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Amphibious Forces Of Russia

Дата публикации: 20 сентября 2007
Публикатор: Научная библиотека Порталус
Рубрика: RUSSIA (TOPICS) ARMED FORCES →
Источник: (c) http://russia.by
Номер публикации: №1190293464


Some 37 nations of the world maintain military forces that possess the capability to conduct one or more types of amphibious operations. Most of those forces are comparatively small in number and limited in capability. The U.S. Marine Corps represents the largest amphibious force in the world by a large margin. Forces of other countries are modest and, in general, do not have the ambitious tasks that are assigned to the U.S. force.


Types of Amphibious Operations

Amphibious operations range in complexity from small-unit raids to expeditionary-force amphibious assaults. The most common amphibious operations are: (1) strategic deception--to force an opponent to disperse his defenses along all vulnerable littorals; (2) raids--to destroy selected installations, units, or individuals that may have significant bearing on the course of the campaign; (3) forcible entry--to establish beachheads or airheads from which to introduce large-scale military forces; (4) extractions--to evacuate expeditionary forces or noncombatant civilians from a threatened area; (5) strategic reserve--to exploit opportunities and counter threats that develop during the course of a campaign; (6) reinforcement--to assist in conducting a land campaign as a part of a joint or combined command; (7) naval campaign--to control the landward flank of a naval command.


U.S. Amphibious Forces

Since World War II, the U.S. Marine Corps has set the standard by which all other national amphibious forces are measured. It is by far the world's largest naval infantry force, numbering about 195,000 personnel.

The U.S. Marine Corps is a separate military service within the Department of the Navy. It maintains two major operational commands organized, trained, and equipped primarily for the amphibious assault role, the Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) Atlantic and FMF Pacific. These FMFs are integrated components of the U.S. Atlantic and Pacific fleets, respectively. The corps is not only the largest naval infantry force in the world, but also the only combined-arms naval infantry force, possessing organic armor, artillery, and air forces.

The corps maintains three divisions and three aircraft wings in the active force structure, one division and one aircraft wing in the reserves, and an integrated force service support structure to maintain these major units. In addition, the corps supports the president of the United States with security and helicopter transportation and the U.S. Department of State through the maintenance of security guard detachments at U.S. embassies around the world.

The operational organization of the Marine Corps is the Marine Air/Ground Task Force (MAGTF). This structure draws forces from the FMFs to build combined-arms forces called Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), Marine Expeditionary Brigades (MEBs), and Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEFs). Two MEUs are continuously embarked in U.S. Navy amphibious ships and deployed with the Pacific and Atlantic fleets. The MEUs are built around a battalion landing team; the larger MEB is built around a marine regiment, and the MEF around one to three marine divisions.

The Marine Corps is equipped with a variety of modern individual and crew-served weapons. These include tanks, armored infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery, towed artillery, mortars, TOW and Dragon antitank guided missiles, and both Redeye and Stinger air defense systems.

Marine Corps Aviation includes aircraft and systems that provide virtually every combat function of aviation: fighter (F/A-18), ground attack (A-6E, or AV-8B), reconnaissance (RF-4B), electronic warfare (EA-6B), airborne FAC (OV-10B), tankers (KC-130), transport (CH-46 and CH-53), armed escort (AH-1), and three battalions each of improved Hawk and Stinger air defense systems.


Soviet Amphibious Forces

The naval infantry of the Soviet navy corresponded in many respects to the U.S. Marines and the British Royal Marines. The Soviet naval infantry (SNI), however, did not appear to have the mission of conducting long-range, large-scale amphibious operations. The total strength of the naval infantry was about 18,000, reflecting a slow but steady growth in the USSR's last years. Each of the four Soviet naval fleets had a naval infantry component. The Northern, Baltic, and Black Sea fleets each were assigned a brigade, while the Pacific fleet had an SNI division. In addition, the Soviets maintained four fleet special forces (Spetsnaz) brigades.

SNI units were trained to carry out assaults against hostile shores from amphibious ships. They were equipped with amphibious tanks and armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery, rocket launchers, mortars, and numerous air defense missile systems, and employed both helicopters and air-cushioned vehicles (ACVs) to move troops. The Soviets invested significant research into amphibious specialized weapons and lift platforms. The most impressive of their recent efforts was the ORLAN wingin-ground effect (WIG) aircraft.

SNI were deployed afloat with fleet units on a regular basis beginning in the mid-1960s. The Soviets conducted periodic amphibious landing exercises in the various fleet areas. They also made larger landings during Soviet worldwide fleet exercises, culminating in a practice amphibious assault during exercise Zapad 81 near the Polish border.


