Soviet Tank Regiment

During the Cold War the Soviet forces located in East Germany, defined as Group of Soviet Forces Germany (GSFG), were extremely tank heavy. In peace time there were some eight Soviet motor rifle divisions and eleven tank divisions in East Germany alone. The motor rifle divisions each had one tank regiment while tank divisions had three regiments. Sources indicate that this meant, when reserves and independent regiments were factored in there were in the region of 7,700 front line tanks available at short notice to GSFG, excluding those of WARPAC allies. It was therefore time to complete a tank regiment.

The T-64A model was first deployed with GSFG in 1976. By the end of the 1980s it had become the mainstay of GSFG. Most older tanks having been moved to other fronts or to lower readiness units. By 1981 the T-64A was being supplemented by the improved T-64B. Also from 1981 GSFG began to receive small numbers of the new T-80.

Steven Zaloga in his "Tank War - Central Front" published by Osprey indicates that by 1989 the T-64 formed around 65 percent of GSFG tank strength. The T-80 which provided a further 15 percent. Finally, forming reserves and independent formations were the older T-62 which added an additional 15 percent of GSFG tank holdings.
Soviet T-64s advance in column. These Navwar models are particularly well cast with plenty of detail and include a turrent mounted machine gun.

My first regiment was therefore to be a T-64 equipped regiment and comprised three tank battalions each with seven T-64s. These three battalions were in turn supported by a single BMP equipped motor rifle battalion. As with the motor rifle division this battalion contains some nine BMP and two 120mm towed mortar stands. The tank regiment organisation, in Modern Spearhead terms, that I use can be summarised as follows:

Soviet Tank Regiment   
Regimental HQ
HQ: 1-BMP Combat Team
1- Regimental Anti-Aircraft Company, with:
1-ZSU-23-4
1-SA-9 Gaskin
1-Regimental Recon Company, with:
1-BMP-R
1-BRDM-2
1-Regimental Artillery Battalion, with:
1-FAO
4-2S1 self-propelled 122mm howitzers or D-30 towed guns 
1-Regimental Engineer Company, with:
1-MT-55 AVLB
1-VLB Scissor Bridge
1-Light engineer stand in truck 		3-Tank Battalions, each with:
HQ: 1-T-64
3-Tank Companies, each with:
2-T-64 Tanks

1-Motor Rifle Battalion, with:
HQ: 1-BMP Combat Team
1- Battalion Support Company, with:
1-Anti-Aircraft Platoon BMP-1 SA-7
1-Grenade Launcher Platoon BMP-1 AGS-17
3-Motor Rifle Companies, each with:
2-BMP Combat Teams
1-Mortar Battery, with:
2-M-120 120mm Mortars with GAZ trucks 

Outside Germany other tanks were frequently found. In Czechoslovakia Soviet forces, identified as Soviet Central Group of Forces (CGF), consisted of two tank and three motor rifle divisions. By 1989 these troops, with some 1500 tanks had a mix of three main tank types. T-64s and T-72s comprised some 80 percent of the tanks with the remaining 20 percent composed of T-62s. 


Above, a battalion of T-72 tanks from Soviet Central Group of Forces. In the distance BMPs are advancing in support. 		To model a CGF regiment I have formed a second tank regiment. This time equipped with T-72s.

The T-72, which entered production in 1971, was first seen in public in 1977. It was a parallel design chosen as a high-production tank complementing the T-64 and unlike the T-64 has been produced for export. The introduction rate of the T-72 in WARPAC countries in the 1980s was not as fast as initially thought. This can be seen by East German service dates outlined in the section on a Panzer regiment.

I have used the same organisation for the T-72 regiment as defined above. With these two regiments I can form the better part of a Soviet tank division.
In support of both regiment's fighting battalions are anti-aircraft and reconnaissance units, which have been illustrated earlier. However, as with Soviet motor rifle regiments each regiment also contains additional support elements such as an engineering company. 

Each company includes an MT-55 Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB). The T-55A medium tank chassis forms the basis of the MT-55 less the turret. 
Above, a MT-55 Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) and an engineer stand transported by truck.

Laying and recovery of the bridge can be controlled by the crew from the inside of the tank, with hatch covers closed. To start the launching procedure, the vehicle stops short of the gap; subsequently, the bridge swings forward and down while its two sections open like scissors.

As with the other Soviet formations pictured on these pages, the tank regiments are supported by fixed wing air support. The initial fixed wing support available to my Soviets was provided by elderly Sukhoi Su-7 Fitters. 

These aircraft earned a reputation as a reliable and dependable plane in the Middle East wars. Egyptian pilots apparently claiming that in 1973 they were the best aircraft available for high speed combat at low level. However, they carry a limited weapons load and as they are based on a design from the 1950s they are clearly showing their age in Europe by the late 1970s.
A Soviet Su-7 Fitter passes over a small town as it begins a bombing run in support of advancing Soviet armour.

 

[Return to the Modern Spearhead Page] This article is compiled by Keith McNelly.