Side view of the airborne troops. "Where hell ends, airborne forces begin." A side view of the airborne troops The combat manual of the airborne troops part 1
In the mist of stars the plane leaves
Back to the assigned base,
And the soldier's duty calls us here -
Troops to the west were sent by order.
And somewhere between the parachute lines
Below, Bratislava burns with lights,
And slowly sit down on the sand
Guys from Moscow and Volgograd.
Ruzyne International Airport control tower, Prague. The usual night shift turns into nightmare: On the radar screens, an armada of aircraft is approaching. Who are they? What's happening? Commands in Czech growl over the radio: “Stop the release and reception of aircraft, immediately vacate the runway.”
Behind the dispatchers, the door cracks and overturns, armed men without insignia burst into the room. The Czechs finally understand what is happening - someone manages to break the radio equipment. The control tower has been disabled, but the GRU special forces are already rampant on the airfield, having landed a couple of hours before the landing of the main forces aboard the “Trojan horse” - a civilian aircraft that requested an emergency landing.
A small scuffle occurs near the building of the airport fire brigade - warned from the control tower, firefighters are trying to block the runway with cars and special equipment. But faced with armed Soviet special forces, they hurriedly retreat. The terminal building was blocked, all exits to the field and approaches to the runway were blocked. We did it!
And the An-12 landing lights are already swinging in the sky over Prague. The first pot-bellied transport comes in for landing, unloading, in a matter of minutes - and the plane, roaring with four engines, leaves for reinforcements. Piles of unused parachutes remain on the edges of the airfield. In total, over the next day, 450 aircraft with units of the 7th Guards landed at Ruzyne Airport. airborne division...
“If we were thrown out at night, then half of the division ... Do you know how many people were at the airfields, how many planes, how many people would I have killed?”
(General Lev Gorelov, at that time commander of the 7th Guards Airborne Division)
In the Combat Charter of the Airborne Forces, the word "parachute" is practically not found. And in each paragraph of the charter devoted to landing, clarifications are always prudently followed: “airborne landing (landing)” or “landing area (airfield)”.
The charter was written by smart people who knew perfectly well military history and the practice of using airborne assault forces in various military conflicts.
Landing of armored vehicles by parachute. fantastic sight
The largest operation in the history of the Russian Airborne Forces was the Vyazemsky airborne operation, carried out by the forces of four airborne brigades and the 250th rifle regiment of the Red Army in January-February 1942. And many tragic and instructive moments were associated with this event.
The first group of paratroopers was landed in the rear of the German troops south of Vyazma on January 18-22, 1942. It is noteworthy that the 250th rifle regiment landed (attention!) by landing method. Thanks to the successful actions of the paratroopers, a few days later the 1st Guards Cavalry Corps of the Red Army broke into their location. The possibility of encircling part of the German forces of Army Group Center was indicated.
To reinforce the Soviet group behind enemy lines, a second group of paratroopers was urgently landed. By February 1, 2497 people and 34 tons of cargo were parachuted into the indicated area. The result was discouraging - the cargo was lost, and only 1,300 paratroopers went to the assembly point.
No less disturbing results were obtained during the Dnieper airborne operation - strong anti-aircraft fire forced the planes to rise above the clouds, as a result, dropped from a two-kilometer height, 4,500 paratroopers were scattered over an area of tens of square kilometers. As a result of the operation, a directive was issued with the following content:
Dropping a mass landing at night testifies to the illiteracy of the organizers of this affair, for, as experience shows, dropping a mass landing at night, even on one's own territory, is fraught with great dangers.
I order the remaining one and a half airborne brigades withdraw from the subordination of the Voronezh Front and consider them a reserve of the Headquarters.
I. STALIN
It is no coincidence that most of the airborne units of the Red Army were reorganized into rifle units during the war. Massive airborne assaults in the Western European theater of operations had similar consequences. In May 1941, 16,000 German paratroopers, showing exceptional heroism, were able to capture the island of Crete (Operation Mercury), but suffered such heavy losses that the Wehrmacht air force was forever out of the game. And the German command had to part with plans to capture the Suez Canal with the help of paratroopers.
