The number of companies in a battalion regiment. How many people were in the battalion during the Second World War? Organizational and staffing methods of increasing the combat capabilities of motorized rifle squads, platoons and companies

Hierarchy of military formations (Division, unit, formation,...What is it?)

In literature, military documents, in the media of propaganda, in conversations, in official documents devoted to military issues, terms are constantly encountered - formation, regiment, unit, military unit, company, battalion, army, etc. For military people, everything here is clear, simple and definitely. They immediately understand what we are talking about, what number of soldiers these names hide, what this or that formation can do on the battlefield. For civilians, all these names mean little. Very often they are confused about these terms. Moreover, if in civilian structures a “department” often means a large part of a company or plant, then in the army a “department” is the smallest formation of several people. And vice versa, a “brigade” at a factory is only a few dozen people or even a few people, but in the army a brigade is a large military formation numbering several thousand people. It is so that civilians can navigate the military hierarchy and this article was written.

To understand the general terms that group types of formations - subdivision, unit, formation, association, we will first understand the specific names.

Department. In the Soviet and Russian armies, a squad is the smallest military formation with a full-time commander. The squad is commanded by a junior sergeant or sergeant. Usually there are 9-13 people in a motorized rifle squad. In departments of other branches of the military, the number of personnel in the department ranges from 3 to 15 people. In some branches of the military the branch is called differently. In artillery - crew, in tank forces - crew. In some other armies, the squad is not the smallest formation. For example, in the US Army, the smallest formation is a group, and a squad consists of two groups. But basically, in most armies, the squad is the smallest formation. Typically, a squad is part of a platoon, but can exist outside of a platoon. For example, the reconnaissance diving section of an engineer battalion is not part of any of the battalion’s platoons, but is directly subordinate to the battalion chief of staff.

Platoon. Several squads make up a platoon. Usually there are from 2 to 4 squads in a platoon, but more are possible. The platoon is headed by a commander with the rank of officer. In the Soviet and Russian armies this is ml. lieutenant, lieutenant or senior lieutenant. On average, the number of platoon personnel ranges from 9 to 45 people. Usually in all branches of the military the name is the same - platoon. Usually a platoon is part of a company, but can exist independently.

Company. Several platoons make up a company. In addition, a company may also include several independent squads not included in any of the platoons. For example, a motorized rifle company has three motorized rifle platoons, a machine gun squad, and an anti-tank squad. Typically a company consists of 2-4 platoons, sometimes more platoons. A company is the smallest formation of tactical importance, i.e. a formation capable of independently performing small tactical tasks on the battlefield. Company commander captain. On average, the size of a company can be from 18 to 200 people. Motorized rifle companies usually have about 130-150 people, tank companies 30-35 people. Usually a company is part of a battalion, but it is not uncommon for companies to exist as independent formations. In artillery, a formation of this type is called a battery; in cavalry, a squadron.

Battalion. Consists of several companies (usually 2-4) and several platoons that are not part of any of the companies. The battalion is one of the main tactical formations. A battalion, like a company, platoon, or squad, is named after its branch of service (tank, motorized rifle, engineer, communications). But the battalion already includes formations of other types of weapons. For example, in a motorized rifle battalion, in addition to motorized rifle companies, there is a mortar battery, a logistics platoon, and a communications platoon. Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel. The battalion already has its own headquarters. Usually, on average, a battalion, depending on the type of troops, can number from 250 to 950 people. However, there are battalions of about 100 people. In artillery, this type of formation is called a division.

Note1: Name of formation - squad, platoon, company, etc. depends not on the number of personnel, but on the type of troops and the tactical tasks assigned to the formation of this type. Hence the dispersion in the number of personnel in formations that have the same name.

Regiment. In the Soviet and Russian armies, this is the main (I would say key) tactical formation and a completely autonomous formation in the economic sense. The regiment is commanded by a colonel. Although the regiments are named according to the types of troops (tank, motorized rifle, communications, pontoon-bridge, etc.), in fact this is a formation consisting of units of many types of troops, and the name is given according to the predominant type of troops. For example, in a motorized rifle regiment there are two or three motorized rifle battalions, one tank battalion, one artillery battalion (read battalion), one anti-aircraft missile battalion, a reconnaissance company, an engineer company, a communications company, an anti-tank battery, a chemical defense platoon, a repair company, logistics company, orchestra, medical center. The number of personnel in the regiment ranges from 900 to 2000 people.

Brigade. Just like a regiment, it is the main tactical formation. Actually, the brigade occupies an intermediate position between a regiment and a division. The structure of a brigade is most often the same as a regiment, but there are significantly more battalions and other units in a brigade. So in a motorized rifle brigade there are one and a half to two times more motorized rifle and tank battalions than in a regiment. A brigade can also consist of two regiments, plus battalions and auxiliary companies. On average, the brigade has from 2 to 8 thousand people. The brigade commander, as well as the regiment, is a colonel.

Division. The main operational-tactical formation. Just like a regiment, it is named after the predominant branch of troops in it. However, the predominance of one or another type of troops is much less than in the regiment. A motorized rifle division and a tank division are identical in structure, with the only difference being that in a motorized rifle division there are two or three motorized rifle regiments and one tank, and in a tank division, on the contrary, there are two or three tank regiments and one motorized rifle. In addition to these main regiments, the division has one or two artillery regiments, one anti-aircraft missile regiment, a rocket battalion, a missile battalion, a helicopter squadron, an engineer battalion, a communications battalion, an automobile battalion, a reconnaissance battalion, an electronic warfare battalion, and a logistics battalion. a repair and restoration battalion, a medical battalion, a chemical defense company, and several different support companies and platoons. In the modern Russian Army, there are or may be divisions of tank, motorized rifle, artillery, airborne, missile and aviation divisions. In other branches of the military, as a rule, the highest formation is a regiment or brigade. On average, there are 12-24 thousand people in a division. Division commander, Major General.

Frame. Just as a brigade is an intermediate formation between a regiment and a division, so a corps is an intermediate formation between a division and an army. The corps is already a combined arms formation, i.e. usually it is devoid of the characteristic of one type of military force, although tank or artillery corps may also exist, i.e. corps with a complete predominance of tank or artillery divisions. The combined arms corps is usually referred to as the "army corps". There is no single structure of buildings. Each time a corps is formed based on a specific military or military-political situation and may consist of two or three divisions and a varying number of formations of other branches of the military. Usually a corps is created where it is not practical to create an army. In peacetime, there were literally three to five corps in the Soviet Army. During the Great Patriotic War, corps were usually created either for an offensive in a secondary direction, an offensive in a zone where it was impossible to deploy an army, or, conversely, for concentrating forces in the main direction (tank corps). Very often then the corps existed for a few weeks or months and was disbanded upon completion of the task. It is impossible to talk about the structure and strength of the corps, because as many corps exist or existed, so many of their structures existed. Corps commander, Lieutenant General.

Army. This word is used in three main meanings: 1. Army - the armed forces of the state as a whole; 2. Army - ground forces of the armed forces of the state (as opposed to the fleet and military aviation); 3.Army - military formation. Here we are talking about the army as a military formation. The army is a large military formation for operational purposes. The army includes divisions, regiments, battalions of all types of troops. Armies are usually no longer divided by branch of service, although tank armies may exist where tank divisions predominate. An army may also include one or more corps. It is impossible to talk about the structure and size of the army, because as many armies exist or existed, so many of their structures existed. The soldier at the head of the army is no longer called “commander”, but “commander of the army.” Usually the regular rank of army commander is colonel general. In peacetime, armies are rarely organized as military formations. Usually divisions, regiments, and battalions are directly included in the district.

