Special Operations Forces. Russian Special Operations Forces
It is intuitively clear that special forces, based on the nature of their tasks, should accordingly be equipped with “special” weapons. However, to be more precise, this implies a careful selection of the best “tools”, taking into account special tasks or, of course, even one specific task.
Indeed, the weapons used by special operations forces (SOF) soldiers are "special" not so much in terms of their specific design and characteristics, but rather because the special forces themselves have the privilege of choosing them, despite standardization issues or any other industrial or logistical considerations, based solely on your own assessments and preferences.
Indeed, a very large part of the "mystique of the SOF" is the use of weapons other than those assigned to a conventional infantry unit, and it is not uncommon to see an SOF soldier within the same unit carrying a different weapon.
Pictured is the Elcan SpecterDR sight, used by German special forces and is an innovative product that combines a red dot sight for close combat and a 4x optical sight for longer range combat. Also note the non-standard attachment of accessories to the G36 assault rifle - a distinctive feature special forces worldwide
Another aspect of “exclusivity”, which consists in a careful search for absolutely optimal solutions in the field of equipping the MTR, is that personal and crew-served weapons, as a rule, are almost never used in the MTR in the configuration originally manufactured by the manufacturer; weapons should receive a whole series of design changes, improvements and additional devices.
Personal weapon
Automatic pistols (and in some cases also revolvers) present a very strange paradox in the equipment of the MTR. While and are quickly losing popularity as a standard military weapons, even including secondary tasks such as self-defense or weapons for non-combatant personnel, they are still an integral part of the SOF arsenal and have indeed effectively replaced the combat knife as the symbol of close combat. The use of MTR pistols is usually associated with the “liquidation” of specific people, but in reality it is much more important to provide a deliberate close-in defense.
Prudence certainly requires the elimination or reduction of gunshot noise. Important difference in this regard, they are silent weapons (that is, designed as such or capable of using silent ammunition) and so-called "silenced", usually through the installation of a silencer.
Typical examples of quiet pistols are the Chinese Type 64 and Type 67, both chambered for the 7.65 x 17 rimless cartridge and based on the expansion chamber concept. The Russians, for their part, have developed a whole family of silent/flashless cartridges that are used in a single-action (non-self-cocking) firing mechanism.
The first appropriate weapons for special forces were two small large-caliber models, MSP (cartridge SP2 7.62×35) and S4M (cartridge SP3 7.62×62.8), whose obvious limitations led in 1983 to the introduction of a semi-automatic (special self-loading pistol) with a 6-round magazine . The PSS still has no analogues in the West; several units of Russian special forces are currently armed with it (for example, capture groups of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Alpha group of the FSB).
The PSS pistol fires SP4 7.62×42 cartridges with a 13-gram steel bullet, created specifically to obtain good armor-piercing power, at least against the simplest types of body armor. The Tula KBP recently introduced the OT 38 chambered for the SP4 cartridge, which apparently was aimed at fulfilling the strong desire of special forces not to leave behind spent cartridges.
The Makarov PB represents a compromise between silent and suppressed weapons. It is based on the design of the standard Makarov automatic pistol and fires conventional 9x18 cartridges with a traditional removable suppressor, but also has a large expansion chamber around the perforated barrel. More recently, Russian special forces units appear to have adopted a silent variant of the new PYa automatic pistol (known as the MP-443 Grach), selected in 2003 as the new standard pistol for the Russian military.
Western industry and SOF soldiers have never been particularly interested in silent weapons, but, nevertheless, several models of pistols were designed and manufactured specifically for the requirements of special forces (including the well-known Heckler & Koch Mk23Mod0 for the American Special Operations Command); all are equipped with standard mufflers. The emphasis is rather on features such as maximum stopping energy, rugged construction and superior reliability, while a large magazine, usually a major requirement for military handguns, is less important here.
In 2005, US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) began the JCP (Joint Combat Pistol) program, a rather perplexing and ill-advised attempt to combine the US Army's Future Handgun System and USSOCOM's own projects called Combat SOFCP pistol (Special Operations Forces Combat Pistol) in a single purchase volume of 645,000 pistols.
Less than a year later, the program lost its "J" (Combat Pistol - CP) and was decisively scaled back to USSOCOM's own needs (approximately 50,000 pistols) before being shelved indefinitely until late 2006. Be that as it may, several potential competitors have prepared models that meet the mandatory key characteristics of the JCP/CP (.45 ACP cartridge and the use of two magazines of different capacities); these include, for example, the H&K HK45 and HK45C, Beretta PX4 SD, S&W MP45, FN Herstal FNP45 and Sig Sauer P220 Combat TV.
IWI GALIL ACE is the latest example of a 5.56 mm assault rifle, created specifically for the needs of MTR soldiers. The weapon in the picture is without a scope
The CompM4 series of red dot sights from Aimpoint meets the newest version US Army M68 Close-Combat Optic (CCO) melee optics
A special category includes automatic pistols with a chamber for powerful types of ammunition, originally developed for the PDW (Personal Defense Weapons) class, which, paradoxically enough, were intended to replace pistols. After the cancellation of the H&K P46 (4.6x30) project, the only Western weapon in this category is the FN Herstal FiveseveN (5.7x28). FiveseveN's large capacity magazine (20 rounds), significant range (100 m), excellent penetrating power and the availability of a full family of special cartridges open up completely new prospects regarding combat use hand weapons.
The Chinese were also moving in the same direction, and in 2006 the QSW-06 model was introduced to replace the Type 67. It fires Chinese 5.8x21 cartridges (two types: standard DAP92 with Vo = 895 m/s and supersonic DCV05), they are fed from a 20-round magazine, this pistol is equipped with a standard silencer.
Submachine guns (SMG)
Despite the general trends regarding the standard military small arms, SMG (sub-machine guns) submachine guns are still widespread in MTR units, despite the recent definite preference given to compact/short-barreled models of assault rifles and carbines in many combat scenarios.
The most common in Western MTRs, without a doubt, is the ubiquitous series, available in many variants. For highly specialized applications, extreme compactness is valued above all, which is why there is some interest in models such as the MP-5K, Micro UZI and B&T MP9 (originally Steyr TMP).
The vast majority of Western SMGs are chambered for the standard 9x19 cartridge, and numerous industry attempts to introduce new or MTR-optimized cartridges, such as the 10mm Auto or .40 S&W, or to “resurrect” the respected .45 ACP have achieved little commercial success. Even the H&K UMP, firing the new +P variant of the .45 ACP cartridge, remains unnoticed in the global MTR community.
Beginning in the late 1980s, the Russian handgun industry also re-opened the SMG market and offered an absolutely stunning variety of new designs and models that often show a degree of innovative ingenuity, all of which were noted to be "accepted", "approved" or , at least “tested” by special forces.
