Ukrainian Ground Forces
Encyclopedia
The Ukrain
ian Ground Forces are the land force component of the Military of Ukraine. They were formed from Soviet Army
formations, units, and establishments, including three military district
s (the Kiev
, Carpathian
, and Odessa Military District
s), that were on Ukrainian soil when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990-92.
Between the fall of the USSR and the late 1990s, Ukraine kept much army equipment from that era. Since then, however, Ukraine has upgraded its Ground Forces with advanced additions from domestic engineering and modifications. Currently, the Ukrainian Armed forces buy military equipment only from Russia
and other CIS
states, as well as locally producing some of their own equipment.
, itself existed of three separate regimes. The Ukrainian People's Army
is an example of one of the early national armed forces. Other armed independence movements existed in the wake of both the First World War and the Second World War, and these militaries had their own organization and uniforms. These armed forces, and the independent Ukrainian homeland for which they fought, were eventually incorporated into the neighbouring states of Poland
, Soviet Union
, Hungary
, Romania
and Czechoslovakia
.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union
and renewed declaration of Ukrainian independence in 1991, Ukraine inherited one of the largest and most powerful armies in Europe. The Ukrainian military was equipped with modern tank
s, APCs
, artillery
, missile defense
technology and nuclear weapons. At that time, the ground forces of Ukraine included: three armies of combined forces (including the 1st Guards Army, 13th Army
and 38th Army
), two tank armies (the 6th Guards Tank Army
and the 8th Tank Army), and the 32nd Army Corps at Simferopol
.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine included approximately 780,000 personnel, 7000 armored vehicles, 6,500 tanks, and 2,500 tactical nuclear missiles when they were established. However, the problem that Ukraine face was that while it had a vast military, it lacked a proper, centralized command structure. Therefore, on 24 August 1991, the Verkhovna Rada
of Ukraine
ratified the resolution of taking under its control, all military units of former Soviet Armed Forces, situated on the territory of Ukraine; and in turn the establishment of one of the most important Ministries, the Ministry of Defense. By the end of 1992, the Kiev Military District
disbanded, and Ukraine used its structures as the basis for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence and General Staff
.
68 million it was promised for reform in 2001, officials were able to disband nine regiment
s and close 21 local military bases.
According to the State Program of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reform and development to 2005, the ground forces will have the biggest ratio of personnel of all services (up to 54%). This ratio is based on the missions assigned to the armed forces, and also on the fact that current economical
situation in Ukraine cannot support any larger troop numbers. However, the ground forces still have priority in the number of personnel, weapons, military equipment development priorities and the development of their future systems, which will correspond to modern warfare
requirements. The ground forces will closely coordinate their assignments with other army branches, engaging appropriate military arts and equipment. They will also be involved in law enforcement activities during emergencies, dealing with consequences of technological and natural disasters, providing military assistance to other countries, engaging in international military cooperation activities (UN), and participating in international peacekeeping operations according to international agreements.
In the short term, the conversion to a professional army will not save Ukraine
any money because training and housing greater numbers of professional soldiers will cost more than supporting recruits. However, in the long term, a reduced number of soldiers serving longer terms will not only help conserve the military budget, but will also allow for better training of its forces.
Ukrainian armed forces training in 2006 was aimed at supporting the mobility and the readiness of forces to perform the specified missions in the defined situations of employment. It took into consideration the current force strength, organization and staff structure, level of manning, weapons and equipment, and reserves of material
and technical means.
The level of the Ukrainian armed forces combat readiness is an indicator of the efficiency of military command and control, and a measure of expediency of implementing the defense budget. It is also the main factor of improvement of Ukraine’s image in the sphere of international stability and security. Thus, the Ministry of Defense
and the General Staff
concentrated their main efforts on setting the goals and content of personnel combat training for taking practical measures for its intensification and reaching the final results according to the strategic concept of employing the Ukrainian armed forces.
Main efforts and resources were directed to Joint Rapid Reaction Forces (JRRF) training. Measures were also taken to maintain the high level of combat efficiency of the Main Defense Forces units, performing of missions by the units, securing and practicing joint actions with other formations. The Ukrainian armed forces took advantage of the opportunities provided by multinational exercises to raise the level of their combat efficiency.
2006 also saw the first ever large-scale Ukrainian tactical special exercise with practical deployment of a military mobile hospital of the Military Medical Center of the air force. It involved several ambulance aircraft and armored equipment (APC
). During the practical phase the possibilities of use of the medical evacuation aircraft. Medical evacuation helicopters and automobiles were also tested. The training framework included an international research conference on the “Methodological basis of medical support organization of the Armed Forces”, in which representatives of the armed forces of Ukraine, NATO nations and other partners participated.
In 2007 the system of exercise/training ranges was optimized, decreasing their number and providing a specialized role.
Training Ranges of the Ground Forces:
Mechanized
and armored
forces are the main components of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. Their primary objectives in war are to hold occupied areas, lines, and positions, defend against attack, penetrate an enemy’s defense lines, defeat the enemy forces, capture important areas, lines, and objectives, and finally supply support for marines and other landing troops.
The formations of the mechanized and armored forces are mainly equipped with main battle tank
s, though almost all of Ukrainian T-72
s have been retired in favor of upgraded T-80
s and new T-84
tanks. T-64
, T-72
, T-80
, T-84
, wheeled armoured personnel carrier
s BTR-60
, BTR-70
, BTR-80
, and tracked infantry fighting vehicle
s BMP-1
, BMP-2
, and BMD-2
(used by airmobile forces
).
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, a large number of the previous Soviet mechanized formations on Ukrainian soil have been disbanded – the IISS
says totals have dropped from 14 divisions, in 1992, to two divisions, six brigades, and one independent regiment in 2008. Today, all mechanized and armored formations are called brigade
s. However, some former division
s remain near division strength.
, having to cover troop movements, is by far the most maneuverable branch of the army, intended to conduct the operations under all sorts conditions of combat arms procedures. Among the priorities of the Ukrainian army aviation's units is to provide reconnaissance
, attack enemy weapon systems, provide equipment and human resources, give tactical fire support during an offensive or counterattack, land airmobile troops, and to deliver combat weapons and personnel at the specified areas and execute other main tasks. The Army aviation's structure consists of two regiments. The army aviation troops are equipped with Mi-8
, Mi-24 helicopters, and their variants.