Other Nations Possessing Amphibious Forces


NATO Amphibious Forces

France

The French marine corps (Fusiliers-Marins) numbers some 2,600. Of these, 600 are organized into commando units: four assault groups, one attack swimmer unit, and one headquarters section. The remaining 2,000 are used to provide naval base protection for the French fleet.

Italy

The Italian navy includes the San Marco Brigade, a special forces unit similar to a marine corps. The brigade consists of approximately 750 personnel organized into one raiding group, one underwater operations group, one special operations group, one marine battalion, and two training groups. The brigade is equipped with armored personnel carriers, and it employs recoilless rifles and mortars as well as antitank missiles.

The Netherlands

The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps has a total active manpower of 2,800. It is organized into two amphibious commando groups, one mountain/arctic warfare company, and one reserve amphibious commando group. These units are equipped primarily with individual infantry weapons and rely upon the Netherlands army and navy for heavy artillery support. The marines maintain a highly specialized company, the Close Combat Unit, whose mission is to respond to terrorist incidents. The unit is authorized about 115 men and has trained with similar units in the Royal Marines, the U.S. Marines, and the German army.

Portugal

Portugal maintains a force of 2,800 marines, half of whom are conscripts. They are organized into two separate regiments, one designated the Continental Marine Force and the other Marine Corps Schools. The continental force is composed of one headquarters battalion and three infantry battalions, together with necessary supporting units. The schools include one training battalion and one service battalion. The principal weapons systems used by the Portuguese marines are armored personnel carriers, grenade launchers, and mortars.

Spain

The Spanish marine corps is one of the three components of the Spanish navy; it musters about 8,500 marines. The corps is organized into a single regiment of five marine garrison regiments. The regiment is composed of two infantry battalions, one support battalion, and three artillery batteries. The garrison units include specialized landing operations (TEAR) groups. These TEAR units are expected to support the tri-service Rapid Action Force being formed for operations in noncontinental Spanish territories. The marines are equipped with tanks, armored reconnaissance vehicles, and amphibious assault vehicles. They employ recoilless rifles, howitzers, and self-propelled howitzers. They are armed also with TOW and Dragon antitank weapons.

Turkey

Turkish marines number 4,000. They are administratively subordinated to the army and operationally controlled by the navy. The marines are organized into a single brigade consisting of a headquarters command, three infantry battalions, and one artillery battalion.

United Kingdom

There are about 7,700 Royal Marines, organized into one commando brigade and necessary support structure. The brigade contains three commando infantry regiments, one commando artillery regiment, one battery of artillery, two commando engineering squadrons, one logistics regiment, and one helicopter squadron. The Royal Marines also maintain one mountain and arctic warfare cadre, the Special Boat Service, and one assault squadron. They are equipped with antitank guided missiles, both Javelin and Blowpipe SAMs, and Lynx helicopters.


Other European Amphibious Forces

Poland

The Seventh Naval Assault Brigade or "Blue Berets" are the Polish marines and, next to the former Soviets, were the largest naval infantry unit in the Warsaw Pact. The brigade numbers 4,500 men. It is organized into three naval assault regiments, one tank battalion, one artillery battalion, one signals battalion, one engineer battalion, one multiple rocket launcher company, and one chemical defense company. The brigade is equipped with amphibious armored personnel carriers, T-55 and PT-76 tanks, and scout vehicles. It also maintains Frog missile launchers and antiair weapons.

Yugoslavia

There are two Yugoslavian marine brigades comprising two regiments with two battalions each.


Middle East/Africa Amphibious Forces

Egypt

The Egyptian navy has one special operations brigade.

Iran

Iran maintains three battalions of naval infantry.

Israel

Israel has a naval commando unit of 300.

Kuwait

Kuwait has two battalions of commandos.

Morocco

Morocco maintains one naval infantry battalion of 1,500 men.

Saudi Arabia

Twelve hundred Saudi marines are organized into one infantry regiment with 140 armored fighting vehicles.

South Africa

There are 900 South African marines organized into one brigade headquarters, nine harbor/base defense units, and one amphibious company.

Zaire

Zaire has a naval infantry of 600.


Southeast Asia/Pacific Amphibious Forces

Burma

Burma's naval infantry numbers 800. They are organized in one battalion.

China

China maintains a naval infantry force of 6,000, organized into one brigade special plus reconnaissance units. The Chinese keep a large naval infantry reserve. On mobilization, the naval infantry gains eight divisions (24 infantry, 8 tank, 8 artillery regiments), and two independent tank regiments. In addition, the Chinese army identifies three divisions specifically for the amphibious role. Chinese marines are equipped with main battle tanks, light tanks, amphibious personnel carriers, multiple rocket launchers, and howitzers.