A partial list could include with helical magazine (suitable for 9x18 PM/PMM, 7.62x25 Tokarev and 9x19), (9x19 and 9x19 7N21 Russian), (9x18), PP-91 Kedr /Wedge (9×18 PMM), PP-93 (9×19 PMM), PP-90M1 with helical magazine (9×19, 9×19 7N21/7N31), (9×19), AEK-919K Kashtan (9 ×18), OTs-02 Cypress (9×18) and SR-3 Veresk (rather a unique design, acting by gas removal, fires powerful 9×21 cartridges). The helical magazine is a clever idea to combine high capacity (64 rounds on the Bison) with compactness and of course it was promptly copied by the Chinese (Chang Feng 05).
And again, when it comes to suppressed SMGs, this is definitely the best known representative of the first category weapon, the H&K MP-5SD, which in fact could be considered as an “icon” weapon for the MTR. Thanks to the presence of concentric expansion/decompression chambers with internal deflection flaps, the MOP-5SD can fire a standard 9x19 cartridge, which, however, is made slower (subsonic speed) in order to eliminate the most important part - the sound signature (a sign of visibility).
The weapon was also produced in several countries under more or less sanctioned licenses, and inspired designs such as the Daewoo K7 ( South Korea), FAMAE SAF-SD (Chile) and Pindad PM-2 (Indonesia). The IWI Micro TAVOR MTAR 21 (9x19 variant of the compact 5.56mm carbine) is an interesting attempt at an original modular solution, both modules have a built-in suppressor.
The main disadvantage of SMGs with a built-in suppressor for MTR use is that the already modest stopping power of their pistol cartridge is further reduced due to the need to reduce the bullet's speed to subsonic. The Russians have been at the forefront of work on this issue, and in the past, special forces have almost completely replaced their SMGs with the AK-47/AKM assault rifle, which has a removable suppressor and fires a special subsonic variant of the 7.62x39 cartridge with a 193 gram bullet.
Starting from the late 80s, a more radical approach would be adopted to the special development of special types of cartridges and weapons for firing them. Subsonic 9×39 SP5 and SP6 cartridges showed good performance in terms of practical range (up to 300 m) and penetration ability. These cartridges are based on the M43 7.62x39 case with a neck extended to 9mm and feature a heavy, streamlined bullet; The SP5 has a 260 gram bullet for accuracy, while the SP6 has a 247 gram armor-piercing bullet with a hardened steel core.
The first automatic weapons created for these new cartridges were the VSS Vintorez carbines from Central Research Institute Tochmash and AS Val, followed by 9A-91 and VKS-94 from KBP, SR-3 Whirlwind from Central Research Institute Tochmash, modular bullpup schemes SOO OTs-14 Groza from TsKIB and latest model(in 2007) AK-9 developed by Izhmash Kalashnikov. The basic (i.e. 9×39) variant of the Groza is reported to be in service with the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs special forces, while the special forces apparently chose the version chambered for the original US 7.62×39 cartridge.
The Western analogue is the .300 “Whisper” cartridge from SSK Industries, it is based on the .221 Fireball cartridge case expanded to accommodate a 7.62 mm bullet; There are either subsonic (220 g, 1040 ft/s) or supersonic (125 g, 2100 ft/s) options. Several companies (such as the French Stopson TFM) modified AR15 assault rifles to chamber new cartridges, but very few of these rifles were sold.
As for the PDW class (Personal Defense Weapons), for a short time it seemed that this weapon had completely lost its originally intended market (this, however, has nothing to do with its quality and characteristics), it could find a new an important market niche, essentially replacing SMG in the arsenals of MTR units. However, this does not happen.
Despite the clear advantages of PDW in terms of overall ballistic performance and especially penetration power, whose importance will be further enhanced by the current widespread use of enhanced body armor, including by non-combatant personnel, PDW is purchased in relatively small quantities with the aim of replacing SMGs for certain specific applications, but not for their final replacement.
An important exception is the Chinese army, which is apparently going to introduce the QWC-05 bullpup rifle chambered for the already mentioned 5.8x21 cartridge, it has a 50-round magazine, and will replace the suppressed Type 79 and Type 85 SMGs in service MTR. India also seems to be moving in the same direction with the MSMC (Modern Sub-Machine Carbine) weapon produced by DRDO and the unique 5.56x30 cartridge.
Optical-electronic sights for small arms
A broad category of optical-electronic sights (or perhaps more accurately sighting systems) consists of two main groups: laser/infrared and collimator devices. Regardless of the technology, their primary function is to assist the shooter in acquiring and destroying a target or range of targets without the use of standard sights, including in very low light conditions (especially laser/IR systems).
Laser/infrared pointers
Laser pointers produce a beam that is visible as a small red dot on the target, corresponding to the point of impact of the bullet. This mode of operation makes them suitable for use in special combat conditions, when the emphasis is on instinctive fire “from the hip,” for example, in close combat inside buildings.
There are two main classes of laser pointers currently available:
- daytime systems operating at frequencies of approximately 620 nm to create a red dot that is visible to the naked eye under normal daytime conditions;
- night systems that operate in the near-infrared spectrum and thus create a red dot that can only be seen with night vision goggles.
Beyond this basic difference, a number of intriguing variations and improvements are possible. LAM (Laser Aiming Module) from Insight Technologies Inc., adopted by the US Special Operations Command for the OHWS/H&K Mod pistol. 23.45 ACP. It has a dual laser pointer operating in the visible and infrared spectrum, plus a conventional illuminator + IR source.
Another interesting model is the increasingly popular AN/PEQ-2, which in addition to the IR pointer also works as an IR “spotlight”, which allows (through night vision goggles) identification of a target at long range, as well as providing adequate combat visibility in absolute darkness (for example, at night inside a building or in a tunnel).
Collimator sights
So-called collimator (red dot) systems work on a completely different principle, where the red dot is visualized inside the sight and superimposed on the image of the target, rather than physically projected onto the target itself as in a laser system. Accordingly, red dot sights do not have a signature and nothing can be detected on the target.
Leading suppliers of red dot sights to the military and police include the Swedish company Aimpoint, which originally invented the system, as well as the American companies Tasco and Weaver. The Aimpoint Comp M model was purchased in large quantities, starting with 100,000 sights ordered in 1997 by the US Department of Defense under the designation M-68, plus 10,000 units ordered by France in 2000, 60,000 sights delivered to Sweden in 2003–2005, later Italy ordered 24,000 units.
The M2 features enhancements such as 4 day settings and 6 low light settings, as well as new CET (Circuit Efficiency Technology) diodes to reduce power consumption. It quickly became a popular red dot sight for weapons such as the H&K MP5 series SMG, the H&K G36 and Colt M16A2 assault rifles, the Colt M4 carbine and the FN MINIMI/M249 machine gun.
The R3.5 tactical model includes additional features such as illuminated reticle and the highest magnification of 3.5x (previous models were non-magnified). The 8mm exit pupil combined with a wide field of view allows you to quickly acquire stationary and moving targets.
