Security and Cooperation with the Ministry of Defense of the USSR and the KGB of the USSR. After the coup attempt in Vilnius on January 13, 1991, Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Russia Boris Yeltsin took the initiative to create a republican army, and on January 31 the State Committee for Public Security was transformed into the RSFSR State Committee for Defense and Security, headed by General of the Army Konstantin Kobets . During 1991, the Committee was repeatedly modified and renamed. From August 19 (the day of the coup attempt in Moscow) to September 9, the Ministry of Defense of the RSFSR temporarily functioned.

At the same time, Yeltsin made an attempt to create the National Guard of the RSFSR, even began accepting volunteers. Until 1995, it was planned to form at least 11 brigades of 3-5 thousand people, with a total number of no more than 100 thousand. It was supposed to deploy units of the National Guard in 10 regions, including in Moscow (three brigades), in Leningrad (two brigades) and in a number of other important cities and regions. Regulations were prepared on the structure, composition, recruitment methods, and tasks of the National Guard. By the end of September, about 15,000 people had signed up for the National Guard in Moscow, most of them military personnel of the USSR Armed Forces. In the end, a draft decree "On the temporary situation on the Russian guard" fell on Yeltsin's table, but it was never signed.

After the signing of the Belovezhskaya Accords on December 21, the member states of the newly created CIS signed a protocol on the temporary assignment to the last Minister of Defense of the USSR, Air Marshal Shaposhnikov, command of the armed forces on their territory, including strategic nuclear forces. On February 14, 1992, he formally became the Supreme Commander of the Joint Armed Forces of the CIS, and the USSR Ministry of Defense was transformed into the Commander-in-Chief of the Joint Armed Forces of the CIS. On March 16, 1992, Yeltsin's decree created in the operational subordination of the Main Command of the Allied Armed Forces, as well as the Ministry of Defense, which was headed by the president himself. On May 7, a decree was signed on the creation armed forces, and Yeltsin assumed the duties of the Supreme Commander. General of the Army Grachev became the first minister of defense, and he was the first in the Russian Federation to be awarded this title.

Armed forces in the 1990s

Part Armed Forces of the Russian Federation included departments, associations, formations, military units, institutions, military educational institutions, enterprises and organizations of the Armed Forces of the USSR, located on the territory of Russia at the time of May 1992, as well as troops (forces) under Russian jurisdiction on the territory of the Transcaucasian Military District, Western , Northern and Northwestern Groups of Forces, the Black Sea Fleet, the Baltic Fleet, the Caspian Flotilla, the 14th Guards Army, formations, military units, institutions, enterprises and organizations on the territory of Mongolia, Cuba and some other countries with a total number of 2.88 million people .

As part of the reform armed forces The concept of the Mobile Forces was developed in the General Staff. The mobile forces were supposed to be 5 separate motorized rifle brigades, staffed according to wartime states (95-100%) with a single staff and weapons. Thus, it was planned to get rid of the cumbersome mobilization mechanism, and in the future to transfer sun entirely on a contract basis. However, by the end of 1993, only three such brigades were formed: the 74th, 131st and 136th, while it was not possible to either reduce the brigades to a single state (even battalions in the same brigade differed according to the state), nor to equip them according to wartime states. The understaffing of the units was so significant that at the beginning of the First Chechen War (1994-1996), Grachev asked Boris Yeltsin to sanction limited mobilization, which was refused, and the United Group of Forces in Chechnya had to be formed from units from all military districts. The first Chechen war also revealed serious shortcomings in command and control.

After Chechnya, Igor Rodionov was appointed the new Minister of Defense, in 1997 - Igor Sergeev. A new attempt was made to create fully equipped units with a single staff. As a result, by 1998 Russian Armed Forces 4 categories of parts and connections appeared:

constant readiness (staffing - 95-100% of the wartime staff);
reduced staff (staffing - up to 70%);
storage bases for weapons and military equipment (staffing - 5-10%);
cropped (staffing - 5-10%).

However, the translation sun for a contract recruitment method was not possible due to insufficient funding, while this issue became painful in Russian society against the backdrop of losses in the First Chechen War. At the same time, it was only possible to slightly increase the share of “contract workers” in Armed Forces. By this time, the number sun was reduced by more than two times - to 1,212,000 people.

In the Second Chechen War (1999-2006), the United Group of Forces was formed from units of constant readiness of the ground forces, as well as the Airborne Forces. At the same time, only one tactical battalion group stood out from these units (only one motorized rifle brigade from the Siberian Military District fought in full strength) - this was done in order to quickly compensate for losses in the war due to the personnel remaining in the places of permanent deployment of their parts. Since the end of 1999, the share of "contract workers" in Chechnya began to grow, reaching 45% in 2003.

Armed forces in the 2000s

In 2001, the Ministry of Defense was headed by Sergei Ivanov. After the end of the active phase of hostilities in Chechnya, it was decided to return to the Grachevsky plans for transferring troops to contract recruitment: permanent readiness units were to be transferred to a contract basis, and the rest of the units and formations, BKhVT, CBR and institutions should be left on an urgent basis. In 2003, the corresponding Federal Target Program was launched. The first part transferred to the “contract” within its framework was the airborne regiment as part of the 76th Pskov Airborne Division, and since 2005, other units and formations of constant readiness began to be transferred to a contract basis. However, this program was also unsuccessful due to weak salaries, conditions of service and the lack of social infrastructure in the places of service of military personnel under the contract.

In 2005, work also began on optimizing the management system Armed Forces. According to the idea of the Chief of the General Staff Yuri Baluyevsky, it was planned to create three regional commands, to which units of all types and branches of the military would be subordinate. On the basis of the Moscow Military District, LenVO, the Baltic and Northern Fleets, as well as the former Moscow Military District of the Air Force and Air Defense, the Western Regional Command was to be created; on the basis of a part of the PUrVO, the North Caucasus Military District and the Caspian Flotilla - Yuzhnoye; based on part of the PUrVO, Siberian Military District, Far Eastern Military District and the Pacific Fleet - Vostochnoye. All units of central subordination in the regions were to be reassigned to the regional commands. At the same time, it was planned to abolish the Main Commands of the types and types of troops. The implementation of these plans was, however, postponed to 2010-2015 due to failures in the program to transfer troops to a contract basis, to which the bulk of the funds were urgently transferred.

However, under Serdyukov, who replaced Ivanov in 2007, the idea of creating regional commands quickly returned. It was decided to start from the East. A staff was developed for command and a place of deployment was determined - Ulan-Ude. In January 2008, the Eastern Regional Command was created, but in March-April it showed its ineffectiveness at the joint command and control staff of the Siberian Military District and the Far East Military District, and was disbanded in May.

In 2006, the Russian State Armaments Development Program for 2007-2015 was launched.

Armed forces after the Five Day War

Participation in the armed conflict in South Ossetia and its wide media coverage revealed the main shortcomings armed forces: complex control system and low mobility. Troop control during combat operations was carried out "along the chain" of the General Staff - Headquarters of the North Caucasus Military District - Headquarters of the 58th Army, and only then did orders and directives reach directly to the units. The low ability to maneuver forces over long distances was explained by the cumbersome organizational and staffing structure of units and formations: only parts of the Airborne Forces were transferred to the region by air. Already in September-October 2008, the transition was announced armed forces to a "new look" and a new radical military reform. New reform armed forces is designed to increase their mobility and combat effectiveness, the coordination of actions of different types and types sun.

In the course of the military reform, the military-administrative structure of the Armed Forces was completely reorganized. Instead of six military districts, four were formed, while all formations, formations and units of the Air Force, Navy and Airborne Forces were reassigned to the headquarters of the districts. The command and control system of the Ground Forces was simplified due to the exclusion of the divisional level. Organizational changes in the troops were accompanied by a sharp increase in the growth rate of military spending, which increased from less than 1 trillion rubles in 2008 to 2.15 trillion rubles in 2013. This, as well as a number of other measures, made it possible to speed up the rearmament of the troops, significantly increase the intensity of combat training, and increase the salaries of servicemen.