The body of a killed German paratrooper, Operation Mercury
In the summer of 1943, American paratroopers found themselves in no less difficult conditions: during the landing in Sicily, they, due to strong wind were 80 kilometers from the intended target. The British were even less fortunate that day - a quarter of the British paratroopers drowned in the sea.
Well, the Second World War ended a long time ago - since then, the means of landing, communication and control systems have changed radically for the better. Let's look at a couple of more recent examples:
For example, the Israeli elite airborne brigade "Tzankhanim". On account of this unit there is one successful parachute landing: the capture of the strategically important Mitla Pass (1956). However, here there are a number of contradictory points: firstly, the landing was pinpoint - only a couple of hundred paratroopers. Secondly, the landing took place in a desert area, initially without any opposition from the enemy.
In subsequent years, the Zahnheim airborne brigade was never used for its intended purpose: the fighters skilfully jumped with a parachute during exercises, but in the conditions of real hostilities (the Six-Day War or the Yom Kippur War) they preferred to move on the ground under the cover of heavy armored vehicles, or carried out point sabotage operations using helicopters.
Airborne troops are a highly mobile branch of the Ground Forces and are designed to perform tasks behind enemy lines as airborne assault forces.
(Combat charter of the Airborne Forces, clause 1)
Soviet paratroopers repeatedly took part in combat operations outside the USSR, participated in the suppression of rebellions in Hungary and Czechoslovakia, fought in Afghanistan and were the recognized elite of the Armed Forces. However, the actual combat use of the Airborne Forces was very different from that romantic image of a paratrooper descending from heaven on parachute lines, as was widely represented in popular culture.
Suppression of the uprising in Hungary (November 1956):
- The soldiers of the 108th Guards Airborne Regiment were delivered to the Hungarian airfields Tekel and Veszprem, and immediately captured strategically important objects. Now, having captured the air gates, it was easy to receive help and reinforcements and develop an offensive deep into enemy territory.
- The 80th Guards Airborne Regiment arrived at the border with Hungary on railway(Beregovo station), from there he made a 400-km march to Budapest in a marching column;
Suppression of the uprising in Czechoslovakia (1968):
During the Danube operation, Soviet troops, with the support of Bulgarian, Polish, Hungarian and German units, established control over Czechoslovakia in 36 hours, carrying out a quick and bloodless occupation of the country. It was the events of August 21, 1968, connected with the brilliant capture of Ruzyne International Airport, that became the prologue to this article.
In addition to the capital's airport, the Soviet troops captured the Turzhani and Namesht airfields, turning them into impregnable fortified points, where more and more forces arrived from the USSR in an endless stream.
The introduction of troops into Afghanistan (1979):
The Soviet landing in a matter of hours captured all the most important airfields of this Central Asian country: Kabul, Bagram and Shindad (Kandahar was captured later). A few days later, large forces of the Limited Contingent of Soviet Troops arrived there, and the airfields themselves turned into the most important transport portals for the delivery of weapons, equipment, fuel, food and equipment for the 40th Army.
The airfield defense is organized by separate company (platoon) strong points with anti-tank and air defense weapons located in them in the directions of the enemy's probable advance. The removal of the forward edge of the strongholds should exclude the destruction of aircraft on the runway by direct fire from enemy tanks and guns. The gaps between the strongholds are covered with mine-explosive barriers. Advance routes and reserve deployment lines are being prepared. Part of the subunits is allocated for operations from ambush on enemy approach routes.
(Combat charter of the Airborne Forces, paragraph 206)
Damn it! It is even spelled out in the Charter.