The CompM4 series of sights (in the US military the M68 CCO (Close-Combat Optic) is a close-combat optic) is said to be the most advanced series of sights it produces. Improvements include high energy efficiency, as shown by continuous operation for 8 years on a single AA battery! CompM4 scopes have a built-in mount, eliminating the need for a separate ring, and can be mounted to various systems weapons.
Specific and potentially dangerous characteristics collimator systems are that under certain lighting conditions their front lens can create reddish reflections. For this reason, some Comp M users equip their scopes with a honeycomb anti-reflective device.
Mirror systems, which could be considered as a variant of red dot technology, were first introduced several years ago by Bushnell. These devices replace conventional light dots with a holographic reticle that becomes visible when illuminated by built-in light sources and can be selected from several different configurations (traditional or open reticle, dual ring, 3-D rising marker, etc.) .
The main advantages of reflex sights over traditional models are the ability to increase brightness by up to 20 depending on operating conditions and the elimination of possible parallax errors caused by the need for the shooter to simultaneously focus his eye on a red dot and a target that are on two different focal planes.
Mirror systems, such as the Trijicon series, have very high accuracy and extremely high target acquisition speed, while miniaturization components make it possible to create extremely compact and lightweight devices for hand-held weapons. For example, this is the Docter Sight (46×25.5×24 mm, 25 g) which also has automatic brightness adjustment depending on the lighting conditions in the direction of the target.
A further step forward in the design of sights and their parameters was the SpecterDR model from Elcan (Raytheon), recently adopted by the MTR command. It is claimed to be the world's most advanced combat optical rifle sight. The SpecterDR is essentially two scopes in one, combining a wide field of view (24°) optical sight with 1x magnification and a long range optical sight (4x magnification, 6.5° field of view).
Switching between the two sighting modes is instantaneous and, unlike sights with magnification mechanisms, the reduction in eye strain and optical design are optimal. The battery-powered LED illumination has two ranges: one that illuminates the entire crosshair for long-range, low-light applications, and another that illuminates just the red dot in the center for close-quarters use. The zero function is included in the integral mount, the scope is mounted on Mil-Std-1913 Picatinny rails.
The Trijiton RX01-NSN mirror sight is designed for the US military and is designed for close combat. The reticle on all reflex sights is illuminated with both fiber optics and tritium, providing shooters with a bright, clearly defined aiming point in any lighting conditions. The RX01-NSN is part of the SOPMOD M4 weapon systems used by US Army Special Forces
Aimpoint CompM2 in the US Army received the designation M68 CCO
Assault rifles
In most cases, SOF units are simply equipped with short-barreled/folding or compact carbine variants of standard assault rifles with telescopic stocks, these are perceived as more suitable for special operations, despite their inherent losses in actual range, accuracy and penetrating power.
More recent examples of variants specifically designed for unconventional combat would be the Colt CAR-15 (later M4 COMMANDO/XM177) and the Russian AKSU-74. The latest development is the Israeli IWI GALIL ACE, based on the proven mechanisms of the GALIL rifle, but with a chamber for a 5.56 mm cartridge, it is equipped with a telescopic butt. The ACE is available with three barrels of varying lengths.
The principle of a collimator sight. The lens is used to create a virtual image (top) of a red object. By collimating the image using a reflective lens (middle) or a refractive lens (bottom), the image can be projected to infinity
At the beginning of 2004, the American command of special operations forces issued a requirement for SCAR (Special Forces Combat Assault Rifles) for a family of combat assault rifles for the MTR. The basis of the requirement is two different calibers, high interchangeability of parts and identical ergonomics. After the first tests in the preliminary selection, the SCAR system developed by FN Herstal remained the first and only choice of the command. The SCAR system consists of two highly adaptable modular rifle platforms, i.e. 5.56x45mm NATO SCAR-Light (or SCAR-L) and 7.62x51mm NATO SCAR-Heavy (or SCAR-H), and an improved grenade launcher (EGLM or FN40GL ). Both SCAR platforms are available with two different barrel lengths: a CQC barrel for close combat and a standard barrel for longer ranges.
The search for American SOF military personnel to increase combat flexibility led, firstly, to the development of the so-called SOPMOD kit (Special Operations Peculiar Modification - a special modification for special operations), it consists mainly of commercial off-the-shelf accessories for the M4 carbine. Although originally developed by the MTR command for themselves and issued to special forces personnel, the SOPMOD kit quickly became very popular among infantry units, partly due to its inherent advantages, but also partly due to a certain “MTR mystique.”
However, in 2003, the USSOCOM command - also taking advantage of the growing interest in the SOF due to the brilliant results of their use in the open phases of Operation Enduring Freedom - decided to move beyond the SOPMOD and launched a bold program for a new assault rifle, specially created for its individual requirements - the SCAR ( SOF Combat Assault Rifle is a combat assault rifle for MTR).
The SCAR was originally conceived as a multi-caliber modular system capable of using (of course, by replacing the barrel and other main parts) not only Western cartridges, but also Russian cartridges "liberated" after operations, but since then practical considerations have led to a narrowing of the choice : cartridges are either 5.56 mm or 7.62 mm NATO standard. FN Herstal, through its American subsidiary FNH, developed the new family of weapons in an incredibly short period of 10 months, and after a series of comparative tests won the corresponding contract.
The SCAR's exceptional flexibility will allow USSOCOM personnel to configure their weapon as a very compact 5.56mm carbine for urban combat on one side and as a 7.62mm carbine for long-range precision fire reconnaissance on the other. The “H” (Heavy) option will also be available to increase penetration power. In practice, USSOCOM has thus cut the Gordian knot of the perceived lack of lethality of the 5.56mm round by simply switching to the older 7.62mm cartridge when necessary.
SCAR is the only Western assault rifle created specifically for use by the MTR and adopted for service. In USSOCOM, it is intended to replace five weapons: the Mk18 CQBR, M4A1, Mk12 SPR, Mk11 SASS and Mk14 EBR.
One could also consider a special category as an intermediary between SMGs and assault rifles, although in technical terms it would be more accurate to say that this is a variant of the latter. It is represented by weapons that are available in 5.56 mm and 9 mm variants, or what is more interesting, the user can easily switch from one caliber to another. The main logic of this two-caliber weapon is to simplify logistics, and it will also allow training on one weapon, while simultaneously providing a flexible solution for SOF personnel.
Typical the latest example This class is IWI X95, based on . It is interesting to note that IWI initially developed and marketed only a 9mm weapon known as the Mini-TAVOR. This was a requirement of the Israeli MTR, which led to the Mini-TAVOR being abandoned and replaced by a two-caliber model.
MTR units were the initiators and first users of the currently popular large-caliber long-range rifles for destroying manpower and materiel. The photo shows a McMillan TAC-50 in service with the American SOF
The IWI X95 is a typical rifle from a special category of two-caliber weapons. Allows quick transition from 5.56x45 to 9x19 cartridge to suit operational needs
The suppressed Mk11 sniper rifle was originally developed for SOF use based on a commercial product; since then it has also been adopted by the American army
Unlike other military units, SOF soldiers maintain a great interest in pistols and actually use them. The picture shows the Heckler&Koch HK45 pistol in action
Sniper rifles
MTR units often use the same sniper rifles with a rolling shutter, which are adopted by the army, despite the fact that they could, on occasion, get better (and more expensive) optics. Another issue, however, is suppressed sniper rifles, which are usually of little interest to the army (but this is changing, as evidenced by the new M110 SASS for the US army), but are extremely important for SOF activities.