India

The Indian marines number some 1,000 in one active regiment with an additional regiment forming.

Indonesia

The Indonesian marine corps is administratively supported by the navy but operationally controlled by the chief of the armed forces. The corps numbers over 12,000 marines (organized into 2 infantry brigades of 6 battalions each), one administrative regiment, one combat support regiment, and one training regiment. The corps is equipped with tanks, armored fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, towed howitzers, multiple rocket launchers, and air defense guns.

Peoples' Republic of Korea (PRK)

The PRK maintains three amphibious light infantry brigades (ALIBs) within a larger special-purpose force. The brigades are specifically trained in amphibious assault, special operations, and unconventional warfare. The amphibious brigades are operationally controlled by the VIII Special Purpose Corps. The brigades include ten battalions and number some 5,000 soldiers. Each brigade contains a headquarters element, signal company, up to five infantry battalions, and a service support element. The ALIBs do not have organic heavy weapons but are equipped with Soviet standard infantry weapons including AK-47s, recoilless rifles, mortars, antitank weapons, and the SA-7 GRAIL air defense missile.

Republic of Korea (ROK)

The ROK marine corps is an independent command under the ROK chief of naval operations. The corps is 25,000 strong organized into two divisions, one brigade, and support units. It is equipped with tanks, armored personnel carriers, towed artillery, and land-based Harpoon antiship missiles.

The Philippines

The Philippine marine corps is a 10,000-man force, organized into three brigades of three infantry battalions each and one brigade of combat support/combat service support assets. The corps also includes a 700-man rapid reaction force. The commandant of the marine corps is responsible to the commander of the navy for both operational and administrative control. The marine corps is equipped with howitzers and mortars, and it employs some U.S.-variant armored personnel carriers.

Taiwan

The Taiwanese maintain 30,000 marines in two divisions plus supporting elements. The marines are equipped with armored personnel carriers, towed artillery, and recoilless rifles.

Thailand

The Royal Thai Marine Corps is the largest element of the navy, yet comes under direct operational control of the army during war. The corps is some 20,000 strong with two infantry regiments, one artillery regiment, one security regiment, and one service support regiment. In addition, there are separate amphibious assault, reconnaissance, communications, engineer, and military police battalions. The corps is equipped with armored personnel carriers, towed howitzers, and both TOW and Dragon antitank guided weapons.

Vietnam

Vietnam has 27,000 naval infantry, both amphibious and commando.


Latin American Amphibious Forces

Argentina

The Argentine marine corps is headed by the chief of naval infantry who is a member of the navy general staff. The corps is organized into two major commands: the fleet force, which supports both of the regional fleets, and the amphibious support command, which provides logistic, training, and land-based support to the marine corps. Total active manpower is 5,000.

The fleet force is divided into two separate commands each comprising two infantry battalions, one field artillery battalion, one amphibious reconnaissance group, one heavy mortar company, one antitank company, and one engineer company. The amphibious support command includes one antiaircraft regiment, one signals battalion, one logistics battalion, one independent infantry battalion, and six independent infantry companies. The marine corps is equipped with Combat vehicles and three different types of personnel carriers. It also maintains a variety of artillery pieces including towed howitzers, air defense guns, and recoilless rifles.

Bolivia

Marines maintain one battalion with a company in each district. There is a separate naval infantry with one battalion plus five independent companies.

Brazil

The Brazilian marine corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais, or CFN) is the largest and best-equipped amphibious force in Latin America. It is commanded by the commandant of the marine corps who reports directly to the minister of the navy. The corps numbers stone 16,500 and is organized into two major commands: the fleet marine force and the support command. The fleet force includes the amphibious division and the reinforcement troop. The division is further divided into one command, three infantry, one special operations, one artillery, and one service battalion. The reinforcement troop is made up of five separate battalions: one engineer, one transportation, one special operations, one maintenance, and one command battalion. In addition, there is an amphibious reconnaissance company and eight marine barracks detachments for internal security located in the naval districts. Brazilian marines are equipped with reconnaissance vehicles and armored personnel carriers, towed howitzers, a variety of rocket launchers, and towed air defense guns.

Chile

The Chilean marine corps (Cuerpo de Infantería de Marina) is an integral part of the navy, directly under the control of the navy commander. The commandant of naval infantry is responsible for 5,200 marines organized into four battalion-sized detachments, one of which is specifically identified as amphibious. Each detachment includes one commando company, one field artillery battery, and one air defense artillery battery. Chilean marines are equipped with armored personnel carrier variants and operate Roland ATMs, towed howitzers, mortars, and the Blowpipe SAM.

