Structure of a motorized rifle battalion: size, composition, units, organization and weapons

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:54

Battalions are the main combined-arms tactical units of brigades, in which they perform various combat missions. Also, according to experts, the battalions can act independently. One of the most combat-ready are motorized rifle troops (MSV). Information about the organizational structure of the motorized rifle battalion can be found in this article.

History

The battalion as an integral part of the regiment in the Russian army was introduced by Peter I. The term "battalion" comes from the word "battles". Previously, he designated a certain order in the construction of troops. In the 15th century, cavalry or foot soldiers began to be called a battalion, which were placed on the battlefield in the form of a closed square. The number of soldiers in the battalion was not constant and varied from 1 to 10 thousand people. In the 17th century, the number was 800-1000 soldiers. One battalion was completed with 8 or 9 companies.

Over time, new types of weapons have appeared, combat missions have become more complex and diverse - using heavy machine guns, mortars and artillery pieces, as a result of which the structure of battalions has become more complicated. The staff was supplemented by headquarters and units providing combat and logistics support (economic, transport, communications, etc.).

After World War I, the army was replenished with tank, self-propelled artillery, mortar, motorcycle, sapper, engineer, machine gun and artillery, motorized infantry and other battalions. In the Great Patriotic War, motorized rifle battalions were used as the main unit in the balance of forces and to calculate density. The structure and description of such a military formation is given below in the article.

Composition

The regular structure of the motorized rifle battalion is represented by the following combat units:

• Three motorized rifle companies (MSR). It is a tactical unit that mainly functions as part of a motorized rifle brigade (MSB). However, according to military experts, in such areas as intelligence and security, the company can operate autonomously. In addition, Msr is a fairly effective tactical airborne assault or a special detachment behind enemy lines.
• One mortar battery.
• One anti-tank platoon.
• Grenade launcher and anti-aircraft missile platoons.

Also in the staff structuremotorized rifle battalion available:

• He alth station.
• A platoon that provides communication with the command and other military units and formations.
• Support Platoon.

In the structure of a motorized rifle battalion, each of the above units performs certain tasks.

About command

The organizational structure of a motorized rifle battalion provides for the presence of a commander, his deputy in charge of personnel, and a deputy in charge of weapons. The place of deployment of the deputy battalion commander is the headquarters, where he holds the position of chief. In addition to him, the commander of signalmen, an ensign and a clerk are present at the headquarters.

About signal platoon structure

At the disposal of such a formation are two commander's armored personnel carriers or infantry fighting vehicles, 8 thousand meters of cable and radio stations in the amount of 22 units. The staff structure of a separate communications battalion of a motorized rifle brigade is presented:

• Squad leader. He is also a senior radio operator-mechanic-driver of an armored personnel carrier or infantry fighting vehicle.
• Two radio departments (with a commander, a senior radioman of the first department and a senior radiotelephone operator of the second).
• The driver of the second vehicle.

In total, the total strength of the communications platoon is 13 servicemen.

About mortar battery

In the structure of a motorized rifle battalion, such a combat unit is equipped with:

• Managementbatteries. Management is carried out by the commander, his deputy for work with personnel. In addition, the presence of a foreman, a sanitary instructor and a senior driver is provided.
• Administrative platoon with reconnaissance squad and signalmen.
• Two fire platoons, each armed with four 120mm mortars.

66 people are serving in the mortar battery. This military formation has four radio stations, a cable (4 thousand meters), mortars in the amount of 8 units and autotractors - 8 pieces. Sometimes the Nona self-propelled mortar battery is included in the battalion. The unit is equipped with two platoons, each of which has Nona-S installations in the amount of 4 guns.

According to experts, it was previously planned to use self-propelled howitzers "Hosta" 2S34 instead of mortars - a modernized version of "Carnation" 2S1. At the moment, this issue is under consideration by the military leadership.

The task of the mortar battery is to suppress and destroy the enemy's manpower and firepower located in open positions, trenches and dugouts. Such a formation is able to operate effectively on plots of up to 4 hectares.