Front (district). This is the highest military formation of the strategic type. There are no larger formations. The name "front" is used only in wartime for a formation conducting combat operations. For such formations in peacetime, or located in the rear, the name “okrug” (military district) is used. The front includes several armies, corps, divisions, regiments, battalions of all types of troops. The composition and strength of the front may vary. Fronts are never subdivided by types of troops (i.e. there cannot be a tank front, an artillery front, etc.). At the head of the front (district) is the commander of the front (district) with the rank of army general.

Note 2: Above in the text there are the concepts “tactical formation”, “operational-tactical formation”, “strategic..”, etc. These terms indicate the range of tasks solved by this formation in the light of military art. The art of war is divided into three levels:
1. Tactics (the art of combat). A squad, platoon, company, battalion, regiment solve tactical problems, i.e. are fighting.

2. Operational art (the art of fighting, battle). A division, corps, army solve operational problems, i.e. are fighting.

3. Strategy (the art of warfare in general). The front solves both operational and strategic tasks, i.e. leads major battles, as a result of which the strategic situation changes and the outcome of the war can be decided.

There is also such a name as “group of troops”. In wartime, this is the name given to military formations that solve operational tasks inherent in the front, but operate in a narrower area or a secondary direction and, accordingly, are significantly smaller and weaker than such a formation as the front, but stronger than the army. In peacetime, this was the name in the Soviet Army for associations of formations stationed abroad (Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, Central Group of Forces, Northern Group of Forces, Southern Group of Forces). In Germany, this group of troops included several armies and divisions. In Czechoslovakia, the Central Group of Forces consisted of five divisions, three of which were combined into a corps. In Poland the group of troops consisted of two divisions, and in Hungary of three divisions.

In the literature and in military documents there are also such names as “team” and “detachment”. The term "team" has now fallen out of use. It was used to designate formations of special troops (sappers, signalmen, reconnaissance officers, etc.) that are part of general military formations. Usually, in terms of numbers and combat missions solved, it is something between a platoon and a company. The term "detachment" was used to designate similar formations in terms of tasks and numbers as the average between a company and a battalion. It is still occasionally used to designate a permanently existing formation. For example, a drilling squad is an engineering formation designed to drill wells for water extraction in areas where there are no surface water sources. The term “detachment” is also used to designate a group of units organized temporarily for the period of battle (advanced detachment, encircling detachment, covering detachment).

Above in the text, I specifically did not use the concepts - division, part, connection, association, replacing these words with the faceless “formation”. I did this in order to avoid confusion. Now that we have dealt with specific names, we can move on to unifying and grouping names.

Subdivision. This word refers to all military formations that are part of the unit. A squad, platoon, company, battalion - they are all united by one word "unit". The word comes from the concept of division, to divide. Those. part is divided into divisions.

Part. It is the basic unit of the armed forces. The term “unit” most often means regiment and brigade. The external features of the unit are: the presence of its own office work, military economy, bank account, postal and telegraph address, its own official seal, the commander’s right to give written orders, open (44 tank training division) and closed (military unit 08728) combined arms numbers. That is, the part has sufficient autonomy. The presence of a Battle Banner is not necessary for a unit. In addition to the regiment and brigade, the units include division headquarters, corps headquarters, army headquarters, district headquarters, as well as other military organizations (voentorg, army hospital, garrison clinic, district food warehouse, district song and dance ensemble, garrison officers' house, garrison household goods services, central school for junior specialists, military school, military institute, etc.). In a number of cases, the status of a unit with all its external signs may be the formations that we classified above as subdivisions. Units can be a battalion, a company, and sometimes even a platoon. Such formations are not part of regiments or brigades, but directly as an independent military unit with the rights of a regiment or brigade can be part of both a division and a corps, army, front (district) and even directly subordinate to the General Staff. Such formations also have their own open and closed numbers. For example, the 650th separate airborne transport battalion, the 1257th separate communications company, the 65th separate radio reconnaissance platoon. A characteristic feature of such parts is the word “separate” after the numbers before the name. However, a regiment can also have the word “separate” in its name. This is the case if the regiment is not part of the division, but is directly part of the army (corps, district, front). For example, the 120th separate regiment of guards mortars.

Note 3: Please note that the terms military unit and military unit do not mean exactly the same thing. The term "military unit" is used as a general designation, without specifics. If we are talking about a specific regiment, brigade, etc., then the term “military unit” is used. Usually its number is also mentioned: “military unit 74292” (but you cannot use “military unit 74292”) or, for short, military unit 74292.

Compound. As a standard, only a division fits this term. The word “connection” itself means to connect parts. The division headquarters has the status of a unit. Other units (regiments) are subordinate to this unit (headquarters). All together there is a division. However, in some cases, a brigade may also have the status of a connection. This happens if the brigade includes separate battalions and companies, each of which has the status of a unit in itself. In this case, the brigade headquarters, like the division headquarters, has the status of a unit, and battalions and companies, as independent units, are subordinate to the brigade headquarters. By the way, at the same time, battalions and companies can exist within the headquarters of a brigade (division). So at the same time, a formation can have battalions and companies as subunits, and battalions and companies as units.

An association. This term combines corps, army, army group and front (district). The headquarters of the association is also the part to which various formations and units are subordinated.

There are no other specific and grouping concepts in the military hierarchy. At least in the Ground Forces. In this article we did not touch upon the hierarchy of military formations of the aviation and navy. However, the attentive reader can now imagine the naval and aviation hierarchy quite simply and with minor errors. As far as the author knows: in aviation - a unit, a squadron, a regiment, a division, a corps, an air army. In the fleet - ship (crew), division, brigade, division, flotilla, fleet. However, this is all inaccurate; aviation and naval experts will correct me.

Literature.

1.Combat Regulations of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of the USSR (Division - Brigade - Regiment). Military publishing house of the USSR Ministry of Defense. Moscow. 1985
2. Regulations on military service by officers of the Soviet Army and Navy. Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 200-67.
3. Directory of an officer of the Soviet Army and Navy. Moscow. Military publishing house 1970
4. Directory of an officer of the Soviet Army and Navy on legislation. Moscow. Military publishing house 1976
5. Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 105-77 “Regulations on the military economy of the Armed Forces of the USSR.”
6. Charter of the internal service of the USSR Armed Forces. Moscow. Military publishing house 1965
7. Textbook. Operational art. Military publishing house of the USSR Ministry of Defense. Moscow. 1965
8. I.M.Andrusenko, R.G.Dunov, Yu.R.Fomin. Motorized rifle (tank) platoon in battle. Moscow. Military publishing house 1989

Very often, in feature films and literary works on military topics, terms such as company, battalion, and regiment are used. The number of formations is not indicated by the author. Military people, of course, are aware of this issue, as well as many others related to the army.

This article is addressed to those who are far from the army, but still want to navigate the military hierarchy and know what a squad, company, battalion, division is. The number, structure and tasks of these formations are described in the article.