The Finnish Vaime SSR Mk1 (7.62mm NATO) is a very popular design, while other models have appeared, such as the Accuracy International AWC Covert with a collapsible stock (a rare solution for sniper rifles) and a detachable barrel/integrated suppressor for ease of transport, which is rumored to be in service with the 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force group) as part of USSOCOM, the British 22 SAS rifle, and a similar French PGM Ultima Ratio/Suppressed. You need to understand that real jamming requires subsonic cartridges (either due to the design or operation of the suppressor), which sharply reduces the maximum engagement range to 200–400 meters.
However, based on the nature of their tasks, SOF snipers are much more likely to use semi-automatic rifles; this has led in many cases to the adoption of advanced modification kits for existing rifles or models specifically created for the MTR.
A typical example is the Mk12Mod0/1 SPR (Special Purpose Rifle) with the NATO 5.56 mm cartridge, created by the Crane Division of the US Navy Surface Weapons Systems Research Center. It is based on the AR15/M16 body, but is complemented by off-the-shelf parts, most notably an 18-inch heavy-duty stainless steel float-mount rifled barrel designed by Douglas Barrel and an M4 Rail Adapter (RAS) from Knights Armament Company. SPR, used by the Navy SEALS special operations forces, optimized for the Mk262 cartridge with a 77 g bullet (Mod 0 = HPBT, Hollow Point Boat Tail), Mod 1 = OPM, Open Tip Match (increased accuracy)).
Before the development of the SPR, USSOCOM introduced the Mk11Mod0 sniper rifle chambered in 7.62mm NATO. It is a modified version of the KAC SR-25 design and has also recently been adopted by the US Army along with the M110 SASS rifle (with minimal additional modifications).
Let's move on to Russia. The SVD-S is a folding stock variant of the widely used Dragunov with the 7.62x54R cartridge. Originally developed for paratroopers, it was also adopted by special forces. A more MTR-specific design is the SVU-OT 03, introduced in 1991. This is a bullpup weapon (the trigger mechanism and bolt carrier are located behind the fire control handle (inside the butt)) based on the SVD, but with a shorter barrel, while the SVU-A variant has a fully automatic mode. Reportedly, the special forces are intrigued by the compactness of the weapon (total length 900 mm, weight 4 kg without accessories).
In general, SOF units were the inventors and early users of large-caliber weapons for the destruction of people and material at long distances, which has since become extremely popular in armies around the world. Also, the requirement formulated by the Marine Special Forces in 1983 for an intermediate cartridge between 7.62 mm NATO and 12.7x99 (.50 BMG), which would allow shooting more accurately at distances up to approximately 1200–1550 m, led to the subsequent introduction and widespread excellent cartridge .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6×70).
The Barrett M82A1/A3 is definitely a 12.7mm materiel-killing rifle that is very common around the world, while European models might include the Accuracy International AW-50 (AS-50 is a semi-automatic variant) and the PGM HECATE II. The Russian design, specially developed for the FSB, is very interesting. This is a semi-automatic bullpup rifle. It is equipped with a silencer built into the barrel, and a unique subsonic cartridge STS-130T 12.7 mm (case length unknown) with a monolithic bronze bullet weighing 900–1200 grams was created for it.
Machine guns
While there are no light (LMG, that is, 5.56 mm NATO) or universal (GPMG, 7.62 mm NATO) machine guns specifically for the MTR, MTR fighters again have an irresistible desire to modify and adapt any weapon that they could take into their own hands.
For example, in 2000, USSOCOM, after a long process of testing and testing, accepted the Mk46Mod0 LMG as a deeply modernized variant of the US Army's M249 LAW (FN Herstal MINIMI). Modifications included, for example, belt feed only (alternative feed from the magazine was removed), the carrying handle was removed, the barrel was shortened by 40 mm, a titanium bipod was added, a new stock and a Picatinny rail on top of the cover. The overall length is reduced to 915 mm and weight to 5.9 kg.
Almost the same applies to GPMG. USSOCOM initially adopted a compact variant of the M60 (M60A3/A4) with a shorter barrel, lightweight bipod and foregrip. After some reliability problems due to the very heavy use of this weapon in the hands of special forces, a program for a new LWMG (Light Weight Machine Gun) was started. Despite the designation, it retains the 7.62mm NATO caliber. The competition was again won by FN Herstal with another MINIMI variant, classified by USSOCOM as Mk48Mod0. It retained the general configuration of the Mk46, but was longer - 1010 mm with a 502 mm barrel and 8.28 kg heavier without ammunition.
Other Western LMG designs developed for possible MTR use are the NEGEV COMMANDO, H&K MG4E and Denel Mini SS and SS77 Compact.
Interestingly enough, Russian gunsmiths followed exactly the opposite path of development. Unlike the West, there was initially no requirement for lighter and more compact LMG/MG, simply because weapons such as the RPD, RPK-74 and PKMS were completely satisfactory in this sense.
Combat experience in Afghanistan and later in the Caucasus, however, led to the fact that the special forces formulated a requirement for a special automatic weapon of the SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon). To meet this requirement, TsNI Tochmash developed the Pecheneg as a variant of the PKM with a heavier barrel chambered for the formidable 7.62x54R cartridge. Although the weight is somewhat reduced by removing the standard PKM quick-release barrel (the steel casing around the barrel helps dissipate heat, allowing up to 600 bullets to be fired continuously without breaking), the 8.7 kg Pecheneg does not have any weight savings due to other modifications.
Special forces seem to be much more interested in long-range accuracy and end-of-trajectory performance (a very important characteristic in mountainous terrain!), which requires a combination of a powerful cartridge and a heavy, permanent barrel. As a squad weapon, the SAW should not be confused with an LMG or MG.
The picture shows a suppressed MP-5SD with a 9x19 SMG cartridge in the hands of a Finnish combat swimmer
The 5.56 mm M4 carbine with the SOPMOD modification kit is currently the main individual weapon of the American SOF
Chinese naval special forces soldier armed with a Type 95 5.8×42 assault rifle with a 40mm AG91 automatic grenade launcher
There is a market for PDWs such as the FN Herstal P90, but it is not as large as initially expected
Special forces are currently evaluating further development of the PKM design, the AEK-999 Badger. It has additional enhancements such as a foregrip, a sophisticated muzzle brake/flash hider, a slightly shorter barrel (605mm) and a special suppressor.
