Russian Military Reform

MOSCOW, September 14 -. RIA Novosti Russia's armed forces in the coming year will increase by half the number of battalion tactical groups, fully manned with contract servicemen, he told reporters on Wednesday the chief of the General Staff, Army General Valery Gerasimov.

According to him, BTG is a reinforced battalion, comprising 700 to 900 soldiers. In each brigade and regiment, as a rule, two of BTG, said the general.

"We in the districts, including those in the Southern Military District, established battalion tactical groups, which are fully manned by contract servicemen Now these total 66, will be 96 in the next year by the end of 2016 -. 115, and a year later - 125 ", - said Gerasimov, summarizing strategic maneuvers" Caucasus-2016 ".

According to him, the presence of contractors in combat units, and in the structures of logistics troops attached to "a completely different quality of active service."

More developments in the organizing of reservists into units plus the territorial defense of Crimea.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2130126.html

150th Guards Motor Rifle Division will reach combat readiness soon

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A source in the Russian Defense Ministry: new motorized rifle division will form near Rostov in December

Already appointed commanders of its units and subunits is their acquisition contract servicemen

MOSCOW, Sept. 21. / TASS /. The new 150th Motorized Rifle Division in the Rostov region will be fully developed by December 2016, in October it will begin to receive arms and military equipment. This was reported by TASS source in the Russian Defense Ministry.

"Already appointed commanders of its units and subunits is their acquisition of contract servicemen in the final stage is the construction of infrastructure facilities in the cantonments In October, the compound will begin receiving samples of modern weapons and equipment..", - Said the source.

"There is no doubt that the division will be fully formed by December 1 is not present at the district commanders, nor the leadership of the General Staff," - he added.

The source said that the division will come armed modernized tanks T-72B3, infantry fighting vehicles BMP-3, BTR-82A, self-propelled howitzers "Coalition-SV", anti-aircraft missile and gun complexes "Pantsir-C."

The interviewee said that in the new compounds will include three motorized rifle, tank and anti-aircraft missile regiment, as well as self-propelled artillery regiment. The number of divisions will be about 10 thousand people.

Earlier it was reported that deployed in the Rostov region compound called in honor of the 150th Infantry Division, who took the Reichstag in 1945. Connection gets a number, the name of honor and combat award his illustrious predecessor and become the 150th Idritsa Berlin-Kutuzov Order of second degree motorized rifle division.


Source: http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/3639592 (in Russian)

Translated to english with Google Translator

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Good news!

But it is strange that they will receive Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled howitzers, since it isn't in production at the moment.

So, with all the additional contract soldiers for Armed forces brought in during last two years, (70 thousand more) is it safe to guesstimate that *current* Russian ground army numbers around 270 thousand? And that airborne troops are somewhere around 40 to 50 thousand?

eridan wrote:So, with all the additional contract soldiers for Armed forces brought in during last two years, (70 thousand more) is it safe to guesstimate that *current* Russian ground army numbers around 270 thousand? And that airborne troops are somewhere around 40 to 50 thousand?

Ground forces are around 300,000 and Airborne around 45,000.


Aerospace Forces around 190,000, Navy around 140,000 and Rocket around 60,000 just to be fair.

Good news! thumbsup

But it is strange that they will receive Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled howitzers, since it isn't in production at the moment. dunno


Darn reporters... can't believe a word they write

I'm still having a problem with 3 motor rifle and 1 tank regiment on only 10,000 men. That's a good 13-14,000 men.

Guess we will have to wait and be amazed

I recently checked milkavkaz.net, and I found out that the 150th Motor Rifle Division is being formed on the basis of the 33rd Detached (Mountain) Motor Rifle Brigade, and also inherited the brigade's equipment and personnel.

EDIT: I also found out that it will be under the command of a new Combined Arms Army.

Link: http://www.milkavkaz.net/2015/12/yuzhnyj-voennyj-okrug.html

An excerpt from an article just showing the physical size of the military.

