Soviet Air Defense or "It really sucks to be an airdale over Russia!"

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FM 100-2-1...what would I do without you!

The goal of the Soviet tactical air defense system is to reduce the effectiveness of enemy air attacks. This is achieved by forcing enemy aircraft to expend their ordnance while still beyond the effective range of their weaponry or by destroying the aircraft when they come within effective range of Soviet air defense weapons.

There are two important concepts in Soviet tactical air defense. First, air defense is considered to be an integral element of the combined arms concept. Secondly, air defense of the ground forces is achieved by a variety of weapons and equipment that together form a system of air defense.

Soviet air defense does not consider it to be necessary to destroy enemy aircraft. The Soviets realize the value of preventing enemy air crews from pressing their attacks or to force them to prematurely expend their ordnance. If their air defense can prevent NATO airpower from from delivering their ordnance on target, then the Soviets consider their mission to have been accomplished.

A Motor Rifle Battalion (BMP) has an air defense platoon equipped with 9 SA-7/-14 MPADS. A Motor Rifle Company (BTR) has three SA-7/-14 MPADS. Tank Companies do not have MPADS, but are equipped with turret-mounted antiaircraft machine guns.

Soviet tank and motor rifle regiments have an organic air defense battery made up of a headquarters, a platoon of four ZSU-23-4 SP AA guns, a platoon of four SA-9 SP SAM launchers (being replaced by SA-13 SP SAM launchers) as well as support and service elements. The regimental headquarters has a air defense squad with three SA-7/-14 MPADS.

Soviet tank and motor rifle divisions have a SAM Regiment made up of a headquarters, support and service elements and five SAM batteries each equipped with 4 SA-6 or SA-11 TEL and 3 SA-7/-14 MPADS, a further 6 SA-7/-14 MPADS are assigned to the regimental headquarters/service elements.

A combined arms and tank armies are supported by 1-2 SAM Brigades made up of a 3 SAM battalions (each with 3 batteries) with a total of 27 SA-4/SA-12 TELs.

A front will have a further 2 SAM brigades (organized as the army brigades).