Seeing as the Ukrainian military doctrine is strictly defensive the airmobile
forces serve as the quick response units of the army, in the event of an attack on Ukraine's sovereignty. Airmobile forces' structure consists of formations and elements of the army and the army aviation. These units are well trained for offensive activities behind enemy lines. The airmobile forces are in constant combat readiness and base their battle plan is high mobility, which allows them to conduct any combat task under any conditions. The airmobile forces consist of two airmobile brigades, an airborne brigade, and one airmobile regiment. Some of the airmobile formations previously grouped into the 1st Airmobile Division but this has now been disbanded.
artillery, howitzers, jet-propelled and anti-tank
artillery, artillery reconnaissance
units, of mortar
units and of units of anti-tank missiles. These forces operate as support for they other army formations, therefore, they are obliged to destroy enemy human resources, tanks, artillery, anti-tanks weapons, aircraft, objects of air defense and other important objects during the combat arms operations. Rocket and artillery troops are equipped with: missile complexes of operational-tactical and tactical missiles; Multiple rocket launcher
rocket systems, such as the Smerch
, Uragan
, Grad
; also, Giatsint, Pion
, Akatsiya
, Gvozdika
howitzer
s; and, Konkurs, T-12 antitank gun
anti-tank weapons.
The Army Air Defense units are responsible for covering troops against enemy air attacks anywhere on the battlefield, and while in combat. The Ukrainian Ground Forces army air defense branch is equipped with a variety of effective surface-to-air missile systems of division level and anti-aircraft missile and artillery
complexes of regiment
level. Regiment level units are characterized by their high rate of fire, vitality, maneuverability, and capability of action under all conditions of modern combat arms operations. Surface-to-air missile systems and complexes of division level are characterized by their long range and firepower and are equipped with surface-to-air missile complexes;S-300V,Osa, Buk, Buk-M1 and Tor. While anti-aircraft missile and artillery complexes that are of regiment level are equipped with the Tunguska-M1, Igla MANPADS system, Strela, and Shilka anti-aircraft missile systems. While the army's only separate radar system, meaning it isn't a part of any anti-aircraft system, is the Ukrainian Kolchuga-M
. It was designed sometime between the years 1993-1997, the system is said to be one the most (if not the most) advanced passive sensors in the world, as it was claimed to be able to detect stealth aircraft.
Tanks
APC's and IFV's
Combat Helicopters
Artillery
Anti-Aircraft
Surface to Surface tactical missiles
Small arms
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
ian Ground Forces are the land force component of the Military of Ukraine. They were formed from Soviet Army
Soviet Army
The Soviet Army is the name given to the main part of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union between 1946 and 1992. Previously, it had been known as the Red Army. Informally, Армия referred to all the MOD armed forces, except, in some cases, the Soviet Navy.This article covers the Soviet Ground...
formations, units, and establishments, including three military district
Military district
Military districts are formations of a state's armed forces which are responsible for a certain area of territory. They are often more responsible for administrative than operational matters, and in countries with conscript forces, often handle parts of the conscription cycle.Navies have also used...
s (the Kiev
Kiev Military District
The Kiev Military District was a Russian unit of military-administrative division of the Imperial Russian Army and subsequently of the Ukrainian Army, RKKA, and Soviet Armed Forces...
, Carpathian
Carpathian Military District
The Carpathian Military District was a military district of the Soviet Armed Forces from 1945 after the conclusion of the Second World War to 1990-91. It became part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 1991 and was disbanded by being redesignated the Western Operational Command later in the 1990s.Two...
, and Odessa Military District
Odessa Military District
The Odessa Military District was a military administrative division of the Imperial Russian military, the Soviet Armed Forces and the Ukrainian Armed Forces and was known under such name from around 1862 to 1998. It was reorganized as part of the Military of Ukraine and the Military of Moldova in...
s), that were on Ukrainian soil when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990-92.
Between the fall of the USSR and the late 1990s, Ukraine kept much army equipment from that era. Since then, however, Ukraine has upgraded its Ground Forces with advanced additions from domestic engineering and modifications. Currently, the Ukrainian Armed forces buy military equipment only from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and other CIS
Commonwealth of Independent States
The Commonwealth of Independent States is a regional organization whose participating countries are former Soviet Republics, formed during the breakup of the Soviet Union....
states, as well as locally producing some of their own equipment.
Early history
Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, three separate self-governing Ukrainian states were in existence during the 20th Century, all of which had national armed forces. The largest of these, the Ukrainian People's RepublicUkrainian People's Republic
The Ukrainian People's Republic or Ukrainian National Republic was a republic that was declared in part of the territory of modern Ukraine after the Russian Revolution, eventually headed by Symon Petliura.-Revolutionary Wave:...
, itself existed of three separate regimes. The Ukrainian People's Army
Ukrainian People's Army
The Ukrainian People's Army , also known as the Ukrainian National Army were often quickly reorganized units of the former Russian Imperial Army or newly formed volunteer detachments that later joined the national armed forces. The army for a long period lacked a certain degree of uniformity,...
is an example of one of the early national armed forces. Other armed independence movements existed in the wake of both the First World War and the Second World War, and these militaries had their own organization and uniforms. These armed forces, and the independent Ukrainian homeland for which they fought, were eventually incorporated into the neighbouring states of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
and Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
.
Collapse of the USSR
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and renewed declaration of Ukrainian independence in 1991, Ukraine inherited one of the largest and most powerful armies in Europe. The Ukrainian military was equipped with modern tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
s, APCs
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
, artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
, missile defense
Missile defense
Missile defense is a system, weapon, or technology involved in the detection, tracking, interception and destruction of attacking missiles. Originally conceived as a defence against nuclear-armed Intercontinental ballistic missiles , its application has broadened to include shorter-ranged...
technology and nuclear weapons. At that time, the ground forces of Ukraine included: three armies of combined forces (including the 1st Guards Army, 13th Army
13th Army (Soviet Union)
The 13th Army was a name given to several field armies of the Soviet Union's Red Army, first created during the Russian Civil War...
and 38th Army
38th Army (Soviet Union)
The 38th Red Banner Army of was a field army of the Soviet Union that existed between 1941 and 1991.The army headquarters was formed in July 1941 by redesignation of the staff of 8th Mechanised Corps.On 1 May 1945, the army was part of 4th Ukrainian Front...