It is much easier and more effective than to climb out onto the seashore covered with thorns or jump from sky-high heights into the unknown, to land at the capital's airport on enemy territory, dig in, and transfer a division of "Pskov cutthroats" there overnight. It becomes possible to promptly deliver heavy armored vehicles and other bulky equipment. The paratroopers receive timely assistance and reinforcements, the evacuation of the wounded and prisoners is simplified, and convenient transport routes connecting the capital's airport with the center of the country make this facility truly invaluable in any local war.
The only risk is that the enemy may guess about the plans and at the last moment block the runway with bulldozers. But, as practice shows, with the proper approach to ensuring secrecy, no serious problems arise. Finally, for insurance, you can use the advance detachment, disguised as a “peaceful Soviet tractor”, which will restore order on the airfield a few minutes before the arrival of the main forces (there is a wide scope for improvisation: “emergency” landing, a group of “athletes” with black bags "Adibas", etc.)
Preparation of the captured airfield (landing area) for the reception of troops and materiel consists in clearing the runway and taxiways for landing aircraft (helicopters), unloading equipment and cargo from them, and equipping access roads for vehicles.
(Combat charter of the Airborne Forces, paragraph 258)
Actually, there is nothing new here - an ingenious tactic with the capture of the airport appeared half a century ago. Budapest, Prague and Bagram are vivid confirmations of this scheme. According to the same scenario, the Americans landed at the Mogadishu airport ( Civil War in Somalia, 1993). The peacekeeping forces in Bosnia acted according to the same scenario (taking control of the Tuzla airport in the early 1990s), which was subsequently turned into the main base of the Blue Helmets.
Russian paratroopers unload equipment. Tuzla Airport, Bosnia
The main objective of the "Throw to Pristina" - the famous raid of Russian paratroopers in June 1999 was ... who would have thought! ... the capture of the Slatina airport, where replenishment was expected to arrive - up to two airborne regiments. The operation itself was carried out brilliantly (its inglorious finale is no longer relevant to the topic of this article, because it has a clear political, not military color).
Of course, the "capture of the capital's airport" technique is suitable only for local wars with a deliberately weak and unprepared enemy.
It was already unrealistic to repeat such a trick in Iraq - the wars in the Persian Gulf went on in the spirit of old traditions: aircraft bombed, tank and motorized columns rushed forward, if necessary, pinpoint landing groups landed behind enemy lines: special forces, saboteurs, air spotters. However, there was never any talk of any mass drops of paratroopers. First, there was no need for it.
Secondly, mass parachute landing in our time is an unreasonably risky and senseless event: it is enough to recall the quote of General Lev Gorelov, who honestly admitted that in the case of parachute landing, half of his division could die. But the Czechs in 1968 had neither the S-300, nor the Patriot air defense system, nor the portable Stingers ...
Pskov paratroopers preparing for landing, 2005
The use of paratroopers in World War III seems even more dubious. In conditions when even supersonic fighters are at mortal risk in the zone of fire of modern anti-aircraft missile systems, to hope that the huge transport Il-76 will be able to fly and land troops near Washington ... Popular rumor ascribes to Reagan the phrase: “ I won’t be surprised if on the second day of the war I see guys in vests and blue berets on the threshold of the White House". I don’t know if the US president said such words, but he is guaranteed to receive thermonuclear ammunition half an hour after the start of the war.
Based on historical experience, the paratroopers showed themselves excellently as part of the air assault brigades - in the late 60s fast development helicopter technology made it possible to develop a concept for the use of landing forces in the near rear of the enemy. Point helicopter landings played a significant role in the Afghan war.
Over the past 30 years, a peculiar image of a paratrooper has been formed in Russian society: for some unclear reason, the landing force does not “hang on slings”, but sits on the armor of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles in all hot spots.
That's right - the Airborne Forces, the beauty and pride of the Armed Forces, being one of the most trained and combat-ready branches of the military, are regularly involved in tasks in local conflicts. At the same time, the landing force is used as motorized infantry, together with units of motorized rifles, special forces, riot police and even marines! (It's no secret that Russian marines took part in the storming of Grozny).