"Another issue on the agenda of the meeting also was due to the time of year. It was about the preparation of the barracks and housing facilities and public utilities for the upcoming heating season. Defense Minister stressed that improved training for the cold allowed a third to reduce the number of accidents in the past year.
- It is important that in the future about 4 thousand boilers and 70 thousand kilometers of service lines running smoothly, and more than 85 thousand objects of barracks and housing facilities were fully provided with warmth and light, - set the task to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu and said that to this end, in 2016 launched a pilot project for the modernization of the heat sector under concession agreements.
According to the minister, the involvement of private investors will increase the reliability of heat supply and apply to the Ministry of Defense facilities, modern energy-saving technologies."

franco wrote:

Ground forces are around 300,000 and Airborne around 45,000.


Aerospace Forces around 190,000, Navy around 140,000 and Rocket around 60,000 just to be fair.

Are these figures by insider reports on forums or have they been publicly stated by officials?

Also, ground army still doesn't operate helicopters, right? So once helicopter units do get transferred to the army, its numbers should grow by a 20-30 thousand? (and Air force numbers will shrink?)

There should also central administration on top of service branches, right? Another 50-150 thousand?

eridan wrote:

franco wrote:

Ground forces are around 300,000 and Airborne around 45,000.


Aerospace Forces around 190,000, Navy around 140,000 and Rocket around 60,000 just to be fair.

Are these figures by insider reports on forums or have they been publicly stated by officials?

Also, ground army still doesn't operate helicopters, right? So once helicopter units do get transferred to the army, its numbers should grow by a 20-30 thousand? (and Air force numbers will shrink?)

There should also central administration on top of service branches, right? Another 50-150 thousand?

Publicly stated except for the Navy. It's my own estimate based on old figure publicly stated with units added after merger of Crimea and old Ukrainian Navy units. I also track units, TOE's etc and these figures are within those.

Just because somebody in the military states a figure doesn't make it 100%. Disinformation is very important in Russian military thought. Probably around 100,000 in Central Command and Rear Services including Railway Troops. I'm not sure if the Helicopter Units do get transferred, expect they will be placed under operational control of the Ground Forces similar to Ground Forces and Aerospace Forces being placed under Operational Control of the Navy in certain areas.

franco wrote:MOSCOW, September 14 -. RIA Novosti Russia's armed forces in the coming year will increase by half the number of battalion tactical groups, fully manned with contract servicemen, he told reporters on Wednesday the chief of the General Staff, Army General Valery Gerasimov.

According to him, BTG is a reinforced battalion, comprising 700 to 900 soldiers. In each brigade and regiment, as a rule, two of BTG, said the general.

"We in the districts, including those in the Southern Military District, established battalion tactical groups, which are fully manned by contract servicemen Now these total 66, will be 96 in the next year by the end of 2016 -. 115, and a year later - 125 ", - said Gerasimov, summarizing strategic maneuvers" Caucasus-2016 ".

According to him, the presence of contractors in combat units, and in the structures of logistics troops attached to "a completely different quality of active service."

According to some other reading, it appears the plan is for most of the Combat Regiments and Brigades to have 2 BTG's made out of Contract soldiers with the 3rd battalion being composed of Conscript soldiers. I guess they (3rd bn) will act as a reserve, protect the rear and clean up after any combat action. There are some Regiments / Brigades that are or supposed to become 100% contractors so they would have 3 BTG's one would assume. Presently either active or being formed I count 73 Combat Regiments / Brigades not including Spetsnaz units but including Airborne and Naval Infantry. There are also 5-6 separate battalions.

franco wrote:MOSCOW, Aug. 27 -. RIA Novosti Division territorial forces will be formed for the first time in Russia during a sudden inspection of the Armed Forces, said the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense.

"In the event of sudden inspection of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the framework of an experiment to create a new mobilization of human resources training and accumulation system of several units of the territorial forces will be formed for the first time", - said in a statement.

Training is conducted on the reserve military training camp where they improve their military knowledge and skills in the practical performance of official duties, the application of standard weapons and military equipment in modern combat, as well as actions in the composition department. The officers will enhance their skills in leadership personnel in the course of combat training missions. The Defense Ministry stressed that military training has already started in a number of associations, formations and organizations of the Armed Forces.

After military training units of the territorial forces, staffed by reservists will take part in practical activities of the strategic exercises "Caucasus-2016", added the press service of the Defense Ministry.

