Features of the ground forces. Leadership of the Russian Ground Forces

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, consolidated 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 and Great Patriotic Wars, 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.

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, whose task 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.

20. Ground Forces - the most numerous type of the Armed Forces, are intended to repel strikes and defeat aggressor troops in various theaters of military operations and to hold

maimyh territories, districts, borders. They are armed with various types of military equipment, conventional and nuclear weapons and include motorized rifle, tank, airborne troops, missile troops and artillery, air defense troops, which are military branches, as well as special troops (formations and units - reconnaissance, engineering, chemical, communications, electronic warfare, technical support, topogeodetic, hydrometeorological) and rear.

21. Motorized rifle and tank troops, forming the basis of the Ground Forces, perform the following tasks: in defense, to hold the occupied areas, lines and positions, repel the attacks of the aggressor and defeat his advancing troops; in the offensive - to break through the enemy's defenses, defeat the groupings of his defending troops, capture important areas, lines and facilities, pursue the retreating enemy, conduct oncoming battles and battles.

motorized troops, possessing high combat independence and versatility, they are capable of performing the specified tasks in various terrain conditions and in any weather, on the main or secondary directions, in the first or second echelon, as part of reserves, sea and air assault forces. Motorized rifle formations and units form the basis of motorized rifle troops. In addition, they include machine-gun and artillery formations and units.

Tank forces, constituting the main strike force of the Ground Forces and possessing great resistance to the damaging factors of nuclear weapons, they are used mainly in the main directions: in defense - mainly as part of the second echelons and reserves for delivering counterattacks (conducting counterattacks) and defeating an enemy that has penetrated, and when allocated to the first echelons - to strengthen the stability and activity of the defense; in the offensive, as a rule, as part of strike groups in the first and second echelons.

Motorized rifle and tank battalions are the main combined-arms tactical units, and motorized rifle and tank companies are tactical units. They, interacting with each other, with subdivisions of artillery and other branches of the armed forces and special forces, perform the main task of directly destroying the enemy in close combat. A motorized rifle (tank) battalion usually consists of motorized rifle (tank) companies, communications, support units and a medical post & battalion. A motorized rifle battalion, in addition, may include a mortar (artillery) battery, anti-tank, grenade launcher, anti-aircraft, reconnaissance and other units. A motorized rifle (tank) company usually consists of motorized rifle (tank) platoons. A motorized rifle company, in addition, may also have an anti-tank squad in its composition.

22. Airborne Troops are a highly mobile branch of the Ground Forces and are intended to cover the enemy by air and carry out tasks in his rear both in defense and in the offensive, acting as airborne assault forces.

23. Rocket troops and artillery Ground forces are the main means of fire and nuclear destruction of the enemy.

The missile troops are intended to destroy nuclear and chemical attack weapons, ground elements of reconnaissance and strike complexes and other precision weapons systems, the main groupings of enemy troops, aviation in its bases, air defense facilities and facilities, command posts, rear and other important enemy facilities on the entire depth of its operational formation, remote mining of the terrain, and in coastal areas, in addition, to destroy the bases of the enemy fleet forces, destroy its warships and ships.

Artillery is intended to destroy nuclear and chemical attack weapons, high-precision weapons systems, artillery, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, anti-tank and other fire weapons, manpower, helicopters on the sites, air defense equipment, command posts, electronic equipment, destruction of enemy fortifications, remote mining of the terrain, light

providing, setting aerosol (smoke) screens and performing other tasks.

Artillery subunits carry out fire missions from closed firing positions or direct fire. Direct fire from individual guns, platoons and batteries is used to destroy tanks and other armored vehicles, as well as enemy anti-tank weapons.

Battalion artillery and artillery subunits attached to a battalion (company) may independently use the following fire types: fire on an individual target, concentrated fire, fixed and mobile barrage fire, as well as to be involved in massed fire, sequential concentration of fire, barrage and barrage fire as part of artillery groups or jointly with them.

Fire at an individual target (group or single) - fire from a battery, platoon or gun (mortar, combat vehicle, anti-tank guided missile system), fired independently from a closed firing position or direct fire.

Concentrated fire - fire fired simultaneously by several batteries (divisions) at one target.

Fixed barrage fire - a continuous fire screen created in front of the front ai: skinny (counterattacking) protn "":.ka

Mobile barrage fire - a continuous fire curtain created in the path of enemy tanks and other armored vehicles and sequentially transferred to designated lines as the bulk of these vehicles leave the fire zone.