Structure of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

Military establishment consist of three branches of the Armed Forces, three branches of service, Logistics of the Armed Forces, the Quartering and Arrangement Service of the Ministry of Defense, and troops not included in the branches of the Armed Forces. Territorially, the Armed Forces are divided between 4 military districts:

(Blue) Western Military District - headquarters in St. Petersburg;
(Brown) Southern Military District - headquarters in Rostov-on-Don;
(Green) Central Military District - headquarters in Yekaterinburg;
(Yellow) Eastern Military District - headquarters in Khabarovsk.

Types of armed forces

Ground troops

Ground Forces, SV- the most numerous type in terms of combat composition armed forces. Ground forces are designed to conduct an offensive in order to defeat the enemy grouping, capture and hold his territories, regions and lines, deliver fire strikes to a great depth, and repel enemy incursions and large airborne assault forces. The ground forces of the Russian Federation, in turn, include the types of troops:

Motorized Rifle Troops, MSV- the most numerous branch of the ground forces, is a mobile infantry equipped with infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. They consist of motorized rifle formations, units and subunits, which include motorized rifle, artillery, tank and other units and subunits.
Tank troops, TV- the main strike force of the ground forces, maneuverable, highly mobile and resistant to the effects of nuclear weapons, troops designed to carry out deep breakthroughs and develop operational success, are able to overcome water obstacles on the move in fords and at crossing facilities. Tank troops consist of tank, motorized rifle (mechanized, motorized infantry), rocket, artillery and other subunits and units.
Rocket troops and artillery, RVIA designed for fire and nuclear destruction of the enemy. They are armed with cannon and rocket artillery. They consist of formations of units and subunits of howitzer, cannon, rocket, anti-tank artillery, mortars, as well as artillery reconnaissance, command and control.
Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces, Air Defense Forces- a branch of the ground forces, designed to protect the ground forces from enemy air attack means, to defeat them, as well as to prohibit his air reconnaissance. Air Defense Forces are armed with mobile, towed and portable anti-aircraft missile and anti-aircraft gun systems.
Special troops and services- a set of troops and services of the ground forces, designed to perform highly specialized operations to ensure combat and daily activities armed forces. The special troops consist of radiation, chemical and biological defense troops (RCB protection troops), engineering troops, signal troops, electronic warfare troops, railway, automobile troops, etc.

Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces - Colonel General Vladimir Chirkin, Chief of the General Staff - Lieutenant General Sergei Istrakov.

Air Force

Air Force, Air Force- a branch of the Armed Forces designed to conduct reconnaissance of enemy groupings, ensure the gain of dominance (deterrence) in the air, protect important military-economic regions and facilities of the country and groupings of troops from air strikes, warn of an air attack, defeat objects that form the basis of military and the military and economic potential of the enemy, air support for ground and naval forces, airborne landings, transportation of troops and materiel by air. The Russian Air Force includes:

Long-range aviation- the main striking weapon of the Air Force, designed to defeat (including nuclear) groupings of troops, aviation, naval forces of the enemy and destroy its important military, military-industrial, energy facilities, communication centers in strategic and operational depth. It can also be involved in aerial reconnaissance and mining from the air.
Front-line aviation- the main strike force of the Air Force, solves problems in combined arms, joint and independent operations, is designed to destroy enemy troops, objects in the operational depth in the air, on land and at sea. It can be used for aerial reconnaissance and mining from the air.
Army Aviation Designed for aviation support of the Ground Forces by destroying ground armored mobile targets of the enemy at the forefront and in tactical depth, as well as to ensure combined arms combat and increase the mobility of troops. Army aviation units and subunits perform fire, airborne transport, reconnaissance and special combat missions.
Military transport aviation- one of the types of military aviation, which is part of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It provides air transportation of troops, military equipment and cargo, as well as airborne landings. Performs sudden tasks in peacetime in the event of both natural and man-made emergencies, and conflict situations in a particular region that pose a threat to the security of the state. The main purpose of military transport aviation is to ensure the strategic mobility of the Russian Armed Forces, and in peacetime - to ensure the vital activity of troops in various regions.
Special aviation designed to solve a wide range of tasks: early warning and control, electronic warfare, reconnaissance and target designation, providing control and communications, refueling aircraft in the air, conducting radiation, chemical and engineering reconnaissance, evacuating the wounded and sick, searching and rescuing flight crews and etc.
Anti-aircraft missile troops, ZRV designed to protect important administrative and economic regions and objects of Russia from air attacks.
Radio engineering troops, RTV designed to conduct radar reconnaissance, issue information for radar support of anti-aircraft missile forces and aviation units, as well as to control the use of airspace.

Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force - Lieutenant General Viktor Bondarev

Navy

Navy- a type of armed forces designed to conduct search and rescue operations, protect the economic interests of Russia, conduct military operations in the sea and ocean theaters of military operations. The navy is capable of inflicting conventional and nuclear strikes on the enemy's sea and coastal forces, disrupting its sea communications, landing amphibious assault forces, etc. The Russian Navy consists of four fleets: the Baltic, Northern, Pacific and Black Sea and Caspian flotilla. The Navy includes:

submarine forces- the main striking force of the fleet. Submarine forces are capable of secretly entering the ocean, approaching the enemy and inflicting a sudden and powerful blow on him with conventional and nuclear weapons. In the submarine forces, multi-purpose / torpedo ships and missile cruisers are distinguished.
surface forces provide covert access to the ocean and the deployment of submarine forces, their return. Surface forces are capable of transporting and covering landings, laying and removing minefields, disrupting enemy communications and protecting their own.
Naval aviation- the aviation component of the Navy. Allocate strategic, tactical, deck and coastal aviation. Naval aviation is designed to deliver bombing and missile strikes against enemy ships and its coastal forces, conduct radar reconnaissance, search for submarines and destroy them.
Coastal troops designed to protect naval bases and naval bases, ports, important sections of the coast, islands and straits from attack by enemy ships and amphibious assault forces. The basis of their weapons are coastal missile systems and artillery, anti-aircraft missile systems, mine and torpedo weapons, as well as special coastal defense ships. Coastal fortifications are being set up on the coast to ensure defense by troops.
Formations and units of special forces of the Navy- formations, units and subunits of the Navy, designed to conduct special events on the territory of enemy naval bases and in coastal areas, and conduct reconnaissance.

Commander-in-Chief of the Navy of the Russian Armed Forces - Admiral Viktor Chirkov, Chief of the Main Staff of the Navy - Admiral Alexander Tatarinov.

Independent branches of the military

Aerospace Defense Troops

Aerospace Defense Troops- an independent branch of the military, designed to communicate information about the warning of a missile attack, the missile defense of Moscow, the creation, deployment, maintenance and management of an orbital group of spacecraft for military, dual, socio-economic and scientific purposes. Complexes and systems of the Space Forces solve tasks of a nationwide strategic scale not only in the interests of the Armed Forces and other power structures, but also of most ministries and departments, the economy, and the social sphere. The structure of the Space Forces includes:

The First State Test Cosmodrome "Plesetsk" (until 2007 the Second State Test Cosmodrome "Svobodny" also functioned, until 2008 - the Fifth State Test Cosmodrome "Baikonur", which later became only a civilian cosmodrome)
Launch of military spacecraft
Launch of dual-purpose spacecraft
G. S. Titov Main Test Space Center
Office for the introduction of cash settlement services
Military educational institutions and support units (The main educational institution is the A.F. Mozhaisky Military Space Academy)

Commander of the Space Forces - Lieutenant General Oleg Ostapenko, Chief of the General Staff - Major General Vladimir Derkach. On December 1, 2011, a new branch of the military took up combat duty - the Aerospace Defense Forces (VVKO).

