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DEFENSEINTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIR
Defense
Intelligenee
Report
SOVIET TANK
i,t COMPANYTACTICS
MAY 1976
SOVIET TANK COMPANYTACTICS
DDr-l120-129-'t
6
This study of Soviet tank company tactics is written as a "how they fight" nranual.Many
of the conccptsand methods used by the Sovietsappearto ihe US or NATO military rcader
so alien that there is a temptation to say "This is unworkable."The readershould apprcciate
that the Soviet tank company commanderhas a vastly different task than his US or NATO
equivalcnt.His task is to train and lead his company as dirccted by well establishedpdnciples
set out in field sewiceregulations,and as interprctedby his superiors.The companyfigllts either
as pafi of a battalion size unit, or with the closesupport of other tank, motorized rifle, and
artillery units. Th€ battalion is the basic unit of maneuverin the Soviet Ground Forcesand
a company is b€st rcgardedas a fire team.
Thc information used in the study has becn drawn from a wide variety of sourccs.In order
to ensurcwide diss€minationsomedetailsof equipme[tshavebcea describedin a gcneralmanner.
In this way the study can be issuedas an UNCLASSIFIEDdocument.Tlre rcadcr needingto
study equipmentdetailshds been providcd with basicdata in the enclosurcs.It stroulclbe noted
that equipment differs from on€ Sovict ullit to another and there are also minor differenccs
in personnelmanninglevels. The study is written using a type organizationand manninglevgl
which is defined in the text.
lu
CONTENTS
Page
Executive Summary vii
CHAPTER
I Introduction I
2 Oqanizatlon, Command and Control ---------- 3
3 Weapons,Equipment and Services 7
4 SovietTank Crew Training----------- -------- ll
5 Talrk Gumery and Firc Cont ol -------------- 33
6 SovietConceptsand Missions---------- ------ 15
7 Taotical Formations ------ I7
8 CBR Defense ------------ 2I
9 Reconnaissanc€ ---------- 23
l0 March Security Operations ------------ 27
ll The Offensive ----------- 31
12 River ClossingOperations ------------------- 43
13 Defense --------------- 47
14 The Withdrawal ---------- 53
15 S€curity Dudng Halts ------ 55
16 Combat in Built-up Areas --------------- 57
l? Conclusionsalld an Assessmentof the Combat Potential of a
SovietMediumTank Company ----------- 59
ENCLOSURE I Tank! and Associated
Equipmedt ------------------------ 6l
ENCIOSURE 2 Soviet Iffd Navigationand Night Vision Deyices ---------- 65
ENCIOSURE 3 Arms and Equipment- Soviel Tank Company ------------- 67
ENCLOSURE4 T62 and T72 Tanks --------------- 69
EXNCUTIVE SUMMARY
The Sovict tank company is equipped with either 10 or l3 trnks. according to its
subordination,and is organizedinto three platoons.Its personnelconsistsprimarily of conscript
soldiersgenerallywell trained in the individualskills of drivhg, loading,and gunncry.Four tank
commandersin eachcompanyare officersor wa-nantoffice$ who completeextetsiveprofessional
training. The remaining tank commande$ are conscriptswho have six months training before
arriving in the company and tain in their units during the next l8 months until theh tcrm
of serviceexpies,
The Sovietsconsider that the rank company is a single fire unit. It can reinforce other
combat arms or be reinforced. It normally operatesas an independcntunit in reconnaissance,
as a secudty detachment,or when used as the basisfor a motorized rifle battalion'saDtitank
defense.ln other tactical operationsthe tank company is subordinatedto a larger unit.
I
I
I
Anist Rendition of T 72
vltl
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
l. PURDOSE.This study prcsentsinfonnation on the b. Thc study exanin.s compeny and platoon
tlctics of the Soviet m€dium tsnk compmy. Tactical tacdcs ir a Europ€ans.tring in both nomuclerr and
information is prcc.d€d by data on equipment,tatrk nucle& €nvironment!. Soviet tacticrl terminolog and
crew trini[g, and orEani?ation.The study is primrrily symbolos/ haie beenusedwhen US. teminoloF/ fails
lntcnd€d to providc instruclors at schools d itr ficld to ad€quatelydescribeSoviet conceptr, organization,
I units witi referencematerial, Key facti are r€p€ated
to make each s€ction self supporting.
and tsctcs. Uniessotherwise3tatedmilitary lermsin
common us€have the meaninggiv€n to then in JCS
Publlcation I dated 3 Sep74. Sovietterns which haie
2. SCOPE. oo US equivalent are defined when lust used.
a. the medium tank compary is lhe basic c, In thc tactical diagrams the rcader should
buildiag block of rhc Soviet trtrt arm. Nonaily, a esum! thet radio commrmicationsexilt betwe€neach
trat comFanyvil opcrrrc es prlt of a battalior{ized rEhiclc d€pictcd. Frontagesused in the diagramsare
un atrd be supportedby, or ln supportof, other arms. for nonnuclearoperations.ln nwl€at op€rationsthe!€
Alftough this study r€fers to combined arms frontag€s can generaly be doubl€d.
op€.ations,oDly tfie techniquesand tacticsof the tanl
compon€trt are analyzcd.
of a Tank Company{TankDivisionl.
Figure1a. Organization
of a Tank Company{MotorizedRifleDivision)
Figurc1b. Organization
CHAPTER2
ORGANIZATION,COMMANDAND CONTROL
Section A Organization
AA
YY
5
(Revetr.3r.nkl
CHA?TER 3
L WEAPONS. Equipment drd weaponsin the Soviel 3. COMPANYTRUCK. OneLighttruck js heldin the
t nk company are durablemd beinginproved through tank company.This vehicleis usedby the deputy
continuing research and dcvelopment. Th€ Soviels companycommander,the technicalofficer, md t]rc
expect tank units to {ight by day and night, in pruparshchik. Th€ v€hicle is equipped with a radio
exlremes of climaie, and in a nucl€a nd chernrcal which canbe usedasa communications link from the
environment.Technical details of tanks, md dala on conpany commander\ lrnk to the battalton
equipm€ntmd individual weaponscunenuy in service herdquart€rswhen the tank co'npanyis out of direct
with the Soviet tank company, arc in enclosuresI and communications range-
2. D€tails of navigalionand night viewingdevicesus€d
in tanks are in enclosure 3. 4. CBR EQUI?MENT. A[ personnelhave individual
protectivenasks,andmostmoderntank iJe probably
2. SPECIAL PURPOSE TANK EQUIPMENT. Soviei equippedwith alr Iiltralion systems.Decontamination
medium tanks can all be providedwith auxiliary pdrts of vehiclesis carriedout undersupe$isionand with
for aitaching the mine plough, the plough and ro er the aid of chernicaldefensespeciatish. CBR defense
combination,and th€ tank buldoz€I blade.The w€ight is deall witn in detailin Chapt€r8. Sovie!tankshave
of thele items reduc€s tne tant's obstacle crossing a smoke generatingsystemfor providing a defensive
ability and maneur€rability and makes the vehicle smokescreenwhen required.
more difficult to handlc. The engine life of tanks
having this specidlequipnenl attachedis alsoreduced-
The detrimental effects of the usc of such special
equipment a.e judged sufficientty sevele to inhibil
frequent Eaining.
7. MATNTENANCE
AND RECOVERY. d. TanlG damaged beyond dre repair capabilily
of thc REG are recovereddnd evacurtedby rcgimenral
a. Basicmaintenance of tanLsis cdried out by or division mainlensnceunils. Crewsremainwith these
tankcrewssupervised by the companytechnicalofnccr tanks rnd alsist in mrkjng rcpairs snd are ihus losr
and tant commanden.Identifiedfaults are recti{ied to lhe compdny commrnder unlil repairs arc made.
on tle lpot if possible-The low standardof training It should be noted thal the Sovicts normdUy replace
of the driver-mechanicand lack of equipnentrn lhe entire units rathcr than makeindividualvehicleor crew
comprny precludeextensiverepans.
Poutine mainenanceis car ed out by the d vermechanicand crew unclerthe srpeNisionof the Company
9
(n.86. Bra*)
CHAPTER 4
11
{i:g
\'' *-- i#::::"$
r;
iffi,rffiF#
*,r
;+'r.