Smallest formation

A division, or department, is the minimum unit in the hierarchy of the Armed Forces of the Soviet and later Russian army. This formation is homogeneous in its composition, that is, it consists of either infantrymen, cavalrymen, etc. When performing combat missions, the unit acts as a single unit. This formation is led by a full-time commander with the rank of junior sergeant or sergeant. Among military personnel, the term “chest of drawers” ​​is used, which is short for “squad commander.” Depending on the type of troops, units are called differently. For artillery the term “crew” is used, and for tank troops “crew”.

Unit composition

This formation consists of 5 to 10 people serving. However, a motorized rifle squad consists of 10-13 soldiers. Unlike the Russian army, in the United States the smallest army formation is a group. The US division itself consists of two groups.

Platoon

In the Russian Armed Forces, a platoon consists of three to four sections. It is possible that there are more of them. The number of personnel is 45 people. The leadership of this military formation is carried out by a junior lieutenant, lieutenant or senior lieutenant.

Company

This army formation consists of 2-4 platoons. A company can also include independent squads that do not belong to any platoon. For example, a motorized rifle company may consist of three motorized rifle platoons, a machine gun and an anti-tank squad. The command of this army formation is exercised by a commander with the rank of captain. The size of a battalion company ranges from 20 to 200 people. The number of military personnel depends on the type of military service. Thus, in a tank company the smallest number of military personnel was noted: from 31 to 41. In a motorized rifle company - from 130 to 150 military personnel. There are 80 soldiers in the landing force.

A company is the smallest military formation of tactical importance. This means that company soldiers can perform small tactical tasks independently on the battlefield. In this case, the company is not part of the battalion, but acts as a separate and autonomous formation. In some branches of the military, the term “company” is not used, but is replaced by similar military formations. For example, cavalry is equipped with squadrons of one hundred people each, artillery with batteries, border troops with outposts, and aviation with units.

Battalion

The size of this military formation depends on the type of troops. Often the number of military personnel in this case ranges from 250 to a thousand soldiers. There are battalions of up to one hundred soldiers. Such a formation is equipped with 2-4 companies or platoons, operating independently. Due to their significant numbers, battalions are used as the main tactical formations. It is commanded by an officer of at least the rank of lieutenant colonel. The commander is also called “battalion commander”. Coordination of the battalion's activities is carried out at the command headquarters. Depending on the type of troops using one or another weapon, the battalion can be tank, motorized rifle, engineering, communications, etc. A motorized rifle battalion of 530 people (on BTR-80) may include:

• motorized rifle companies, - mortar battery;
• logistics platoon;
• communications platoon.

Regiments are formed from battalions. In artillery the concept of battalion is not used. There it is replaced by similar formations - divisions.

Smallest tactical unit of armored forces

A TB (tank battalion) is a separate unit at the headquarters of an army or corps. Organizationally, a tank battalion is not included in tank or motorized rifle regiments.

Since the TB itself does not need to enhance its firepower, it does not contain mortar batteries, anti-tank or grenade launcher platoons. The TB can be reinforced by an anti-aircraft missile platoon. 213 soldiers - this is the size of the battalion.

Regiment

In the Soviet and Russian armies, the word “regiment” was considered key. This is due to the fact that the regiments are tactical and autonomous formations. Command is exercised by a colonel. Despite the fact that regiments are called by types of troops (tank, motorized rifle, etc.), they may contain different units. The name of the regiment is determined by the name of the predominant formation. An example would be a motorized rifle regiment consisting of three motorized rifle battalions and one tank. In addition, the motorized rifle battalion is equipped with an anti-aircraft missile battalion, as well as companies:

• communications;
• intelligence;
• engineering and sapper;
• repair;
• material support.

In addition, there is an orchestra and a medical center. The regiment's personnel does not exceed two thousand people. In artillery regiments, unlike similar formations in other branches of the military, the number of military personnel is smaller. The number of soldiers depends on how many divisions the regiment consists of. If there are three of them, then the number of military personnel in the regiment is up to 1,200 people. If there are four divisions, then the regiment has 1,500 soldiers. Thus, the strength of a battalion of a division regiment cannot be less than 400 people.

Brigade

Just like the regiment, the brigade belongs to the main tactical formations. However, the number of personnel in the brigade is higher: from 2 to 8 thousand soldiers. In a motorized rifle brigade of motorized rifle and tank battalions, the number of military personnel is twice as large as in a regiment. The brigades consist of two regiments, several battalions and a auxiliary company. The brigade is commanded by an officer with the rank of colonel.

Division structure and strength

The division is the main operational-tactical formation, composed of various units. Just like a regiment, a division is named according to the branch of service that predominates in it. The structure of a motorized rifle division is identical to that of a tank division. The difference between them is that a motorized rifle division is formed from three motorized rifle regiments and one tank, and a tank division is formed from three tank regiments and one motorized rifle. The division is also equipped with:

• two artillery regiments;
• one anti-aircraft missile regiment;
• jet division;
• missile division;
• helicopter squadron;
• one chemical defense company and several auxiliary ones;
• reconnaissance, repair and restoration, medical and sanitary, engineering and sapper battalions;
• one electronic warfare battalion.

In each division under the command of a major general, from 12 to 24 thousand people serve.

What is the body?

The army corps is a combined arms formation. In a tank, artillery, or corps of any other type of army there is no predominance of one or another division. There is no uniform structure when forming buildings. Their formation is significantly influenced by the military-political situation. The corps is an intermediate link between such military formations as a division and an army. Corps are formed where it is impractical to create an army.

Army

The concept “army” is used in the following meanings:

• The country's armed forces as a whole;
• large military formation for operational purposes.

An army usually consists of one or more corps. It is difficult to indicate the exact number of military personnel in the army, as well as in the corps themselves, since each of these formations has its own structure and strength.

Conclusion

Military affairs is developing and improving every year, enriched with new technologies and branches of the military, thanks to which in the near future, as the military believes, the way of waging wars may be radically changed. And this, in turn, will entail an adjustment in the number of personnel of many military formations.

A regiment is a paramilitary unit consisting of battalions and, as a rule, part of brigades or divisions. The peculiarity of the regiment is that it is an independent and full-fledged formation in organizational, economic and combat terms, essentially representing a stationed military unit in peacetime. The command of the regiment is exercised by an officer with the rank of colonel.

How many people are in a regiment in the Russian army?

Depending on the type and type of troops, as well as staffing, a regiment can have from 500 to 3000 people. A regiment as a combat structure usually includes units of various types of troops in addition to the main one (the most numerous), in order to maintain maximum independence and the ability to withstand various threats in the theater of operations. At the same time, regiments are divided not only by types of troops, but also by the nature of the tasks performed, and are also named according to the nature of the main type of weapons.

Some options for regimental formations:

How many people are in a Russian motorized rifle regiment?

A motorized rifle regiment consists of a headquarters, three motorized rifle battalions (36 infantry fighting vehicles + 5 armored personnel carriers or 40 armored personnel carriers each), a tank battalion (36-40 tanks), an anti-aircraft missile artillery battalion, an artillery battalion, an anti-tank battery, an electronic warfare company, a company communications, RKhBZ company, material support company, reconnaissance company, engineer company, repair company, medical company, commandant platoon and orchestra.

This composition of the regiment pursues the goal of ensuring a fairly high level of autonomy in the conduct of combat operations by the forces of one formation. Carrying out missions of both offensive and defensive nature against enemy ground units. At the same time, the regiment has the necessary measures to protect against chemical and biological weapons, can fight enemy armored vehicles thanks to reinforcement by a tank battalion and the presence of anti-tank weapons, and also has some defense capabilities against enemy air attacks, thanks to the presence of anti-aircraft artillery, MANPADS, air defense systems and small air defense systems range of action.