24. Air defense troops Ground forces are one of the main means of defeating an air enemy. They are intended for radar reconnaissance of an air enemy and alerting friendly troops about him, covering and protecting groupings of troops, command posts, airfields, rear and other objects from enemy air strikes, combating enemy aircraft, cruise, operational-tactical and tactical ballistic missiles, airborne assault forces in flight and air elements of reconnaissance and strike complexes.

The anti-aircraft unit attached to the battalion is intended to destroy an air enemy at extremely low and low altitudes. Being in the combat, pre-combat or marching order of the battalion, it fires at air targets on the move or from short stops, afloat, and in defense and when located in place, from prepared starting (firing) positions. In this case, the concentration and distribution of fire is used. Concentration of fire is carried out by several platoons, combat vehicles (installations) and anti-aircraft gunners

kami to destroy the most important group or single air targets. The distribution of fire is carried out for the simultaneous destruction of several air targets. In this case, each anti-aircraft gunner, combat vehicle (installation) or platoon is indicated with a separate target or group of targets.

25. Reconnaissance units and subunits designed to obtain information about the enemy and the terrain, as well as to perform special tasks.

Engineering Troops are intended to solve the problems of engineering support for the combat of units and subunits of the Ground Forces, as well as to inflict losses on the enemy using engineering ammunition.

Chemical troops are intended to solve the problems of chemical support for the combat of units and subunits of the Ground Forces, as well as to inflict losses on the enemy using incendiary weapons.

Signal Corps are intended for the deployment and operation of communication systems and ensuring command and control of troops in all types of their combat activities. They are also entrusted with the tasks of deploying and operating automation systems and means at control points and carrying out organizational and technical measures to ensure communications security.

Units and subdivisions of electronic warfare are intended to perform tasks of disorganizing command and control of troops

and enemy weapons by electronic suppression of communications, radar, radio navigation, radio control and optoelectronic means. In addition, they are used for electronic reconnaissance of the enemy, countering his technical means of reconnaissance and the implementation of complex technical control.

Connections, parts and subdivisions of technical support are intended for the maintenance and storage of operational-tactical and tactical missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, combat units for them, delivery and issuance of them to the troops and preparation for combat use; providing troops with weapons, equipment, ammunition, measuring instruments and military-technical property, storing and maintaining them in readiness for combat use; technical reconnaissance, evacuation, repair of damaged (faulty) weapons and equipment and their timely return to service.

Topographical units and subdivisions are intended to perform tasks on topographic and geodetic support of units and subunits of the Ground Forces.

Hydrometeorological units and divisions intended for hydrometeorological support of combat operations.

Formations, units and subunits of the rear intended for the rear support of troops. In terms of the scale and nature of the tasks performed, they belong to the operational or military rear.

The military rear includes units and subunits of material support with stocks of materiel, automobile, medical and other units and subunits of the rear, which are part of formations, units and subunits of all branches of the military and special forces. By affiliation, the military rear is subdivided into divisional, brigade, regimental, battalion and rear divisions.

Support division The battalion is intended for the maintenance and current repair of weapons and equipment of subunits, the maintenance and replenishment of missiles, ammunition, fuel and other materiel, their transportation to subunits and the provision of hot food to personnel.

Medical Center The battalion is intended to search for, remove (remove) the wounded from the battlefield, provide the wounded and sick with first-aid (paramedical) assistance and prepare them for further evacuation.

The armed forces in any state are a key element in ensuring the country's defense capability. Their proper management depends on their proper organization. The structure of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation ensures the rapid and correct performance of the functions assigned by law to the state military organization of the country.

Structure of the RF Armed Forces

The Armed Forces is a military organization of the Russian Federation, the main function of which is to repulse military aggression in order to ensure territorial integrity, as well as to fulfill tasks in accordance with Russia's international obligations. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation were created on May 7, 1992. The President of the Russian Federation is the Supreme Commander. In accordance with the Decree of the President of 2008, the strength of the Russian Armed Forces is set at 2,019,629 people, of which 1.3 million are military personnel.

Organizationally, the Armed Forces consist of three branches, three separate branches of service, Logistics, as well as the Cantonment Service, which is not a branch of the Armed Forces. In addition, the Structure of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation was also created according to the territorial principle: the territory of the Russian Federation is divided into 4 military districts.

Territorial structure

Today in the Russian Federation there are four military districts, which are assumed by the territorial structure of the Armed Forces:

Western military district. The command and headquarters are in St. Petersburg.
Eastern military district. The command and headquarters are in Khabarovsk.
Central military district. The command and headquarters are in Yekaterinburg.
Southern military district. The command and headquarters are in Rostov-on-Don.