1 == '::;:
r conrorrowe,
IEY
6. OownHill "Slalofr" B6rw6sn
V€dcarly P|.c6d Matk€r Los3
,;:'. 3. simul.r.d Mine Fi€ld 7, Sh8llow tlke/DeD Fod
8. B.idse
T O T A LL E N G T H
O FC O U R S El S A P P B O X I M A T E L Yk S
ms.
F O RA C I R C I J IITS 2 ] M I N U T E S .
T I M EA L T O W E D
Figure3, TankDriverTraining
Course.
t2
CHAPTER5
Section A Cunnery
d- Firing procedure:
fire from march,shorthalt.
l4
CHAPTER 6
l. coNcEPTs. 3, MISSIONS.
a. The basictactical conceptof the Soviet Arrny a. As a rule, aankcompanies operateas parl of
is offensiveaction.This cals for Sovietforcesto break a tank balldion; however, whenreinforcedby tactical
throughgapsin enemydefenses and to rapidlycxploit uniis of other ground forces,lhey arc capableof
in strengthand depth. Sovietmilibry writingsstate independent operations,Missionsof a tankcompany,
"nobility andhigh tenposofcombatoperations bring asparl of a lankbattalionor in conjunction
with other
success in a battl€or operations."
Defenseis re$rded
as a temporary expedient until a favorablesituation
for a retum to the offensivecan be created. (l) Reconnaissance.
TACTICALFORMATIONS
I. GENERAL.
sEcoNo THIRO
PLATOON
<<>-.{C>OO*O OO-"CO O
Fioure4. Tank Columnin March Formation
.t
0 0 t
\?
1\ FrFsT
A THIRD sEcoNo/tr
0 0 0
I 0 t I
300
I
V
0
+ T
(,
COMMANDEF
6l
t4\ rHrRD sEcoND
^\ FIFST
a
0 0 0
"V''
T W OU P . I N V E F T E D O N EU P W E D G E
t I
\? (}
FrFSr A sEcoND
a
PLATOONV
0 0
+
0
A
A
COMPANY
+
(}
(.1 sEcoND
6
rHrFo
I corverrv T
A THIFO 1l FrFsr A
V PLATooN
0 I 0
THREE
UP LINE ECHLONED
LEFT
1E
-+e gs
OE
.<>
l
l5
-<flL..i .9
= t6 5
<2:
l:
s&o)
go F
E z
-<{r<>3 E .9 -<{€ R p
E
?
l5
IP
o
T6A in March Fomation. Note the 23nn subcalibrc sleeve in d1e
baiel of the leading tank.
Tt2 platoon in combat fomation. Att had:hesarc clogd once the tanksmove frcm cotumn fomation.
CHAPTER 8
CBR DEPENSE
Tank crcwmen wearing prctective srits and nasks while decontaninating h6ir tank.
Soviet $ldiers arc accustomed to taining in rcatistic exercips wherc CBR attack k sinulated.
CHAPTER9
RECONNAISSANCE
1. COMMANDAND CONTROL.A tank company If the company is acting at long ran8c, a high
may be task€dby division,r€gmenl,or battalionto frequency radio lirl to battalion will be est5blidDd.
und€rlak€ lo€I reconnaissance missions,A medium In th€s€circumstancesa suirabl€tadio is mounted itr
lank company$ moreLkelyIo condu.rreconnarss3nce a light truck to accompanythe patrol.
lasksin the offensiv€than in rhe defensive.Regfnenrar
reconnaissance missions are planned up to 50 krns 3. MISSIONS.Reconnaissance missionscan bc divid.d
forward of the main body. At longer rangesthes€ into two maintypes;howev.r, it $ould benotedth*e
missions are executed by reconnaissanceunits. classi{icatio are not Soviet t€rrnioolos/.
Reconnais$ncepatrols providedby mcdium tanl
companieson the flanlc of tle rnain body are likely a, Tenain and CRR Montoring farfs. A tant
to operateup to l0 kms aheadof the divisionand company reinforc€d by chemical sp€cialists ard
within rang€ of arlill€ry support. €ngineers may be tasked to carry out d€t4ilcd
reconnaissance of mads, bridgrs, water crossingaroas,
2. MINFORCEMTM FOR RECONNAISSANCE. A andobsLacles on lhe divisionor regimentrlaris.The3e
tank company is normaly rcinfo.ced for reconnaissance tasks can includ€ CBR monitorinc of
recoMaisgance mjssions,A typical Econnaissanc€ contaminat€dor suspectedareas.
gouping would be:
c- An engineersquad- I AIC
d. A chernical reconnaissiulcepatrol of 3 or 4
chemical sp€cialists- BRDM-2RKH
-10kn+
-€
.GI
Z -+@-
Ensl.4rsqu.d
Nore1r APCCarryins
conpany comdand€,
Role
Formationofa Tank Companyin Reconnaissancs
Figurc9. Representative
;l
\t
moveinp'a,oon
L::[:::^';;'tr!tr1?,#"i]"1;,'!iiii,[trfT'X.?f;,i'f",!,#il! co'unn
24
b. Tacticat Inte iSence Co rctian. The rank n. Recognition siSnrls.
company is con$dered by the Sovietsto be suitable
for leconnaissance nissions to Sarninformation on the o. Rocedure for delivering pnsoners, caplured
strength, disposition, organization and movemenl of e q u i p m c n Lr,n d m a P s .
enemy forces. Particular reconn3Nsancetargets arei
Tank company commandersare 'lso siven a brief
(l) Nuclcal delivery means. outline of the schedul€ofoperations by other friendlv
forces dudng his nission. Alier estimating the
(2) Artillery posiiions. situation, the commanderissuesoral orders to patroi
comnandersin accotdanccwilh the aboveformrt. He
(3) Communication cenlers. also designatesa secondin conmand - pfobablv th€
senior phtoon commander.
(4) Comrnand Posts.
6. MOVEMENT AND OBSERVATION.
(5) Reserrc Fornations.
a. Movcment is made by road dt mdximum spe€d
AND GROLTING. During in either company column or platoon columns to the
4. STRENGTHS
point (or poims) at which the enemy is likelv lo be
reconnaissancea tank company usuallv operatesas
encountcred. Reports on terrdn and roads are made
f i r e e p a u o . s .u p r o l 0 \ m s a p a n d c p e n J i n go n l n c
ol dn inrclli8ence by radio. Once enemy contact is likelv, trnks move
mBJo; ard rettain. The orsani,/aLion
by bounds,coveringeach odre-rlthcy remain on roads
collection patlol is shown in Figure 9
where possible.PopulatedaJcasand water obstaclesare
5. ORDERS. ln preparationfor th€ reconnaissance' a approachedwith caution, under cover rvherefdsible
ranl coflpany commandeli' givcn oral order, covering lf observation reveals no enemy positions, then
the fo owins: populated areasare reconnoiteredand water obst"les
j. M€thod of reporting
k. CasuaityevacuationProcedurc.
l. Vehiclerecov€ryProc€dure
25
CHAFTER IO
MARCH SECURITYOPERATIONS
Section A Concepts
27
6. METHODOF OPERATION.Tte LMSD normaly a. Descriptionof ariilefy targetsand rime for
operalesin companycolumnandexpcctslo overcome opcningfire.
lidt oppositionwhileremaining in that formation.The
LMSD is employed as shown in FiBUre10. r'r'o.ethat b. Tank platoon ax€s,boundaries,md assault
th€ companycommander lcadsthe tank column.The
distancebctw€envehiclesand subunitsis 25 50
m€ters.Individualtank! or APCSare usuallydetailed c. Missionsand sssaull lines for supporting
to give the LMSD front and ilank proteclion.DuriDS
the advance,only the compdnycommandermdkes
radio transmissio.s, 8ivir8 ordcr! by codewordsor d. Combar engine€r and chemicdl specialist
codenumbers.Controlof lhe columnis exercised by positionsand missionsin combat.
flagsignalsby dayandsignrlfiaresby nidt. Air attack
i! courteredby increasing speedard marchinl€rvals. e. Order to open fire and the attack signal.