A particularly interesting model special weapons for the MTR is the new 40-mm automatic grenade launcher Mk47 STRYKER. It was specifically designed for USSOCOM command and did not have any special requirements from the SOF. Rather, it was intended to be a direct replacement for the ubiquitous standard Mk19. However, the very high cost of the weapon, as well as its special ammunition with a proximity fuse, led the Pentagon to limit its production and distribution to USSOCOM units. The only possible logical justification for his joining the SOF is that more intensive training of special forces and the expected better fighting qualities would justify the excessive costs.
On February 27, Russia celebrates Special Operations Forces (SSO) Day. On this day five years ago, Russian military personnel began an operation to blockade parts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and ensure control over strategically important objects in Crimea. This work was carried out by superbly equipped submachine gunners without insignia, in whom the population immediately recognized Russian soldiers and greeted them as liberators.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and the Ministry of Defense remained silent, hiding the obvious fact of the deployment of troops. Later, the Russian authorities admitted that part of the “Crimean contingent” was represented by military personnel of the Special Operations Forces. Their mission is still classified, but most likely they performed the most important and complex tasks. Some special forces soldiers were awarded the titles of Heroes of Russia by decree of the President of the Russian Federation.
However, most foreign analysts are inclined to believe that the MTR was created in 2009-2013. In particular, 10 years ago, on the basis of the Senezh Special Purpose Center ( military unit No. 92154, Moscow region) the Directorate of Special Operations Forces was formed.
The list of founding fathers of the MTR is unknown. However, it is believed that the most important role in the construction of the Special Operations Forces was played by the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, who, during Anatoly Serdyukov’s tenure as Minister of Defense, worked as Deputy Chief of the General Staff (since December 2010). Nevertheless, it is obvious that the inspirer of the reform was not Gerasimov (at least not he alone).
It is quite possible that the laurels of the creator of the MTR were assigned to the current Chief of the General Staff because of his article “The Value of Science in Foresight,” which was published in the Military-Industrial Courier magazine at the end of February 2013, when the organizational formation of the Forces was supposedly completed special operations.
“Asymmetric actions have become widespread, making it possible to neutralize the enemy’s superiority in armed struggle. These include the use of Special Operations Forces and internal opposition to create a permanent front... The changes that are taking place are reflected in the doctrinal views of the leading countries of the world and are tested in military conflicts,” says the material authored by Gerasimov.
In this material, Gerasimov does not hide the fact that the Ministry of Defense carefully studied the experience of the US Special Forces and other Western states, especially in the Middle East theater of operations
The knowledge gained helped the Russian Federation create its own Special Operations Forces, taking into account domestic specifics.
In the United States, MTRs appeared in the second half of the 1980s. Now they exist in almost all large states, and recently they exist even in Ukraine. Russia was somewhat late in this process, although the idea of creating Special Operations Forces appeared during the war in Afghanistan. Then this issue came up on the agenda during two Chechen campaigns.
However, before the arrival of Serdyukov, no changes occurred. One of the most likely reasons is the resistance offered by the GRU generals.
Command military intelligence did not want to lose experienced personnel and was afraid of losing their previous influence in the Armed Forces system.
The consulting unit of the US Army Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG) in the report “Manual for the Next Generation Russian Army” states that the “point of no return” was the South Ossetian conflict, to which Russian army I was not prepared in the best way.
The leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense finally realized the need to use small mobile formations in local conflicts, which are optimally suited for carrying out tasks in hot spots. According to AWG, the backbone of the MTR consists of “battalion tactical groups” - highly maneuverable units tailored for missions tens and hundreds of kilometers from the point of deployment.
Expeditionary force
The special operations forces are a single command structure that unites army special forces units of all types and branches of the Russian Armed Forces. The MTR is directly subordinate to the head of the General Staff. In his study, a senior researcher at the Institute of the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, Thor Bookvoll, estimated the number of Special Operations Forces at 14 thousand people, with 12 thousand being former GRU employees.
In general, MTR fighters perform tasks that are in many ways similar to the functionality of military intelligence officers. We are talking about adjusting fire, obtaining intelligence information behind enemy lines, eliminating gang leaders, sabotage and anti-sabotage activities.
The advantages of the Special Operations Forces include a wider resource base (than that of the GRU), high efficiency and mobility.
In addition, the creation of the MTR made it possible to eliminate barriers to the use of special forces. For example, if it is necessary to involve a special forces unit of the Navy in any conflict (for example, in Syria), then it was imperative to obtain consent from the fleet command. Now all army special forces are subordinate to the Chief of the General Staff, who disposes of the fighters in agreement with the Minister of Defense and the President.
Such centralization is an adequate response to lightning-fast changes military-political situation, which are periodically observed near the borders of the Russian Federation. There is no point in modern Russia transferring to the source of threats airborne brigade with heavy equipment. It is much more effective to have the ability to send a special unit that is more modest in number and composition.
The most important specificity of the MTR, in addition to the highest level of combat training, is the ability to interact with the local population and allied formations. For example, in Syria, Russian special forces performed tasks shoulder to shoulder with Syrian army, the people's militia, the Shiite Hezbollah and various pro-Iranian groups. This component was lacking for Soviet troops in Afghanistan and federal units in Chechnya.
The main enemy of the MTR is terrorist groups in foreign countries.
Sarah Feinberg, a teacher at the Institute of National Security in Tel Aviv, in her article “Russian Expeditionary Forces in the Syrian Operation” reports that domestic special forces received an excellent opportunity in the Syrian Arab Republic to test knowledge and accumulate unique experience.
Feinberg estimates there were 230 to 250 special forces troops in Syria at the height of the fighting. Moreover, MTR fighters appeared in the Arab Republic before the official announcement of the start of the air operation (September 30, 2015). The military personnel carried out reconnaissance missions and identified targets for the Aerospace Forces.
According to the Ministry of Defense, two special forces gunners were killed in the SAR - captain Fyodor Zhuravlev (November 9, 2015) and senior lieutenant Alexander Prokhorenko (March 17, 2016). Both servicemen received state awards posthumously. Prokhorenko was awarded the title of Hero of Russia - being surrounded by militants, the MTR fighter drew fire on himself. His feat caused a wave of admiration throughout the world.
IN last days We are all watching the events taking place in Crimea. And we are all attracted to “little green men” without identification marks, who seem to be peacefully present everywhere and do not seem to do anything in particular. Well, maybe they take pictures with girls, children and grandmothers. Who are they?
Here are quotes from a year ago from various media:
Special operations forces have been created in the Russian armed forces, units are undergoing training. This was announced on March 23 by the Chief of the General Staff, Army General Valery Gerasimov.
“Having studied the practice of forming, training and using special operations forces of the leading countries of the world, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense also began to create them”
“We have created Special Operations Forces and are preparing them for use not only within the country, but also abroad. The progress of their combat training is continuously monitored by the Center’s duty shift,” Gerasimov told reporters, RIA Novosti reports. On March 23, the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping visited the Operational Control Center of the Russian Armed Forces. The Chinese leader became the first leader foreign country who visited this Center. The visit took place during his meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
On March 6, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov announced that the Russian Ministry of Defense had begun creating Special Operations Forces and the corresponding structure and command had already been formed. Created special operations forces (MTR) are specially trained and equipped formations Ground Forces, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, designed to solve specific problems in the interests of achieving military, political, economic and psychological goals.