Strategic Rocket Forces

Strategic Rocket Forces (RVSN)- type of army Armed Forces, the main component of Russia's strategic nuclear forces. The Strategic Missile Forces are intended for nuclear deterrence of possible aggression and destruction as part of strategic nuclear forces or independently massive, group or single nuclear missile strikes of strategic objects located in one or more strategic aerospace directions and forming the basis of the military and military-economic potential of the enemy. The Strategic Missile Forces are armed with ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.

three missile armies (headquarters in the cities of Vladimir, Orenburg, Omsk)
4th State Central Interspecific Test Site Kapustin Yar (which also includes the former 10th Test Site Sary-Shagan in Kazakhstan)
4th Central Research Institute (Yubileiny, Moscow Region)
educational institutions (Peter the Great Military Academy in Moscow, military institute in the city of Serpukhov)
arsenals and central repair plants, storage bases for weapons and military equipment

Commander of the Strategic Missile Forces - Colonel General Sergey Viktorovich Karakaev.

Airborne Troops

Airborne Troops (VDV)- an independent branch of the armed forces, which includes airborne formations: airborne and airborne assault divisions and brigades, as well as individual units. The Airborne Forces are designed for operational landing and combat operations behind enemy lines.

The Airborne Forces have 4 divisions: 7th (Novorossiysk), 76th (Pskov), 98th (Ivanovo and Kostroma), 106th (Tula), Training Center (Omsk), Ryazan Higher School, 38th communications regiment, 45th recon. regiment, 31st brigade (Ulyanovsk). In addition, in the military districts (subordinate to the district or the army) there are airborne (or airborne assault) brigades, which administratively belong to the Airborne Forces, but are operationally subordinate to the commander of the military district.

Commander of the Airborne Forces - Colonel General Vladimir Shamanov.

Armament and military equipment

Traditionally, starting from the middle of the 20th century, foreign military equipment and weapons were almost completely absent in the USSR Armed Forces. A rare exception was the production of the socialist countries 152-mm self-propelled guns vz.77). In the USSR, a completely self-sufficient military production was created, which was capable of producing for the needs of armed forces any weapons and equipment. During the years of the Cold War, its gradual accumulation took place, and by 1990 the volume of armaments in the USSR Armed Forces reached unprecedented levels: only in the ground forces there were about 63 thousand tanks, 86 thousand infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, 42 thousand artillery barrels. A significant part of these reserves went into Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and other republics.

At present, the T-64, T-72, T-80, T-90 tanks are in service with the ground forces; infantry fighting vehicles BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3; airborne combat vehicles BMD-1, BMD-2, BMD-3, BMD-4M; armored personnel carriers BTR-70, BTR-80; armored vehicles GAZ-2975 "Tiger", Italian Iveco LMV; self-propelled and towed cannon artillery; multiple launch rocket systems BM-21, 9K57, 9K58, TOS-1; tactical missile systems Tochka and Iskander; air defense systems Buk, Tor, Pantsir-S1, S-300, S-400.

The Air Force is armed with MiG-29, MiG-31, Su-27, Su-30, Su-35 fighters; front-line bombers Su-24 and Su-34; Su-25 attack aircraft; long-range and strategic missile bombers Tu-22M3, Tu-95, Tu-160. An-22, An-70, An-72, An-124, Il-76 aircraft are used in military transport aviation. Special aircraft are used: the Il-78 air tanker, Il-80 and Il-96-300PU air command posts, A-50 early warning aircraft. The Air Force is also armed with combat helicopters Mi-8, Mi-24 of various modifications, Mi-35M, Mi-28N, Ka-50, Ka-52; as well as anti-aircraft missile systems S-300 and S-400. The Su-35S and T-50 multirole fighters (factory index) are being prepared for adoption.

The Navy has one project 1143.5 aircraft-carrying cruiser, project 1144 and project 1164 missile cruisers, project 1155 and project 956 large anti-submarine destroyers, project 20380 and project 1124 corvettes, sea and base minesweepers, project 775 landing ships. the submarine forces include multi-purpose torpedo ships of project 971, project 945, project 671, project 877; project 949 missile submarines, project 667BDRM, 667BDR, 941 strategic missile cruisers, as well as project 955 SSBNs.

Nuclear weapon

Russia has the world's largest stockpile of nuclear weapons and the second largest grouping of strategic nuclear weapon carriers after the United States. By the beginning of 2011, the strategic nuclear forces had 611 "deployed" strategic carriers capable of carrying 2,679 nuclear warheads. In arsenals in long-term storage in 2009, there were about 16,000 warheads. The deployed strategic nuclear forces are distributed in the so-called nuclear triad: for its delivery, intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and strategic bombers are used. The first element of the triad is concentrated in the Strategic Missile Forces, where the R-36M, UR-100N, RT-2PM, RT-2PM2 and RS-24 missile systems are in service. The naval strategic forces are represented by R-29R, R-29RM, R-29RMU2 missiles, which are carried by strategic missile submarines of projects 667BDR "Kalmar", 667BDRM "Delfin". The R-30 iRPKSN missile of project 955 "Borey" was put into service. Strategic aviation is represented by Tu-95MS and Tu-160 aircraft armed with Kh-55 cruise missiles.

Non-strategic nuclear forces are represented by tactical missiles, artillery shells, guided and free-fall bombs, torpedoes, and depth charges.

Funding and provision

Financing armed forces is carried out from the federal budget of Russia under the item of expenditure "National Defense".

Russia's first military budget in 1992 was 715 trillion non-denominated rubles, which was equal to 21.5% of total spending. It was the second largest expenditure item of the republican budget, second only to the financing of the national economy (803.89 trillion rubles). In 1993, only 3115.508 billion non-denominated rubles (3.1 billion in nominal terms at current prices) were allocated for national defense, which amounted to 17.70% of total spending. In 1994, 40.67 trillion rubles were allocated (28.14% of total expenditures), in 1995 - 48.58 trillion (19.57% of total expenditures), in 1996 - 80.19 trillion (18.40 % of total expenses), in 1997 - 104.31 trillion (19.69% of total expenses), in 1998 - 81.77 billion denominated rubles (16.39% of total expenses).

As part of the appropriations under section 02 "National Defense", which finances most of the expenses of the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2013, budgetary funds are provided for solving key issues of the Armed Forces, including further re-equipment with new models of weapons, military and special equipment, social protection and provision of housing for military personnel, solving other problems. In the bill, expenditures under section 02 "National Defense" for 2013 are provided in the amount of 2,141.2 billion rubles and exceed the volumes of 2012 by 276.35 billion rubles, or 14.8% in nominal terms. National defense spending in 2014 and 2015 is provided for in the amount of 2,501.4 billion rubles and 3,078.0 billion rubles, respectively. The growth of budget allocations compared to the previous year is envisaged in the amount of 360.2 billion rubles (17.6%) and 576.6 billion rubles (23.1%). In accordance with the draft law, in the planned period, the growth in the share of national defense spending in total federal budget expenditures will be 16.0% in 2013 (14.5% in 2012), 17.6% in 2014 and 17.6% in 2015. - 19.7%. The share of planned spending on national defense in relation to GDP in 2013 will be 3.2%, in 2014 - 3.4% and in 2015 - 3.7%, which is higher than the parameters of 2012 (3.0%) .

Federal budget expenditures by sections for 2012-2015 billion rubles
	Name	Changes to the previous year, %
	Name
	Military establishment
	Mobilization and non-military training
	Mobilization preparation of the economy
	Preparation and participation in ensuring collective security and peacekeeping activities
	Nuclear weapons complex
	Implementation of international treaties in the field Military-technical cooperation
	Applied Defense Research
	Other issues in the field of national defense

Military service

military service in Russian Armed Forces provided both by contract and by conscription. The minimum age of a serviceman is 18 years (for cadets of military educational institutions it may be less at the time of enrollment), the maximum age is 65 years.