The structure of the armed forces of the Russian Federation on the diagram:

Aircraft types

The main element of the Armed Forces are types of the Armed Forces. In the military department of Russia, the law establishes the existence of three types of armed forces: the Air Force, the Ground Forces and the Navy.

To date, the Ground Forces are the most numerous branch of the Russian armed forces. Their main function is to conduct offensive operations, the purpose of which is to defeat the enemy, capture and hold his territory, individual regions and lines, repulse the invasion of the enemy’s country and his large landing forces, and deliver artillery and missile strikes to great depths. In turn, the Ground Forces organizationally consist of military branches. These types of troops can perform tasks independently or jointly.

Motor Rifle Troops (MSV)- the most numerous branch of the army in the Ground Forces. They are also the most numerous branch of the military. To date, the motorized rifle troops are armed with armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, which should ensure the mobility of the infantry. MSV organizationally consist of motorized rifle subunits, units and formations.

Motorized rifle, tank, artillery and other subunits and units may be part of the MSV.

Tank Troops (TV)- the main strike force, characterized by high mobility, maneuverability and resistance to the effects of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear ones. The main tasks, based on the technical equipment of TV: the implementation of a breakthrough, the development of operational success. Artillery, motorized rifle, missile, tank units and subunits can operate as part of the TV.

Missile Forces and Artillery (RViA): nuclear and fire defeat of the enemy is the main task. It is armed with rocket and cannon artillery. The MFA includes units, units and formations of howitzer, rocket, cannon, anti-tank artillery, as well as structural elements of support, control, mortars and artillery reconnaissance.

Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces (Air Defense SV)- this type of troops must ensure the protection of the Ground Forces from air strikes, as well as counteraction to enemy air reconnaissance. Towed, mobile, portable anti-aircraft gun systems and anti-aircraft missile systems are in service with the SV air defense.

Also, the organizational structure of the Armed Forces implies the presence in the Armed Forces of special troops and services that perform highly specialized tasks in order to ensure the daily and combat activities of the ground forces.

Signal Corps,
Electronic Warfare Troops,
engineering troops,
automobile troops,
Railway troops, etc.

are special forces.

Air Force

Air Force similarly, the Ground Forces consist of aviation branches that ensure the fulfillment of the tasks assigned to the Air Force.

Long-range aviation is designed to strike and strike at the strategic and operational depth of the enemy's military groupings, its important areas in economic and strategic terms, including with the help of nuclear weapons.

Front-line aviation operates at operational depth. It can perform tasks both independently and during joint operations on land and at sea.

Army Aviation provides support to ground forces by destroying enemy armored and mobile objects. Also, the forces of the Army Aviation provide the mobility of the Ground Forces.

Military transport aviation carries out the transportation of goods, troops and equipment, and is also involved in military air operations. In peacetime, the main function is to ensure the vital activity of the Armed Forces, and in wartime, the mobility of the Armed Forces.

The structure of the armed forces of the Russian Federation assumes the presence in the composition Special Air Force, Anti-aircraft missile troops and Radio engineering troops which significantly expand the range of tasks assigned to the Air Force.

Navy

Navy- the main force of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to protect the interests of Russia in the Exclusive Maritime (Economic) Zone, conduct search and rescue operations, as well as conduct military operations at sea.

The Navy is composed of:

submarine force,
surface forces,
coastal troops,
naval aviation,
parts and connections for special purposes.

The Navy is also organizationally divided into:

Baltic Fleet,
Black Sea Fleet,
northern fleet,
pacific fleet,
Caspian flotilla.

Independent branches of the military

Some tasks require special equipment and trained personnel. The structure of the Armed Forces assumes the existence of independent branches of service:

Airborne troops;
Strategic Rocket Forces;
Aerospace Defense Troops.

Aerospace Defense Troops

The youngest branch of the military. Although our country began space exploration back in the 1960s, it was only in the 21st century that the Aerospace Defense Forces were separated into a separate branch of the Strategic Missile Forces.

The most important tasks are:

detection of a missile strike;
spacecraft constellation management;
missile defense of the capital of Russia.

Strategic Rocket Forces

Today they are the main land component of Russia's nuclear forces. The main function is considered to be deterrence of possible aggression. But if necessary, they can deliver a preemptive strike on important economic and military targets of the enemy, as well as the destruction of his military groupings.

Airborne Troops

They were created in the 1930s. Today, they are entrusted with the function of conducting landing operations and conducting combat operations behind enemy lines.