The main weapons used: BMP-2, BMP-3, BTR-70, BTR-80, BRDM-2, BRM-1K, T-72, T-80, T-90 tanks. MANPADS Strela, MANPADS Igla, ZSU Shilka, ZSU-23, ZRAK Tunguska, SAM Strela-10, Kraz, Kamaz, Ural, Gas trucks, UAZ vehicles, SAU 2S1 Gvozdika, SAU-2S12, SAU-2S23, ATGM Metis, Fagot , Competition, mounted grenade launchers AGS-17, SPG-9.

Main individual weapons: Ak-74, Ak-74M, AKSU-74, RPK-74, PM pistols, RPG-7 and RPG-18 grenade launchers, RGD-5 and F-1 hand grenades, SVD sniper rifles.

There are also later models of equipment and individual weapons in smaller quantities. Extensive rearmament is planned. UAV units are being introduced.

How many people are in a parachute regiment?

The total number is 1400-1600 people. The parachute regiment consists of a regimental headquarters, three parachute battalions, a self-propelled artillery battalion, a reconnaissance company, an engineer company, a repair company, an airborne support company, a logistics company, a communications company, an anti-aircraft missile battery, an anti-tank battery, commandant platoon, RCBZ platoon, medical platoon and orchestra.

The main weapons used: BMD-1, BMD-2, BTR-D, self-propelled guns 2S9, GAZ trucks, UAZ vehicles, Strela-10 air defense systems, Igla MANPADS, Strela MANPADS, Metis, Fagot, Konkurs ATGMs, AGS-17 mounted grenade launchers, LNG-9

Main individual weapons: AKS-74, AKSU-74 assault rifles, RPKS-74 machine guns, PM pistols, RPG-7D, RPG-16 grenade launchers, RGD-5, F-1 hand grenades, SVD-S sniper rifles.

Airborne landings occur mainly through military transport aircraft An-12, An-22, Il-76. Mi-8 and Mi-26 helicopters are used. The parachute regiments do not have tank battalions or heavy equipment in general, such as massive self-propelled guns or the Tunguska ZRAK. Firepower and security have to be sacrificed for the sake of the possibility of airborne landing, which imposes strict restrictions on weight and size characteristics. The armored vehicles of the Airborne Forces are as lightweight as possible and covered with anti-fragmentation and bulletproof armor, while at the same time they are very mobile. The same restrictions apply to the arsenal of individual weapons of paratroopers; they are as lightweight as possible, folding stocks are widely used, and shortened barrels are often used in relation to basic models of firearms.

The total number is 1400-1500 people. The combat structure of a tank regiment is similar to a motorized rifle regiment, only there are 3 tank battalions (31 tanks each) and one reinforced motorized rifle battalion (42 infantry fighting vehicles).

Tank formations represent the heavy striking power of ground forces, designed both for defensive tasks and for offensive actions involving breaking through fortified enemy positions with deep penetration into the rear. The greatest threat to armored vehicles currently comes from enemy bomber and attack aircraft, as well as specialized anti-tank helicopters. Anti-aircraft units within a tank regiment are represented by short-range air defense systems and therefore cannot fully counteract air attack forces. Full-fledged cover of advancing tank units is provided by specialized air defense formations armed with medium- and long-range systems, as well as fighter aircraft.

A motorized rifle company is a tactical unit that performs tasks, usually as part of a motorized rifle battalion, but sometimes independently.

Historically, a company was considered an infantry unit of maximum strength that could be effectively commanded in battle by voice, whistle, gesture, or personal action. This number at all times was approximately 100 fighters. The concept of “detachment” is close to the concept of “company” in function and tactical meaning.

According to his functions in battle, a company commander is one of the fighters capable of simultaneously leading a battle and commanding a unit. Unlike the company commander, the battalion commander, as a rule, does not participate directly in battle.

In defense, companies and platoons are assigned strong points, a battalion is assigned a defense area, and a regiment is assigned a defense area. In this case, the company occupies 1–1.5 km along the front, and up to 1 km in depth. In an offensive, the company occupies a line of responsibility 1 km wide, in the breakthrough area - up to 500 m.

To better understand the tactical meaning of the staff structure and armament of modern motorized rifle companies of the Russian army, it is necessary to trace the evolution of infantry and motorized rifle units since the end of the Second World War. Their appearance changed repeatedly depending on the views of the command on the combat use of motorized rifles, the development of weapons and military equipment, and the practice of real armed conflicts. Each war left its mark on the appearance of motorized rifle units. However, there are features characteristic of motorized rifle companies of the Soviet Army (and the Russian Army, as its successor), which were developed precisely during the Great Patriotic War. It provided enormous experience in ground battles, allowing the effectiveness of pre-war concepts and regulations to be tested in practice. The Soviet infantry of the 1944 model was significantly superior in efficiency and combat power to its counterparts of the 1941 model, becoming the prototype of modern motorized rifle units.

The Soviet Union inherited the experience of infantry battles of 1941-1945. and created the most powerful ground forces weapons system in the world. This fully applies to infantry weapons.

Compared to the states of 1941, the following changes were approved:

• the number of companies was reduced to 100 people without a noticeable loss of combat effectiveness. To reduce losses in battle formations, all companies not engaged in combat were removed from the company staff;
• the intermediate cartridge of the 1943 model was established as ammunition for the rifle chain, and the AK assault rifle as an individual weapon;
• Each department has been equipped with a close combat anti-tank weapon - the RPG-2 rocket-propelled anti-tank gun (grenade launcher);
• mounted fire weapons (50-mm mortars) were removed from the company due to low firing efficiency in line-of-sight conditions;
• In order to increase maneuverability and reduce vulnerability, heavy machine guns in companies were replaced with machine guns without a machine gun.

The structure of a Soviet motorized rifle company in 1946-1962. included:

• Management department – ​​4 people. (commander, deputy commander, foreman, sniper with SV 891/30).
• Three motorized rifle platoons of 28 people each. (22 AK, 3 RPD, 3 RPG-2);
• Machine gun platoon (3 RP-46, 8 AK).

Total: 99 people, 77 AK, 9 RPD, 9 RPG-2, 3 RP-46, 1 SV.

The strength and armament of a rifle squad, platoon and company of motorized rifle troops of the Soviet Army, 1946-1960.

In the Soviet Army, the post-war structure of a motorized rifle squad in terms of the quality and range of weapons resembled the structure of a Wehrmacht grenadier company squad. One soldier in the squad was armed with an RPG-2 grenade launcher, seven more with AK assault rifles, and a machine gunner with an RPD machine gun chambered for 7.62x39 (in terms of ballistics and accuracy, the RPD differed little from an assault rifle). There is an average of one sniper rifle left per company.

The machine gun platoon was equipped with company machine guns of the 1946 model, which combined the rate of fire of a heavy machine gun with the maneuverability of a manual machine gun. The company machine gun crews were located 200 m behind the attacking chain, quickly changed positions and provided the company with continuous fire support. The use of company machine guns on a bipod is a domestic structural and tactical technique, established during many fruitless attacks and bloody battles of 1941-1945. Creating a sample with the required properties was no longer difficult.

The introduction of an intermediate cartridge, corresponding weapons and rocket-propelled grenade launchers into the troops was borrowed from the Wehrmacht.