About the grenade launcher platoon

In the structure of a motorized rifle battalion there is a platoon whose task is to destroy enemy manpower and firepower outside shelters. The staff includes the platoon commander and his deputy. Besides, inThe grenade launcher platoon has three squads with their commanders, two senior gunners, two grenade launchers, APC machine gunners and drivers. The number of personnel is 26 military personnel. The platoon has at its disposal 30 mm AGS-17 grenade launchers (6 units) and BMP (3 vehicles).

Anti-tank platoon

Due to the fact that this unit stops the advancing enemy by shooting from guns, their fire capabilities are taken into account as the main indicator. They are expressed in the number of destroyed enemy objects.

Motorized rifle battalion on infantry fighting vehicles on average hits 130 enemy infantry fighting vehicles and 80 tanks. The indicator can increase to 120 tanks and 170 combat vehicles if the MSB includes a tank company and a platoon of guided anti-tank missiles. Today, Russia has the most modern weapons systems.

About the composition of the battalion in infantry fighting vehicles

• The number of personnel is 462 military personnel.
• The soldiers have at their disposal armored personnel carriers of two modifications: 37 BMP-2 vehicles and 2 BMP-2K vehicles.
• Servicemen have a 2B9 or 2B9M Vasilek automatic mortar, three 82mm AM mortars and 6 82mm mortars.
• Personnel use 6 AGS-17 automatic mounted grenade launchers.
• The unit has 42 non-combat vehicles at its disposal.

About the composition on armored personnel carriers

In the motorized rifle battalion on the armored personnel carrier they serve539 people

The formation is equipped with 6 anti-tank missile systems 9K111 "Fagot" (ATGM "F") and 9 anti-tank missile systems 9K115 "Metis" (ATGM "M").

At the disposal of the personnel on the armored personnel carrier there are mortars "Vasilek" 2B9 and 2B9M, and three automatic 82-mm mortars. It also provides for the presence of 6 mortars of caliber 82 mm.

The number of vehicles is 43 armored personnel carriers.

About anti-aircraft missile platoon

Such a formation in the structure of a motorized rifle battalion of the RF Armed Forces destroys enemy aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and airborne troops. Range - low and medium heights. The platoon includes:

• Platoon commander and his deputy (he also leads the unit).
• Three compartments. Each has its own commander, anti-aircraft gunners (2 people), an armored personnel carrier machine gunner, a senior driver and his assistant.

The number of personnel is 16 servicemen. At the disposal of the fighters are the Igla or Strela-2M launchers in the amount of 9 guns. The platoon has three armored personnel carriers.

About the battalion medical center

For the collection of the wounded and their evacuation, a medical center is provided in the structure of the motorized rifle battalion of the Russian Federation. The staff of this unit is represented by the head of the first-aid post (ensign), a medical instructor, two orderlies, a senior driver and three orderly drivers. UAZ-469 vehicles are available in the amount of 4 units and onetrailer.

About the support platoon

The tasks of the unit include maintenance and current repairs of battalion equipment. A support platoon with a staff of 19 people operates under the leadership of an ensign (he is also a platoon commander) and his deputy - the squad commander. The structure of the platoon includes a maintenance department, an automobile and an economic department.

During the years of the Soviet Union, this unit was equipped with reconnaissance and engineering platoons. Today, such a composition is not provided. The structure of such a unit is limited to the following formations only:

• Maintenance department. Servicemen repair combat and vehicles under the control of the battalion. The staff is represented by a department commander, a senior autoelectromechanic-accumulator, a car fitter, a driver-car mechanic. The staff of the department is 4 people. Repair work is carried out in the maintenance workshop. Soldiers of the unit have ZIL-131 and ZIL-135 vehicles.
• Automotive department. The staff includes a squad leader (he also serves as a deputy platoon commander), three senior drivers and five drivers. The personnel is represented by 9 servicemen. They have three GAZ-66 trucks (with personal belongings and company property), three GAZ-66 trucks for food, two Ural-4320 trucks for storing ammunition.
• The economic department. The staff commander, senior cook andthree chefs. Personnel - 5 people. The unit has trailer kitchens (4 units), four 1-AP car trailers and a portable kitchen KS-75.

In closing

In combat conditions, all the forces and means of various military branches interact. A clear example of this is the complex organizational structure of the MCP and tank units.