Acquisition

Army, aviation and navy officers serve only under contract. The officer corps is trained mainly in higher military educational institutions, after which the cadets are awarded the military rank of "lieutenant". The first contract with cadets - for the entire period of study and for 5 years of military service - is, as a rule, concluded in the second year of study. Citizens who are in the reserve, including those who have received the rank of "lieutenant" and are assigned to the reserve after training at military departments (faculties of military training, cycles, military training centers) at civilian universities.

Private and junior officers are recruited both by conscription and by contract. All male citizens of the Russian Federation liable for military service between the ages of 18 and 27 are subject to conscription. The term of service on conscription is one calendar year. Conscription campaigns are carried out twice a year: spring - from April 1 to July 15, autumn - from October 1 to December 31. After 6 months of service, any soldier can submit a report on the conclusion of the first contract with him - for 3 years. The age limit for the conclusion of the first contract is 40 years.

The number of people called up for military service through conscription campaigns
	spring	Total number

The overwhelming majority of military personnel are men, in addition, about 50 thousand women are serving in the military: 3 thousand in officer positions (including 28 colonels), 11 thousand ensigns and about 35 thousand in private and sergeant positions. At the same time, 1.5% of female officers (~45 people) serve in primary command positions in the troops, the rest - in staff positions.

A distinction is made between the current mobilization reserve (the number to be drafted in the current year), the organized mobilization reserve (the number of those who previously served in the Armed Forces and are enlisted in the reserve) and the potential mobilization reserve (the number of people who can be drafted into the troops (forces) in case of mobilization). In 2009, the potential mobilization reserve amounted to 31 million people (for comparison: in the USA - 56 million people, in China - 208 million people). In 2010, the organized mobilized reserve (reserve) amounted to 20 million people. According to some domestic demographers, the number of 18-year-olds (the current mobilization reserve) will be reduced by 4 times by 2050 and will amount to 328 thousand people. Making a calculation based on the data of this article, the potential mobilization reserve of Russia in 2050 will be 14 million people, which is 55% less than in 2009.

Number of members

In 2011, the number of personnel Russian Armed Forces was about 1 million people. The million army was the result of a gradual long-term reduction from 2,880 thousand in the armed forces in 1992 (-65.3%). By 2008, almost half of the personnel were officers, ensigns and midshipmen. During the military reform of 2008, the positions of warrant officers and midshipmen were reduced, and about 170 thousand officer positions were also eliminated, whereby the share of officers in the states was about 15%[ source not specified 562 days], but later, by decree of the President, the established number of officers was increased to 220 thousand people.

In staffing sun includes ordinary and junior command staff (sergeants and foremen) and officers serving in military units and central, district and local military authorities in military positions provided for by the staff of certain units, in commandant's offices, military commissariats, military missions abroad, as well as cadets of higher military educational institutions of the Ministry of Defense and military training centers. Outside the state are servicemen transferred to the disposal of commanders and chiefs due to the temporary absence of vacancies or the impossibility of dismissing a serviceman.

Cash allowance

The monetary allowance of military personnel is regulated by the Federal Law of the Russian Federation of November 7, 2011 N 306-FZ "On the monetary allowance of military personnel and the provision of certain payments to them." The salaries for military positions and salaries for military ranks are established by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 5, 2011 No. 992 "On the establishment of salaries for the monetary maintenance of military personnel serving under a contract."

The monetary allowance of military personnel consists of salary salaries (salary according to military position and salary according to military rank), incentive and compensatory (additional) payments. Additional payments include:

for seniority
for excellent qualification
for work with information constituting a state secret
for special conditions of military service
for the performance of tasks directly related to the risk to life and health in peacetime
for special achievements in service

In addition to six monthly additional payments, annual bonuses are provided for conscientious and efficient performance of official duties; the established coefficient to the salary of military personnel serving in areas with adverse climatic or environmental conditions, outside the territory of Russia, and so on.


Military rank	Salary amount
senior officers
General of the Army, Admiral of the Navy
Colonel General, Admiral
Lieutenant General, Vice Admiral
Major General, Rear Admiral
senior officers
Colonel, captain 1st rank
Lieutenant Colonel, Captain 2nd Rank
Major, captain of the 3rd rank
junior officers
Captain, Lieutenant Commander
Senior Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Ensign

Summary table of salaries for some military ranks and positions (since 2012)
Typical military position	Salary amount
In the central military administration
Head of the main department
Head of Department
Team leader
Senior officer
In the troops
Commander of the military district
Combined Arms Commander
brigade commander
Regiment commander
Battalion commander
Company commander
Platoon commander

Military training

In 2010, more than 2 thousand events were held with practical actions of formations and military units. This is 30% more than in 2009.

The largest of them was the operational-strategic exercise "Vostok-2010". Up to 20 thousand military personnel, 4 thousand units of military equipment, up to 70 aircraft and 30 ships took part in it.

In 2011, it is planned to hold about 3,000 practical events. The most important of them is the Center-2011 operational-strategic exercise.

The most important event in the Armed Forces in 2012 and the end of the summer training period were the strategic command and staff exercises "Kavkaz-2012".

Food for military personnel

To date, the diet of military personnel Russian Armed Forces is organized according to the principle of building food rations and is built "on a system of natural rationing, the structural basis of which is a physiologically based set of products for the corresponding contingents of military personnel, adequate to their energy consumption and professional activities." According to Vladimir Isakov, head of the logistics of the Russian armed forces, “... today, the diet of a Russian soldier and sailor has more meat, fish, eggs, butter, sausages and cheeses. For example, the daily norm of meat for each serviceman, according to the norm of combined arms rations, has increased by 50 g and now stands at 250 g. Coffee appeared for the first time, and the norms for issuing juices (up to 100 g), milk and butter were also increased ... ".

By decision of the Minister of Defense of Russia, 2008 was declared the year of improving the nutrition of the personnel of the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

The role of the armed forces in politics and society

According to the Federal Law "On Defense" military establishment form the basis of the defense of the state and are the main element in ensuring its security. Military establishment in Russia they are not an independent political entity, they do not take part in the struggle for power and the formation of state policy. At the same time, it is noted that a distinctive feature of the Russian system of state power is the decisive role of the President in the relationship between power and armed forces, whose order actually outputs sun from under the report and control of both the legislative and executive branches, with the formal presence of parliamentary oversight. In the recent history of Russia, there were cases when military establishment directly intervened in the political process and played a key role in it: during the coup attempt in 1991 and during the constitutional crisis of 1993. Among the most famous political and state figures of Russia in the past, active military personnel were V.V. Putin, the former governor of the Krasnoyarsk Territory Alexander Lebed, the former plenipotentiary representative of the President in the Siberian Federal District Anatoly Kvashnin, the governor of the Moscow region Boris Gromov and many others. Vladimir Shamanov, who headed the Ulyanovsk region in 2000-2004, continued his military service after resigning as governor.

Military establishment are one of the largest objects of budget financing. In 2011, about 1.5 trillion rubles were allocated for the purposes of national defense, which amounted to more than 14% of all budget expenditures. For comparison, this is three times more spending on education, four times more on healthcare, 7.5 times more on housing and communal services, or more than 100 times more on environmental protection. However, military personnel, civil servants Armed Forces, workers in defense production, employees of military scientific organizations make up a significant proportion of the economically active population of Russia.

Russian military installations abroad

Current

Russian military installations in the CIS
On the territory of the city of Tartus in Syria, there is a MTO point of Russia.
Military bases on the territory of partially recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Planned to open

According to some Russian media, in a few years Russia will have bases for its warships on the island of Socotra (Yemen) and Tripoli (Libya) (due to the change of power in these states, plans will most likely not be implemented).