Despite its apparent simplicity, the post-war weapon system had exceptional firing efficiency, fire density and flexibility, especially at ranges up to 400 m.

The squad moved on foot or on trucks such as BTR-40, BTR-152. The driver of the armored personnel carrier, by analogy with the cavalry, performed the function of a horse guide in battle - he drove the vehicle to a safe place. The Goryunov SGMB machine gun, mounted on an armored personnel carrier, ready for battle and pointed forward, served as a means of combating the enemy who suddenly appeared along the way.

STRUCTURE OF A MOTORIZED COMPANY BY STATE IN THE 1960s – 1970s.

Structure and armament of a motorized rifle company on an armored personnel carrier

Further rearmament and motorization led to the emergence of a motorized rifle company in 1962, in which the number of squads was reduced by armored personnel carrier crews. The vehicle was an armored personnel carrier BTR-60PB, armed with a 14.5-mm KPV machine gun.

The grenade launcher and machine gun were replaced by next-generation models that were equivalent in purpose (but not in properties). One of the machine gunners served as an assistant machine gunner, but was not the number two on staff. A sniper appeared in the squad as an assistant commander, acting on his instructions.

The strength and armament of a rifle squad, platoon and company of motorized rifle troops of the Soviet Army in 1962.

The advantage of this state was high mobility within the road network. The ability of infantry to appear unexpectedly in areas of terrain weakly defended by the enemy and occupy them almost without a fight began to be considered more valuable. This state still exists in a slightly modified form.

The new composition of the motorized rifle company provided better mobility, but it came at the cost of firepower and numbers.

The shortcomings of the structure and armament of the state motorized rifle company in 1962 were:

• the RPK light machine gun has practically ceased to differ from the machine gun in terms of combat properties;
• the sniper, being in the front line, could not provide accurate fire due to large aiming errors and the inability to prepare data for shooting;
• a sniper rifle in battle turned into an ordinary self-loading rifle of the SVT or FN/FAL type;
• the crew of the armored personnel carrier (two people) was excluded from the rifle chain and combat on the ground.

The BTR-60PB armored personnel carrier (and BTR-70, BTR-80) was a truck covered in thin armor and served as a vehicle, not a combat vehicle. The armored personnel carrier could support the squad only from distances where it remained invulnerable to enemy machine-gun fire (1000...1500 m), for which a 14.5-mm KPVT heavy machine gun was used.

The combat order of a motorized rifle platoon during an offensive is: a) without dismounting; b) on foot; c) panorama of the battle.

The fatal shortcoming of the staff of the motorized rifle company in 1960-1970. It turned out that the armored personnel carrier was unable to advance in the chain of its squad. Upon closer contact with the enemy, armored personnel carriers were hit in the wheels by riflemen and grenade launcher fire. This is evidenced by the experience of fighting on the Damansky Peninsula. The works devoted to this conflict describe in detail the battles of March 2 and 15, 1969, during which the BTR-60 was revealed to be unsuitable for combat, even in the absence of artillery from the enemy.

Structure and armament of a motorized rifle company on the BMP-1

In the 1960s, infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-1) entered service with motorized rifle troops. In view of the likely use of tactical nuclear weapons, a technique has emerged for advancing behind tanks without dismounting from combat vehicles. The tactical method of attacking on foot was also preserved in the regulations.

The staff of the rifle squad on the BMP-1 included eight people. Motorized rifle units on the BMP-1 are even more specialized in tank escort and rely mainly on the power of the 73-mm 2A28 gun (grenade launcher) of the BMP-1 and the combat training of the gunner-operator.

Structure and armament of a motorized rifle company on the BMP-2

Fighting in the Middle East in 1970-1980. showed the weakness of the ammunition of the BMP-1 gun (both cumulative and fragmentation). It turned out that the squad countered in most cases dispersed manpower and enemy firing points. It was necessary to use the destructive potential of artillery weapons more flexibly. The infantry fighting vehicles were re-equipped with automatic weapons.

The strength of the BMP-2 squad was the new BMP artillery weapon - the 2A42 cannon with 500 rounds of ammunition. It was the BMP that began to solve the vast majority of problems on the battlefield. The presence of a large ammunition load and the “machine gun” method of firing made the infantry fighting vehicle a means of threat and deterrence. Like a heavy machine gun from the Second World War, the BMP-2 can influence the enemy without firing, only by presence. Another positive factor of the adopted system is the potentially large ammunition capacity of 5.45 mm cartridges.

The disadvantages of the new weapon system were the general disadvantages of the 5.45 mm caliber - low penetration and blocking effect of bullets. A bullet from a 7N6, 7N10 cartridge from an AK74 assault rifle does not penetrate half a red brick (120 mm) and a 400 mm earthen barrier at a distance of 100 m. The RPK74 machine gun differs even less from an assault rifle in terms of practical rate of fire than its predecessor RPK. A common drawback of the staff of a motorized rifle company on an infantry fighting vehicle is the small number and weakness of the fire of the rifle chain.

Features of the regular structure of motorized rifle companies of the 60s - 70s.

• The infantry fighting vehicle has become a fire weapon for the rifle chain on a par with the infantry line. Its cross-country ability is comparable to that of a walking person, and its speed on the highway is equal to the speed of a car.
• Formally, a squad on an infantry fighting vehicle has become weaker than a squad on an armored personnel carrier due to its small numbers, but in reality the opposite is true, since the infantry fighting vehicle is not a means of support, but a means of combat, which solves most of the tasks of the infantry chain and, in addition, the task of fighting tanks.
• A motorized rifle squad on an infantry fighting vehicle follows group tactics to a greater extent, reminiscent of a machine gun group from the First World War. The “machine gun” in the group became self-propelled and received an artillery caliber. The BMP crew - gunner-operator and driver - turned out to be numerically smaller than the machine gun crew.
• The squad's penchant for group tactics weakened the rifle chain. In combat, the rifle chain performs to a greater extent the function of protecting infantry fighting vehicles from being hit by enemy infantry and, to a lesser extent, is occupied with fire impact on the enemy. In the event of the loss of an infantry fighting vehicle, the department becomes unable to carry out statutory tasks.
• In the evolution of the squad, platoon and company, there is a tendency towards a decrease in the human component. Infantry combat is gradually being reduced to a fight between weapons, armored vehicles and other inanimate material means of the battlefield.

COMPOSITION AND ARMAMENT OF A MOTORIZED RIFLE COMPANY WITH A MODERN ORGANIZATIONAL AND STAFF STRUCTURE

States motorized rifle companies of limited contingent in Afghanistan

Afghan war 1979-1989 became one of the wars of modern times. It was distinguished by limited tasks, disproportionate capabilities of the parties and the almost complete absence of battles, as defined by the regulations. In accordance with the tasks and features of the landscape, the staffing of the units of the limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan was approved.

In the armored personnel carrier companies, each squad (six people, on the BTR-70) consisted of a machine gunner with an RPK and a sniper with an SVD. The KPVT machine gun gunner simultaneously served as a grenade launcher (RPG-7). The motorized rifle platoon consisted of 20 people, three BTR-70s. The machine-gun and grenade launcher platoon (20 people, two BTR-70s) was armed with three PKM machine guns on a bipod and three AGS grenade launchers. In total, the company consisted of 80 (81 - from August 1985) people on 12 armored personnel carriers. Since May 1985, one AGS was replaced with an NSV-12.7 machine gun, capable of destroying fortifications made of rocky soil and rocks.