), designed to perform strategic and operational-tactical tasks in land theaters of military operations. In most countries of S. century. form the basis of their military power. According to the combat capabilities of the S. century. are capable of repulsing the invasion of ground armies, large airborne and naval assault forces independently or in cooperation with other branches of the armed forces, inflicting simultaneous massive fire strikes to the entire depth of its operational formation, breaking through the enemy’s defenses, carrying out strategic offensives at high rates, to great depths and secure the occupied territory. The main properties of S. in. as a type of armed forces - great firepower and striking power, high maneuverability and complete combat independence. In the case of the use of nuclear weapons in a war, S. military forces, by virtue of their inherent combat capabilities and properties, are capable of using the results of nuclear strikes to completely defeat enemy groupings and capture areas vital to him.

Soviet S. century. equipped with nuclear and missile weapons, conventional weapons and military equipment, means of communication and transport. They consist of military branches and special troops. The branches of service are: Rocket Troops of the Ground Forces, Artillery, Motorized Rifle Troops, Tank Troops, Airborne Troops, Air Defense Troops of the Ground Troops. Rocket troops form the basis of the combat power of the S. century. They are designed to deliver powerful nuclear strikes against any targets located in the tactical and operational depth of the enemy's defenses. Artillery is capable of providing reliable fire support for combined arms formations in all types of combat and operations. Motorized rifle troops, together with tank troops, are the main strike force of the military. They can make marches over long distances, break through defenses in depth saturated with a large number of anti-tank weapons, maneuver flexibly on the battlefield, develop an offensive at high rates following nuclear strikes or powerful artillery fire, and successfully fight an enemy using modern means of combat. Airborne troops can capture and hold areas in the tactical and operational depth of the enemy and operate successfully at a large distance from the main groupings of the air force. Air Defense Troops S. century. capable of providing cover for formations and units at low, medium and high altitudes. Special troops include: Engineering Troops, Chemical Troops, Radiotechnical Troops, Signal Troops, Automobile Troops, Road Troops , various services , as well as units and institutions of the rear.

Organizationally, the Soviet S. century. summarized in subdivisions, units, formations and associations. In peacetime, the highest military-administrative association is the military district. At the head of S. in. stands Commander-in-Chief - Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR. The General Headquarters of the Northern Military Command, the commanders (chiefs) of the branches of the armed forces, the heads of special troops, main directorates, military educational institutions and research institutions are subordinate to him. The commanders-in-chief of the S. in. were: Marshals of the Soviet Union G. K. Zhukov (March-June 1946), I. S. Konev (July 1946 - March 1950, March 1955 - March 1956), R. Ya. Malinovsky (March 1956 - October 1957), A A. Grechko (November 1957 - April 1960), V. I. Chuikov (April 1960 - June 1964), from November 1967 - General of the Army I. G. Pavlovsky.

According to the composition of S. century. The United States (army - army) is divided into types of troops and services. The combat arms include troops directly engaged in combat - infantry, armored troops, artillery. Engineer troops, communications troops, army aviation, intelligence and counterintelligence units are considered as branches of the troops and as services, since they provide for the branches of the troops in the conduct of hostilities and at the same time can directly participate in hostilities. Services include: engineering, communications, chemical, artillery and technical, intelligence and counterintelligence, quartermaster, transport, military police, etc. S. in. headed by the minister of the army, appointed from civilians, and the command of the S. v. (headed by the Chief of Staff) on the Continental United States. The chief of staff of the army is appointed from among the generals. In organizational terms, S. century. consist of divisions, corps, armies and army groups. They also include separate brigades of various types, armored cavalry regiments, separate divisions of ground and anti-aircraft missiles, radio engineering troops, as well as special troops trained for sabotage and subversive activities behind enemy lines. Divisions are divided into infantry, mechanized, armored, airborne and airmobile. The army corps has a headquarters, corps units and subunits, 2-4 (or more) divisions. The field army includes: headquarters, army units and several army corps. To strengthen the army, units from the reserve of the main command are attached. An army group is created for a certain period. It includes several field armies and one tactical air command. S. v. The United States is armed with nuclear missiles and other modern weapons and military equipment.

S. v. - the oldest branch of the armed forces. In slave states, they consisted of infantry (See Infantry) , and cavalry (see Cavalry) or only from one type of troops. In ancient Egypt, Assyria, Greece and the armies of other states, organizational units (tens, hundreds, etc.) arose. The greatest development of the organization of S. century. received in ancient Rome, where from the 4th century. BC e. the permanent administrative and combat unit was the Legion , divided into divisions (centuries, cohorts).