5th company of the 350th Guards. Airborne Regiment, Afghanistan
This raises a reasonable philistine question: if over the past 70 years the Airborne Forces have never, under any circumstances, been used for their intended purpose (namely: a massive landing of paratroopers), then why are there talks about the need for specific systems suitable for landing under a parachute canopy: combat landing vehicles BMD-4M or anti-tank self-propelled guns 2S25 "Octopus"?
If the landing force is always used as an elite motorized infantry in local wars, then isn't it better to equip the guys with conventional tanks, heavy self-propelled guns and infantry fighting vehicles? To operate at the forefront without heavy armored vehicles is a betrayal in relation to the soldiers.
Take a look at the US Marine Corps - US Marines have forgotten the smell of the sea. The Marine Corps has become an expeditionary force - a kind of "special forces" prepared for operations outside the United States, with its own tanks, helicopters and aircraft. The main armored vehicles of the “marines” are 65-ton, a pile of iron with negative buoyancy.
BMD-4M. A beautiful car, but one hit from a DShK bullet will break the caterpillar
It is worth noting that the domestic airborne forces also play the role of rapid reaction forces capable of arriving anywhere in the world and joining the battle immediately upon arrival. It is clear that in this case the paratroopers need a special vehicle, but why do they need an aluminum BMP-4M at the price of three T-90 tanks? Which, in the end, is affected by the most primitive means: DShK and .
Of course, there is no need to reach the point of absurdity - in 1968, due to a shortage of vehicles, paratroopers stole everything cars from the Ruzyne airport parking lot. And they did it right:
... explaining to personnel the need for the rational use of ammunition and other materiel, the skillful use of weapons and military equipment captured from the enemy;
(Combat charter of the Airborne Forces, paragraph 57)
I would like to know the opinion of the landing force, why are their conventional armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles not satisfied, in comparison with the "supermachine"?
In the mist of stars the plane leaves
Back to the assigned base,
And the soldier's duty is calling us here -
Troops to the west were sent by order.
And somewhere between the parachute lines
Below, Bratislava burns with lights,
And slowly sit down on the sand
Guys from Moscow and Volgograd.
Ruzyne International Airport control tower, Prague. An ordinary night shift turns into a nightmare: an armada of aircraft is approaching on the radar screens. Who are they? What's happening? Commands in Czech growl over the radio: “Stop the release and reception of aircraft, immediately vacate the runway.”
Behind the dispatchers, the door cracks and overturns, armed men without insignia burst into the room. The Czechs finally understand what is happening - someone manages to break the radio equipment. The control tower has been put out of action, but the GRU special forces are already rampant on the airfield, having landed a couple of hours before the landing of the main forces aboard the "Trojan horse" - a civilian aircraft that requested an emergency landing.
A small scuffle occurs near the building of the airport fire brigade - warned from the control tower, firefighters are trying to block the runway with cars and special equipment. But faced with armed Soviet special forces, they hurriedly retreat. The terminal building was blocked, all exits to the field and approaches to the runway were blocked. We did it!
And the An-12 landing lights are already swinging in the sky over Prague. The first pot-bellied transport comes in for landing, unloading, in a matter of minutes - and the plane, roaring with four engines, leaves for reinforcements. Piles of unused parachutes remain on the edges of the airfield. In total, over the next day, 450 aircraft with units of the 7th Guards landed at Ruzyne Airport. airborne division...
If we had been thrown out at night, then half of the division ... Do you know how many people were at the airfields, how many planes, how many people I would have killed?
- General Lev Gorelov, at that time commander of the 7th Guards. vdd
In the Combat Charter of the Airborne Forces, the word "parachute" is practically not found. And in each paragraph of the charter devoted to landing, clarifications are always prudently followed: “airborne landing (landing)” or “landing area (airfield)”.