In BMP companies, each squad (six people per BMP-2D) included a sniper with an SVD and a grenade launcher with an RPG. A machine gunner with an RPK relied on every third squad. The motorized rifle platoon consisted of 20 people (three BMP-2D). The machine-gun and grenade launcher platoon (15 people, two BMP-2D) was armed with three AGS grenade launchers and two NSV-12.7 machine guns. PKM machine guns were transferred to platoons. In total, the company consisted of 82 people and 12 infantry fighting vehicles.

The positive aspects of the above-described composition of a motorized rifle company are obvious: the companies are small in number, the number of weapons exceeds the number of soldiers and officers. In the mountainous landscape, artillery and mortars could not provide full support to the infantry, so the machine-gun and grenade launcher platoon was the artillery unit of the company commander and was distinguished by a variety of fire capabilities: mounted (AGS), penetrating (NSV-12.7), dense fire (PKM).

In the plain theater of operations, companies had a more conventional structure, which did not include large-caliber weapons, but included ATGMs.

States of motorized rifle companies 1980-1990s

In the 1980-1990s, squads on armored personnel carriers and BMP-1 and -2 consisted of nine people, but without a sniper.

The company on the BTR-80 (110 people) consisted of a control group (five people), three platoons (30 people each) and a fourth anti-tank machine-gun platoon (15 people). In service were 66 machine guns, 9 RPGs, 9 RPKs, 3 SVDs, 3 PCs, 3 ATGMs, 12 armored personnel carriers.

The company on the BMP had a similar structure and strength. The fourth platoon was entirely machine gun. In service were 63 assault rifles, 9 RPGs, 9 RPKs, 3 SVDs, 6 PCs, 12 infantry fighting vehicles.

Composition of motorized rifle companies of the RF Armed Forces in 2005-2010.

In the Russian Armed Forces in 2005-2010. In parallel, there were several staff structures of the same type of units. Motorized rifle troop units were built according to three organizational options:

• Motorized rifle company on an armored personnel carrier.
• A motorized rifle company on a BMP-2 from a regiment subordinate to the division.
• A motorized rifle company on a BMP-2 from a battalion subordinate to the brigade.

We do not consider the organizational structure and armament of motorized rifle units on the BMP-3 due to the small number of vehicles that entered service with the troops.

A motorized rifle squad on an armored personnel carrier can contain eight or nine people, while a squad on a BMP-2 consists of eight people. At the same time, the sniper from the squad was transferred to larger units.

A motorized rifle platoon on an armored personnel carrier contains a control group, two squads of nine people and one squad of 8 people. All personnel are housed in three armored personnel carriers.

The means of qualitatively strengthening the platoon is a PKM machine gun with a crew of two soldiers and a sniper with an SVD rifle subordinate to the platoon commander.

Composition of a motorized rifle company on an armored personnel carrier of the state 2000-2010:

• Company management – ​​8 people. (commander, assistant commander for l/s, foreman, senior driver, machine gunner, senior technician, medical instructor, RBU operator; weapons: AK74 - 7, PKM - 1, BTR -1, KPV - 1, PKT - 1).
• 3 motorized rifle platoons of 32 people each. (each has a control of 6 people, including a commander, a deputy, a PKM machine gun crew of 2 people, a sniper with an SVD and a medic; two squads of 9 and one squad of 8 people; platoon weapons: AK74 - 21, PKM - 1 , SVD – 4, RPK74 – 3, RPG-7 – 3, BTR – 3, KPV – 3, PKT – 3).
• Anti-tank squad of 9 people. (ATGM "Metis" - 3, AK74 - 6, armored personnel carrier - 1, KPV - 1, PKT - 1).

Total: 113 people, PKM - 4, SVD - 12, RPK74 - 9, AK74 - 76, RPG-7 - 9, ATGM - 6, BTR - 11, KPV - 11, PKT - 11.

Composition and armament of a motorized rifle company on an armored personnel carrier in 2000-2010.

A company on an infantry fighting vehicle can have two structures depending on its subordination. In rifle division regiments, companies with infantry fighting vehicles have smaller numbers and an emphasis on small arms, since they are supported by the division's artillery regiment.

Structure of a motorized rifle company on an infantry fighting vehicle from a regiment:

• Company management – ​​10 people. (commander, deputy commander for l/s, foreman, medical instructor, SBR radar operator, infantry fighting vehicle commander, 2 senior driver mechanics, 2 gunner-operators; weapons: AK74 - 10, BMP-2 - 2, 2A42 - 2 , PKT – 2, ATGM – 2).
• 3 motorized rifle platoons of 30 people each. (each has a control of 6 people, including a commander, a deputy, a PKM machine gun crew of 2 people, a sniper with an SVD and a medic; three sections of 8 people each; platoon weapons: PKM - 1, SVD - 1, RPK74 - 3 , AK74 – 22, RPG-7 – 3, BMP – 3, 2A42 – 3, PKT – 3, ATGM – 3).

Total: 100 people, PKM - 3, SVD - 3, RPK74 - 9, AK74 - 76, RPG-7 - 9, BMP - 11, 2A42 - 11, PKT - 11, ATGM - 11.

In brigades with battalion subordination, poor in artillery, companies largely provide themselves with fire support through their own grenade launcher platoon.

Motorized rifle companies on infantry fighting vehicles from brigades have the following structure:

• Company management – ​​10 people. (staff and weapons are the same as in the command of a motorized rifle company on an infantry fighting vehicle from the regiment).
• 3 motorized rifle platoons of 30 people each. (in terms of personnel and weapons, they are similar to platoons of motorized rifle companies from the regiment).
• Grenade launcher platoon of 26 people. (each - commander, deputy commander and three squads of 8 people; weapons: AK74 - 20, AGS-17 - 6, BMP - 3, 2A42 - 3, PKT - 3, ATGM - 3).

Total: 126 people, PKM - 3, SVD - 3, RPK74 - 9, AK74 - 96, RPG-7 - 9, AGS-17 - 6, BMP - 14, 2A42 - 14, PKT - 14, ATGM - 14.

The numerical composition and armament of a motorized rifle company on infantry fighting vehicles from motorized rifle brigades in 2000-2010.

General comments on the composition and armament of motorized rifle units in 2000-2010.

1. Platoon commanders have their own means of high-quality reinforcement: PKM machine guns (not quite company-level in terms of fire capabilities) and sniper rifles.

2. In a company with infantry fighting vehicles from the regiments, for reinforcement there is a full-fledged department from the company management.

3. In a company on an infantry fighting vehicle from the brigade, for reinforcement there is a full-fledged platoon capable of fighting without mounted grenade launchers, like an ordinary infantry one. Under other conditions, it is used for support by means of anti-aircraft guns, both from closed positions and direct fire.

4. Weapons of 5.45 caliber do not have sufficient penetration, and machine guns of this caliber are not capable of maintaining the required fire regime.

5. Weapons chambered for a rifle cartridge have established themselves as a means of strengthening a platoon (PKM, SVD). PKT machine guns on infantry fighting vehicles in the first line have insufficient target detection capabilities.

6. 12.7 caliber weapons are not represented in any state.

7. Weapons of 14.5 caliber are used on armored personnel carriers for shooting from safe distances (1000... 1500 m).

8. Automatic grenade launchers are rarely used and, in fact, are analogues of company mortars and machine guns of earlier organizational structures.