Antiaircraftfire is delivercdon orderof the company
commander. Dwing short h3lts the vehiclescloseto 9, BNCAGEMEM.
within 10 metersof each other. A1 long halts th€
companydeploysinto a perimetcrdefense. LMSDduty a. The enemyis engaged directlyfrom the marcn
rotaleswithin the companies of th€ battalion. column.Tank platoonsdeployfrom comprnycolufin
iflto platoon columnsand then into combat line.
7. TRiFFIC REGULATION.During lacticalmoves Motodzedinfantry gencraly folows the tanks and
Sovictcombatunitsrely on dnectionsgivenby lraffic remainsmountedin A?Csdulingth€ assadt.Hatches
regulators.It is likely tha. th€ route to be followed areclosedwhenthe LMSDmo!€sfrom precombat into
by the nain body will be marked by trdffic rcgulators
accompaJrying the LMSD. Tra*ic conhol pointsare
probablyestablishedby the divisiontraffic control b. If the enemyis in gr€atlysuperiorstrenSth,
companybasedon inforrnationprssedback by the the LMSD w act as a bas€of fire. Th€ LMSD ules
r€connaissanc€ battalion and lMsD. rls ftrE power ro prerenrfie enemyfrom orgarlizinS
an effectivedefens€while the remainderof ihe 3dvance
8. ACTION ON CONTACTINCTHE ENEMY.The guarddeliversa flank attack.lf th€ enemyattempts
Sovietsexpecrthe LMSD to seizethe hitiative and to withdraw, the LMSD will pursuewithout a$,aiting
to surpri!€and be capableof defeatinga numedcally further orders.
superiorforce. lt will normallyattackfrom a flank.
Ord€rs issucdby LMSD commanderby radio on
nraking enemy contact are short and contain $e
folowinB:
i!!
_+O@Y6-d
-@c"-*m--.**.--
+<D_ r-rtu,*n''sde,-tu,*,
'C m.."* a*- . rrc
"-'"
_ + hdv*b
@ *t *" vr * *" * + a*-. -'r
2A
Section C Security of Flanks and Rear
l0r LATEML MARCH SECtruTY DETACHMENT. may be orderedto carry out the actionsof a rearguard
Wher€rhe.c is a thr€al to a flank of th€ main body, during widrdrawal operations. Th€ aim ol lhe
a Einforced tsnk company acts as a laleral march detachmentis to preventpcnelrationof lhe mair|
security detaclunent.This detachmentoperatesand is column. The RMSD coven the combat engin€ersas
relnforced similarly to an LMSD. lt mov.s on a route they construct or demolishohtacles. The RMSD may
perallel to th€ axis of the mrifl body atrd about five ambush puNuing eocmy forc€s during retrogrrdc
kilom€ters f.om it.
29
CHA TER II
THE OFFENSIVE
t,tr
A' t,-
,'\
:--=- :ii#il':'"ilil",'"*"-
% rars.r
HowiEer
122nm Howitz{ SdtterY
--.-----/
,t
///
'9r--Y Mete6
32
Section B The Mccting Engagement
?. CONCEFI. b- TheSovietsconsider
ahatsucccss
is determired
byi
a. The Sovietsrecognizethat a deliberaleattack
is requned: (l) Dispersionto reducevuln€rabilityto nucleal
weaponsdudng preparationfor the.ssault.
(1) To defeatenemyforc€sin prepared
defensive
positionswhich cannotbe bypass€d. (2) Speedin the asraultby combnedarmsteams.
33
8. PREPARATIONAND PLANNING.
(3) Infornatioi on adjacentunits and dreir (2) By deliberate assaulr againsr prepared
defensesfrom a holdingarea..
34
!
l I
L I N EO FD E P L O Y M E N T
F N O MC O M P A N YINTO
PLATOONCOLUMN
0
DEPLOYINiO
PLATOONLINE
HOWITZEF
BATTEFY
Ilv
EnemyPlatoonPosnions
EnemVAnliTank GuidedMissile
! ol-o
tQ-f -$t
-r6nk
.r-,
Plaroonin CombarFomdion
a Firios
Line
I ""'o".von
REINFORCECDOMPANY n i a n t v i nA $ a l l rF o r m 5 t i o n
- i.
LEAVESWAITINGAF EA
]NCOLI]MN {t+ Banaioncommande,
<+-O commande,
companv
€ ranrsananPcslncotumn
> Boundary
of Prim6ry of Fno
Dneclion
F i g u r e1 2 . A d v a n c e f r o ma H o l d i n gA r e a .
I3. ASSAULT. The tank comprny. when leadingthc 14. E)CLOITATION. Afier overrunning an €nemy
assault,movcs.athid speed,firins on encny weapons detensiveposilion, a tank companycommanderordels
and personnelin ihe forwdd cdgc of ihe battle are. his tanks to continue the attack. If resisknceco apses
(FEBA). When required, ensireeB prcpdre passages compleicly. the company forms into march fbrmation
throush antitank obstaclesforward ofthe defensesrnd and continues in pursuit of the wilhdrawing enemy.
company tankr equipped with nine ploughs nake
hasly gaps in rninefields.If there are no gapsin fie 15, BREA(THROUGH OF A HASTY DEFENSE. A
m i n e f i e l d sa 1 d m i n e p l o u g i ( r c n o r a \ a i l r b l e .h c hasty defcnsiveposition is characterizedby hck of
company advancesthrough the minefield in preconbat ensinecr lortifications, inadequatetuc pldnning, and
significant gaps within the dcfcnsive positions. The
Soviets consider th€ enemy in a hasty defense,wi
a. Undcr cover of supporting fires. tdnk and allempi to stfengthenhis position along key tedain.
attachedmotorizcd ritle units attempt to penetate the
defenses,and lhen continue the advance-A tank a. The basis for successin overrunninga hasty
conpany supportsadjacentunits but do€snot deviate defenscis to attack from the march wiihout lengthy
from its own dircclion of advance. Momentun is preparation. Penetralion is suplorted by available
maintainedeven when supportingclementsale slowed ariillery fire and air slrikes. The rapid mornentumand
or hnlted. shock created by aggressive use of tanks is intcnded
to disrupt cncmy withdrawal, and to forc€ picccne.l
b. In thc !t1ack. irnks fire on the movc, tioln commitmcnl of reserves.A sudden attack s€izesthe
short halts, or at the halt. The preferred method is initiative. while conlinuous-plessure forces th€ enemy
1o fire on the move, which provides immediaie to nght without coordinaiion.
fuepower wiihout slowing rhe lempo oI the advance.
The short hrll is used to fire one aimed round fron b. A tank company approachcs tJIe enerny
the nain gun or severalbursts from th€ mrchinegun. defensive position in march or combal formation.
A longer halt is usedto fire three to four rounds.When Durng t]Ie approach, the company commander
lanks encounter a target of imporlancc to the mission, receives ofde6 by radio liom the battalion
concenrratedfife of rhe company is used.Tanks halt commander. These orders specify the line of
behind availablecover and continue 1l) lire until the deploymcnt, the objective within the FEBA and the
target is neutralized. direction offurther advance.The compiny conmsndef
evaluatesthe situation, and transmits ordcrs to the
c. Attached motorized rifie unils norrnally folow platoons.when support€dby motorized rifle units, the
the tanks by t0010 500 melers.Nlotorizednfle troops comprny conrmanderdelincs thel missionsand assault
rcmdn nounled wheneverpossibieand try to maintain positions- The assault is th€n cdlied out in same
the sa]n€speed as the tanks. finng Luoud the ports manner as lllal descdbedin pragrrph 13 (s€eFisure
of the APCS dunng rc assrult. (seeFigur€t3) 14).
| .-.\
tt\\l'J
. wooos| \ \ \ J.
i:.,/\\\\ |
:iJ,l / \l\\ \ |
;ii,\ /(\\ \ /i
'i':','\ l"ll i
oJoo
o'."tu",J I L/
ANoMovEslNro \-,/ / ,/
posrnoN\
FIRE
M O V E SI N T O \ v,//i ,/ rt
--z'r',/ t
I F EP O S I T I O N
\
\r-t' ll' i
\ z it I c o u p o."o" " " o " o . ^
a./ ll i 2rdaND3'drA'{\PLArooNs
\Jl I i ir wlH woaPcsvovE
-oqtcHr|LA,,J(
r-, i |. I
t'-e.:: bll l
$r,:
Jf.{.die{
\i iI
| ; I
.lO
<r4O- 'rank
P atoo. in Co amn t:#, \il
<€
Figure13. AssauhFormations.
