Crush by storm: why are airborne brigades being recreated in the Ground Forces
The Russian Ministry of Defense is strengthening the newly recreated airborne units within the Ground Forces.
The Russian Ministry of Defense is strengthening the newly recreated airborne units within the Ground Forces. Thus, the newly formed 49th separate air assault brigade, operating as part of the 58th combined arms army, will receive BMP-3 combat vehicles , Izvestia sources in the military department told Izvestia. This equipment will provide good protection and firepower; previously it was not in service with paratroopers. The very appearance of such formations within the Ground Forces is dictated by the experience of a special military operation, experts note.
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Stormtrooper armor
The fleet of the 49th separate air assault brigade will be replenished with BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, Izvestia sources in the Russian Ministry of Defense told Izvestia. Such equipment can provide serious support in overcoming the enemy’s fortified defenses, they emphasized. Structurally, the 49th Brigade is part of the 58th Combined Arms Army. Its task is to storm the fortifications on the front line, as well as to land by helicopter behind enemy lines.
The experience of a special military operation leads to various structural changes in the Russian army. One of the most significant is the creation of specialized assault units. There were no such people in the Russian troops before. This innovation was dictated by the fact that from the first weeks of fighting, Russian troops were faced with powerful Ukrainian fortifications , especially in the Donbass, where they had been built since 2014. In addition, the troops faced another problem - an offensive in the classical way, with groups of armored vehicles supported by infantry, is fraught with large losses due to the presence of a large number of anti-tank weapons and attack drones by the enemy.
In Soviet times, in addition to the airborne divisions subordinate to the command of the Airborne Forces, there were also airborne assault brigades that were part of the Ground Forces. They were supposed to operate in the offensive zone of motorized rifle and tank units. Among other things, this made it possible to keep airborne units in the group of Soviet forces in Germany: according to existing agreements, units of the USSR Airborne Forces were not stationed there. Air assault brigades were part of the Ground Forces, and their servicemen wore combined arms insignia. In post-Soviet times, such formations were disbanded or transferred to the Airborne Forces.
— A return to Soviet methods proves that they are not at all outdated , and moreover, they are increasingly proving their viability and effectiveness, even in the current conditions. This is precisely what the special military operation proved,” Colonel Alexander Perendzhiev, associate professor of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, told Izvestia. — An assault is not only an attack head-on or bypassing the enemy. An assault is also a landing of troops in the rear by any means.
The expert noted that the Russian army has suitable helicopters for landing troops, which were widely used not only in Afghanistan, but also during the fighting in Chechnya and Syria.
“Until we begin to land behind enemy lines during a special military operation, it will go ahead with difficulty, ” Alexander Perendzhiev is sure. “ The slow progress is due precisely to the fact that we did not have these air assault brigades as part of the Ground Forces. I believe that this will significantly increase the effectiveness of our military operations.
He noted that helicopter landings can be used not only in the offensive, but also in active defense.
At the beginning of this year, the American Institute for the Study of War reported that the Russian command was preparing several air assault formations to be deployed to the rear of Ukrainian formations during the planned offensive. It was also reported that one such brigade - the 49th separate - is already operating in the Zaporozhye direction as part of the 58th Army.
Best in class
The BMP-3, which will enter service with the 49th Brigade, is the most powerful and protected infantry fighting vehicle to date. Previously, it was not in service with paratroopers. In terms of its characteristics, it is closer to light tanks. The vehicle carries an impressive arsenal on board: a 100-mm 2A40 cannon, which also serves as an ATGM launcher, a 30-mm 2A42 automatic cannon, as well as three 7.62-mm machine guns - two frontal and one coaxial. In addition, the vehicle has good armor that protects against bullets and shrapnel. Its predecessor, the BMP-2, is armed only with a 30 mm automatic cannon and a machine gun.
“Now this is our main workhorse on the battlefield, which has proven itself very well,” military expert Vasily Dandykin told Izvestia. — The BMP-3 is a fairly heavy vehicle, and by the way, it floats. Has two weapons. One is 100 mm, which can work against tanks, armored vehicles, and fortified areas. And the second is a 30-mm automatic cannon, which can work against infantry. And there are also machine guns. This is one of the best infantry fighting vehicles in the world. This is a suitable option for air assault units.
The expert emphasized that the BMP-3 can provide serious fire support to the actions of assault groups. In addition, the vehicle practically combines the elements of a tank; it can transport troops, turn around and provide cover.