In accordance with the presidential decree carried out an experiment to introduce a new system of training and accumulation of mobilization of human resources. The new system provides a part of the stock selection mobilization manpower. This includes in the reserve Citizens who have signed a contract to stay in reserve in a particular military unit for a particular military post. During the stay of citizens in the mobilization of manpower and military training they provided appropriate payments.

NOTE: Finally some active reserve units  

According to further information, a total of 4,000 reservist were formed into Territorial Defense battalions. This should make 8-9 units.

franco wrote:

According to further information, a total of 4,000 reservist were formed into Territorial Defense battalions. This should make 8-9 units.

A total of 4000 meaning combined total ever for all instances of reserve force exercise/activation since, say, year 2000 onward or total of 4000 for this one instance of exercise? (with possible overall total being higher, depending on number of times reserve forces were formed and exercised?)

eridan wrote:

franco wrote:

According to further information, a total of 4,000 reservist were formed into Territorial Defense battalions. This should make 8-9 units.

A total of 4000 meaning combined total ever for all instances of reserve force exercise/activation since, say, year 2000 onward or total of 4000 for this one instance of exercise? (with possible overall total being higher, depending on number of times reserve forces were formed and exercised?)

It is my understanding that 4000 reservist were organized into Territorial Defense battalions which will stay in reserve. There are plans to organize upwards to 100,000 reservist into units which will stay formed and act like a ready reserve (part-time). In the past, so many (actually very few) would be called up for refresher individual training but now there will be permanently organized reserve units. At least that is the plan. In the past there may be officially 2,000,000 reserves but they receive no training nor are organized into units. So for 6 months after war breaks out, are not much use to anyone as they are retrained and organized into units. New plan would have a 100,000 ready for action.

GarryB wrote:https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B19_3KAl4tx6bG0tRks2c01SOGs/view?usp=sharing

He has some errors which I was going to point out to him but his negativity or glee at supposed Russian weakness irritates me at times.
Of course the spastic glee that he experiences when he detects the White House IP address on those rare occasions is worth a good chuckle.

In November last year, the Ministry of Defence has placed on the federal portal of the draft regulations draft amendments to the law "On Military Duty and Military Service", which proposes the introduction of short-term contracts in the Armed Forces. It was planned that a legal act must come into force in August 2016, but something went wrong, it turns out, it is still only offered to the consideration of the Government:

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Commission on legislative activities approved a bill on the possibility of a military short-term contracts

The bill proposes to provide servicemen undergoing military service (not earlier than one month prior to the expiration of the military life), and the citizens in the reserve, have expressed a desire to enter military service under the contract, to participate in solving problems during emergencies or to maintain or restore peace and security and to suppress international terrorist activities outside the territory of Russia, as well as in the campaigns of the ships, the right to conclude a contract for military service up to the termination of the circumstances giving rise to its conclusion, but not more than one year from the date of signing the contract for military service.

The draft federal law "On Amendments to the Federal Law on Military Duty and Military Service" (hereinafter - the law) has been prepared as part of the Ministry of Defense of subparagraph "d" of paragraph 1 of the Decree of the President of Russia on May 7, 2012 №604 "On further improvement of military service Russian Federation".

In accordance with the legislation in force the first contract for military service by a serviceman undergoing military service, or any other citizen, to enlist in the military position, for which the state provided the rank of soldiers, sailors, sergeants, master sergeants, is for a period of two years or three years, at the choice of the citizen. With conscript or other citizen, to enlist in the military position, for which the state provided the rank of warrant officer, warrant officer or officer, the first contract is for five years.

The conclusion of the first contracts with these categories of citizens for shorter periods (from six months to one year) is provided only in the period of emergency (disaster management, the implementation of measures of emergency, to restore constitutional order and other emergencies), or to participate in activities maintenance or restoration of peace and security.

In connection with the intensification of the activities of international terrorist and extremist organizations, it became necessary to increase the mobility of troops (forces), the formation of the consolidated and non-standard units and staffing them in a short time undergoing military service under the contract, to promptly solve the short-term, but important problems related to their part in the operation to curb the activities of terrorist and extremist organizations.