Closed

In 2001, the Russian government decided to close military bases in Cam Ranh (Vietnam) and Lourdes (Cuba) due to changes in the geopolitical situation in the world.
In 2007, the Georgian government decided to close the Russian military bases on the territory of their country.

Problems

In 2011, 51 conscript soldiers, 29 contract soldiers, 25 ensigns and 14 officers committed suicide (for comparison, in the US Army in 2010, 156 military personnel committed suicide, in 2011 - 165 military personnel and in 2012 - 177 servicemen). The most suicidal year for the Russian Armed Forces was 2008, when 292 people in the army and 213 in the navy committed suicide.

There is a direct relationship between suicide and the loss of social status - what is called the "King Lear complex". Thus, a high suicide rate among retired officers, young soldiers, people taken into custody, recent pensioners

Corruption

Employees of the Military Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia are conducting pre-investigation checks on the fact of the activities of not only the central office of Slavyanka, but also its regional divisions. Most of these inspections develop into investigations into embezzlement of budgetary funds. So, the other day, military investigators near Moscow opened a criminal case on the fact of the theft of about 40,000,000 rubles received by the Solnechnogorsky branch of Slavyanka OJSC. This money was supposed to be used to repair the buildings of the Ministry of Defense, but it turned out to be stolen and “cashed out”.

Problems of realization of freedom of conscience

The establishment of the institution of military priests can be considered a violation of freedom of conscience and religion.

Ground forces are the most significant types of troops in the country. Any armed conflict can be resolved through the combat capabilities of the ground forces exclusively or in their interaction with other armed forces of the state. They ensure national security and protect the country's national interests primarily on land.

Russia: land army, a bit of history

Throughout the long history of the existence of the state, the ground forces of Russia have played an important role, protecting its territorial integrity from numerous enemies.

The turning point in the development and creation of a regular Russian army was October 1, 1550, when Tsar Ivan the Terrible, by his decree, laid the foundation for the first permanent army, which had signs of a regular army. In November 1699, in his decree, Peter I mentions a recruiting system based on a territorial basis, which had a positive effect on the combat capability of Russian soldiers, which, in fact, was the beginning of the formation of a new army. The development of the ideas of Peter I led to the establishment in 1763 of a unified structure of infantry regiments, each of which included 12 companies, consisting of 2 Grenadian and 10 musketeers, combined into 2 battalions, and an artillery team.

The second half of the 18th century was marked by the appearance of divisions and corps in the ground forces. In 1768, the ground forces were divided into 8 divisions and 3 guard corps. Each division included three branches: infantry, cavalry and artillery. The most fruitful period in the construction of the SV was the period between the Civil War and the Great Patriotic War, when motorized mechanized troops were created, which played an important role in the fight against Nazi Germany. During the war, the technical equipment changed dramatically, the number of guns and mortars increased 3 times, tanks - 10 times, pistols and machine guns - 30 times.

In the post-war period, the ground forces of the Russian Federation improved and developed in accordance with scientific and technological progress, which led to the modernization of tanks, artillery, the emergence of armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, helicopters, and anti-aircraft missile systems.

The structure of the Russian ground forces

To date, the Russian ground forces are organizationally divided into the following types:

The ground forces include platoons, companies, battalions, regiments, brigades, divisions, subordinate to the command of the army or directly to the district. The main provisions for conducting and preparing for combined arms combat are described in the charter. The first handwritten charter of the ground forces appeared in 1607, it described the basics of military construction, methods and methods of training troops, the order of movement and deployment of troops in the field of hostilities.

Leadership of the Russian Ground Forces

The task of leading the ground forces is entrusted to the High Command of the Ground Forces. The Commander-in-Chief of the SV was first formed in March 1946. Throughout its long history, the High Command has been disbanded more than once and has undergone many changes. The last change came in 1997 when the General Command was renamed to the General Directorate, which has the following tasks:

Prepares troops for combat operations;

Improves the structure and composition, optimizes the number;

Develops military theory and practice;

Develops and implements combat regulations, manuals, and methodological manuals in the training of troops;

Improves the operational and combat training of the SV together with other branches of the RF Armed Forces.

How are the RF SV equipped and armed?

The Russian ground forces have Russian or Soviet-made equipment at their disposal. It is represented by towed or self-propelled artillery (guns, howitzers, mortars, multiple launch rocket systems), tanks, armored personnel carriers, armored reconnaissance vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles and flamethrowers, self-propelled anti-tank guided missiles, air defense systems. Reconnaissance drones are also in service with the Russian ground forces.

Automatic and hand grenade launchers, rocket-propelled grenades and flamethrowers, portable anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, pistols, assault, sniper and heavy-caliber rifles, light, uniform and heavy machine guns constitute small arms.

Insignia

Ground forces as insignia have shoulder straps, emblems on the corners of the collar, sleeve insignia. The functional purpose of shoulder straps differs in color. The small emblem, which looks like a flaming grenada against the background of crossed swords, is made of golden metal and is intended for everyday military uniforms, the khaki emblem is for field uniforms. A sleeve badge demonstrating belonging to a military unit, district or formation is located on the left sleeve near the shoulder.

The right sleeve of the uniform has a patch with the sign of the ground forces, type of troops or a sign of belonging to a unit, subdivision. The sleeve insignia of the SV is an image of a double-headed eagle in a round red shield with open wings, holding a silver sword in one paw and a flaming grenade in the other. The chest of the eagle is decorated with a shield topped with a crown. On the shield is a rider who strikes the dragon with a spear. The flaming grenada on the small emblem and in the paw of the eagle symbolizes the power of the NE, and the crossed swords are a common traditional symbol of armed struggle.

The goals of the ground forces in peacetime

In peacetime, the military ground forces:

Maintain the combat potential and training of personnel at a high level;

Provide readiness for operational and mobilization deployment;

Prepare command and control centers and units for conducting military and combat operations;

Create stockpiles of weapons, military equipment, materiel;

Participate in peacekeeping missions;

Participate in the elimination of the consequences of accidents, catastrophes, disasters.

The purpose of the ground forces in a threatening period

During such a period of time, the ground forces of the Russian Federation perform slightly different tasks:

Build up the composition and increase the combat and mobilization readiness of the troops;

Strengthen and increase the forces and means of combat duty and reconnaissance behind the maneuvers of the troops of the alleged enemy;

Groupings of troops are promptly deployed in threatened directions;

Participate in carrying out certain measures of territorial defense;

Prepare armaments and armed equipment for combat use, build up the base of logistics;

Cover the state borders of the state;

Prepare the first defensive operations.

Goals of the SV in wartime

Perform tasks in accordance with the strategic deployment plan of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

They stop possible military conflicts, repel enemy aggression with combat-ready groupings of troops.

Conduct defensive and counter-offensive operations together with other troops aimed at defeating the enemy.

Participate in the conduct of territorial defense.

The ground forces are a flexible, operational-strategic force with high firepower, mobility and security, capable of repelling enemy aggression due to a variety of weapons and methods of combat operations.

And they form the basis of groupings of troops in strategic directions. They are designed to ensure and protect our country from external aggression on land, as well as to protect Russia within the framework of its international obligations to ensure collective security.

In terms of their combat capabilities, the Ground Forces, in cooperation with other branches of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, are capable of conducting an offensive in order to defeat the enemy grouping and seize its territory, deliver fire strikes to a great depth, repel the invasion of the enemy, his large airborne assault forces, firmly hold the occupied territories, areas and frontiers.

The ground forces organizationally consist of (Fig. 1) motorized rifle and tank troops, missile troops and artillery, air defense troops, which are military branches, as well as special troops (reconnaissance, communications, electronic warfare, engineering, NBC protection, technical support, rear protection, units and rear organizations). Their combat strength is based on motorized rifle, tank divisions and brigades (including mountain divisions), brigades (regiments) of military branches and special forces, organized in the army and front (district) groupings of troops (forces).