Colombia

The Colombian marine corps numbers 6,000, organized into five infantry battalions and two naval police battalions. The corps employs personal infantry weapons but no heavy equipment.

Cuba

Cuba has 550 troops organized into one amphibious assault battalion.

Ecuador

The corps of the naval infantry (Cuerpo de Infantería de Marina, or CIM) is headed by the commander of the marine corps under the operational control of the chief of naval operations. The CIM is organized into an operations group, a security force, and the support force. The operations group includes a commando and a special warfare group; the security force includes three security companies at major naval bases, and the support force includes instruction, training, administration, and military police units. The CIM has about 1,700 personnel but employs no heavy weapons or vehicles.

Honduras

The Honduran marine corps (Infanteria de Marina, or IMH) includes some 700 personnel whose primary mission is to provide security for naval assets. The commander of the marine corps is the intelligence officer of the naval general staff. The IMH is organized into two companies and equipped with personal infantry weapons only.

Mexico

The Mexican marine corps is a force of some 9,000 marines, organized into 36 companies assigned to 17 naval zones. It does not have an overall operational commander, but is administered instead by the director of the marine corps subordinate to the Mexican naval staff. Marine units are under the direct control of the naval zone commanders. The marines also include one brigade with two battalions, and one presidential guard battalion.

Paraguay

Paraguay's marines number 500 organized in one marine battalion and one commando battalion.

Peru

The Peruvian marine corps (Fuerza de Infanteria de Marina, or FIM) is an integral part of the navy, and its commander is directly subordinate to the Peruvian chief of naval operations. The corps numbers some 5,000 personnel, organized into one marine brigade of two battalions, one reconnaissance company, and one commando company. It is equipped with armored personnel carriers, and employs a variety of individual weapons together with rocket launchers, mortars, howitzers, and antitank guns.

Uruguay

Uruguay has 500 marines organized into one battalion.

Venezuela

The Venezuelan marine corps numbers some 4,500 personnel organized into four infantry battalions, one artillery battalion, one amphibious vehicle battalion, one river patrol, one engineer unit, and two commando units. The corps is equipped with armored personnel carriers, towed howitzers, and air defense guns.


The Future of Amphibious Forces

Amphibious operations by their very nature require expensive, specialized equipment and naval infantry with a high degree of combat readiness. There are only a handful of nations willing to maintain these prerequisites. A few more keep some form of amphibious raid or commando capability. In the years ahead the single most influential determinant for the maintenance of these forces will be economic.

For those nations that persist, their future amphibious force will face more formidable defensive capabilities around the world. The profusion of modern technology--which includes long-range surveillance systems, precision-guided munitions, sophisticated land-based airpower, and high-technology naval mining capability--will offer major advantages to defenders. The fact that these technologies are available to developing nations makes even small amphibious operations in their areas a difficult undertaking.

Those same technologies, however, have been modifying the attacker's capabilities as much as those of the defense. While surrendering the strategic surprise of earlier years to improved surveillance, amphibious forces will find it easier to gain operational and tactical surprise, such as landing where the enemy is not ready. Aircushioned vehicles, tilt-rotor transports, and VSTOL fighter-bombers will make over-the-horizon landing operations the norm. Assaults will take place with unprecedented speed, from greater distances, and using both air and sea transport. The enemy might well find both his front and rear attacked at the same time. In the final analysis, geography will still play a central role. Today, there is not a single nation with the military capability to defend all of its coastline from amphibious assault. As long as nations seek solutions to their problems through conventional combat, the seas will offer one alternative that combatants must consider to achieve their directives--in some instances, the only way.


-- Thomas L. Wilkerson


FURTHER READINGS


Bermudez, M. 1987. North Korean marines. Marine Corps Gazette, January, pp. 32-35.

Eshel, D. 1984. Elite fighting units. New York: Arco.

International Institute for Strategic Studies. 1990. The military balance, 1989-1990. London: Brassey's.

International Media Corporation. 1989. Defense and foreign affairs handbook. Alexandria, Va.: International Media Corporation.

Polmar, N. 1988. Amphibious warfare: An illustrated history. London: Blandford.

U.S. Marine Corps. 1991. FMFM 2: The Marine air/ground task force. Quantico, Va.: U.S. Marine Corps. Draft.

United States Naval Institute. Military data base. Annapolis, Md.: United Communications Group.

Walmer, M. 1986. An illustrated guide to modern elite forces. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.

Zaloga, S. 1987. The Blue Berets: Poland's marines. Amphibious Warfare Review, vol. 5, no. 2.

Опубликовано на Порталусе 20 сентября 2007 года

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