9. SPG-9 grenade launchers are not used at company level.

Disadvantages of the staff of motorized rifle companies of the RF Armed Forces (2000-2010):

1) companies with armored personnel carriers have lower combat capabilities than companies with infantry fighting vehicles: due to the lack of combat vehicles, they cannot perform the same tasks as companies with infantry fighting vehicles;

2) the sniper in the squad on the armored personnel carrier in the first line is not able to fully realize the capabilities of his weapon;

3) there are almost no reinforcement means subordinate to the commander (a machine gun and one armored personnel carrier that does not belong to the platoons); the anti-tank squad rather fills a gap in the meager range of fire weapons than serves as a means of reinforcement even in defense;

4) the number of weapons is small and its range is poor.

Advantages of motorized rifle companies of the RF Armed Forces (2000-2010):

1) squads consist of eight to nine people - fewer people are involved in combat operations, which helps reduce losses;

2) the sniper was excluded from the squads on the BMP;

3) the platoon commander has his own means of reinforcement;

4) the presence of a fourth platoon in a company from a brigade significantly expands the company commander’s ability to maneuver forces and fire.

ORGANIZATIONAL AND STAFF WAYS OF INCREASING THE COMBAT CAPABILITIES OF MOTORIZED RIFLE SECTIONS, PLATOONS AND COMPANIES

At the squad level, strengthening the rifle chain is achieved by increasing the practical rate of fire of a light machine gun. The low penetrating effect of 5.45 and 7.62 caliber bullets of the 1943 model requires equipping the squad with a second rifle-caliber machine gun weighing up to 7.5 kg with dispersion at the RPD level and rate of fire at the DP level, with magazine feed. In addition, the rifle chain can be strengthened by introducing multi-channel fire weapons, adding one shooter to the chain, at least at the expense of the operator or driver of the infantry fighting vehicle, using remote weapon control in the infantry fighting vehicle, equipping the driver of the infantry fighting vehicle with a weapon - a PK-type machine gun.

At the platoon level, reinforcement is possible by using a fourth vehicle with fundamentally different weapons and armor, at least without increasing the size of the platoon, introducing supernumerary weapons (mine, grenade launcher) and assigning two weapons to one soldier.

At the company level, reinforcement is achieved by introducing a full-fledged fourth platoon of heavy weapons (guided intelligent weapons), which is capable of fighting as a fourth infantry platoon, and, if necessary, being a support or assault weapon (like a grenade launcher platoon of brigade structures). At the same time, the platoon must perform combat engineering support and combat work with guided and intelligent weapons.

It is undesirable to increase the number of personnel in units due to a possible increase in losses. A company numbering over 100-115 people. handles worse in battle. It is possible to increase the fire capabilities of units due to the dual armament of some specialists who own different types of weapons.

Thus, an increase in the number of weapons, combat vehicles, and equipment, even if not all of these assets will be used in combat at the same time, increases the effectiveness of the units’ actions.

The content of this page was prepared for the Modern Army portal based on materials from the book by A.N. Lebedinets “Organization, armament and combat capabilities of small-scale motorized rifle units.” When copying content, please remember to include a link to the original page.

What is a platoon, company, battalion, etc.

• Branch
• Platoon
• Battalion
• Brigade
• Division
• Frame
• Army
• Front (district)

FULL SCREEN VERSION

These are all tactical units in the branches and types of troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. I have arranged them in order from least number of people to most to make it easier for you to remember them. During my service, I most often met with everyone up to the regiment.

It is impossible to give an EXACT answer to this question; the fact is that the very name “squad”, “platoon”, “company” does not depend on the numerical strength, but, firstly, by type of troops, and secondly, from tactical tasks, which are assigned to the formation of this type.

From the brigade and above (in number of people) during the 11 months of service, we didn’t even say. Perhaps this is due to the fact that I do not serve in a military unit, but in an educational institution.

How many people do they include?

Department. Depending on the type of troops, there are from 5 to 10 people. The squad is commanded by the squad leader. A squad leader is a sergeant's position, so commode (short for squad leader) is often a junior sergeant or sergeant.

The department is named after its branch of service ( tank, motorized rifle, engineering, communications )

In a motorized rifle squad, approximately from 9 to 13 people (in addition to the squad commander: grenade launcher, private with an RPG-7, PM; gunner-assistant grenade launcher, private with an AK74; machine gunner, private with an RPK74; senior gunner, corporal with an AK74; 3...5 riflemen, privates with AK74; mechanic driver of an infantry fighting vehicle and gunner-operator/machine gunner of an infantry fighting vehicle/infantry fighting vehicle). If the squad belongs to another branch of the military, then the personnel is 3 - 15 people. The artillery squad is called the crew, and the tank squad is the crew.

Motorized rifle squad:

• Defense up to 100m,
• Offensive up to 50m

Platoon. A platoon includes from 3 to 6 squads, that is, it can reach from 15 to 60 people . The platoon commander is in charge of the platoon. This is already an officer position. It is occupied by a minimum of a lieutenant and a maximum of a captain.

Motorized rifle platoon:

• Defense 400 m along the front, 300 m in depth.
• Offensive up to 200...300 meters

Company. A company includes from 3 to 6 platoons, that is, it can consist from 45 to 360 people . Commands a company company commander. This is a major position. In fact, the commander is a senior lieutenant or captain(in the army, the company commander is affectionately and abbreviated as company commander).

The company depends on the type of troops, so in a motorized rifle company there are 60-101 people; builders up to 250 people; Airborne forces up to 80 people; tank crews from 31 to 41 people.

Motorized rifle company:

• Defense: 1…1.5 km along the front up to 1 km deep
• Offensive: 0.5…1 km

Battalion. This is either 3 or 4 companies + headquarters and individual specialists (gunsmith, signalman, snipers, etc.), a mortar platoon (not always), sometimes air defense and tank destroyers (hereinafter referred to as PTB). The battalion includes from 145 to 500 people . The commander is the battalion commander (abbreviated as battalion commander).

This is the position lieutenant colonel. But in our country, both captains and majors command, who in the future can become lieutenant colonels, provided they retain this position.

Battalions are different, therefore, it is impossible to answer exactly how many people there are, for example, the SME on the BTR-80 has 530 people, and on the BMP-2 - 498 people; PDB - 360-400 people, and for DShB - 450-530 people; OBMP and ODSB approximately 650-700 people; TB on the T-72 - 174 people, and motorized rifle - 213 people; OBS - 200-250 people; reconnaissance battalion about 600 people; OISB - about 300 people; doctors - 157 people; chemists, repairmen, builders, commandants, as well as airfield maintenance workers do not have a staffing table at all and are formed depending on need

Motorized rifle battalion:

• Defense: 3…5 km along the front and 2…2.5 km in depth
• Offensive: 1…2 km

Regiment. From 3 to 6 battalions, that is from 500 to 2500+ people + headquarters + regimental artillery + air defense + fire-fighting tank. The regiment is commanded by a colonel. But maybe also a lieutenant colonel.