The formations and formations of the Ground Forces are the main component of the military districts: Moscow (MVO), Leningrad (LenVO), North Caucasus (SKVO), Volga-Ural (PUrVO), Siberian (SibVO), Far Eastern (FOR).

Motorized rifle troops- the most numerous branch of the military, which forms the basis of the Ground Forces and the core of their battle formations. They are equipped with powerful weapons to destroy ground and air targets, missile systems, tanks, artillery and mortars, anti-tank guided missiles, anti-aircraft missile systems and installations, effective means of reconnaissance and control.

Rice. 1. Structure of the Ground Forces

Tank forces- the branch of the armed forces and the main striking force of the Ground Forces. They are used mainly in the main directions for delivering powerful cutting blows to the enemy to a great depth.

Possessing great stability and firepower, high mobility and maneuverability, tank troops are able to make fullest use of the results of nuclear and fire strikes and achieve the final results of combat and operations in a short time.

Rocket troops and artillery- a branch of the Ground Forces, which is the main means of fire and nuclear destruction in front-line and army (corps) operations and in combined arms combat. Designed to destroy nuclear weapons, manpower, artillery, other fire weapons and enemy targets.

Air defense troops- a branch of the Ground Forces designed to repel enemy air attacks and protect groupings of troops and rear facilities from air strikes.

The successful fulfillment by the combined-arms formations of the tasks facing them is ensured by special troops (engineering, radiation, chemical and biological protection, etc.) and services (weapons, rear).

Special Troops- military units, institutions and organizations designed to ensure the combat activities of the Ground Forces and solve their inherent special tasks.

In addition to small arms (Fig. 2-5), the Ground Forces are armed with tanks (T-90 - Fig. 6, T-80U, T-72, T-64, T-62, T-54/55), armored personnel carriers ( BTR-60/70/80 - Fig. 7), infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-1/2/3 - Fig. 8), combat reconnaissance and patrol vehicles (BRDM), howitzers (Fig. 9) and 122-caliber guns 203 mm, mortars of caliber 82 (Fig. 10), 120, 160 and 240 mm, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS of caliber 122, 140, 220, 240 and 300 mm - Fig. 11), anti-tank weapons (hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, anti-tank missile systems, cannons), military air defense systems (self-propelled anti-aircraft installations, anti-aircraft missile systems, portable anti-aircraft missile systems), Tochka-U tactical missiles, Mi-8 helicopters (Fig. 12), Mi-24, Mi-26.

Rice. 2. Makarov pistol (PM): caliber - 9 mm; barrel length - 93 mm; magazine capacity - 8 rounds; weight with a loaded magazine - 810 g; effective firing range - 25 m; combat rate of fire - 30 rounds / min; muzzle velocity - 315 m / s

Rice. 3. Dragunov sniper rifle (SVD): caliber 7.62 mm; length - 1220 mm: barrel length - 620 mm; muzzle velocity - 830 m/s; magazine capacity - 10 rounds; weight with a loaded magazine - 4.51 kg; effective range - 1300 m

Rice. 4. Kalashnikov assault rifle (LK-74M): caliber - 5.45 mm; magazine capacity - 30 rounds; weight without bayonet and cartridges - 2.71 kg; rate of fire - 600 rounds / min; effective range - 1000 m

Rice. 5. Machine gun NSV-127 "Kord": caliber - 12.7 mm; weight - 25 kg; tape capacity - 50 rounds; combat rate of fire 650-750 rounds / min; muzzle velocity - 820-860 m/s; effective range - 2000 m

Rice. 6. Tank T-90 "Black Eagle": length - 9.5 m; height - 2.225 m; width - 3.78 m; weight - 48 tons; power - 840 l. e.; maximum speed - 70 km / h; range - 550-650 km; armament - 125 mm smoothbore gun, 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun, 7.62 mm PKT machine gun, ATGM; ammunition - 43 shells, 300 rounds of 12.7 mm caliber, 2000 rounds of 7.62 mm caliber; crew - 3 people

Rice. 7. Armored personnel carrier BTR-80: combat weight - 13.6 g; length - 7.6 m; width - 2.9 m; height - 2.3 m; armament - 14.5 mm coaxial machine gun, 7.62 mm anti-aircraft machine gun; maximum speed on the highway (afloat) - 80 (9) km / h; cruising range on the highway - 600 km; engine power - 260 l. e.; combat crew - 10 people (3 people - crew, 7 people - landing)

Rice. 8. Infantry fighting vehicle BMP-3: combat weight - 18.7 tons; length - 6.7 m; width - 3.3 m; height - 2.65 m; engine power - 500 l. e.; maximum speed ho highway (afloat) - 70 (10) km / h; cruising range on the highway - 600 km; rate of fire - 300 rounds / min; firing range - 4000 m; armament - 100 mm cannon; ammunition - 40 ATGM rounds; combat crew - 10 people (3 people - crew, 7 people - landing)

Rice. 9. Self-propelled howitzer "Acacia": caliber - 152 mm; combat weight - 27.5 tons; mass of a high-explosive fragmentation (cumulative) projectile - 43.56 (27.4) kg; muzzle velocity - 655 m/s; armor penetration of a cumulative projectile - 250 mm; maximum firing range - 17400 m; rate of fire - 4 shots / min; ammunition - 46 shots; engine power - 520 l. e.; highway speed - 60 km / h; power reserve - 500 km; calculation (crew) - 6 (4) people

Rice. 10. Mortar 2B14-1 "Tray": caliber - 82 mm; firing range - 4270 m; rate of fire - 24 rounds / min; calculation - 4 people; weight - 39 kg; ammunition - 120 shots

Rice. 11. Multiple launch rocket system "Smerch": caliber - 300 mm; number of guides - 12; projectile weight - 800 kg; firing range - 20-70 km; the area affected by one volley - 67.2 hectares; full salvo time - 40 s; power reserve - 900 km; calculation - 4 people

Rice. 12. Transport combat helicopter Mi-8: length - 18.22 m; height - 5.65 m; diameter of the main screw - 21.29 m; maximum takeoff weight - 12200 kg; cruising speed - 225 km / h; range - 465 km; ceiling - 4500 m; crew - 2-3 people; payload - 4000 kg in the cab or 3000 kg on the suspension; armament - 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun; combat load - 1000 kg (PU, bombs or ATGMs)

The ground forces are the backbone of the army of any country in the world, and the Russian army is no exception. The ground forces of the Russian Federation are one of the three main types of troops of the Armed Forces of Russia, their main task is to conduct combat operations on land.

Ground troops are the most ancient type of troops. In Russia, their history begins in the 13th century. The Day of the Ground Forces in our country is celebrated on October 1. This date was by no means chosen by chance: it was on October 1, 1550 that Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible issued a decree on the creation of a regular army from among selected servicemen. Therefore, in 2006, by decision of the President of the Russian Federation, the holiday "Day of the Ground Forces" was established on this day. Every year on October 1, Russians pay tribute to the memory of the soldiers who died defending the Fatherland.

Land forces of the Russian Federation: structure and strength

The ground forces of the Russian Federation for 2018 had a strength of about 300 thousand people. O. L. Salyukov has been the Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces since 2014.

The goals and objectives of the Ground Forces can be divided into three groups:

in peacetime;
in a threatened environment;
during the war.

In peacetime, the Ground Forces are obliged to maintain a high level of combat training, to ensure constant readiness for operational and mobilization deployment, and to create a reserve of weapons, ammunition and military equipment in case of war. Ground forces in peacetime participate in peacekeeping missions.