The purpose of the bill - to maintain the required level of staffing undergoing military service under the contract, military units involved for solving problems during emergencies or to participate in the maintenance or restoration of peace operations and security or to combat terrorism outside Russia and in order to participate in the campaigns of the ships.

The bill proposes to provide servicemen undergoing military service (not earlier than one month prior to the expiration of the military life), and the citizens in the reserve, have expressed a desire to enter military service under the contract, to participate in solving problems during emergencies or to maintain or restore peace and security and to suppress international terrorist activities outside the territory of Russia, as well as in the campaigns of the ships, the right to conclude a contract for military service up to the termination of the circumstances giving rise to its conclusion, but not more than one year from the date of signing the contract for military service.

The bill will be considered at the session of the Government.
*****


Apparently, the text of the bill has undergone some changes since the fall of 2015, so where to find the latest version on the government website?

By the way, interesting information from the text of the explanatory note to the bill:

Monitoring of selection of items for military service under the contract created in the structure of human bodies of the Russian Federation Armed Forces in 2012, shows that of the total number of citizens who applied on the enlistment contract, approximately 20% were willing to sign contracts for more soon as possible to participate in specific activities or transactions.

Some more info about the 90th Tank Division

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Russian armed forces to form new 90th Tank Division in the Chelyabinsk Region.

Russian armed forces work to form the 90th Tank Division in the Chelyabinsk Region in the Urals that is being carried out on schedule and will be completed on time, the Russian Central Military District’s press office said.



The press office made this statement following a check carried out by District Troops Commander Colonel-General Vladimir Zarudnitsky.

"Colonel-General Zarudnitsky has checked the final stage of the establishment of a new tank large unit, heard reports on the composition, the state and the strength of units and inspected the readiness of firing and gunnery ranges, tank driving ranges and tactical fields for the new training period that will start on December 1," district spokesman Yaroslav Roshchupkin said.

"The district troops commander said after the trip that the work to form the division was being carried out on schedule and would be completed on time," he added.

It was announced in January 2016 that a tank division would be set up in the Urals.

The tank division will operate advanced versions of the T-72 tank, the T-72B3. The division will comprise tank units, a motor rifle and a self-propelled artillery regiment, an air defense missile battalion, as well as reconnaissance, communications, medical and logistic support units.

The T-72B3 is a development of the standard Russian-made T-72B series currently in service in the Russian army. The T-72B3 has significantly improved its combat characteristics with more fire power, protection, mobility and command controllability.

The main armament of the T-72B3 is a 125mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun fitted with a light-alloy thermal sleeve and a bore evacuator.

Source: http://www.armyrecognition.com/armies_in_the_world_analysis_focus/russian_armed_forces_to_form_new_90th_tank_division_in_the_chelyabinsk_region_1191016.html

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Great, but what's up with tank brigades? Now there is only 2 ones left (the 5th at Ulan-Ude, Eastern MD and the 6th at Mulino, Western MD).

The new Russian divisions formed so far have been double strength brigades so they can do much more.

MOSCOW, October 21 -. RIA Novosti equipment level of troops with modern weaponry has reached 48.1% in the third quarter of 2016, said Deputy Defense Minister of Russia Yury Borisov.

"The level of troops with modern equipment, advanced weapons and military equipment as a result of deliveries in the third quarter of 2016 rose by two per cent and now stands at 48.1%," - said Borisov on a single day of acceptance of military products.

According to him, providing the Armed Forces with modern weaponry effective depends largely on the achieved level of modern development and timely implementation of development activities.

By 2020, according to plan, this figure should reach 70%, and in some species and genera of troops - 100%.

The Aerospace forces of Russia in the III quarter of this year, 4 aircraft and 13 helicopters of various classes and target destinations were delivered, and 21 radar station (RLS) of various modifications and coastal missile systems "Ball" and "Bastion". About the new arrivals to the troops on Friday at the One day of acceptance of military products told Defense Minister, Army General Sergei Shoigu.

At the same time, part of the received armored, engineering and automotive equipment, communications equipment, aircraft weapons and ammunition. 13 aircraft have been refurbished.

In general, state defense order for the supply of arms and military equipment, according to the head of the military department, was executed by 62 percent, and repair - nearly 50 percent. "This testifies to the satisfactory operation of enterprises of the military-industrial complex, as well as the effectiveness of measures taken by the Ministry of Defence", - concluded Sergey Shoigu.