NOTE: For example, in a motorized rifle regiment there are 2...3 motorized rifle battalions, one tank battalion, one artillery division (battalion), one anti-aircraft missile division, reconnaissance company, engineer company, communications company, anti-tank battery, chemical defense platoon, repair company, logistics company, orchestra, medical center

Brigade. A brigade is several battalions, sometimes 2 or even 3 regiments. The brigade usually has from 1,000 to 4,000 people. It is commanded by a colonel. The abbreviated title for the position of brigade commander is brigade commander. The main difference from a regiment is the larger number of both battalions and other units. (Let's say there are two tank battalions in the MTB).

Division. These are several regiments, including artillery and, possibly, tank + rear service + sometimes aviation. Commanded by a colonel or major general. The number of people in a division is determined based on the type of troops and the need to use personnel. From 4,500 to 22,000 people. In a motorized rifle division there are two motorized rifle regiments, in a tank division, on the contrary, there is one motorized rifle regiment for two tank regiments.

The numbers are significantly different depending on the type of troops. In ordinary motorized rifle troops As a rule, the numbers are as follows:

• in the department- 9-10 soldiers,
• in the platoon 3 squads - 30-33 fighters,
• in the company 3 platoons - 100 military personnel,
• in the battalion 3 companies - 3 companies - 300-350 soldiers,
• in the regiment 3 battalions - 1,000 people,
• in the division 3 regiments - 3,100-3,400 people.

Frame. These are several divisions. That is, in the region of 100,000 people. Commands the corps major general. Intermediate military formation from division to army. The corps is a combined arms formation. The corps was usually created in cases where the formation of an army was impractical. After completing the combat mission, the corps was disbanded.

Now there are 7 Corps in Russia ( commander data may be out of date):
- 57th Army Corps (Ulan-Ude) (Major General Alexander Maslov)
- 68th Army Corps (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk) (Lieutenant General Vladimir Varennikov)
- 1st Air Defense Corps (Balashikha, Moscow region) (Lieutenant General Nikolai Dubovikov)
- 23rd Air Defense Corps (Vladivostok, Primorsky Territory) (Major General Viktor Ostashko)
- 21st Air Defense Corps (Severomorsk, Murmansk region) (Lieutenant General Sergei Razygraev)
- 16th operational submarine squadron (Vilyuchinsk, Kamchatka region) (Vice Admiral Alexander Neshcheret)
- 7th operational squadron of surface ships (Severomorsk, Murmansk region) (Vice Admiral Gennady Radzevsky)

Army. From two to ten divisions of different types of troops + rear units + repair shops and so on. The number can be very different. On average from 200,000 to 1,000,000 people and above. Commands the army major general or Lieutenant General

Armies are usually not formed in peacetime and regiments, divisions and battalions are part of the District. Now in Russia there is 30 Armies: 37th Air Army (strategic) of the Supreme High Command (Moscow), 61st Air Army (military transport aviation) of the Supreme High Command (Moscow), 27th Guards Rocket Army (Vladimir), etc.

NOTE: if you disagree with something, you can write about it in the comments.

Front. In peacetime - military district . It’s difficult to give exact numbers here. They vary by region, military doctrine, political environment and the like.

Front- this is already a self-sufficient structure with reserves, warehouses, training units, military schools and so on. The front commander commands the front. This is a lieutenant general or army general.

As part of the reorganization of the armed forces in 2010, the number of administrative districts was reduced to 4 (was 6 military districts , 4 navies). When creating new structures, the US unified combat commands were taken as a model. New operational-strategic command units were formed on the basis of territorial combined arms formations. In 2014, to organize the defense of Arctic areas, the creation of a northern group began from three districts. The effectiveness of the introduced innovative combat command and control system of the General Staff should be ensured by Russian military districts formed according to a new principle. The list of military administrative units is as follows:

• West district (USC "West").

During structural changes in the armed forces in 2010, the first was formed Western Military District of Russia. The basis for the creation of a new subject of the military-administrative division was the former Moscow and Leningrad combined arms associations. Also subordinate to the strategic command is Baltic Fleet. The headquarters is located in St. Petersburg. Military garrisons are located within administrative boundaries thirty subjects of the Northwestern, Central and part of the Volga-Vyatka federal districts.

• Southern district (USC "South").

Southern Military District Russia is organized on the basis of combat and administrative-economic units North Caucasian and parts of the Volga-Ural military formations.

• Central District (USC Center).

By merger Volga-Ural and Siberian(up to the territory of Baikal) districts created Central Military District of Russia. The headquarters of the joint command is located in Yekaterinburg. This district is the largest in the country. Its area is 7 million km2 - this is 40% of the state's area and 39% of the population. Military units are stationed in Volga region, Western Siberia and the Urals - in 29 regions of three federal districts.

• Oriental district (USC "Vostok").

As a result of structural changes in operational-strategic management, the Eastern Military District of Russia included part of the Siberian, Transbaikal and Far Eastern combined arms associations.

• OSK "Sever" is in the process of creation.

The composition of the front depends on the assigned tasks and the situation. Typically the front includes:

• control;
• missile army (one - two);
• army (five - six);
• tank army (one - two);
• air army (one - two);
• air defense army;
• separate formations and units of various types of troops and special troops of front-line subordination;
• formations, units and establishments of operational logistics.

The front can be strengthened by formations and units of other branches of the Armed Forces and the reserve of the Supreme High Command.

What other similar tactical terms exist?

Subdivision. This word refers to all military formations that are part of the unit. Squad, platoon, company, battalion - they are all united by one word “unit”. The word comes from the concept of division, to divide. That is, the part is divided into divisions.

Part. This is the main unit of the Armed Forces. The term “unit” most often means regiment and brigade. The external features of the unit are: the presence of its own office work, military economy, bank account, postal and telegraph address, its own official seal, the commander’s right to give written orders, open (44 tank training division) and closed (military unit 08728) combined arms numbers. That is, the part has sufficient autonomy.

NOTE: Please note that the terms “military unit” and “military unit” do not mean exactly the same thing. The term “military unit” is used as a general designation, without specifics. If we are talking about a specific regiment, brigade, etc., then the term “military unit” is used. Usually its number is also mentioned: “military unit 65819” (but you cannot use “military unit65819 ") or abbreviated as - v/h65819 .

For part characteristic:

• having your own office work,
• military economy,
• having a bank account,
• postal and telegraph addresses,
• having your own official seal,
• the commander's right to issue written orders,
• the presence of open and closed combined arms numbers (this is written above).

The presence of a Battle Banner is not necessary for a unit.

In addition to the regiment and brigade, the units include division headquarters, corps headquarters, army headquarters, district headquarters, as well as other military organizations (voentorg, army hospital, garrison clinic, district food warehouse, district song and dance ensemble, garrison officers' house, garrison household goods services, central school for junior specialists, military school, military institute, etc.)

In some cases, a unit may be a unit other than a regiment or brigade. Battalion, Company and even platoon. Such parts are called " separate" before the name

Compound. As a standard, only a division fits this term. The word “connection” itself means to connect parts. The division headquarters has the status of a unit. Other units (regiments) are subordinate to this unit (headquarters). All together there is a division. However, in some cases, a brigade may also have the status of a connection. This happens if the brigade includes separate battalions and companies, each of which has the status of a unit in itself.

An association. This term combines corps, army, army group and front (district). The headquarters of the association is also the part to which various formations and units are subordinated.

Bottom line

There are no other specific and grouping concepts in the military hierarchy. At least in the Ground Forces. In this article we did not touch upon the hierarchy of military formations of the aviation and navy. However, the attentive reader can now imagine the naval and aviation hierarchy quite simply and with minor errors.