), two tank armies (the 6th Guards Tank Army
6th Guards Tank Army
The 6th Guards Order of Red Banner Tank Army was a tank army of the Soviet Union's Red Army, first formed during World War II and disbanded in Ukraine in the 1990s after the dissolution of the Soviet Union....
and the 8th Tank Army), and the 32nd Army Corps at Simferopol
Simferopol
-Russian Empire and Civil War:The city was renamed Simferopol in 1784 after the annexation of the Crimean Khanate to the Russian Empire by Catherine II of Russia. The name Simferopol is derived from the Greek, Συμφερόπολις , translated as "the city of usefulness." In 1802, Simferopol became the...
.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine included approximately 780,000 personnel, 7000 armored vehicles, 6,500 tanks, and 2,500 tactical nuclear missiles when they were established. However, the problem that Ukraine face was that while it had a vast military, it lacked a proper, centralized command structure. Therefore, on 24 August 1991, the Verkhovna Rada
Verkhovna Rada
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is Ukraine's parliament. The Verkhovna Rada is a unicameral parliament composed of 450 deputies, which is presided over by a chairman...
of Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
ratified the resolution of taking under its control, all military units of former Soviet Armed Forces, situated on the territory of Ukraine; and in turn the establishment of one of the most important Ministries, the Ministry of Defense. By the end of 1992, the Kiev Military District
Kiev Military District
The Kiev Military District was a Russian unit of military-administrative division of the Imperial Russian Army and subsequently of the Ukrainian Army, RKKA, and Soviet Armed Forces...
disbanded, and Ukraine used its structures as the basis for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence and General Staff
General Staff
A military staff, often referred to as General Staff, Army Staff, Navy Staff or Air Staff within the individual services, is a group of officers and enlisted personnel that provides a bi-directional flow of information between a commanding officer and subordinate military units...
.
Reform and development
The Ground Forces are implementing a plan, made in 2000, that includes a reduction in the number of troops from its current 300,000 to 240,000 by 2015, and an ultimate change from a partial conscript-based force to a fully professional military. Even though the Ukrainian military received little more than half of the HrUkrainian hryvnia
The hryvnia, sometimes hryvnya or grivna ; sign: ₴, code: , has been the national currency of Ukraine since September 2, 1996. The hryvnia is subdivided into 100 kopiyok. In medieval times, it was a currency of Kievan Rus'....
68 million it was promised for reform in 2001, officials were able to disband nine regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
s and close 21 local military bases.
According to the State Program of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reform and development to 2005, the ground forces will have the biggest ratio of personnel of all services (up to 54%). This ratio is based on the missions assigned to the armed forces, and also on the fact that current economical
Economy of Ukraine
The economy of Ukraine is an emerging free market, with a gross domestic product that fell sharply for the first 10 years of its independence from the Soviet Union and then experienced rapid growth from 2000 until 2008...
situation in Ukraine cannot support any larger troop numbers. However, the ground forces still have priority in the number of personnel, weapons, military equipment development priorities and the development of their future systems, which will correspond to modern warfare
Modern warfare
Modern warfare, although present in every historical period of military history, is generally used to refer to the concepts, methods and technologies that have come into use during and after the Second World War and the Korean War...
requirements. The ground forces will closely coordinate their assignments with other army branches, engaging appropriate military arts and equipment. They will also be involved in law enforcement activities during emergencies, dealing with consequences of technological and natural disasters, providing military assistance to other countries, engaging in international military cooperation activities (UN), and participating in international peacekeeping operations according to international agreements.
In the short term, the conversion to a professional army will not save Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
any money because training and housing greater numbers of professional soldiers will cost more than supporting recruits. However, in the long term, a reduced number of soldiers serving longer terms will not only help conserve the military budget, but will also allow for better training of its forces.
Training
Material
Material is anything made of matter, constituted of one or more substances. Wood, cement, hydrogen, air and water are all examples of materials. Sometimes the term "material" is used more narrowly to refer to substances or components with certain physical properties that are used as inputs to...
and technical means.
The level of the Ukrainian armed forces combat readiness is an indicator of the efficiency of military command and control, and a measure of expediency of implementing the defense budget. It is also the main factor of improvement of Ukraine’s image in the sphere of international stability and security. Thus, the Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Defence (Ukraine)
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine was established on September 24, 1991, one month after Ukraine's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. The ministry was in charge of reorganizing all Soviet forces on the Ukrainian terrain under its command...
and the General Staff
General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is the military staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It is the central organ of the Armed Forces Administration and oversees operational management of the armed forces under the Ministry of Defence....
concentrated their main efforts on setting the goals and content of personnel combat training for taking practical measures for its intensification and reaching the final results according to the strategic concept of employing the Ukrainian armed forces.
Main efforts and resources were directed to Joint Rapid Reaction Forces (JRRF) training. Measures were also taken to maintain the high level of combat efficiency of the Main Defense Forces units, performing of missions by the units, securing and practicing joint actions with other formations. The Ukrainian armed forces took advantage of the opportunities provided by multinational exercises to raise the level of their combat efficiency.
2006 also saw the first ever large-scale Ukrainian tactical special exercise with practical deployment of a military mobile hospital of the Military Medical Center of the air force. It involved several ambulance aircraft and armored equipment (APC
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
). During the practical phase the possibilities of use of the medical evacuation aircraft. Medical evacuation helicopters and automobiles were also tested. The training framework included an international research conference on the “Methodological basis of medical support organization of the Armed Forces”, in which representatives of the armed forces of Ukraine, NATO nations and other partners participated.
In 2007 the system of exercise/training ranges was optimized, decreasing their number and providing a specialized role.
Training Ranges of the Ground Forces:
- Zhitomir Combined Arms Training Range
- Yavoriv Combined Arms Training Range
- Yavoriv International Centre for Peacekeeping and Security
- Shyroky Lan Range
- Desna Ground Forces Training centre
Armored and mechanized forces
Mechanized Infantry (Ukraine)
Mechanized Infantry are the basis of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. They execute tasks of holding the occupied areas, lines and positions tasks of enemy’s impacts repelling, of penetrating enemy’s defense lines, of defeating the enemy forces, of capturing the important areas, lines and objects,...
and armored
Armored Force (Ukraine)
Armored Force along with Mechanized Infantry form the basis of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. They execute tasks of holding the occupied areas, lines and positions tasks of enemy’s impacts repelling, of penetrating enemy’s defense lines, of defeating the enemy forces, of capturing the important...
forces are the main components of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. Their primary objectives in war are to hold occupied areas, lines, and positions, defend against attack, penetrate an enemy’s defense lines, defeat the enemy forces, capture important areas, lines, and objectives, and finally supply support for marines and other landing troops.