The charter was written by smart people who knew the military and the practice of using airborne assault forces in various military conflicts.
Landing of armored vehicles by parachute. fantastic sight
The largest operation in the history of the Russian Airborne Forces was the Vyazemsky airborne operation, carried out by the forces of four airborne brigades and the 250th rifle regiment of the Red Army in January-February 1942. And many tragic and instructive moments were associated with this event.
The first group of paratroopers was landed in the rear of the German troops south of Vyazma on January 18-22, 1942. It is noteworthy that the 250th rifle regiment landed (attention!) by landing method. Thanks to the successful actions of the paratroopers, a few days later the 1st Guards Cavalry Corps of the Red Army broke into their location. The possibility of encircling part of the German forces of Army Group Center was indicated.
To reinforce the Soviet group behind enemy lines, a second group of paratroopers was urgently landed. By February 1, 2497 people and 34 tons of cargo were parachuted into the indicated area. The result was discouraging - the cargo was lost, and only 1,300 paratroopers went to the assembly point.
No less disturbing results were obtained during the Dnieper airborne operation - strong anti-aircraft fire forced the planes to rise above the clouds, as a result, dropped from a two-kilometer height, 4,500 paratroopers were scattered over an area of tens of square kilometers. As a result of the operation, a directive was issued with the following content:
Dropping a mass landing at night testifies to the illiteracy of the organizers of this affair, for, as experience shows, dropping a mass landing at night, even on one's own territory, is fraught with great dangers.
I order the remaining one and a half airborne brigades to be removed from the subordination of the Voronezh Front and considered them as the reserve of the Headquarters.
I. STALIN
It is no coincidence that most of the airborne units of the Red Army were reorganized into rifle units during the war.
Massive airborne assaults in the Western European theater of operations had similar consequences. In May 1941, 16,000 German paratroopers, showing exceptional heroism, were able to capture the island of Crete (Operation Mercury), but suffered such heavy losses that the Wehrmacht air force was forever out of the game. And the German command had to part with plans to capture the Suez Canal with the help of paratroopers.
The body of a killed German paratrooper, Operation Mercury
In the summer of 1943, American paratroopers found themselves in no less difficult conditions: during the landing in Sicily, they ended up 80 kilometers from their intended target due to strong winds. The British were even less fortunate that day - a quarter of the British paratroopers drowned in the sea.
Well, the Second World War ended a long time ago - since then, the means of landing, communication and control systems have changed radically for the better. Let's look at a couple of more recent examples:
For example, the Israeli elite airborne brigade "Tzankhanim". On account of this unit there is one successful parachute landing: the capture of the strategically important Mitla Pass (1956). However, here there are a number of contradictory points: firstly, the landing was pinpoint - only a couple of hundred paratroopers. Secondly, the landing took place in a desert area, initially without any opposition from the enemy.
In subsequent years, the Zahnheim airborne brigade was never used for its intended purpose: the fighters skilfully jumped with a parachute during exercises, but in the conditions of real hostilities (the Six-Day War or the Yom Kippur War) they preferred to move on the ground under the cover of heavy armored vehicles, or carried out point sabotage operations using helicopters.
Airborne troops are a highly mobile branch of the Ground Forces and are designed to perform tasks behind enemy lines as airborne assault forces.
- Combat Charter of the Airborne Forces, clause 1
Soviet paratroopers repeatedly took part in combat operations outside the USSR, participated in the suppression of rebellions in Hungary and Czechoslovakia, fought in Afghanistan and were the recognized elite of the Armed Forces. However, the actual combat use of the Airborne Forces was very different from that romantic image of a paratrooper descending from heaven on parachute lines, as was widely represented in popular culture.
Suppression of the uprising in Hungary (November 1956):
- soldiers of the 108th Guards Airborne Regiment were delivered to the Hungarian Tekel and Veszprem airfields, and immediately captured strategically important objects. Now, having captured the air gates, it was easy to receive help and reinforcements and develop an offensive deep into enemy territory.
