RUSSIAN TANK AND MOTOR RIFLE BATTALION ORGANIZATIONS, 1990s - 2000s

This page details organizational changes undergone by Russian tank and motorized rifle battalions during the 1990s, in Command Decision format. It should be noted that the TO&Es below represent the ideal situation, which the Russian reality frequently fails to match. Budgetary shortfalls, chaotic downsizing and reorganization of the Ground Forces, equipment availability issues, and finally the exigencies of the war in Chechnya have all left their mark.

Tank Battalion (Motor Rifle and Tank Regiment)

1 Battalion HQ, with 1 Command MBT
3 Tank Companies, each with: 1 Command MBT, 1 MBT

Notes:
1. MBTs include various variants of T-72 and T-80. Battalions do not operate more than one tank type or variant.
2. Soviet-era 13-tank company organization used by tank battalions of motor rifle regiments has been abolished, and the 10-tank company organization described above has been standardized.

Tank Battalion (Motor Rifle Brigade)

1 Battalion HQ, with 1 Command MBT
5 Tank Companies, each with: 1 Command MBT, 1 MBT

Notes:
1. MBTs include various variants of T-72 and T-80. Battalions do not operate more than one tank type or variant.
2. Soviet-era 13-tank company organization used by tank battalions of motor rifle regiments has been abolished, and the 10-tank company organization described above has been standardized.

Motor Rifle Battalion (BMP)

1 Battalion HQ, with 1 Command Stand, 1 BMP
3 Motor Rifle Companies, each with 1 Command Infantry Stand, 1 Infantry Stand, 2 BMPs
1 Mortar Battery, with 2 2B11/2S12 120mm mortars, 2 Gun Crews (ds), 2 GAZ-66 trucks
1 AGL Battery, with 1 AGS-17 stand, 1 BMP
1 SAM Platoon, with 1 SA-18 stand, 1 BMP

Notes:
1. All infantry stands have integral RPG-7 AT weapons. Rearmament with RPG-29 is planned, but has been delayed by financial problems.
2. Plans in early 1990s called for the replacement of 2B11/2S12 mortars with 2S31 or 2S23 SP or 2B16 Nona-K towed 120mm gun-mortars. Nona-K prime movers would have been MT-LBs. Each battalion was also to receive a Reconnaissance Platoon, with 1 Patrol Stand, 1 BRM-1. These changes were not implemented.
3. Planned early 1990s MR company TO&E included an AT Platoon (1 AT-7 Metis ATGM stand, 1 BMP). This change was not implemented.
4. Some battalions have 82mm mortar batteries, as BTR battalions. Actual number of 120mm mortars is 8, organized in two 4-tube platoons.

Motor Rifle Battalion (BTR, MT-LB)

1 Battalion HQ, with 1 Command Stand, 1 BTR-80
3 Motor Rifle Companies, each with 1 Command Infantry Stand, 1 Infantry Stand, 2 BTR-80
1 Mortar Battery, with 1 2B14 Podnos 82mm Mortar Stand, 1 2B9 Vasilyok 82mm automatic mortar, 1 Gun Crew (ds), 2 GAZ-66 trucks
1 AT Platoon, with: 1 AT-4 stand, 1 BTR-80
1 AGL Battery, with 1 AGS-17 stand, 1 BTR-80

Notes:
1. All infantry stands have integral RPG-7 AT weapons. Rearmament with RPG-29 is planned, but has been delayed by financial problems.
2. Command Infantry stands also have integral AT-7 Metis ATGMs.
3. Some BTR battalions have BMP battalion-type mortar batteries, or replace the Vasilyoks with Podnos mortars. Actual number of mortars in the battery is 3 Vasilyok and 6 Podnos mortars, with each weapon system grouped in a single platoon.
4. Early 1990s TO&E provided for a Recon Platoon at battalion level, with 1 Recon Stand, 1 BTR-80. This change was not widely implemented and was later dropped.
5. AT Platoon also has 1 (one) SPG-9, not enough to warrant a stand.


Mike J.
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