In the Navy submarine Project 636 "The Great Novgorod" to be adopted in November. At the same time it is planned to transfer to the air defense of the Land Forces and Air-space forces the two medium-range anti-aircraft missile complex "Buk-M2" and "Buk-M3" and six armored anti-aircraft missile and gun complexes "Carapace-C", which have already passed the transceiver Routine tests. Sergei Shoigu pointed out that the majority of modern models of military equipment coming into force, were presented in September at the international military-technical forum "Army 2016".

At the same time, the company "Helicopters of Russia" is ready to pass the Defense Ministry a new party reconnaissance and attack helicopters Ka-52 "Alligator". On this day Sergei Shoigu reported to the managing director of "Arsenyev Aviation Company" Progress "Yury Denisenko." Another batch of combat helicopters Ka-52 is successfully and fully passed all tests provided by the technical specifications and conditions of the state contract, and accepted by the military establishment. Started transmission in operating organizations ", - said the representative of the company.

Denisenko said that soon the company will not only make military helicopters, but also to train military pilots, including foreign, specialized aviation training center, which will have the first specialists in the following year.

Turning from the theme of weapons to the military infrastructure, the minister said that before the end of the year it is planned to put into operation 563 complex infrastructure. Including the new barracks, canteens, stores and clubs will be in the Arctic and in the Crimea. "At the moment we accepted radar Yeniseysk and a number of facilities the Strategic Missile Forces, the construction of the supporting infrastructure of the cosmodrome Plesetsk and 126th separate brigade of coastal defense of the Black Sea Fleet in the village Perevalnoe in the Crimea. In the interests of air and space forces built runway airfield . Korenovsk The high degree of readiness is the infrastructure on the islands of boiler and Alexandra "- listed the Defense Minister.

By the end of the year, according to the minister, will be completed by the priority of work on arrangement of the 3 rd, 144 th and 150 th motorized infantry divisions of the Western and Southern military districts.

Recall single day of acceptance of military products held in the Ministry of Defense in 2014. Its purpose is to summing subtotals delivery of weapons and military equipment of domestic enterprises of the military-industrial complex, as well as monitoring the progress of the state defense order.


NOTE: 2nd or 3rd time I have seen mention of the 3rd Division. Not exactly sure of location but may actually be the second new Western Division not the 10th Tank Division which actually was starting to be formed before the 4 new division announcements. Time will tell. And while on the subject there is already talk of another round of division forming with the 3 brigades in Chechnya being mentioned as reverting to the previously located 42nd Guard division and the 7th Motorized Rifle regiment and the 79th Motorized Rifle brigade in Kaliningrad joining together into a division.

More details in Russian;
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2198822.html

franco wrote:

NOTE: 2nd or 3rd time I have seen mention of the 3rd Division. Not exactly sure of location but may actually be the second new Western Division not the 10th Tank Division which actually was starting to be formed before the 4 new division announcements. Time will tell. And while on the subject there is already talk of another round of division forming with the 3 brigades in Chechnya being mentioned as reverting to the previously located 42nd Guard division and the 7th Motorized Rifle regiment and the 79th Motorized Rifle brigade in Kaliningrad joining together into a division.

The 10th Tank Division has been reformed into the 1st Guards Tank Brigade.

Benya wrote:

franco wrote:

NOTE: 2nd or 3rd time I have seen mention of the 3rd Division. Not exactly sure of location but may actually be the second new Western Division not the 10th Tank Division which actually was starting to be formed before the 4 new division announcements. Time will tell. And while on the subject there is already talk of another round of division forming with the 3 brigades in Chechnya being mentioned as reverting to the previously located 42nd Guard division and the 7th Motorized Rifle regiment and the 79th Motorized Rifle brigade in Kaliningrad joining together into a division.

The 10th Tank Division has been reformed into the 1st Guards Tank Brigade.

I believe you will find that to be the opposite and the 1st Tank brigade, which was just in the process of being reactivated (was a reserve unit), was merged with the 9th Motor Rifle brigade to become the 10th Guards Tank division. Time will tell.