- The 80th Guards Airborne Regiment arrived at the border with Hungary by rail (Beregovo station), from there it made a 400-km march to Budapest in a marching column;
Suppression of the uprising in Czechoslovakia (1968):
During the Danube operation, Soviet troops, with the support of Bulgarian, Polish, Hungarian and German units, established control over Czechoslovakia in 36 hours, carrying out a quick and bloodless occupation of the country. It was the events of August 21, 1968, connected with the brilliant capture of Ruzyne International Airport, that became the prologue to this article.
In addition to the capital's airport, the Soviet troops captured the Turzhani and Namesht airfields, turning them into impregnable fortified points, where more and more forces arrived from the USSR in an endless stream.
The introduction of troops into Afghanistan (1979):
The Soviet landing in a matter of hours captured all the most important airfields of this Central Asian country: Kabul, Bagram and Shindad (Kandahar was captured later). A few days later, large forces of the Limited Contingent of Soviet Troops arrived there, and the airfields themselves turned into the most important transport portals for the delivery of weapons, equipment, fuel, food and equipment for the 40th Army.
The airfield defense is organized by separate company (platoon) strong points with anti-tank and air defense weapons located in them in the directions of the enemy's probable advance. The removal of the forward edge of the strongholds should exclude the destruction of aircraft on the runway by direct fire from enemy tanks and guns. The gaps between the strongholds are covered with mine-explosive barriers. Advance routes and reserve deployment lines are being prepared. Part of the subunits is allocated for operations from ambush on enemy approach routes.
- Combat Charter of the Airborne Forces, paragraph 206
Damn it! It is even spelled out in the Charter.
It is much easier and more effective than to climb out onto the seashore covered with thorns or jump from sky-high heights into the unknown, to land at the capital's airport on enemy territory, dig in, and transfer a division of "Pskov cutthroats" there overnight. It becomes possible to promptly deliver heavy armored vehicles and other bulky equipment. The paratroopers receive timely assistance and reinforcements, the evacuation of the wounded and prisoners is simplified, and convenient transport routes connecting the capital's airport with the center of the country make this facility truly invaluable in any local war.
The only risk is that the enemy may guess about the plans and at the last moment block the runway with bulldozers. But, as practice shows, with the proper approach to ensuring secrecy, no serious problems arise. Finally, for insurance, you can use the advance detachment, disguised as a “peaceful Soviet tractor”, which will restore order on the airfield a few minutes before the arrival of the main forces (there is a wide scope for improvisation: “emergency” landing, a group of “athletes” with black bags "Adibas", etc.)
Preparation of the captured airfield (landing area) for the reception of troops and materiel consists in clearing the runway and taxiways for landing aircraft (helicopters), unloading equipment and cargo from them, and equipping access roads for vehicles.
- Combat charter of the Airborne Forces, paragraph 258
Actually, there is nothing new here - an ingenious tactic with the capture of the airport appeared half a century ago. Budapest, Prague and Bagram are vivid confirmations of this scheme. According to the same scenario, the Americans landed at the Mogadishu airport (civil war in Somalia, 1993). The peacekeeping forces in Bosnia acted according to the same scenario (taking control of the Tuzla airport in the early 1990s), which was subsequently turned into the main base of the Blue Helmets.
Russian paratroopers unload equipment. Tuzla Airport, Bosnia
The main objective of the "Throw to Pristina" - the famous raid of Russian paratroopers in June 1999 was ... who would have thought! ... the capture of the Slatina airport, where replenishment was expected to arrive - up to two airborne regiments. The operation itself was carried out brilliantly (its inglorious finale is no longer relevant to the topic of this article, because it has a clear political, not military color).
Of course, the "capture of the capital's airport" technique is suitable only for local wars with a deliberately weak and unprepared enemy.
