scameron@blake.acs.washington.edu (Scott Cameron) (04/14/90)
From: scameron@blake.acs.washington.edu (Scott Cameron) The emergence of SP artillery in Soviet units "where its not supposed to be" may be a result of the much-publicized Soviet troop reductions announced by Gorby in 1988. Six tank divisions were supposed to be withdrawn and disbanded in their entirety. (Four from the Soviet Group of Forces Germany, and 1 each from Hungary and Czechoslovakia). What they are actually doing is a bit different. -- Only older tanks (T64s mostly) are being withdrawn. New T80s are being lateral transferred to remaining units. This is supposedly 'defensive', since the T80 can fire antitank missiles through their main gun tube. -- Each withdrawing tank division left its entire Motorized Rifle Regiment behind, including BMP fighting vehicles. About 2000 more BMPs will be moving into Eastern Europe as part of this restructuring as well. -- Most air-defense assets are staying behind. -- Antitank weapons are being imported, and a 50-100% increase has been announced. -- SP artillery systems are being left behind, and more are being imported. The SP howitzer batallions of Motorized Rifle Regiments are being expanded from 18 to 24 tubes. The overall result will be a net decrease in Soviet combat power of about 5%, combined with a significant --not to say huge-- propaganda/publicity gain in the West, which may in turn result in US/NATO cutbacks that will more than offset Soviet concessions. -- S.D. Cameron | "...the right of the PEOPLE to keep and bear | AOPA | 50 yrs Univ. of Wash. | arms shall not be infringed." -- U.S. Const. | -+- Seattle WA | "I know I promised, but ... " -- Geo. Bush | _____(*)_____ scameron@toby.acs.washington.edu | My opinions, not theirs | WingNut