In a threatening period, the Ground Forces increase their numbers, provide conditions for rapid deployment, prepare military equipment and weapons for a future conflict, carry out defensive measures, and increase the training of manpower reserves.

In wartime, the deployment of the Ground Forces takes place, the main task during this period is to repel the aggression of the enemy and defeat him.

The Ground Forces includes several types of troops:

motorized rifle;
tank;
rocket troops and artillery;
Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces;
special troops.

Each of the above types of troops has its own structure.

The ground forces of the Russian Federation are divided into four districts. The territorial structure of the NE of Russia is as follows:

western military district (two armies with headquarters in St. Petersburg and Voronezh);
the central military district (two armies with headquarters in Samara and Novosibirsk);
southern military district (two armies with headquarters in Stavropol and Vladikavkaz);
eastern military district (it includes four armies, headquarters are located in Ulan-Ude, Belogorsk, Chita and Ussuriysk).

Armies consist of divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions, companies and platoons.

The ground forces of the Russian Federation can be divided into three components. The first group includes command and control bodies (headquarters) and communications, military units of constant readiness, which can perform limited tasks even in peacetime. Special attention is paid to such units in terms of manning (mainly contract soldiers), military equipment and weapons.

The second component includes parts of the reduced composition, which can perform limited tasks in peacetime conditions. In wartime conditions, such units should become the basis for the deployment of the army.

The third component includes strategic reserves.

Such a structure of the Ground Forces is optimal, since it allows saving state funds, while constantly having forces sufficient for use in local conflicts.

Military-industrial complex

Before proceeding to the description of the military branches, a few words should be said about the Russian military industry, in relation to the needs of the Ground Forces.

Russia inherited from the USSR a powerful military-industrial complex capable of fully satisfying the needs of the domestic armed forces. Moreover, the Russian Federation is one of the largest players in the arms market, and most of the domestic products sold on world markets are military equipment and weapons for the ground forces.

The Russian military-industrial complex fully meets the needs of the Ground Forces in small arms and ammunition for them, armored vehicles (armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, tanks and other combat vehicles), artillery weapons and rocketry. This list goes on.

There are dozens of design bureaus and production associations in Russia that develop, test, produce and modernize military equipment and weapons.

Most of the weapons that are currently used in the Russian Ground Forces were developed back in Soviet times. However, in the past few years, an active modernization of the armed forces, including the Ground Forces, has been carried out.

The backbone of the Russian Ground Forces is motorized rifle troops. This branch of the military appeared in 1963. The main feature of motorized rifle troops is their high level of mobility and firepower.

The motorized rifle troops of Russia are equipped with both Soviet-made weapons and modern types of equipment created in recent years. This allows them to effectively hit any kind of targets.

In motorized rifle troops, in addition to the main units, there are tank, anti-aircraft, artillery, anti-tank units. There are also special-purpose units that can perform various tasks, including logistics, as well as deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines. All of the above significantly increases the firepower of this type of troops.

The main advantage of motorized rifle troops is their high mobility, which allows motorized riflemen to quickly switch from one type of combat operations to another and ensures their extreme tactical versatility. Motorized rifle units can alternate maneuver and strike, quickly concentrate in the right place and disperse if necessary.

Today, Russian motorized rifle units are armed with modern small arms, infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3), armored personnel carriers (BTR-70, BTR-80, BTR-90), are fully provided with road transport, including its latest designs. Motorized rifle units are armed with reconnaissance vehicles, anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems (both portable and self-propelled) and other types of weapons.

The motorized rifle troops of Russia participated in the civil war in Tajikistan on the side of government troops, and were the backbone of the federal forces during the Chechen campaigns. Motorized rifle formations took part in the war in Georgia in 2008.

Currently, a new line of armored vehicles is being developed specifically for the Ground Forces on the Kurganets universal base, which they plan to put into production in the near future.

According to modern military doctrine, tank troops are the main striking force of the Ground Forces. Russia inherited powerful tank forces and several powerful tank building centers from the USSR. Back in 2005, the Russian army was armed with 23,000 tanks of various types and modifications. Gradually, they were removed from service, in 2009, only 2,000 vehicles officially remained in service.

The main task facing the country's military leadership in the first decade of this century was the modernization of the tank fleet inherited from the Soviet Union. One of the priority tasks for the development of tank troops in the period from 2005 to 2010 was the arming of tank units with the latest T-90 vehicles.

In parallel, work was underway to create a new generation of combat vehicles. In 2011, they decided to stop purchasing old equipment and concentrate on the development of a new Armata combat platform.

According to the official website of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, today the Russian army is armed with T-72 tanks (various modifications), T-80 and T-90. In addition, a large number of tanks of old models are on conservation. According to some sources, there are about 8 thousand of them.

Recently, the latest Russian tank of the latest generation "Armata" was shown to the general public. Based on it, they plan to create a whole family of new combat vehicles. Currently, state tests of this technique are underway.

In addition to directly tank formations, the tank troops also include motorized rifle (mechanized), missile, artillery and anti-aircraft units. The tank units include engineering services, electronic warfare units, and vehicle units. They can be given attack and transport helicopters.

Tank troops combine high maneuverability and firepower, and are highly resistant to weapons of mass destruction.

Although the importance of tank troops has declined relatively in recent decades, they still remain the main striking force of the Ground Forces and will undoubtedly retain their importance in the coming decades.

Modern tanks are capable of overcoming water barriers, conducting active combat operations in the daytime and at night, and making rapid forced marches.

Every second of September, Russia celebrates the Day of the Tankman, remembering the invaluable merits of the armored forces in past wars and their significant role in strengthening the country's defense capability today.

Rocket troops and artillery

This type of troops also appeared in the early 60s of the last century. It consists of formations of operational-tactical missiles, formations of tactical missiles, large-caliber rocket artillery, as well as cannon, rocket and howitzer artillery. The missile troops include mortar units and artillery reconnaissance, supply and control units.

The military doctrine states that this type of troops is the main means of inflicting fire damage on the enemy in battle. Rockets and artillery can also use weapons of mass destruction.

Today, the Rocket Forces are armed with a large number of artillery and rocket weapons, mainly developed in the Soviet years.

The most well-known to the general public are multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) "Grad", "Smerch", "Hurricane". They were used by Soviet troops during the Afghan war, went through both Chechen campaigns and proved to be a very reliable and effective type of weapon.

Of the new developments, one can name the Tornado MLRS and the Iskander operational missile system.

In recent decades, the role of combat aviation has increased significantly. Planes have become faster, stealthier and deadlier. That is why there was a need for a separate type of troops, whose task is to cover the ground forces during hostilities or on the march. The Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces also provide cover for military and civilian facilities in the near rear.

The air defense of the Ground Forces and the air defense, which protects the entire territory of the country, should not be confused - these are two different types of troops.

The task of the air defense of the Ground Forces is to detect enemy air assets against the troops being covered and to destroy them. In addition, the air defense forces are responsible for missile defense in their area of coverage.

October 1941 can be called the date of birth of the air defense of the Ground Forces, it was then that by the decision of the military command the entire air defense system was divided into front-line and general, the task of which was to defend objects in the Soviet rear.

The Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces are armed with anti-aircraft systems, which make it possible to deal with air targets at all ranges of heights and speeds.

Long-range air defense systems include various modifications of the S-300 complex, which have a range of destruction of air targets up to 100 km. Anti-aircraft systems operating at medium distances include modifications of the Buk and Kub complexes. The range of their destruction is about 30 km (for the latest Buk - 70 km), the height of interception of the latest modifications of the Buk exceeds 50 km.

A military conflict is not only a soldier with a weapon in a trench or behind the levers of a tank. Modern warfare is primarily a logistical challenge. In order for a fighter on the front line to fight and effectively destroy the enemy, he needs to provide a lot of things. And above all, deliver him to the battlefield himself.