Do you get it? It is clear from these guys that they are not young conscripts at all, but fighters of a high level of training, whose mere presence inspires calm in those around them.
Let us recall that the project for creating the MTR was submitted to the military department for consideration back in October 2012, but Anatoly Serdyukov, who at that time served as Minister of Defense, considered the creation of the MTR inappropriate. However, over time the situation changed. And the news itself about the creation of the MTR Command became one of the most important military-political news in Russia. Many experts immediately called it strategic.
In the United States, such a command has existed for more than a quarter of a century. The Americans have long understood the obvious - the activities of special forces units and reconnaissance have now moved from the category of a secondary direction to a completely autonomous method of conducting combat operations. The thing is that war in its classic version presupposed the existence of forces special purpose as a preventative method initial stage wars, often even when hostilities are far from beginning. The enemy rear had to be saturated with special forces forces, which were transferred to enemy territory by air or water, or by other available methods and means. Then these special units began a large-scale sabotage war, disabling strategic objects, in particular, control centers and nodes nuclear forces, strategic forces, headquarters. At the same time, it was very important that the special forces had time to perform the functions assigned to them several days before the start of active hostilities, because the enemy, instead of attacking, would be forced to restore order in his own rear, putting in order important objects and communications. This is the principle used to create special operations forces in most countries of the world.
Special operations forces also existed in the Soviet Union. Then they included eleven special forces brigades. As a rule, they were land-based and designed for deep enemy rear areas. In addition, there were naval special forces that operated in coastal areas, and also committed sabotage at military installations and naval bases.
It soon became clear that the capabilities of special forces are much greater than is commonly believed. Unfortunately, the first to come to such conclusions were the Americans, who fought a huge number of local armed conflicts.
Watch the video:
Military service has always enjoyed great honor and respect in almost every existing state. After all, the troops are the force that can protect the country from external aggression. It should be noted that the history of the development of military art stretches back to ancient times. Many modern principles of army building were laid down in Ancient Greece and Rome. With the passage of time and gradual technical evolution, new devices and technologies were included in the activities of the military. This has led to the fact that in the 21st century, the art of killing in most cases is carried out remotely, through computers, missiles, drones, etc. However, there are tasks that are simply impossible to cope with remotely or with the help of machines. That is, it is necessary to involve people with a special level of training. This type of military exists in every state. As a rule, they are combined into units B Russian Federation There is a similar formation within the Armed Forces. It performs special functions and also has its own structure, staff and features, which will be discussed later in the article.
The concept of special units
The special operations forces of the Russian Federation are special units in the structure of the Armed Forces, as was already indicated earlier. But few people understand what the category of “special units” is in general. As a rule, formations of this kind are created as part of the army, since it is precisely in combat conditions that situations very often arise that require a special approach. But there are also special units in internal services, for example the police, etc. Taking this into account, we can conclude that special units are formations in the system of bodies involved in the comprehensive defense of the state, which are responsible for carrying out the most dangerous and complex tasks. essence of missions.
Russian "analogue"
Special Operations Forces are a unit directly included in It was developed in 2009 as a result of the global reform of the entire defense sector of the state. The unit is assigned special tasks, which will be discussed in more detail later in the article. It should be noted that the Russian special operations forces report directly to the chief of the Russian Armed Forces. Today, the exact number of the special unit is unknown, since it is protected by a special regime. As for the issue of MTR equipment, the command approached it quite professionally. The unit uses all available technical innovations in the field of military affairs. It should be noted that the staff of special operations forces carries out its activities on the basis of a special service.
Main tasks of the unit
Russian special operations forces are highly mobile units. Their employees have a special military training, which builds experience in performing important and dangerous tasks. In accordance with this, we can say that the main directions of the work of the MTR are quite specific. They are usually implemented peacefully, war time both abroad and on the territory of the Russian Federation. It should be noted that the Russian special operations forces are a young unit. Many aspects and immediate goals of his work are still not fully known. However, we can say with confidence that special operations forces are engaged in the implementation of the task of the same name, which, in turn, has its own characteristics.
The concept of a special operation
The presented term characterizes the military process. It differs from ordinary operations in the specifics of its implementation, goals, and methods of activity of its subjects. First of all, it should be noted that a special operation is carried out by military units to protect the interests of the state in a particular territory. Moreover, such actions are considered special because it is simply impossible to implement them using conventional methods and means. That is, the subject composition of special operations is almost always highly qualified fighters of well-trained and highly mobile units. The methodological basis of their activities in most cases is the secrecy and secrecy of any actions. For this purpose, military personnel of special units undergo special psychological, combat, fire and other types of training. They are trained to operate both as part of a mobile group and individually behind enemy lines. The most common purposes of special operations are the following:
Sabotage;
Sabotage;
Activities of a subversive nature, etc.
History of the creation of the MTR
It has already been pointed out that special operations forces are a relatively young unit. IN modern form it didn't exist before. Its creation is preceded by a fairly long history. The governing body of the MTR was created in 2009, when the general reform of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation began. Gradually, the structure of the new division developed and expanded. By 2012, a special operations forces command had been created. It consisted of about nine special brigades. However, the actual creation of special operations forces began in 2013. At this time, the command of this formation began to implement planned work aimed at bringing the structure of these units into proper form. According to the statement of Valery Gerasimenko, Army General, by March 23, 2013, the MTR personnel had already been actually formed. At this time, it was being prepared for direct use both on the territory of the Russian Federation and abroad. Around the end of April 2013, the Russian Armed Forces conducted exercises that were aimed at practicing practical actions in conditions as close as possible to real ones.
Division structure
The special operations forces of the Russian Federation have their own internal structure, due to the need to quickly respond to situations the solution of which is within the scope of the unit’s activities. At the same time, the composition of the MTR, in turn, has an internal hierarchy that allows it to distribute functional responsibilities between individual structural elements. Thus, the special operations forces of the Russian Federation consist of the following elements:
- Direct command located in the Moscow region.
- Special center "Snezh", which is also located in the Moscow region. It should be noted that this center today is one of the main parts of the unit presented in the article. Its task is not only to train fighters, but also to conduct special operations. Therefore, Snezh has a structure consisting of departments in different areas of activity, which will be discussed below.
- Special training center for specialists. Direct training of personnel takes place in this department. Here, in fact, they are born Russian forces special operations. In addition, soldiers from other special units of the Russian Federation undergo training and retraining at the center.
- A combat center similar to “Snezh” is “Cuba” or “Zzaborye”, as it is commonly called.
Of course, it is possible that there are other special centers, but information about them may be strictly classified. This level of mystery around the MTR is not accidental. After all, the fighters of this unit carry out operations that are far from straightforward. It should be noted that the SEAL unit, the SEALs, popular throughout the world, also did not officially exist in the first stages of its development. Only over time was the fact of its creation and real activities revealed.