The formations of the mechanized and armored forces are mainly equipped with main battle tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
s, though almost all of Ukrainian T-72
T-72
The T-72 is a Soviet-designed main battle tank that entered production in 1970. It is developed directly from Obyekt-172, and shares parallel features with the T-64A...
s have been retired in favor of upgraded T-80
T-80
The T-80 is a main battle tank designed and manufactured in the former Soviet Union. A development of the T-64, it entered service in 1976 and was the first production tank to be equipped with a gas turbine engine for main propulsion.the Swedish Stridsvagn 103 of 1971 used a gas turbine alongside...
s and new T-84
T-84
The T-84 is a Ukrainian main battle tank, a development of the Soviet T-80 main battle tank. It was first built in 1994 and entered service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 1999. The T-84 is based on the diesel-engined T-80 version, the T-80UD...
tanks. T-64
T-64
The T-64 is a Soviet main battle tank, introduced in the early 1960s. It was used solely by the Soviet Army in its front-line divisions and was a more advanced counterpart to the T-62...
, T-72
T-72
The T-72 is a Soviet-designed main battle tank that entered production in 1970. It is developed directly from Obyekt-172, and shares parallel features with the T-64A...
, T-80
T-80
The T-80 is a main battle tank designed and manufactured in the former Soviet Union. A development of the T-64, it entered service in 1976 and was the first production tank to be equipped with a gas turbine engine for main propulsion.the Swedish Stridsvagn 103 of 1971 used a gas turbine alongside...
, T-84
T-84
The T-84 is a Ukrainian main battle tank, a development of the Soviet T-80 main battle tank. It was first built in 1994 and entered service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 1999. The T-84 is based on the diesel-engined T-80 version, the T-80UD...
, wheeled armoured personnel carrier
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
s BTR-60
BTR-60
The BTR-60 is the first vehicle in a series of Soviet eight-wheeled armoured personnel carriers. It was developed in the late 1950s as a replacement for the BTR-152 and was seen first time in public in 1961...
, BTR-70
BTR-70
The BTR-70 is an eight-wheeled armored personnel carrier , originally developed during the late 1960s under the industrial designator GAZ-4905. On August 21, 1972, it was accepted into service and would later be exported to the Warsaw Pact and other allies...
, BTR-80
BTR-80
BTR-80 is an 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier designed in the Soviet Union. Production started in 1986 and replaced the previous versions, BTR-60 and BTR-70 in the Soviet army. -Description:The Soviets based the BTR-80 on the BTR-70 APC...
, and tracked infantry fighting vehicle
Infantry fighting vehicle
An infantry fighting vehicle , also known as a mechanized infantry combat vehicle , is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to carry infantry into battle and provide fire support for them...
s BMP-1
BMP-1
The BMP-1 is a Soviet amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty 1 , meaning "infantry fighting vehicle". The BMP-1 was the world's first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle...
, BMP-2
BMP-2
The BMP-2 is a second-generation, amphibious infantry fighting vehicle introduced in the 1980s in the Soviet Union, following the BMP-1 of the 1960s....
, and BMD-2
BMD-2
The BMD-2 is a Soviet airborne infantry fighting vehicle, which was introduced in 1985. It is a variant of BMD-1 with a new turret and some changes done to the hull. BMD stands for Boyevaya Mashina Desanta...
(used by airmobile forces
Ukrainian Airmobile Forces
The airmobile force is a highly mobile component of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.The airmobile forces consist of formations, units and elements of the Army and the Army aviation, trained for combined activities behind the enemy lines....
).
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, a large number of the previous Soviet mechanized formations on Ukrainian soil have been disbanded – the IISS
International Institute for Strategic Studies
The International Institute for Strategic Studies is a British research institute in the area of international affairs. It describes itself as "the world’s leading authority on political-military conflict"...
says totals have dropped from 14 divisions, in 1992, to two divisions, six brigades, and one independent regiment in 2008. Today, all mechanized and armored formations are called brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
s. However, some former division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
s remain near division strength.
Airmobile Forces and Army Aviation
The Army aviationArmy aviation
Army Aviation refers to aviation-related units of a nation's army, often described as an air corps. These units are generally separate from a nation's dedicated air force, and usually comprise helicopters and light support fixed-wing aircraft....
, having to cover troop movements, is by far the most maneuverable branch of the army, intended to conduct the operations under all sorts conditions of combat arms procedures. Among the priorities of the Ukrainian army aviation's units is to provide reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
, attack enemy weapon systems, provide equipment and human resources, give tactical fire support during an offensive or counterattack, land airmobile troops, and to deliver combat weapons and personnel at the specified areas and execute other main tasks. The Army aviation's structure consists of two regiments. The army aviation troops are equipped with Mi-8
Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
, Mi-24 helicopters, and their variants.
Seeing as the Ukrainian military doctrine is strictly defensive the airmobile
Paratrooper
Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...
forces serve as the quick response units of the army, in the event of an attack on Ukraine's sovereignty. Airmobile forces' structure consists of formations and elements of the army and the army aviation. These units are well trained for offensive activities behind enemy lines. The airmobile forces are in constant combat readiness and base their battle plan is high mobility, which allows them to conduct any combat task under any conditions. The airmobile forces consist of two airmobile brigades, an airborne brigade, and one airmobile regiment. Some of the airmobile formations previously grouped into the 1st Airmobile Division but this has now been disbanded.
Rocket and Artillery troops
Rocket Forces and Artillery troops of the army consist of formations of operational-tactical and tactical missiles, self-propelledSelf-propelled
Self-propelled often refers to some form of self-propelled travel. It can refer to* Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon* Self-propelled anti-tank gun* Self-propelled artillery* Self-propelled barge T-36* Self-propelled gun* Self-propelled mortar...
artillery, howitzers, jet-propelled and anti-tank
Anti-tank warfare
Anti-tank warfare was created by the need to seek technology and tactics to destroy tanks and their supporting infantry during the First World War...
artillery, artillery reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
units, of mortar
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
units and of units of anti-tank missiles. These forces operate as support for they other army formations, therefore, they are obliged to destroy enemy human resources, tanks, artillery, anti-tanks weapons, aircraft, objects of air defense and other important objects during the combat arms operations. Rocket and artillery troops are equipped with: missile complexes of operational-tactical and tactical missiles; Multiple rocket launcher
Multiple rocket launcher
A multiple rocket launcher is a type of unguided rocket artillery system. Like other rocket artillery, multiple rocket launchers are less accurate and have a much lower rate of fire than batteries of traditional artillery guns...
rocket systems, such as the Smerch
BM-30
The BM-30 Smerch or 9A52 is a Soviet heavy multiple rocket launcher. The system is designed to defeat personnel, armored, and soft-skinned targets in concentration areas, artillery batteries, command posts and ammunition depots. It was created in the early 1980s and entered service in the Soviet...