37
TANK COMPANYIN ASSAULT
H | -----
Lal l--
'* a'
0-.H
\@
\-
,-,\
\
tt
o
I
TANK COMPANY/ANOINFANTRY
'
E N G A G E N E M Y A L B E A D Y IPNO S I TO N
ffi.
!ii PLANNEDAF
LLTE H Y T A H G E I S
i i,"' SECONDAUY
-rNrRD
@@
@@
I !'"^4i,,...r' SEOUENCEOF
EVENTSSI]OWINGPOSS BLE CONCUFBENTACTIVTY
.1
/ ?t**.;i
//
Yl,/
.l
I la{ f'^'iw;:t"
'i
Figufe14. Breakthrough
oflhe HastyDelensivePosition.
38
Section D Pursuit
18. CONDUCTOF THE PURSUIT.A rcinforcedlant( d. Seiziog key terrain on with&awal rcutcs.
conpany participatesin pursuit as part of a laBer
force. The pursuit may be direct, parallel,o. a A tank companypunues in -rnarchor pr€combat
combinationof both, in which ca.seit will be a formation and moves into combat formations on
regimenlaloperation.
+
l 6 "'!tiiv*
lal
o-- '
0 .*^
'^"- \
Figure15.Directand ParallelPursuh.
39
Section E Ni!fit Attacks
22. PLANNINC.A tank battalioncommander flans 24. CONDUCTOF THE ASSAIiLT. Od order, the
night attacksand briefsand conductsrcconnaissance tank companies leadthe assaultin combatformation.
with hb company commandersduing dayligh! if They open fire using night vision d€vices or ih€
potsible.If lime permils.d relaln recdnnaissrncc ir daylightsightwhneon the mow.lvlinefields andother
conductedduringdarkness so that the difficultiesof obstaclesarc negotiatedtbrough previouslymarked
control, coordination, and illunination can b€ Ianes.Tank ale folowed by motorizedrifle unitsin
rerolved.Preparation and planningfor a niBhrattack APCS.Emphasis is on desuoyingenemypocketsof
is extensiveifit is launch€dagainsta preprredposition. resistance without maneuvcring at the staft of the
It will include: attack.Tank units atlempl to ldvanc€directlyalong
prcdcsignatcd rculesusingdirectionalS/ro compasses
(seeEncloslrre 3). Reference pointsand azimuthsare
a. Establishins
easilyrecognized
refer€nce
point!. usedto reorienttaits whi.h devialefrom their.outes.
If the tank companyencounl€na superiorenemy
b. M.rking $e axis of adv,nce- force,temporaryposilionsareselected to providegood
fieldsof fire, antitani defense,andcoverfrom nuclear
c. hsuinSthc azimuthfor the directionof the strikes. Enemy counleraltacksarc repolsed by
concentratedtank and arlillery fire. Repuls€of an
enemycounterattack is followed immediatelyby an
d. Coordinatingthe usc of night visiondcvices rttack on a flank to regainlhc initiative-The tempo
and bardefieldilluminationmeans. of thc advanc€ continues throughoutthe folowingday
and night. At first Iight the companycommander
Coordinarionof company boundariesand usc of reevaluatcs thc situaiionand hsuesnew ordcrs,paying
aiillely fire is Sivcngrcal cmphdis.A crrefui ch€ck particularaltcnlion to lik€ly eneny countcraltack
of lankr is madcto ensurelhat unautlorizedvehicle routes.If the siluationpermits.fuel and ammumtion
liShb are extinguished (seeFigurc 16). are calledfooard and damagcdhnks 3nd casualties
evacurledby thebattalionrepairandevacuation group
(REG).
40
lF FEFERENCEPOINT
ENEMY
I
I
l
?2MILS
STARTLINEHELD
A Y M O T O R I Z EROI F L E T R O O P. S
*_ C O L O R ELDI G H T A N D
TBAFF|CREGULAToRs
MARK BOUTEFOFWARO
FOFTANKCOMPANY
J. C O L O B E LOI G H T A N D
a TRAFFTC BEGULATOFS
MARKTHEPOINTIO Nore2 Thesingalroaitackis qiven
A by an llluminaiionFa.e or by
TURNOFFINFRARED
\ V
DRrvrNcArDs nadio Cod*ord
A
Figure16. Controllvleasures
for NightAttack.
4l
Sectior F Offensives in Diilicult Terrain
15. MOUNTAIN AREAS. Th€ Soders resafd rhe echclonedmovc rent on parallelroutes and sonrcfank
limitins faclorsof terdin and engrnepeffornrnce!o maneuve. may bc artemptcd. contact between unjts
be restrictive but not insurmountableto arnror is nraintainedby disnounted infant.y. The Sovietss€c
operationsin mounrainareas.Thc lank company the problem of operationsin forests and mdshes ,s
requresJ0 ro 50 percenrmo e fJel lor mounrarn being rerrain, restrictionson tank gun range,control,
operations.Pioneertools are fequiredfor eachtank. observation, and orientation. Rates of advance are
Th€ vElueof supportingmolorizedrifle units and geatly reduced. Tlrc destruction causedby nuclear
attachedartillery and mortarsis hig! in rnountain slflkes in iorest or mdsnland dicrares rh-arengineer
operations.Companytacticsar€ des'gnedto exploil supporl be atlached to tank companieslor operatjons.
firepower. Combarformarions emplo)r\e maximum In summer the provision of repellent to ward off
possible number of lanks forward. Extensive "winged blood sucking insec$" n thought to be
reconnaissance is lequired to avoid enemy tank
ambushes. The tank companycommander to
a1t€mpts
move on roads. usinglateral and plrallel rodds to 27. OPERATIONS IN SNOW. During operaiions in
maneuver 1o the flanksof cnemyposiiions.
Marchand snow, the problems of overcoming terrain and low
precombatfornution intcrvalsare doubled during rempcraturesare Siven mofe emphasisthan tactics.
mounoln operatrdns. Opcrationsin soch aJeasare connder€dby ihe Soviets
lo be dependenr on ihe ef1-ectiveness of loghtic
26. FORESTSAND MARSIILANDS.In forestsand supfort. In parlicular, clorhirg, anti-frostbjle
marshlandsnrovementis restrictedto roads, llre equipment,ard vitanin prcprations are consideredto
brerks,and ttuoughsparse
woodsand clearings.
Tank be indispensiblc. Moveme t is restrjctedand attacks
companiesnormally opente in conjunctionlvith are Iaunchedfronr column irs near lo cnemy posilioni
infanlry. Mov€mentis restrictedto columrs, bui
1^
;3
Flrb.. F,ai
T62's ope.ating n narch farnation in snow covered mounEin area.
42
CHAPTER12
R]VERCROSSINC
OPERATIONS
l. CONCEPTS. Soviel racricaldoctrinc stresses
thc b. The ba alion .onrmander no,may re.crves
importanceof c.ossing rivers,gaps,
and\{aterobsraclcs rldju orde6 shich designare lhe cro:JE 3,ea.The
without losinSmomenrun. Bridging.f€rrying..rnd battalionheadquarrers controh rhe crossinsasshown
amphibiousequipmentis designcdto cross watcr in Fisurc 17. A re8ularionst.rioh is estabiished
obstaclesas rapidiy as possible. near
Whencrossingwarcr lhc crossingsitcs.Each fordin8site is conrrolledby
obstaclcs.
a mediumlank compuryoFraresJ\ pr ,r crossingcommand€r who \rili normaly be from the
ol a barralion.The company n)rr cros drc uo\racre rtrached rngineerunrr.A cornrnmJ po\t is sctup on
in one of thc following ways: DolhbJn\ to Jonrrolforwardcumpanie\ c,osslng rhc
obnJ.le.Thiswill be undcrJireltrono' thebarralion
a. Over pcrmaoentor lemporafybridges. deputy comnandcrfor technicalmatters.Rour€sro
cfossingsiteswill be mjrked. The repdr andrecovcry
b. Orer tank launchedbridges€crions. 8roup.battrlion aid stalion,and rce serviceelcmenis
crossaf(cr rhe rank companies_
c. Orrr truck launchcdpontoon bfldg€s.