Structure of the special center “Snezh”
In order to at least roughly understand how the special operations forces of the Russian Armed Forces work, it is necessary to take a more detailed look at the composition of the Snezh special purpose center, which was mentioned earlier in the article. It should be noted that in accordance with the tasks assigned to the MTR, the structure of the center includes a number of special departments. Each of them is responsible for maintaining combat training and performing specific functions. One of these departments is the airborne department. The fighters serving in it, in accordance with the name, constantly replenish the arsenal of ways to penetrate behind enemy lines directly through the air. That is, there is a strong emphasis on skydiving, as well as paragliding. The fighters of this department are comparable to employees; however, their activities and methods of landing are kept secret.
There is also a special mountain division. Its fighters specialize in operating and surviving in appropriate conditions. As we know, conducting special operations in the mountains has an increased level of risk, which necessitates the need for special training of fighters. The same requirements are put forward to employees who work in the department for the destruction and capture of enemy infrastructure, that is, buildings, headquarters, bunkers, etc.
The department is inherently multipurpose special actions Naval forces. Most often it is called sea. This formation is a competitor to the Navy SEALs of the United States of America. Because its activity is based on performing tasks in the waters of lakes, rivers and seas. As a rule, fighters carry out their work from watercraft. In addition, the functional tasks of the department include carrying out intelligence operations, sabotage actions on enemy water bodies and those located directly on the shore.
No less important and functional is the department specializing in the protection of high-ranking government officials. In this case, its functions at some points overlap with the activities of the Federal Security Service.
Additional structural departments of the Snezh special center are the withdrawal and support divisions. In the first case, we are talking about formations that are engaged in the withdrawal of individual special forces groups from behind enemy lines or the site of an operation. Today, withdrawal can be carried out both by air, land and water. The remaining departments of the center deal with material support and communications. It should be noted that on the territory of Snezh there are special complexes that are used to provide fighters and maintain their combat shape.
Russian special operations forces: how to get there?
Some young people would like to get into this unit. To date, the recruitment process for service in the special operations forces of the Russian Federation is not known exactly. The unit, according to unclassified data, is staffed by contract military personnel. That is, all employees, without exception, are professional fighters, and not people who are undergoing military service. In addition, many specialists of the unit end up in it after graduating from special military service. educational institutions, in which certain faculties are provided. These today are the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School, as well as However, it is possible that personnel in the MTR are also replenished through the recruitment of people who are already serving in units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Conflicts involving the unit
To date, special operations forces have officially been deployed on the territory of the state of Syria. In this country, the unit was engaged in ground reconnaissance of the area to support airstrikes. At the same time, the activities of the unit are confirmed by a fact that was also covered in the media. According to the official version, near Palmyra in March 2016, MTR soldiers liberated the city. Due to superior enemy forces, one of the special forces personnel was killed. In addition to military operations in Syria, there is a lot of unofficial information about the activities of the Special Forces in other military conflicts, for example in the North Caucasus during the fight against Islamists. The most controversial is the fact of the participation of fighters of the mentioned unit in the Crimean crisis.
Special unit emblem
The Russian special operations forces, whose emblem is presented in the article, have special symbols. It is, first of all, represented by a common sign that exists among all military formations in Russia. The emblem of the MTR of the Russian Federation is a gray wreath, at the top of which is a reduced emblem of the Russian Armed Forces, namely: double headed eagle golden color. In the center of the Special Operations Forces badge is a bow, the string of which is pulled by an arrow with wings. This symbol is also gold in color.
So, this article presented photos of the special operations forces of the Russian Federation. We also found out the main tasks and composition of this unit. Let's hope that more information about the activities of the MTR will soon appear, which will make it possible to judge the quality of the work of this unit.
The Special Operations Forces Command remains one of the most closed structures in the Russian Armed Forces. It is known that in the last six months alone, two MTR soldiers have died in Syria: Fyodor Zhuravlev and Alexander Prokhorenko, who became a posthumous Hero of Russia.
Special Operations Forces soldiers performed critical missions. Directed and adjusted airstrikes, including cruise missiles, according to the positions of the Islamic State banned in Russia, rescued the flight recorders of a Russian Su-24M front-line bomber shot down by the Turkish Air Force. This is a small part of the list.
The history of special operations forces began in 1999, when a specialist training center was created in Solnechnogorsk near Moscow, and in fact a special-purpose military unit reporting directly to the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate. Later the center was named “Senezh”, and the fighters began to be called “sunflowers”. One of the founding fathers was the then Chief of the General Staff, Army General Anatoly Kvashnin.
Sometimes this center is called a training center, but according to several interlocutors of the Military-Industrial Courier, Senezh never had such a “prefix”, and the wording “training of specialists” served rather as a cover, and also emphasized special status parts.
Initially, four areas of special operations were formed. The airborne soldiers practiced difficult jumps - both long jumps and those with the parachute opening immediately after separation from the aircraft. Mastery of such methods allows special forces to fly tens of kilometers unnoticed by the enemy. Specialists jumped both day and night using night vision devices, in bad weather, strong wind and fog.
Mountain servicemen became combat climbers, learned to storm high mountain peaks, capture and hold passes and glaciers. The training of specialists took place, in particular, on the basis of the Elbrus region training center"Terskol". The fighters made difficult climbs, even reaching the top of Elbrus.
Special forces of the assault direction learned not only to take houses and other buildings. The objectives were much broader - capturing enemy targets in various conditions, on any terrain.
Marine fighters mastered all kinds of water areas, practiced operations in diving equipment using special towing vehicles and light boats. We learned to capture ships and coastal structures.
Already based on the experience of military operations in Chechnya, a fifth direction appeared in the center - the protection of high-ranking military personnel. The Minister of Defense is protected by FSO officers. But in conditions of hostilities, such officials as the Chief of the General Staff, the commander of the district troops, were previously accompanied, at best, by intelligence officers or special forces. The training of such “guards,” to put it mildly, left much to be desired. Therefore, the issue of creating a specialized unit involved in the protection of high-ranking representatives of the Ministry of Defense was acute before the emergence of the fifth direction.
At the same time, according to the interlocutors of the Military-Industrial Courier, in the center there has never been a strict tie between fighters and a specific direction. All the “sunflowers” learned to jump with a parachute, walk in the mountains, scuba dive, and storm houses. But depending on the tasks, individual elements of training for fighters were more in-depth.
Moreover, the command tried to ensure that specialists worked in several directions during their service. There was an exchange of experience, knowledge, skills and abilities between departments. For example, a fighter who came from the airborne force to the naval branch not only learned the peculiarities of working on the water, but also shared with his comrades the skills of skydiving.
From the moment of its formation, the directions were staffed exclusively by officers and warrant officers. Conscripts served only in business units or as drivers.