Automobile, railway and road troops are directly involved in the transportation of personnel, military equipment and material resources.

Engineering troops are engaged in the construction of fortifications, overcoming water barriers, installation and clearance of minefields. As part of the engineering troops there are units of engineering intelligence.

RKhBZ are designed to eliminate the consequences of the use of weapons of mass destruction by the enemy. This type of troops is also used to eliminate the consequences of man-made disasters.

The pipeline troops are designed to lay main pipelines and supply the troops with fuel and lubricants. The task of these units is to supply a sufficient amount of fuel for tens and hundreds of kilometers.

The main task of the signal troops is to ensure coordination between various military units and structures. It is precisely the well-established communication that makes it possible to promptly command troops, timely use various types of weapons, and avoid enemy retaliatory strikes.

The ground forces are a branch of the Armed Forces designed to conduct combat operations primarily on land. In most states, the Army is the most numerous branch of the Armed Forces.

The ground forces of the Russian Federation, in cooperation with other types of forces, are capable of conducting an offensive in order to defeat the enemy grouping and seize its territory, deliver fire strikes to a great depth, repel the invasion of the enemy, his large airborne assault forces, and hold the occupied territories, areas and lines. At present, they play the main role in solving the tasks of covering the state border, repelling attacks by the aggressor on land, holding the occupied territory, defeating enemy force groupings and achieving ultimate goals, both in a nuclear war and in a war using only conventional weapons. . In addition, they must be able to protect Russia's national interests within the framework of its international obligations.

The Ground Forces of the Russian Federation are the oldest and most numerous branch of the Armed Forces in terms of combat strength. For many years, they played a leading role in solving the most important tasks that were set before the domestic Armed Forces. During the Great Patriotic War, their combat readiness was tested.

The Patriotic War of 1812 occupies a special place in the historical development of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In the battles against the French army, which conquered all of Europe, the Russian troops turned out to be more prepared and dispelled the myth of Napoleon's invincibility.

During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, all the most important tasks in the fight against the Nazi troops were solved by the Ground Forces.

The ground forces of the Russian Federation are composed of: motorized rifle, tank, missile troops and artillery, air defense, army aviation, special troops (reconnaissance, communications, electronic warfare, engineering, radiation, chemical and biological protection, technical support, automobile and rear guard); military units and institutions in the rear.

Types of ground forces

Motorized rifle troops

Motorized rifle troops, the most numerous branch of the Ground Forces (since 1963). The motorized rifle troops have preserved the best traditions of the Russian and Soviet infantry, which was called the “queen of the fields.” They consist of motorized rifle formations, units and subunits, which include motorized rifle, artillery, tank and other units and subunits.

Motorized rifle troops are equipped with modern weapons to destroy ground and air targets - automatic weapons (automatic weapons, machine guns), artillery, tactical missiles, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3), armored personnel carriers (BTR-70 , BTR-80, BTR-90).

Tank forces

Tank troops, a branch of the ground forces. They consist of tank, motorized rifle (mechanized, motorized infantry), missile, artillery and other subunits and units.

This is the main strike force of the Ground Forces. They are equipped with tanks (T-72, T-80, T-90), self-propelled artillery (Geotsint, Msta). Tank troops are characterized by high maneuverability and increased resistance to nuclear weapons. Modern tank troops are capable of making rapid marches over long distances, breaking through defenses and developing an offensive at a high pace, and overcoming water obstacles on the move. During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Soviet tank troops, having the best tanks in the world (T-34, KV, IS), defeated the fascist "tigers" and "paters", played a huge role in defeating the enemy.

Rocket troops and artillery

Rocket troops and artillery - a branch of the Ground Forces, created in the early 60s. In the Armed Forces of the USSR for nuclear and fire destruction of the enemy. Rocket troops and artillery, as a branch of service, are preserved in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. At present, the rocket troops and artillery are armed with Grad, Smerch, Uragan multiple launch rocket systems, D-30 artillery guns and other weapons. All types of weapons were tested and showed high efficiency during the fighting in Afghanistan and on the territory of the Chechen Republic.

Air defense of the ground forces

The air defense of the ground forces is a complex of combat operations of various air defense forces and means, which are in service with units and subunits of the ground forces. The air defense of the ground forces is organized with the aim of defeating the enemy's air attack means, repulsing attacks by his aircraft and missiles on the troops and rear facilities, and also prohibiting air reconnaissance. Today, the air defense of the ground forces is armed with effective and mobile anti-aircraft missile systems: Shilka, Stlela-10, Kub, Tunguska, man-portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS) Strela-3, Igla , "Needle-1", etc.

The air defense of the ground forces proved its effectiveness during the Great Patriotic War and in local post-war armed conflicts, including in Egypt, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc.

Airborne Troops

Airborne Troops (VDV), a branch of ground forces designed to drop (land) from the air behind enemy lines and conduct combat operations. The Airborne Forces consist of parachute, tank, artillery, self-propelled artillery and other units and subunits. The airborne troops are equipped with airborne self-propelled artillery, rocket anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, armored personnel carriers, combat vehicles (BMD), automatic small arms, communications and control equipment. The available parachute landing equipment makes it possible to drop troops and cargo in any weather and terrain conditions, day and night, from various heights.

During the Great Patriotic War, all five existing airborne corps participated in fierce battles with the invaders on the territory of Latvia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Airborne units took part in the battles near Moscow, Rzhev, Stalingrad, etc. The largest operation of the Airborne Forces was the Vyazemsky airborne operation, in total, about 10 thousand paratroopers were thrown behind enemy lines. Landings were also carried out in Harbin, Port Arthur and South Sakhalin. All airborne units during the Great Patriotic War, all units and subunits of the Airborne Forces received the name "Guards". Thousands of soldiers, sergeants and officers of the Airborne Forces were awarded orders and medals, and 296 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. In the second half of the 20th century, units of the Airborne Forces took part in the events in Hungary in 1956, in Czechoslovakia in 1968 and other local conflicts. In Afghanistan, the airborne units were the most combat-ready and suffered less than other units. The airborne troops took an active part in all armed conflicts on the territory of the former USSR. Currently, parts of the Airborne Forces are used on the territory of the Chechen Republic and in other regions of the North Caucasus.

Army Aviation

Army aviation is an integral part of the Air Force of a number of states; designed to act directly in the interests of combined arms formations. It is divided into assault, reconnaissance, transport and special purposes; armed mainly with helicopters (Mi-8, Mi-6, Mi-24, Mi-28, Ka-50) and partially with aircraft (Su-25, An-12, Il-76, etc.).

Special Troops

Special troops, units and units designed to perform special tasks to ensure the combat and daily activities of the armed forces (in engineering, radio engineering, chemical, etc.) and having special technical equipment. For the successful and timely solution of the assigned tasks, there are units of military intelligence, radio and radio engineering, engineering and other special types of intelligence.

At present, many special forces units have been created to combat illegal armed gangs on the territory of the Chechen Republic and in Tajikistan. During the Afghan war of 1979-1989. units of the special forces proved their effectiveness, they were engaged in reconnaissance, destroyed caravans with weapons and gangs of the formation of dushmans.

Engineering Troops

Engineer troops, special troops designed to provide engineering support for military operations of troops. In the Russian army, they consist of engineer-sapper (sapper), engineering-road, pontoon-bridge, crossing-landing and other formations, units and subunits. They are equipped with a variety of high-performance equipment for the implementation of complex labor-intensive engineering work, various crossing-landing and pontoon-bridge facilities for forcing water barriers at high rates, and means for the rapid creation of anti-tank, anti-personnel and other barriers.

Automobile Troops

Automobile troops, special troops for the supply of materiel, evacuation of the wounded, transportation of troops. Automobile parts have proven themselves during the Great Patriotic War, during the fighting in Afghanistan and on the territory of the Chechen Republic.