3. FORDING.A sire 30 to 50 meierswide ls useo
d. Owr amphibiousbfidg€seclionsor feffies. lbr_a compmy cfossingwater obstaclesby deep
forJin;.ln hi\ modclheranLrequfes no preparation
e. Trackedself propclledferries. floweve,.rhe bdnks of rhc obrractemJ) need
prcparationwherevehiclesenterand exjt rhe warer.
2, PLANNINC AND CONTROL. A tank may passthrougha deplh of 1.4 meters
without a snorkel.Markcr! indicarethe site. and at
a. The Sovietscros!warerobsractes
from rhetinc niShlgreenLighr\are usedto nJicateduccrion.
of tnarch.This presupposesthat rcconnaissance
and
securityoperationshave bcen carriedour md rhar
engineerprepmtions have bcen completedor ranks
have been preparedfor snorkelinS.
. .. :j.t::.iaai:
:-...
754/55 being loadedonto a fetry before crc$ing e waterobsbcte.All but first echetonuniEwitt
nomally ctoJs water obsdcles by btidge or fetry.
1"
I oaJEcnvEs
cRossrNG
SrTEs
/
I
I
RECONNAISSANCEAND
OETACHMENTS
f...
l,.zBATTAL|ON
COMMAND
Ib\POSTIFAR BANK)
\
I CROSSINGSITE
CFOSSINGSITE
WATERCROSSING
COMMANDEF
15t]l
2mm
TANKSINPOSMON
TOSUPPbRTCiOSStNG
\
ROUTES
MARXED
FOR
oAYANDNTGHTUSE
+
x
h TANKcoMPANrEs_--l ?
\--
Fr
INCOLUMN
?
BATTALION
PBEPARATION
A8E{
Figure17. RiverCrossing
ControlOrganization.
44
4, SNORKELING. 5. STAGDS IN CROSSINGWATER OBSTACLBS.A
tJnk company may be called 10 crossa water obstacle
a. Soviet tanks equippedwith snorkelscan cross in either reconnai$anceor march securily rolc!, ur as
under a wrt€r obstacle up to 5.5 meten in dcpth. part of tle main body. The merhod ofcrossinga water
Preparation of the enlrancc dnd exir points of the obslacle is deternined by the mission of the tank
obstacle may tre required. Tdnks require prepamtion company i! the advmcmg colunrn.
and tank crews undergo lraining to learn Morkeling
techniques- a. Reconnaissance. Tant companies in the
rcconnaissance role are reinforc€d by ensineers,divers,
b. Tines 10 prepare a nedium tmk unit for a and chcmical specialishto survey nver banks to find
s.lorkel crossingof a water barri€r vary greatly with suitablecrcssingsi1€s.Motonzed infantry and ariilery
the type of tank involved but normally it is abour I are in support-If Llnderwatersufley is requlred,it will
l/2 hours.The tunel is scded with an infiaiablerubbcr probably bc conducted at night. Reconnarssanc€
device. Specirl onc way vatves are attached to the elements also seek 1() identify ensting bridges or
exhaust system to alow ihe cilaust funresto escape fordinS sitesrs well asenemy positionson both banks.
but prevent waier lrom entering. Tte rernahing
exposed working parts are snrearedwith rcsin and b Seunry Daachnelrs T€n\ companies
snorkels re then attached. SpeciJl wide "chimney cmployed as security detrcbmcnts s€izecrossin€areas
snorkels are used in training only. These are wide discovercdby reconnarssmce elemeotsand attempt to
enough for a nan to esclpc throush. h combat a use shallow fords 1o estabiisha lridgehead on rhe far
nuow tube is used ibr lcntilation. Tanks are orrvcn bank. nre nerr bmks of crossingsites are held untii
cross the obstacleon a preassigned nagnetic xzinulh. the afrival of ihe main body if the €nemy slrengtl
with necessarycorrections to left or righl glvcn by prer€nts an immediate c.ossing.
radio from tank on the banks In conbal. aftcr lclvlng
the water the snorkcl rs jettisoned. The iank Lhcn c. Main Bodt. A company rrl t]rc main body
requnes about 20 minutcs work before it can operate crossesthe obsiacle using either fofds or esrablish€d
norrnr y. A. snorkelirg lank must be driven slowly in crossingsitesunder the cover ofsecudty detachments.
low gear as the tracks t€nd lo slip. Care must aho After crossing lhe obsiacle. it morcs on d€signated
be taken. or it will slall and luve to b€ pulled out routes to its objective,perhapsthree to four kilomelers
of the waier. Tank crcwsusegasmaskequipmentwhle from the obstacie. If the bat.alion has no !€curity
snorkelinSas a sourceof oxygen. Snofkelingtanks ale eiements, a company will cross as a LMSD aft€r
'lulnerable to undeNater obstacles.soft dver
beds, inlensive concentrationsof anillery and tank fue.
swiftly flowing curents, and debris.Wlrcneverpo$ible
th€ Sovietscross water obstaclesby ferry or bridges.
1R.w6asrank)
CHAPTER13
DEFENSE
SectionA Concepts
I. SUCCESS
OF DEFENSE. b. Switching lo the defensecan lake placeeither
in or out of contacl with the enemy. A defense
a. The Soviets r€gard th€ defensivear a adoptedwhilc in contacrwilh theenemyis consider€d
iemporary phae d€signedto repel the attack of io be a difficult operalion.lt is likely that the tank
superjorenemyforccswhileinflictingsignificantlosses. companywiil be expectedto seizea linearposition
The purposeis to hold positionslongenoughto creat€ on tactically SSnificant terrah. This initial position
conditions favorablefor a retum to th€ off€nsiv€.In should be capableof b€hg convertedinto a stronger
taclicalterms thesuccess of defens€dependson the posinonwhen cifcumstances allow. Out of contact,a
skillful use of terrain, combincd with a well positionin depth will be plannedwhen ordered.
coordinatedlire plan.
A tanl plaloon may be us€dasa banalionres€n€or Civen thes€ conflicting rcqutements, th€ t"nk
patrol.
as 3 reconnaissnnce companycommander ulually placeshis platoonstlvo
forwardand oneback.The rearplatooncanbe to the
3. FRONTAGES.Wr€n cmploy€din rhe defensive center,ri8ht or lefr rearasdictatedby the l€rrainand
role,ar part of a batrdlion,the tank comFny defcnds lhreat-Molorizcddfle troopsgivelocalprotectionlo
a strongpoinl approxjmately1000 meten wide and laoks ,nd fill in gaps within the position, using
500 metersin depth.Thereare normally300 meters machineguns and hand.heldantitankweapons- Lin€aJ
betweenplatoons.The arc of obs€rvationfor an in positionswherelhe tank
formationsare acceptable
individualtank is restriut€dto the field of viron as companyis in thc lecondechelon. Withinthe defensive
slen thlough the gunnef'sand commander's srgn$ position a "wandedngtank" may be designated to
without moving the turret. This givcssn arc of 300 movebetweengapsandflanls to confusetheenemyt
Sovietmils.* Tanksar€normdly assigned an individual estimatingthe numberand locationsof the tad<s.
arc of fire between200-250soviet mils. Thereare
normally150 mclcrsbetweenindividualtanks.Figure 5. TANK FIRE FROM PREPAREDPOSITIONS.A
18 givesfurther detailsof the arc of fire. tank company firing from prepared positiotrs is
47
expectedto open fire at l50O metersand achievea a. Positions for tanb and AFCS.
50 percentkill Etio. The Sovietsconsiderftat encmy
tanls will atlackat an average of 15 krn/hour.They b. Clearingarcs of fire.
estimatethat each Soviettank in the companywill
beableto fir€ l0 to 12 roundsduringan €nemyattack. c. Conltructing antitank and antipersonnel
EachSovieltank is lhereforecreditedwith a potential obstaclesalorg lik€ly enemyalenuesof approach.
of five or six tark kils.It is projectedby the Soviets
fial a trnk compan),afrerJ0 percent ca:ualrieJ.
can d. Pr€paJation of allernatepositions.
counteran attackby 30 to 40 enenly
still theoretically
tanks.Allhoud suchnad€natics areoptimistic,they e. Preparingammunitionstoragefacilities.
aretypica.lof the sovietattitudero tacricalquestions.