Future “sunflowers” were selected not only from airborne forces and special forces units, but also from tank crews, artillerymen, infantrymen, and even air defense and chemical warfare officers. Several times a year, “buyers” from the GRU visited military units, studied the personal files of military personnel and selected suitable candidates.
But this was just the beginning. Officers and warrant officers arrived in Solnechnogorsk, where so-called training sessions were held with them, but in fact entrance tests, where the physical training of future MTR fighters, personal qualities, and most importantly, the ability to work in a team were tested.
Sources of the Military-Industrial Courier emphasize: the main principle of the center is not to prepare an individual fighter with excellent skills and abilities, but to create a team that acts as a single organism. This principle, strictly observed throughout all the years of Senezh’s existence, has always led the “Sunflowers” to victories.
Your way and cars for it
In the special operations forces of NATO countries, they consider it necessary to create separate units trained to penetrate behind enemy lines, carry out raids and ambushes using specialized vehicles, such as the Land Rover Pink Panther in the 22nd SAS Regiment, Pinzgauers in the American Delta "
The experience of Russian special operations forces has shown that armored vehicles such as the domestic Tiger are in most cases not suitable for performing the tasks facing special operations forces. Therefore, the choice fell on all-terrain buggies; Senezh highly appreciated the Israeli Zibar SUVs.
From the very beginning, the management of the Russian center paid close attention not just to training snipers, but to training specialists capable of conducting high-precision shooting and at the same time solving a wide range of tasks. Initially, Finnish high-precision complexes TRG-42 from Sako were purchased for these needs, and later British AWPs developed by the legendary shooter Malcolm Cooper appeared. Large-caliber sniper rifles from various companies, in particular the South African Truvel, were studied separately.
In Chechnya and beyond the cordon
Immediately after the creation of the Specialists Training Center, its fighters found themselves on the front line. In 1999, Wahhabi militants invaded Dagestan but were defeated, and a few months later Russian troops launched a counter-terrorist operation in Chechnya.
It is noteworthy that the name “sunflowers” was assigned to the fighters of the center after their first trip to the Caucasus. On that trip, the servicemen wore Panama hats, which were not then available in other special forces units. According to one version, the hats were from the SPN-2 summer field kit that had just appeared. According to another, the Panama hats that the fighters saw in one of the American militants were bought in a store selling Western uniforms and equipment. Be that as it may, for its unusual appearance, and also since the center is located near the Podsolnechnaya commuter train station, its fighters received the nickname “sunflowers”. Later, the design of a sun flower against the background of a crossed sword and arrow ended up on the center chevron.
Despite the fact that his activities in Chechnya are still classified as “Top Secret,” according to available information, “sunflowers” liquidated and captured high-ranking militants, found and destroyed bases and caches of bandits, and solved other important tasks. As VPK’s interlocutors recall, the center’s fighters were required not to have a 100 percent guarantee that the task would be completed, but all 300 percent. They simply had no right to make a mistake.
One event in the center they don’t like to remember. In the fall of 1999, senior lieutenants Alexei Galkin and Vladimir Pakhomov were captured by Chechen militants. How experienced fighters found themselves in such a difficult situation still remains unclear. But later both officers, despite severe injuries, escaped from captivity and returned to their own people. Alexey Galkin became a Hero of Russia.
According to some reports, fighters from the Specialists Training Center not only fought in Chechnya, but also solved problems abroad. In particular, they participated in operations against pirates in the Horn of Africa.
The experience of military operations in Chechnya and foreign operations have shown that subordination of the center to the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate is not the most optimal solution. The head of military intelligence, for example, cannot give an order to the commander-in-chief of the Air Force so that the “sunflowers” are allocated an airplane or helicopters; a rather lengthy procedure is required for preparing the request and then approving it. Meanwhile, in some cases, the time for an operation is measured in hours and minutes.
Two centers in a new look
The activities of Anatoly Serdyukov as Minister of Defense of Russia are still subject to serious criticism, but it was under him that the command of special operations forces was created. Just during the transition to a new look, “sunflowers”, having received official name Special Operations Center of the Ministry of Defense "Senezh" began to report directly to the Chief of the General Staff.
Serdyukov visited the base in Solnechnogorsk near Moscow more than once. Money was allocated for the purchase of weapons and equipment, and several research projects were opened. A helicopter squadron from the Army Aviation Combat Use Center in Torzhok came under the operational control of Senezh. And in Tver, military transport Il-76s were on duty around the clock, ready, if necessary, to deliver MTR soldiers to designated points at any time.
It is believed that during the transition to a new look, Senezh, like the special forces brigade, was subject to reductions, and many of its servicemen were either fired or removed from the staff. But that's not true. According to the Military-Industrial Courier, the command of the center, taking advantage of the opportunity provided, conducted certification of its fighters, selecting the best.
In the late 2000s, a second Special Purpose Center appeared in the Russian Ministry of Defense, subordinate to the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, with a deployment in Kubinka near Moscow. The new TsSN, nicknamed “Zzaborye,” owes its appearance to Lieutenant General Alexander Miroshnichenko, who came to the post of Deputy Minister of Defense under Anatoly Serdyukov, who previously headed Directorate “A” of the FSB Special Purpose Center, in other words, the “Alpha” detachment.
A tense relationship, to put it mildly, immediately developed between Miroshnichenko and the management of Senezh. The former commander of Alpha believed that it was necessary to create a command of special operations forces of the Ministry of Defense, relying only on the experience of his former department. The command of the “Sunflowers” reasonably stated that they had their own, no less serious achievements and training school, and the tasks of “Alpha” and the special operations forces of the military department were different.
In the current situation, Serdyukov made a compromise decision - to create a second Special Purpose Center, the formation of which he entrusted to Alexander Miroshnichenko, who attracted former subordinates from the FSB TsSN to this work.
When creating Zazaborye, Alpha employees were primarily guided by their own experience. Individual training of fighters was put at the forefront, and much attention was paid to physical training - at the level of high-achievement sports. But teamwork, the key principle of Senezh, was not a priority for the creators of the new center.
The VPK interlocutor explains: “At Alpha everything is different. They were taken in a car to the operation site, they ran 50 meters and became heroes. Nobody wants to sniff foot wraps and crawl through the mountains for weeks looking for militants.”
In 2013, this TsSN of the Ministry of Defense was subordinated to the command of special operations forces. The post of commander of the KSSO was taken by Major General Alexey Dyumin, who, according to knowledgeable people, in many ways became a compromise figure against the backdrop of the confrontation between the leadership of Senezh and Alexander Miroshnichenko, who actively continued to implement the experience of the FSB TsSN.
It is noteworthy that Zazaborye maintained close relations with Alfa. Its former employees, as noted by many whom the Military-Industrial Courier met, instilled in the fighters of the newly created center the desire to be the best in everything at any cost.
Let us note the main thing - the fighters of both centers continued the traditions laid down by the founding fathers, performing the most difficult tasks: they defended the Olympics in Sochi, carried out a brilliant operation in Crimea, and are now working in Syria.
Alexey Mikhailov