, Uragan
BM-27
The BM-27 Uragan is a self-propelled multiple rocket launcher system designed in the Soviet Union. It began its service with the Soviet Army in the late 1970s, as its first modern spin and fin stabilized heavy multiple rocket launcher. This system is capable of launching 220 mm rockets from...
, Grad
BM-21
The BM-21 launch vehicle , a Soviet truck-mounted 122 mm multiple rocket launcher, and a M-21OF rocket were developed in the early 1960s. BM stands for boyevaya mashina, ‘combat vehicle’, and the nickname means ‘hail’. The complete system with the BM-21 launch vehicle and the M-21OF rocket...
; also, Giatsint, Pion
2S7 Pion
The 2S7 Pion or Malka is a Soviet self-propelled gun. "2S7" is its GRAU designation.It was identified for the first time in 1975 in the Soviet army and so was called M-1975 by NATO , whereas its official designation is SO-203...
, Akatsiya
2S3 Akatsiya
SO-152 is a Soviet 152.4 mm self-propelled artillery developed in 1968. It was a response to the American 155 mm M109. The development started in 1967 according to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of USSR from July 4, 1967. In 1968 the SO-152 was completed and in 1971 entered...
, Gvozdika
2S1
The 2S1 Gvozdika, ; is a Soviet 122-mm self-propelled howitzer that resembles the PT-76 but is essentially a version of the MT-LB APC, mounting the 2A18 howitzer. "2S1" is its GRAU designation. An alternative Russian designation is SAU-122 but in the Russian Army it is commonly known as Gvozdika...
howitzer
Howitzer
A howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles at relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent...
s; and, Konkurs, T-12 antitank gun
T-12 antitank gun
2A19 or T-12 is a Soviet smoothbore 100-mm anti-tank gun, which served as the main Eastern Bloc towed anti-tank gun from 1955 until the late 1980s.-History:The T-12 entered service in 1955, replacing the BS-3 100 mm field gun...
anti-tank weapons.
Army Air Defense
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
complexes of regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
level. Regiment level units are characterized by their high rate of fire, vitality, maneuverability, and capability of action under all conditions of modern combat arms operations. Surface-to-air missile systems and complexes of division level are characterized by their long range and firepower and are equipped with surface-to-air missile complexes;S-300V,Osa, Buk, Buk-M1 and Tor. While anti-aircraft missile and artillery complexes that are of regiment level are equipped with the Tunguska-M1, Igla MANPADS system, Strela, and Shilka anti-aircraft missile systems. While the army's only separate radar system, meaning it isn't a part of any anti-aircraft system, is the Ukrainian Kolchuga-M
Kolchuga passive sensor
The Kolchuga passive sensor is an ESM system developed in Ukraine. Its detection range is limited by line-of-sight but may be up to for very high altitude, very powerful emitters...
. It was designed sometime between the years 1993-1997, the system is said to be one the most (if not the most) advanced passive sensors in the world, as it was claimed to be able to detect stealth aircraft.
Current Structure
Structure of Ukrainian Ground Forces at the end of 2009 was:- Operational Commands – 2;
- Territorial Directorate – 1;
- Army Corps – 3;
- Brigades – 17 (Mechanized – 8, Armored – 2, Airmobile – 2, Airborne – 1, Artillery – 3, Rocket – 1);
- Regiments – 23 (Mechanized – 1, Airmobile – 1, Reactive Artillery – 3, Air Defence – 3, Special Purpose – 2, Army Aviation – 2, Signal – 4, Engineer – 4, Electronic warfare – 1, Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defence – 1, Special – 1);
- Training Centers – 1
Detailed Structure
- Ground Force Command
-
6th Army Corps6th Army Corps (Ukraine)The 6th Army Corps is one of three army corps of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. The Corps is headquartered in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine.-History:...
(DnipropetrovskDnipropetrovskDnipropetrovsk or Dnepropetrovsk formerly Yekaterinoslav is Ukraine's third largest city with one million inhabitants. It is located southeast of Ukraine's capital Kiev on the Dnieper River, in the south-central region of the country...
)-
25th Airborne Brigade (CherkaskeCherkaske (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast)Cherkaske - a town in Novomoskovskyi Raion of Dnipropetrovsk oblast, Ukraine.It is home to 25th Airborne Brigade and 93rd Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Ground Forces.-References:*...
) -
79th Airmobile Brigade -
28th Guards Mechanized Brigade28th Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)The 28th Guards Mechanized Brigade is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. The full name of the Brigade is the 28th Separate Guards Mechanized Brigade....
(ChornomorskeChornomorske (Odessa Oblast)Chornomorske is an urban-type settlement in Odessa Oblast of Ukraine. It's the administrative center of Kominternivskyi Raion. Before 1978 it was known as Hvardiyske village. 28th Mechanized Brigade is stationed in the settlement....
) -
92nd Guards Mechanized Brigade92nd Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)The 92nd Guards Mechanized Brigade is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. The full name of the Brigade is the 92nd Separate Mechanized Ropshinska Order of the October Revolution and Order of the Red Banner awards Brigade....
(ChuhuivChuhuivChuhuiv is a city in the Kharkiv Oblast of eastern Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Chuhuivskyi Raion , the city itself is directly subordinate to the oblast, and is located at around ....
) -
93rd Guards Mechanized Brigade93rd Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)The 93rd Guards Mechanized Brigade is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. The full name of the Brigade is the 93rd Separate Guards Mechanized Kharkiv twice Order of the Red Banner, Suvorov's and Kutuzov's awards Brigade....
(CherkaskeCherkaske (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast)Cherkaske - a town in Novomoskovskyi Raion of Dnipropetrovsk oblast, Ukraine.It is home to 25th Airborne Brigade and 93rd Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Ground Forces.-References:*...