A typical tank alring position is shown in Figure 19.
O. ENGINEER PREPARED DEFENSIVE
POSITIONS. Whena companyis out of contactwith 7. FIRE PLAN.Thosear€aswhich cannotbe colrred
th€ enemy, considerableengineerwork can be by directfire arecov€redby adllery andmortar fir€.
accomplished in preparingtanl posations. Thepriority The flanks and the forward edSe of likely enemy
of work h usuallyas [ollows: assault positions are priodty artillery targ€ts.
Fis!rc showsihei.r€nockinsarcsol
t re ol iwo ranksin lhe PrimaryArc of
Fne. The crireri.rre lhal fne ol
individualtanksr.tsocksat400rn.,
andrharai leasr v. olrhetomol
rhea@isove app€d The200 250
mllarc ofa tank ca. be obserued
w thout rcratl.g rh6 lurel.
SecondaryArcs coverthsareaof
r€sponsibility
ot Adjaco Platoon3.
Thissvsiemm3k€slo.sre6r
concentarionol tn on a narow
tronraseandis b6t slned b
enfiladepositions.In a fronra shoot
eilherthecrheia mu5tb€ @laxed
or oositionswill lackdepth and
probablyrhere wirlbe tne qapswilhin
plaloon areasol GspoGibiliry.
-l j50n
l+ o6bk! Bdwei FrDs P6,ioE
FIBING
.L--i-,)
t-,i--- - -r'
Figure19. EngineerPreparsdTank FiringPosition
49
f
N
I +
2Ptf
HILIOCX
zoNEoF coNcENTRATED
MActiiNEG'uN
FtFE
DUG IN
0
2PLT
I \
t
r1 \.
_o_
133
A \
5m
>+- Tankin prcp8redposition
S€con&rylank position
;{..:'
Hgure 20. SovietTank CompanyCommandersSketchof DefensivePositon.(Basedon SovietDiagram.l
50
Section D Conduct of the Defense
52
CHAPTER 14
THE WITHDRAWAL
a. Soviet concepts allow withdrawal to avoid d. As tank ambush Lmii on enemy axes of
enemy nuclear strikes or to occupy a nrore
advantageousposition. In the defensethe operation is
carfied out ro reposition a unit's front towardsa {lank ln €ach casethe conpany is usually renrforcedby a
h responseto en€my action or to reduce the l€ngih rnotorized rifle platoon.
of a threatenedsupply line. During advanoc1()contact,
a withdawal can be ord€red when stubborn enemy 4. SSQUENCE OF WITHDRAWAL.
oppostion is met or at the conclusion of an
unsuccessfulmeeting engagement. a. A company commander will r€ceive orders
frorn the battalion conma(der either in personor by
b. It i! impo(ant to note that only a hlgher radio, including:
commandermay order witndrawal.This is usurlly done
to improve the tactical configuration or to free units (l) Taciical inteligence on the enemy.
for other opeiations. A withdrawal is usualy crJried
out in face of enemy action. It is inplied, how€ver, (2) Mission.
that the eneny wil not be alowed to dictate a
withdrawal. A company withdraws as part of r (3) Coordination details for tle withdrawal.
battalion operation.
(4) Lbes of deploynent.
2. DISENGAGEMENT.
(5) Planned suppo(ing adillery flre.
a. The crilical tine in the wilhdrawal is the brear<
with tll€ enemy. A tank company will attempt to break (6) Assembly areas.
contact eilher at nighi or during conditions of low
visibility. In theory, withdrawalswil lake place undef b. A tank company withdraws to an assembly
cover of adillery and tactical air suppoit. The suppolt area I to 1.5 kiloneters behind rhe FEBA. APCS
is plarned at battalion ievel and coordinaled in a withdraw, covered by tanks, into the assemblyarea.
regimental plan.
c. If a tank company is in contact with the
b. Once it has broken contact, the conprny enerny, it may withdraw wilh platoons coveringeach
noves to its new firing positiooswithout int€rm€diale other. Altemalively, the entte comprny may move
positions. ln cares where lhe unit is still in contact simultaneously,covered by another compdny or the
with the enemy, intermediate posttionswill be used baitaljon resewe.Once the tank companyhas brcken
contacr. platoons forrn into columns. A company
colu.nn is forn€d once the company has passed
3. ROLES. During a wthdrawrl, th€ lank company d[ough the positions of the rear narch security
may be employed:
53
CHAF|ER I5
SECURITYDURING HALTS
(l) Tacticalinlclligence.
55
7. SECTJRITY FROM AIR AND NUCLEAR a nuclear attack, t}IE company dispositionis changed
ATIACK. By monitodng the battalion ner, the duty oncewoundedharr beenevacuatedand damagedtanls
officer is able to alert the tant cr€wsof air or nuclear
attack.Passivedefens€measures are tal€n by crewmenJ
who th€n man their vehiclesand prepare then rq,{ 8, ORCANIZATION OF WORK IN A REST AREA.
weapons.AA fre begins on ord€r of th€ compary Company tanks are provided POL, ammunition and
commander.I-w flyin8 h€licopters,or aircrafr rations in rcst areas.While in rest aress,routin€ or
dropping or landing troops de engaged.Wlrcn the combat maintenance is p€rformed on vehicles.
nuclear attack wafling is given, crews don dren Rehearsals and individual training rre ciried out when
protecti\€ clothing and man then !€hicles. If caughr outside the irnmediatecombat area.Crewm€nare also
by surprise,crewm€nare responsiblefor placing gas given political indoctrhation.
maskson the womded and renderinSfust aid. After
SECUFITYOETACHMENT
I NO P . 1 5 @ M E T E F S
DIRECTION
\
OFENEMY
\
!9195 ".!v-ooDs
L
KEY
A
o
-Fo
-.+o
Figure21. Company
Securityat rheHatt.
CHAPTER 16
COMBATIN BUILT-UPAREAS
l. CONCEPIS.Sovict doctrine shtcs that built-up (4) A howitzerbattery.
areasare bypa:ledwhenposible.lvhen llus courseis
followed,townsandvillages areisolatedanddealtwith (s) An cnsineerdetachment.
by secondechelons. If a builtup arcais vital to thc
Soviet commander'splan and filst echelonsare b. Onc€ in the environsof thc buihup area,
requiredto captureit, emphasis is on the destruclion commandof the operationprobablypassesto the
of thc enemydefendingthe area.This methodsecks commanderof a motofizedrifle company.A typical
to avoidthe wasleof time,manpower. andequipment or^,'nino miohr thrn hP.
57
CHAPTER 17
l. SUMMARY. Sigrificant findings of thn study, as well lrainedin the technicalaspects of th€irdulicsbut
they relateto the combatpotentialofa Sovietmedium are clos€lysupervised by the battalioncommander.
tank €ompary are summdiz€d b€low under the They appearto lack initiativc and experiencc. The
followingtopicsl companycommanderhas the authority lo crll for
supporring firesin combar. Ilrsru$"r.r). howcver. i\
a. Effectiveness
of tacticalconcepts. rcstrictedto maneuvering thc wholecompanyin wel
rehearsedcombat formalioo!. Platoon conrmanders
b. Commandand control. resctto the companycornmander s orderundhaveno
independcnce in tacticalnraneuvcr. Thereis r tilth
c. Effectivene
s! of training. officer in the companywho hrs rcsponsibiliiyfor
tec}nicalmatters,,nd somecompanies havea slxth
d. Effectiveness
of organization. officer wiLh rcsponsibiliryfor politiral alf r\.
4, EFFECTIVENESS
OF TRATNING.