It was already unrealistic to repeat such a trick in Iraq - the wars in the Persian Gulf went on in the spirit of old traditions: aircraft bombed, tank and motorized columns rushed forward, if necessary, pinpoint landing groups landed behind enemy lines: special forces, saboteurs, air spotters. However, there was never any talk of any mass drops of paratroopers. First, there was no need for it.
Secondly, a mass parachute landing in our time is an unjustifiably risky and senseless event: it is enough to recall the quote of General Lev Gorelov, who honestly admitted that in the event of a parachute landing, half of his division could die. But the Czechs in 1968 had neither the S-300, nor the Patriot air defense system, nor the portable Stingers ...
Pskov paratroopers preparing for landing, 2005
The use of paratroopers in World War III seems even more dubious. In conditions when even supersonic fighters are at mortal risk in the zone of fire of modern anti-aircraft missile systems, to hope that the huge transport Il-76 will be able to fly and land troops near Washington ...
Popular rumor ascribes to Reagan the phrase: "I would not be surprised if on the second day of the war I see guys in vests and blue berets on the threshold of the White House." I don’t know if the US president said such words, but he is guaranteed to receive thermonuclear ammunition half an hour after the start of the war.
Based on historical experience, the paratroopers showed themselves excellently as part of the air assault brigades - in the late 60s, the rapid development of helicopter technology made it possible to develop the concept of using landing forces in the enemy's near rear areas. Point helicopter landings played a significant role in the Afghan war.
The paratrooper first runs as far as he can, and then - as much as necessary
- Army humor
Over the past 30 years, a peculiar image of a paratrooper has been formed in Russian society: for some unclear reason, the landing force does not “hang on slings”, but sits on the armor of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles in all hot spots.
That's right - the Airborne Forces, the beauty and pride of the Armed Forces, being one of the most trained and combat-ready branches of the military, are regularly involved in tasks in local conflicts. At the same time, the landing force is used as motorized infantry, together with units of motorized rifles, special forces, riot police and even marines! (It's no secret that Russian marines took part in the storming of Grozny).
5th company of the 350th Guards. Airborne Regiment, Afghanistan
This raises a reasonable philistine question: if over the past 70 years the Airborne Forces have never, under any circumstances, been used for their intended purpose (namely: a massive landing of paratroopers), then why are there talks about the need for specific systems suitable for landing under a parachute canopy: combat landing vehicles BMD-4M or anti-tank self-propelled guns 2S25 "Octopus"?
If the landing force is always used as an elite motorized infantry in local wars, then isn't it better to equip the guys with conventional tanks, heavy self-propelled guns and infantry fighting vehicles? To operate at the forefront without heavy armored vehicles is a betrayal in relation to the soldiers.
Take a look at the US Marine Corps - US Marines have forgotten the smell of the sea. The Marine Corps has become an expeditionary force - a kind of "special forces" prepared for operations outside the United States, with its own tanks, helicopters and aircraft. The main armored vehicle of the Marine Corps is the 65-ton Abrams tank, a pile of iron with negative buoyancy.
BMD-4M. A beautiful car, but one hit from a DShK bullet will break the caterpillar
It is worth noting that the domestic airborne forces also play the role of rapid reaction forces capable of arriving anywhere in the world and joining the battle immediately upon arrival. It is clear that in this case the paratroopers need a special vehicle, but why do they need an aluminum BMP-4M at the price of three T-90 tanks? Which, in the end, is affected by the most primitive means: DShK and RPG-7 shots.
Of course, there is no need to reach the point of absurdity - in 1968, due to a shortage of vehicles, paratroopers stole all the cars from the parking lot of Ruzyne Airport. And they did it right:
... explaining to personnel the need for the rational use of ammunition and other materiel, the skillful use of military equipment captured from the enemy;
- Combat charter of the Airborne Forces, paragraph 57
I would like to know the opinion of the landing force, why are their conventional armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles not satisfied, in comparison with the BMD-4M "supermachine"?