) - 17th Guards Armored Brigade17th Armored Brigade (Ukraine)The 17th Guards Armored Brigade is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. Full name of the Brigade is 17th Separate Guards Kryvyi Rih orders of Red Banner and Suvorov Brigade. It was formally known as 17th Guards Tank Division....
(Kryvyi RihKryvyi RihKryvyi Rih or Krivoy Rog is a city in central Ukraine. It is situated in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, to the southwest of the oblast's administrative center, Dnipropetrovsk, at the confluence of the Inhulets and Saksahan rivers...
) - 55th Artillery Brigade
- Corps Units
-
-
8th Army Corps8th Army Corps (Ukraine)The 8th Army Corps is one of three army corps of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. The Corps is headquartered in Zhytomyr, Ukraine.The 8th Order of the Red Star Tank Army was created in 1946 in the Carpathian Military District, Soviet Union. It was initially named as the 8th Mechanized Army and was...
(ZhytomyrZhytomyrZhytomyr is a city in the North of the western half of Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Zhytomyr Oblast , as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Zhytomyr Raion...
)- 1st Armored Brigade1st Armored Brigade (Ukraine)The 1st Guards Armored Brigade is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.The Brigade is located in Honcharivske.Full name of the Brigade is 1st Separate Guards Armored Novohrad Orders of the Red Banner, Kutuzov, Bogdan Khmelnitsky, Alexander Nevsky and Red Star Brigade, -History:The Brigade was...
(HoncharivskeHoncharivskeHoncharivske is an urban-type settlement in Chernihiv Oblast of Ukraine. It's the administrative center of Chernihivsky Raion. 1st Armored Brigade is stationed in the settlement....
) - 30th Mechanized Brigade30th Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)The 30th Mechanized Brigade is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.The full name of the Brigade is 30th Separate Guards Mechanized Novohrad-Volynskyi Rivne Orders of the Red Banner and Suvorov Brigade, .-World War II:...
(Novohrad-VolynskyiNovohrad-VolynskyiNovohrad-Volynskyi is a city in the Zhytomyr Oblast of northern Ukraine...
) - 72nd Mechanized Brigade (Bila TserkvaBila TserkvaBila Tserkva is a city located on the Ros' River in the Kiev Oblast in central Ukraine, approximately south of the capital, Kiev. Population 203,300 Area 34 km².-Administrative status:...
) -
95th Airmobile Brigade95th Airmobile Brigade (Ukraine)The 95th Separate Airmobile Brigade , the main ground forces component of Ukraine’s rapid reaction force. Brigade is located in Zhytomyr.The brigade is one of the Ukrainian Partnership for Peace units.-History:...
(ZhytomyrZhytomyrZhytomyr is a city in the North of the western half of Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Zhytomyr Oblast , as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Zhytomyr Raion...
) - 26th Artillery Brigade (BerdychivBerdychivBerdychiv is a historic city in the Zhytomyr Oblast of northern Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Berdychiv Raion , the city itself is of direct oblast subordinance, and is located south of the oblast capital, Zhytomyr, at around .The current estimated population is around...
) - 3rd Army Aviation Regiment3rd Army Aviation Regiment (Ukraine)The 3rd Army Aviation Regiment is an army aviation formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. The regiment is part of the 8th Army Corps.-History:...
(BrodyBrodyBrody is a city in the Lviv Oblast of western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Brody Raion , and is located in the valley of the upper Styr River, approximately 90 kilometres northeast of the oblast capital, Lviv...
) - Corps Units
- 1st Armored Brigade
-
13th Army Corps (RivneRivneRivne or Rovno is a historic city in western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Rivne Oblast , as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Rivne Raion within the oblast...
) (former Soviet 13th Army13th Army (Soviet Union)The 13th Army was a name given to several field armies of the Soviet Union's Red Army, first created during the Russian Civil War...
)-
24th Mechanized Brigade24th Rifle Division (Soviet Union)style="float: right; clear: right; background-color: transparent"| The 24th Samaro-Ulyanovsk Division was a rifle, then a motor-rifle division of the Red Army of the USSR...
(YavorivYavorivYavoriv is a city located in the Lviv Oblast of western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Yavoriv Raion and rests approximately 50 km west of the oblast capital, Lviv....
) -
51st Mechanized Brigade (Volodymyr-VolynskyiVolodymyr-VolynskyiVolodymyr-Volynsky is a city located in Volyn Oblast, in north-western Ukraine. Serving as the administrative centre of the Volodymyr-Volynsky District, the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast...
) -
128th Guards Mechanized Brigade128th Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)The 128th Guards Mechanized Brigade is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.Full name of the Brigade is 128th Separate Guards Mechanized Turkestan-Zakarpattia twice Order of Red Banner Brigade, .-History:...
(MukacheveMukacheveMukachevo or Mukacheve is a city located in the valley of the Latorica river in the Zakarpattia Oblast , in southwestern Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Mukachivskyi Raion , the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast...
) -
11th Artillery Brigade11th Artillery Brigade (Ukraine)The 11th Artillery Brigade is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.Full name of the brigade is - 11th Separate Guards Artillery Kiev Red Banner Bogdan Khmelnitsky awards Brigade....
(TernopilTernopilTernopil , is a city in western Ukraine, located on the banks of the Seret River. Ternopil is one of the major cities of Western Ukraine and the historical region of Galicia...
) -
7th Army Aviation Regiment7th Army Aviation Regiment (Ukraine)The 7th Army Aviation Regiment is an army aviation formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. The regiment is part of the 13th Army Corps.-History:The Regiment was formed as 340th Separate Combat - Transport Helicopter Breslavlsk Regiment....
(Novyi KalynivNovyi KalynivNovyi Kalyniv is a small city in Lviv Oblast of Ukraine. Population is 3,582 ....
)
-
-
Western Operational Command (former Soviet Carpathian Military DistrictCarpathian Military DistrictThe Carpathian Military District was a military district of the Soviet Armed Forces from 1945 after the conclusion of the Second World War to 1990-91. It became part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 1991 and was disbanded by being redesignated the Western Operational Command later in the 1990s.Two...
) -
Southern Operational Command (former Soviet Odessa Military DistrictOdessa Military DistrictThe Odessa Military District was a military administrative division of the Imperial Russian military, the Soviet Armed Forces and the Ukrainian Armed Forces and was known under such name from around 1862 to 1998. It was reorganized as part of the Military of Ukraine and the Military of Moldova in...