6, SUITABILITY OF EQLNPMENT FOR LIKELY
a. Sovi€lrank crcwsarc well trainedin driving, MISSIONS.
gunn€ry.md conbal fornations. One tant in the
conpanyis usedlbr trainingpurposes. Erch mernber a. Soviet tanks are ruggedihavc a good rnain gun
of thc crew LeiJnshis duti€sby repetitionuntil he with an effective range of 1500 meten and
can perform th€m to the requlredslandardwithout machneguns which have an effective range of 800
consciouseftbrt. Thereis hearyreliancein the training meters.The gunnery control systemis spaceoiented.
of driversand gunnerson simulators.Tlerefore,it Tanks dre designedto lire both on the move and at
takescrewmensometime to adapt to the irregular the halt. Later nodels of tanks may have a buili in
movemenlof a tank in motion. Subcrliberlralning protective liner to reduce the effects of nuclear
rounds are used tbr gunnery taining- The tank radialion. Sovi€t m€dium tanks have the ,bility to
commanderis lrained to fire the gun but other cross waler obstaclesup io 5.5 met€rs in depih by
membersof rhe cr€w are not crosstraincd.Due 10 snorkelins. The soviet nisht gunnery technique
frequentrotalion of conscripts.tank crewss€ldom rcquircs thc use of an active IR system or whit€ light
nmain togelh€rlbr more than a yeaJ. for target acquisition.The effectivenight fighting range
for Soviet lanks is 1000 meters.
b. Due to rcpcritivenatDreol- Soviet lraining
methods tank cr€ws de urnikely 10 have their b. Soviet tanks are capable of canying out in
individuatskills seriouslydegradedby th€ slrainsof nuclearand nonnuclearenvironmentsthe closequarter,
combar.While the useof simulatorsauowslrequent day and nishr combat that Soviet tactical doctrine
trainingsessions, time would be requtedfor crewsto demands.Night fighting shortens the effective range
becomeaccustomed io their equipment.During this of tank guns and requires the use of night vision
periodthe cfewnanwouldnot be fully effective.The
lack of crosstrainnrgmeansa singiecasualtyin a tank
crcw would often makethe entiretank non€ffeclive. 7. AN ASSESST1ENTOF COT{BAT POTENTIAL-
Tank crewshavelimited expericnce workingtogether The Souet tank company is organized,equipped and
because p€rsonnel arc f.€quentlyrotatedboth in units trained to figlt as part of a battalion.Although it may
on occasionbe given a separatemission, it will harc
lhe closc supporl ol other tank and motorized rille
5. EFFECTIVENESS
OF ORGANIZATION. units and a considerableamount ol artillery. The tanL
company is employ€d in such a manner that
a. The combat element of a tank company deficienciesin equipment, tuainingstandardsand tle
consislsof the conmanders tank and threeplatoons command dnd coniJol systen crn be conpensatedfor
of eirherthreeor four tanks.The co.npny operates by conceniralion of force. Offensive operations are
as an €ntity with the fire of a[ tanks under close continued until dre enemyforce is incapableofputting
control of the companyconmander.A conpany up a coordinated defense and is destroyed or
normally operatesas part of its battalion.bua can withdraws. Within tiis concept the Soviet tank
reinforceor be feinforcedby motolizedrifle unih and company is an eff€ctive fighting force ttith a high
artillery tor specificinissions.Combinedtlainingby
60
TANKS AND ASSOCIATEDEOUIPMENT
2. MEDIUM TANKS,
a. T34 and T44 ianks arc obsolete,but are used lbr trainilg. Many T34 chassishavebeen
rebuilt as armorcd rccovery vehiclcswhich the Sovicts designateT-34-T.
c. The T62 tank is an improvementon the T55. It has a llsmm smoothbore gun and
fires HVAPFSDSand fragmentationammunition as well as HEAT. This sipnificantlyimproves
penetmtion over the earlicr models.
d. The T72 is the most reccntaddition to the Sovicttank irlveDlory,it is superiorin ffepower
and rnobility to the T62. Althouel there are insufficicnr detailsof the tank known to include
it in the table at Appcndix I to this Enclosurea short compadsonbetweenthe T62 and the
T72 is included at Enclosure4.
JS-3 Heavy bnk sone of which a.e still in Eruice in Group ol Soviet
Forces Gernany (GSFG).
ol ENCLOSURE
I
Artist Rendition of T-72
63 ENCLOSURE1
APPENDIX I
TANK PERFORI\,1ANCE
COMPARATIVE
TABLE
JS3 Tt0 T10t!l T54 T55 162
50 52 36 36 36.5
9875 '10600 9000 9000 9110
8230 8550 s2aa 84€5 84€5 9000
6450 6450 6715
3566 3566 3210 3270 3350
2255 2€0 24(xl 2404 24to
2600 2ffi 2640 2UA 2&O
430 ,130 425 4E 425
650 724 580 580 580 580
4625 4600 ,1600 3840 3&10 4150
v2ts V? v-54 V-55 V7
520 700 700 520 580 580
v-12 v12 v12 v 12 V-12 V 12
Diesel Di6s€ Diesel
42 €5050
250 2ao 400 500 s00
L 520 9m 900 812 960 912
L/100km 350 3@ 360 190 190 190
3000 3000 2704 2JA0 2AA0
900 9m 800 800 800
32 32 30 30 30
l-ilt 30 30 30
1200 1200 1400 1400 1400
mm/o 120155 120td, 120/60 100/60 100/60 100/o
80/45 gJl45 7At0 1010 t'/a
170basis 170basis 170basls
444
122wn 122grn
025 D IOT D-10T2S U 5TS
2A 30 30 43 40
+20 +17 +11 +1/
3 3 3
360 360 360 360 360 3@
1950 1830 1830 1150 1750 1750
S6condaryahament AA 12.7 12.7 14.5 12.1
7.62 162
1.62 12.1 14.5 7.62 1.62 J.62
B6sicload 12.7mm 250 1000 500
1500
3000 3500 3500
ENCLOSURE 1
SOVIET LAND NAVIGATION AND NIGHT VISION DEVICES
The three types of land navigationsystemsuscd i]l thc Soviet Ground Forces arc:
The latter systemis not installed in tanks but may bc used by some attachcdmotorized
rifle units. All three systemsdepcndon a directionalgyro; that is an instrumentwhich is designed
to accuntely preservean initial referencebearingduring movement-The three systemsaJe self
contained,do not depend or emissionsfrom electronictransmitte$. and do not requirc space
on the radio waveband.The systemsare not susceptiblcto interccpt,jammingor other electronic
countermeasures,
L Y R O D R I V I N UA I D S
D I R E C T I O N AC
The GPK-48and GPK-59are installedin someT55 and T62 tanks.The d vcr is only rcquired
to switch the instrumcnt on, give it time to warm up, and set his headingto actuatethe systen.
The GPK 48 was designedto give direciiorl in snorkelingoperations but has no built-in
compensationto allow for the Earth's rotation. The instrunent is accurateonly for periodsof
I5 minutes without resetting.The more rccentlydcveiopedGPK 59 hasa con]pensatiDg mechanism
and can operatc accuratelyfor up to I l/2 hou$.
a. While snorkeling.
67 ENCLOSURE2
c. In teEain without promineat featutes such as desert, tundra, or nuclear devastatederess-
Navigational systems also give accumte locations as an aid to cornmand and control or resupply
and Fovide datum points for fire cooidination.
hecise information conceming the extent of Soviet night viewing equipment is sparse.Tanks
have both inftared (IR) sighting equipment for Ore main amamont, and searcl ights that can
be equipped with an IR filter. Targets can be identifted up to 800 metels. Therc is a limiting
factor in that use of active IR can b€tray the exsct position of the uset should the €xreDy be
using IR sensors.This hazard will be readily appreciated by the Soviets h then night lightirg.
Thg use of IR binoculars by tank drivers is a regular featwe of night taining, and binoculsr-Epe
passive IR sensors are extensively used by tank commande.s.
Soviet tanks use the daylight gusight at night usilg white light illumination rMhenpo$ible-
The next step in the development chain is the production of an ambient lieht sighting device,
and this may have be€n built into the T?2.
ENCIOSURB 2 68
I
9mm Pistol PM
We believe each tanl platoon has a minimum of one tant mountedDSHK l2.7mm machinegun
for low-level antiahcraft protection.