During the period of early and developed feudalism in Western Europe (ninth to 14th centuries), the main genus of S. century. there was a knightly cavalry, the infantry played a supporting role. In Russia, the infantry retained its importance along with the cavalry. From the 14th century in Western Europe there was a revival of the infantry as one of the main branches of the armed forces and artillery appeared. With the creation of permanent mercenary armies in Western Europe (15th century), organizational units arose—companies. , then Polk and (from 8-12 or more companies), and in the 2nd half of the 16th - 1st half of the 17th centuries. - brigades (See Brigade) and Battalion s. After the creation of a permanent army in Russia (16-17 centuries), it was divided into regiments (or orders), consisting of units (hundreds, companies, fifty, dozens, etc.).

In the 17-18 centuries. S. v. various countries, including Russia (since the 18th century), received a harmonious permanent organization (divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions, companies, and squadrons). At the same time, as part of S. century. engineers appeared. At the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th centuries. division, and from the beginning of the 19th century. and Corps become combined arms formations of a permanent composition, which included a certain number of units, according to the states, which changed periodically. The number of divisions began to calculate the forces of the S. century. states. In the middle of the 19th century signal troops appeared in the Russian and other armies. In the 19th century mass armed forces were created, built on the principles of a cadre army, the basis of which was the military military. The divisional and corps organization of troops was firmly entrenched; armies are created (See Army) as operational formations.

During World War I (1914-18), S. century. the warring countries made up the bulk of the troops. In the course of the war, armored, automobile, chemical, and air defense troops appeared. The quantitative growth of artillery and the use of automatic weapons greatly increased the firepower of the artillery. Regimental and battalion artillery, anti-tank and anti-aircraft artillery were created, the number of light and heavy machine guns, bomb throwers (mortars) increased sharply. Vehicles began to be used to transport infantry. The cavalry has lost its role in many countries. S. v. belligerents gained extensive experience in conducting front-line and army operations (see Military art, Operational art).

As a result of the victory of the October Revolution of 1917, fundamentally new armed forces were created in the country. The highest tactical formations were rifle and cavalry divisions, and after the Civil War of 1918-20, corps; operational associations - the army.

By the beginning of World War II (1939–45), the number of S. v. in many countries, especially in the armies of the fascist states, the share of tank, mechanized and airborne troops, anti-tank and anti-aircraft artillery increased, motorization and mechanization of troops continued. Among the capitalist states, the most numerous and best trained socialist institutions. had fascist Germany. Since the beginning of the war, the bulk of the troops of the belligerents were S. v. During the war, as part of the S. century. large operational formations were formed and deployed - fronts (army groups), combined arms and a tank. armies (groups), new tactical formations appeared: artillery divisions and corps, mortar, anti-tank, airborne units and air defense formations and formations. The brunt of the war was borne by the Soviet S. v. With the support of the Air Force and Navy, they defeated the main forces of the land armies of the fascist states and showed complete superiority over them, mastering the art of conducting operations in any theater of military operations to perfection. Armored troops have become the main strike force and the most important operational means for developing an offensive to a great depth and at a high pace; artillery became the basis of the firepower of the S. century. Engineer troops have become an operational means of ensuring the maneuver of the northern air force, breaking through the enemy defenses, forcing water barriers, and creating defensive zones and lines. During the war in S. century. there were over 80% of the entire personnel of the Soviet Armed Forces.

After the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, St. developed on the basis of the combat experience gained and the further improvement of weapons and military equipment. They were fully motorized and mechanized. Rifle troops (infantry) received new types of weapons and armored combat vehicles, which increased their mobility and made it possible to conduct combat not only on foot, but also directly on combat vehicles. In the Soviet Armed Forces in 1957 rifle and mechanized divisions were transformed into motorized rifle divisions. By this time, the cavalry as a branch of the army had lost its significance in all countries and was disbanded.

In the early 60s. S. v. The most developed states have adopted nuclear missile weapons, more advanced conventional weapons and military equipment, and modern controls. On the basis of new weapons and equipment, and in accordance with the new conditions for the conduct of hostilities, the organizational structure of military units, formations, and associations, the methods of their use in combat and operations, and also the methods of training have changed. The appearance of nuclear weapons caused changes in the ratio of the types of armed forces. The Strategic Missile Forces (strategic forces) moved to the forefront, but despite this, the S. V. continue to be one of the leading and most numerous branches of the armed forces. Further development of S. century. is taking into account the improvement of their organizational structure, increasing firepower and increasing maneuverability.

I. G. Pavlovsky.

Great Soviet Encyclopedia. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1969-1978 .