) -
Territorial Directorate "North"Territorial Directorate "North"The Territorial Directorate "North" was created on the basis of Northern Operational Command by the directive №322/1/010 of the Minister of Defence of Ukraine on 20 May 2005... -
Military UniversityLviv PolytechnicLviv Polytechnic National University is the largest scientific university in Lviv. Since its foundation in 1844, it was one of the most important centres of science and technological development in Central Europe. In the interbellum period, the Polytechnic was one of the most important technical...
(LvivLvivLviv is a city in western Ukraine. The city is regarded as one of the main cultural centres of today's Ukraine and historically has also been a major Polish and Jewish cultural center, as Poles and Jews were the two main ethnicities of the city until the outbreak of World War II and the following...
) -
19th Rocket Brigade - other various Ground Force Command Support Units
-
Strength and Military Equipment
- 73,300 Personnel
- 735 Tanks
- 2,155 Armoured Combat Vehicles
- 72 Combat Helicopters
- 892 Artillery Systems
Tanks
- T-84T-84The T-84 is a Ukrainian main battle tank, a development of the Soviet T-80 main battle tank. It was first built in 1994 and entered service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 1999. The T-84 is based on the diesel-engined T-80 version, the T-80UD...
Oplot - T-80UD (Ukrainian diesel version)
- T-72T-72The T-72 is a Soviet-designed main battle tank that entered production in 1970. It is developed directly from Obyekt-172, and shares parallel features with the T-64A...
- 1,302 (not used, in reserve) - T-64T-64The T-64 is a Soviet main battle tank, introduced in the early 1960s. It was used solely by the Soviet Army in its front-line divisions and was a more advanced counterpart to the T-62...
- 2,281 (786 T-64B, T-64BV, T-64BM "Bulat" in service)- T-64BM "Bulat"T-64The T-64 is a Soviet main battle tank, introduced in the early 1960s. It was used solely by the Soviet Army in its front-line divisions and was a more advanced counterpart to the T-62...
(Ukrainian version)- 56
- T-64BM "Bulat"
APC's and IFV's
- BMP-1BMP-1The BMP-1 is a Soviet amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty 1 , meaning "infantry fighting vehicle". The BMP-1 was the world's first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle...
(some upgraded with Shkval turret) - 1,008 - BMP-2BMP-2The BMP-2 is a second-generation, amphibious infantry fighting vehicle introduced in the 1980s in the Soviet Union, following the BMP-1 of the 1960s....
- 1,434 - BMP-3BMP-3The BMP-3 is a Russian amphibious infantry fighting vehicle, successor to the BMP-1 and BMP-2. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty .- Production history :...
- 4 (not used, in reserve) - BTR-60BTR-60The BTR-60 is the first vehicle in a series of Soviet eight-wheeled armoured personnel carriers. It was developed in the late 1950s as a replacement for the BTR-152 and was seen first time in public in 1961...
- 176 - BTR-70BTR-70The BTR-70 is an eight-wheeled armored personnel carrier , originally developed during the late 1960s under the industrial designator GAZ-4905. On August 21, 1972, it was accepted into service and would later be exported to the Warsaw Pact and other allies...
(some upgraded with diesel engine) - 1,026 - BTR-80BTR-80BTR-80 is an 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier designed in the Soviet Union. Production started in 1986 and replaced the previous versions, BTR-60 and BTR-70 in the Soviet army. -Description:The Soviets based the BTR-80 on the BTR-70 APC...
- 456 - BTR-94BTR-94The BTR-94 is a Ukrainian amphibious armoured personnel carrier , a modification of the Soviet eight-wheeled BTR-80. The BTR-94's turret BAU-23x2 is larger than the BTR-80's BPU-1 and is fitted with a twin 23x115mm gun 2A7M with 200 rounds, a coaxial KT-7.62 machinegun with 2,000 rounds, six...
Modified version of BTR-80 with ZU-23-2ZU-23-2The ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a Soviet towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon. ZU stands for Zenitnaya Ustanovka - anti-aircraft mount.-Development history:...
23mm gun and coaxial PKT machinegun. (Ukrainian version) - BTR-3BTR-3The BTR-3 is an 8×8-wheeled armored personnel carrier was designed by Adcom Manufacturing from UAE in 2000/2001 and manufactured by KMDB in Ukraine. The most significant of exports was to the Myanmar Army which acquired 1,000 BTR-3Us, to be assembled in Myanmar...
(Ukrainian designed, not used by Ukrainian military) - BTR-4BTR-4The BTR-4 is a 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier designed in Ukraine by the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau as a private venture...
New Ukrainian 8x8 BTRBTRBTR may refer to:* BTR plc, formerly BTR Industries, one of the predecessor companies of Invensys plc* BTR Aerospace Group* BTR Industries* BTR-EMS-AKG Janakeeya Vedi, a political group in India...
family. - MT-LBMT-LBThe MT-LB is a Soviet multi-purpose fully amphibious auxiliary armoured vehicle which was first introduced in the late 1960s...
- 2,315 - HMMWV 12 vehicles donated by the United States to UKRPOLBATPolish-Ukrainian Peace Force BattalionPolish–Ukrainian Peace Force Battalion or Ukrainian-Polish Peace Force Battalion is a Polish-Ukrainian peacekeeping battalion, formed in the late 1990s expressly "for participation in international peace-keeping and humanitarian operations under the auspices of international organizations".The...
. - Dozor-BDozor-BThe Dozor-B is a Ukrainian 4x4 armoured personnel carrier intended to transport personnel and various loads.The Dozor-B is also used by special units of the armed forces to carry out reconnaissance, patrolling, and peace-keeping operations, as well as being used as the main transportation...
(Ukrainian designed, not used by Ukrainian military)
Combat Helicopters
- Mil Mi-8Mil Mi-8The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
/Mil Mi-17Mil Mi-17The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
- 56 - Mil Mi-24Mil Mi-24The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...
- 42 - Mil Mi-26Mil Mi-26The Mil Mi-26 is a Soviet/Russian heavy transport helicopter. In service with civilian and military operators, it is the largest and most powerful helicopter ever to have gone into production.-Design and development:...