ENCLOSURE3
,
T62 AND T72 TANKS
L The T62 has a ll5mm smooth bore gun rnd fires a fin stabilizcdshapedchargcrcund with
a high probability of a first round hit at ftnges up to 1500 meters. The two-plane
(ho zontal-vertical)stabilizationof the T62's gun cannot bc fully exploited becauseof the low
shockabsorbtioncapacityof the chassis. The T62 hasno passivenight visiondevicesand.therefore,
has a low night combat capability.
3. In 1970 a picture of a new tank appcaredin the Soviet technicalpress.This was probably
a prototype and was designatedM1970 in the West.The production model has beendesigrated
T72 ir some wesrcm mililary joumi '.
6. The incrcasedstability of the T?2 indicatesthat the armamentand fire control systemsare
probably stabilizedeffectively.The I l5mm gun of the T62 appea$to havebeenretained,probably
to achievestandardization in ammunition.lt is probablethat a rangefinder,usingthe laserp nciple,
has been incorporated.This signilicantly improves the first round hit capability beyond 1500
metels.
7. We have estimatedthe T72's nigllt fighting capabjlityftom photographsof the Ml9?0 which
show two largepiecesof equipftert oD the tudet besidethe gun mantle.One of theseis probably
a conventionalwhite light or infrared scarchlght. The other equipment collld be a low ligit
amplificationdevicc,possiblywith a heat detectorand an impulsesearchlight,or a pureheat-sensing
sight. This combination would mean that the same impulse searchlightcould be used for
illuminatioDand rangefinding,but either systemwould not bc completelypassivc.Even though
either system can be classedas active, the chaDceof a target havingtime to take evadingor
counteractioDis small-
8. The armor protection of the crcw of the T72 has been increasedby improving the shape
ol the bow and by making mo.e gradualthe inclined planeof the front slopeof the hull. There
is also someindicationthat the armorthicknesson the froDt hasbeenincreased.The crewpositions
in T72 have prcbably been altercd sliehtly,which will decrease
the chanceof multiple casualties
from one round s penetration.
7l ENCLOSURE
4
9. Some risk of fire appearsto be acceptableto the Soviets.as fuel tanks stilLappearon the
tank's deck.
BNCLOSURE
4
SOVIETCONVENTIONAL
SYMBOLS
X
I V Tanl showrnssaondsry arcotfre.
i + Movinscolumnsof vehictBshowing,
0 9r
I
+
fr
Comm8ndrahk.Thehorizomstba6
0 donobcommandlovelandm5y be
u*don anybasi. syhbot.
I I
0
i
+
0
0 Tanksin marchcollmn.
o
T
Movinq colufrn or tanks showins
Prolsciert dnedion ol movemenr
APC,generalsymbotshowjngan ApC
Tanksmovinain combatto.maiio..
0
4-r-Ot rsnksonriinsrin6. {
0
Tanks,movinqin cohbaitomation, showing
primarya.coffi.e, Thearcwed tin6 ca. be usd Q o.on'o'ou.or".
to she fie left and dsht timns of pnmary src ot
tn. by using one lin6 ar each onremiiy.
I
ti\
AmphibiousAPC,noving, carrving
T
v rank prihary
showine arcfns
73
SYMBOLS
SOVIETCONVENTIONAL
I
Are occupied by t@ps. Symbolinside
circle denote type and conmand level
t
-,--4 \ uno rne eodms/n G@pnonenanoset. -- Howitze..
%
A.tr.lio. O.plty Commendorin
@mm..d-obseruation pon.
r'____-,/
-V_--'-""\
oiredion ol main efton.
'Nors th.$ ae nor Soviersymbolsbut
74
DISTRIBUTION
LIST
DODANDJOINT AGENCIES NAVY
A]00 05D D008r{rsc (2)
AI15 OASD ISA DO33 STRATANALSUPPGRU
AI17 OASD PA&E DO42 NAVFACENGCOTI
A2O5 DMTC D2l7 NAVT,IPNCEt{
A 3 i 0 J C S / J - 3( s P0 P D r v ) 0220 0 R
A353 JSTPS D246 NAVSURFWPNCEN DAHL
Al24 oSDNETASSESSMENT (2) D248 NAVSEASYSC0T'|
A362 USDoCoLANDSoEAST (2) 0249 MVPGSCOL
AO24DEFNUCLEAR AGCY D36I FLEI,IINEI,{ARTRAC
EN
rNT (2)
Ar04 oAsD 0492 NAVSCOLEOD
AO33ASST
TODEPSECDEF D5O6I{AVUSEACEN
0559 NiIEDFLORCHLAB CLE,]
D700 CGMCDEC (20)
DIA D97l 0P-009F
D972 0P-009BrP
8 0 4 0 D r A / S C -(2D r 0 ) Dl50 cl'rc( rNT)
BO55DIA/DT-48 D507 COl'1INE}JARCOI4
BI32 DIA/DE-'I 0040 0cEAAV
BI34 DIA/0E.2 0280 0P-098D
BI52 DIA,/DT-IA2
BI69 DIA/DT-20
8485 DrA/rS ( r 30) ArR FqRCE
8545 DIA/DI
8566 DIA/DIR-I F2 (2)
E0r0AFrs/rNDoc
8573 DIA/DIR-4EI E0t6 AFIS/INC
8579 DIA/DIN-282 EO]7 AFlRDXTR-II
8580 DrA/DrR-l G3 (0P0) Eot8 AFIRDXTR-C (2)
B58I DIA/DIR-IB E046 7602AIG/lNXE
8584 DrA/DrR-l 84 ( l5) EO53AFlINAM
8583 DIA/DIR-I D EO54AFlINAKB
8594 DIA/DIR-'IF(2) Er00 TAc (eTHTrs/LDD) (',r3)
8597 DIA/DIR-IG] E228 AFI JACI
8 7 3 7 D r A / D S - 4 (8L4r B ) ( s ) E3O3AFlINAP
8 6 0 7 D r A / D r R - 2 B( r2 ) E4O8AFI,IL
86l5 DIA/DIN-2C E4I'I ASD/FTD/ETID
865'I DIA/DIR.3A E42OFTD/NICD (5)
8150 DIA/DT E429 SAMSo ( rND) (2)
855'I DIA/DID.3 E436 AFEWC (SUR)
8593 DIA/DIR-I G2 E 4 3 7A F ] S / I N I
8722 DIA/DIR.5B E45I AUL/LSE
8080 DIA/Slils E2OOAAC
8859 USDAO BULGARIA
8871 USDAO CZECHOSLOVAKIA
8886 USDAO HUNGARY U & S Col'll4ANDS
B9I7 USDAO POLAND
B9I9 USDAO ROMIiIA GOOsCINCAD
8939 USDAO YUGOSLAVIA
8934 USDA0 USSR(2)
75
U&SCololANDS(Cont'd)
HOOsUSCINCEUR
(J-3)
Holo SoTFE
HIO] USAFE
497RTG( IRC)
HOO6USEUCOI,I
DEFANALCTR
J5I5 FICEURLANT
,r5l7 cor't{AvsuRFlAliT
J575 FIiIFLANT/
FI.IFEU
R
J593 C0I.0PTEVFoR
KOOsCINCPAC
K020 COiIUSTDC
KOOTCOruSJAPAN
KIOO PACAF 548 RTG
K5OOCIIICPACFLT
K5I4 COiITHIRDFLT
K5I5 COI4SEVETITHFLT
K5I6 FIRSTI,IAF
K525 C0I'IIIAVAIRPAC
K6O] FIRSIT'IAU
K650 CoTITNAVSURFPAC
K658 COI'IJSNAVPHIL
K679 FLTCORGRU I
K300 rPAC(CoDE rC-L)
L04o sAc 544THARI{ (6)
t{005 usREDcoil
OTHER
POOSERDA
(25)
P055 CrA/CRS/ADD/SD
(5) D I AD i s t . .. . . . . . . . 406 copies
P085 STATE 204 coples
P090 NSA (35) D I AS t o c k . . . . . . . . ,
D I AT o t a l . . . . . . . , 6nf copies
R]45 ACDA A n n yD i s t , . . . . . . . . 7,650copies
M a r i n eC o r p s D i s t . . , . . . . . . . 2,400copies
s030 FRDLrB 0F Colic (7) TOTAL PRII{T 10,660copies
76