- 25
Artillery
- BM-21 "Grad"BM-21The BM-21 launch vehicle , a Soviet truck-mounted 122 mm multiple rocket launcher, and a M-21OF rocket were developed in the early 1960s. BM stands for boyevaya mashina, ‘combat vehicle’, and the nickname means ‘hail’. The complete system with the BM-21 launch vehicle and the M-21OF rocket...
MRL 122 mm - 450 - 9P140 "Uragan"BM-27The BM-27 Uragan is a self-propelled multiple rocket launcher system designed in the Soviet Union. It began its service with the Soviet Army in the late 1970s, as its first modern spin and fin stabilized heavy multiple rocket launcher. This system is capable of launching 220 mm rockets from...
MRL 220 mm - 76 - 9A52-2 "Smerch"BM-30The BM-30 Smerch or 9A52 is a Soviet heavy multiple rocket launcher. The system is designed to defeat personnel, armored, and soft-skinned targets in concentration areas, artillery batteries, command posts and ammunition depots. It was created in the early 1980s and entered service in the Soviet...
MRL 300mm - 100 - 2S1 "Gvozdika"2S1The 2S1 Gvozdika, ; is a Soviet 122-mm self-propelled howitzer that resembles the PT-76 but is essentially a version of the MT-LB APC, mounting the 2A18 howitzer. "2S1" is its GRAU designation. An alternative Russian designation is SAU-122 but in the Russian Army it is commonly known as Gvozdika...
SP howitzer 122mm 638 - 2S3 "Akatsiya"2S3 AkatsiyaSO-152 is a Soviet 152.4 mm self-propelled artillery developed in 1968. It was a response to the American 155 mm M109. The development started in 1967 according to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of USSR from July 4, 1967. In 1968 the SO-152 was completed and in 1971 entered...
SP howitzer 152mm 501 - 2S5 "Giatsint-S" SP gun 152mm 24
- 2S19 "Msta-S" SP howitzer 152mm 40
- D-20152 mm towed gun-howitzer M1955 (D-20)The 152 mm gun-howitzer M1955, also known as the D-20, is a manually loaded, towed 152 mm artillery piece, manufactured in the Soviet Union during the 1950s. It was first observed by the west in 1955, where it was designated the M1955. Its GRAU index is 52-P-546...
152mm howitzer - D-30 howitzer 122mm 443
Anti-Aircraft
- Army level
- S-300V1, (SA-12 Gladiator)
- Kolchuga passive sensorKolchuga passive sensorThe Kolchuga passive sensor is an ESM system developed in Ukraine. Its detection range is limited by line-of-sight but may be up to for very high altitude, very powerful emitters...
(Ukrainian-designed)
- Division (brigade) level
- Tor Missile System or 9K330 Tor, (SA-15 Gauntlet)
- 9K37 Buk (SA-11 Gadfly)
- 9K37M1-2 Buk-M1-2 (SA-17 Grizzly)
- Regiment level
- 9K35 Strela-10 (SA-13 Gopher)
- Tunguska M1 LLAD (SA-19 Grison)
- ZSU-23-4 "ShilkaZSU-23-4The ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" is a lightly armored, self-propelled, radar guided anti-aircraft weapon system . ZSU stands for Zenitnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka , meaning "anti-aircraft self-propelled mount". The "23" signifies the bore diameter in millimeters. The "4" signifies the number of gun barrels. It...
- 300 - 9K38 Igla (SA-18 Grouse)
Surface to Surface tactical missiles
- OTR-21 Tochka (SS-21 Scarab) - 90
Small arms
- VeprVeprThe Vepr was announced in 2003 as the first indigenous Ukrainian assault rifle, designed by the National Space Agency of Ukraine. Note that on the Ukrainian Government Portal website , the Vepr is classed as a sub-machinegun...
(Ukrainian-designed) - TAR-21 (Built Under License)
- AK-74AK-74The AK-74 is an assault rifle developed in the early 1970s in the Soviet Union as the replacement for the earlier AKM...
- AKMAKMThe AKM is a 7.62mm assault rifle designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is an upgraded version of the AK-47 rifle and was developed in the 1950s....
- Makarov PMMakarov PMThe PM is a semi-automatic pistol design. Under the project leadership of Nikolay Fyodorovich Makarov, it became the Soviet Union's standard military side arm from 1951-1991.-Development:...
- Fort 12 (Ukrainian designed)
- RPK-74RPKThe RPK is a 7.62x39mm light machine gun of Soviet design, developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the late 1950s, parallel with the AKM assault/battle rifle...
- RPKRPKThe RPK is a 7.62x39mm light machine gun of Soviet design, developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the late 1950s, parallel with the AKM assault/battle rifle...
- PKMPK machine gunThe PK is a 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia. The PK machine gun was introduced in the 1960s and replaced the SGM and RPD machine guns in Soviet service...
- Dragunov SVD
- 9M113 Konkurs (AT-5 Spandrel)
- 9M111 Fagot (AT-4 Spigot)
- 9K115-2 Metis-M9K115-2 Metis-MThe 9K115-2 Metis-M is a Russian anti-tank missile system. "9K115-2" is the GRAU designation of the missile. Its NATO reporting name is AT-13 Saxhorn-2.The system is designed to augment the combat power of company-levelmotorized units....
(AT-13 Saxhorn-2) - 9M133 Kornet9M133 KornetThe Kornet is a Russian anti-tank missile . It is a second generation ATGM intended to deal with main battle tanks and to engage slow and low flying helicopters, but is not intended to fully replace previous systems, due to the cost...
(AT-14 Spriggan) - RPG-29RPG-29The RPG-29 is a Russian rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Adopted by the Soviet Army in 1989, it was the most recent weapon of its type to be adopted by the Russian military before the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The RPG-29 has since been supplemented by other rocket-propelled systems, such...
- RPG-22RPG-22The Soviet RPG-22 Netto is a one-shot disposable anti-tank rocket launcher first deployed in 1985, based on the RPG-18 rocket launcher, but firing a larger 72.5 mm fin stabilised projectile. The weapon can be prepared to fire in around 10 seconds, and can penetrate 400 mm of armour, 1.2 meters of...
- RPG-7RPG-7The RPG-7 is a widely-produced, portable, unguided, shoulder-launched, anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Originally the RPG-7 and its predecessor, the RPG-2, were designed by the Soviet Union, and now manufactured by the Bazalt company...
External links
- The Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
- Armament of Ukrainian Ground Forces at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
- Ukraine: Ground Forces Equipment
- Vepr Assault Rifle