Features of the structure and equipment of the National Guard
Since 2016, part of the tasks of protecting public order, ensuring the security of important facilities, combating extremism, etc. is assigned to the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation (FSVNG or the Russian Guard). To effectively carry out the assigned tasks, the Russian Guard has a number of specialized structures and departments. In addition, there is a large number of various weapons and equipment in service, corresponding to the goals of the department.
New structure
The National Guard was formed in 2016 as a new federal executive body responsible for security and regulation in a number of areas. From the point of view of organization, the new department was created mainly by spinning off existing structures from the Ministry of the Interior with the simultaneous transfer of their functions. In the future, the organizational and staffing structure of the FSVNG did not change significantly.
The central governing body is the Federal Service of the VNG, which includes several main departments, divisions, departments, etc. Eight districts of the National Guard Troops have been formed, which are in charge of regional structures. The total number of employees, according to previous years, is about 340 thousand people.
From the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Internal Troops (now the National Guard Troops, VNG), special and aviation units, rapid response and special forces (SOBR and OMON) from territorial bodies, the Department of Licensing and Permits, security agencies, etc.
The structures were transferred to the National Guard along with their facilities and materiel. As a result, the new department immediately received the entire necessary set of infrastructure and military facilities, as well as a large fleet of military and auxiliary equipment, weapons, etc. At the same time, the unification of several different structures within the FSVNG led to the formation of a mixed fleet and arsenal, including a variety of samples.
light weapons
Together with the Internal Troops and other structures, the Russian Guard received large arsenals of small arms weapons. In addition, in the order of development of units and subdivisions, new samples of various models are purchased. As a result, there are a lot of various systems of all main classes in service, which gives certain advantages.
The main and most widespread weapons of the VNG are AK-74 (M) assault rifles. Depending on the needs of a particular unit or unit, they can be supplemented with special equipment. Also, recently, the Vityaz submachine guns, occupying the same tactical niche, have been actively used. From the Internal Troops, the new department also got several types of domestic-made machine guns.
It is known about the presence of pistols of different types. The most massive can still be the PM, received "inherited" from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. There are also newer examples, such as PJ. Recently, by order of the Russian Guard, a new version of the Lebedev pistol was created, and rearmament to this model should have already begun.
In recent years, increased attention has been paid to sniper weapons. As a result, in parts of the FSVNG there are rifles of different types with different capabilities. A full range of weapons is operated, from the well-deserved SVD and VAL to large-caliber ASVK.
It should be recalled that in the past, special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other structures adopted and ordered in limited quantities a variety of small arms. As a result, the Russian Guard still has both various foreign developments and “exotic” domestic weapons. However, due to their small numbers, they have almost no effect on the overall picture.
Land samples
The units have a wide range of vehicles of different classes and for different purposes. For various tasks, cars of different brands, UAZ SUVs, multi-purpose Gazelles, Ural-4320 or KamAZ-5350 trucks, etc. are used. There are both multi-purpose and specialized machines. For example, the departmental fire brigade has specialized "first aid vehicles".
To work in dangerous conditions, the troops have several types of armored vehicles with different characteristics. These are armored vehicles BTR-VV "Medved", "Patrol-A", "Ural-VV", BPM-97 "Shot", etc. Also in operation is a significant number of BTR-82A armored personnel carriers. There are also special-purpose samples, such as RHM-VV reconnaissance vehicles based on the Tiger.
From the Internal Troops, the new VNG got some artillery systems. The presence of D-30 howitzers and 2S12A Sani towed mortars is reported. These products will allow the Russian Guard to withstand a well-armed and equipped enemy.
Aviation Guard
The FSVNG has its own aviation units with a fairly large fleet of aircraft and helicopters. Mainly used transport vehicles; there is also a certain amount of equipment with combat capabilities.
The heaviest cargoes are designed to be transported by Il-76 military transport aircraft. There are also An-12, An-26, etc. A large helicopter fleet has been formed. It is based on several dozens of Mi-8s of various modifications, including transport and assault. Transport tasks are also solved by heavy Mi-26s, as well as multi-purpose Ka-226s and AS355Ns. Earlier it was reported about the presence of a certain number of combat Mi-24s.
Marine parts
From the Internal Troops to the Russian Guard, naval military units and subunits were transferred to protect various water areas. To solve such problems, boats and other watercraft with different capabilities and characteristics are available and purchased.
The FSVNG retained the resulting fleet and strengthened it. So, in recent years, boats for protecting the water area, pr. 21980 "Rook", high-speed transport and landing boats, pr. 02510 "BK-16", boats, pr. 9507 "Nerei", etc. have been received. There are also hovercraft, light watercraft, etc.
According to reports, the marine units of the VNG also have special equipment for protecting facilities and fighting saboteurs. In particular, they are armed with assault rifles and pistols for underwater shooting.
Tasks and their solution
The Russian Guard is entrusted with a wide range of various tasks to maintain order, protect important facilities, counter potential threats, regulate various areas, etc. All this imposes special requirements on the organizational structure, equipment, training of personnel and other aspects.
The transfer of existing structures from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the FSVNG to a certain extent simplified the formation of a new organization and the achievement of its goals. In the future, the structure of the National Guard was optimized to better comply with the tasks set, and the practice of recent years generally confirms the correctness of such decisions. Despite the reorganization and the difficulties associated with it, special forces, VNG, naval units, etc. show the required efficiency and perform the required tasks.
The same is true with materiel. The Russian Guard received the available samples of all classes from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and then began the independent development of these arsenals through the development and purchase of new samples. As a result, units of the FSVNG are able to fully solve the assigned tasks of various kinds - to patrol and guard, to conduct reconnaissance or combat, etc.
In general, over the past five years, a new full-fledged federal body in the field of security has been created and improved, capable of fulfilling all the duties assigned to it. The effectiveness of its work is demonstrated by constant exercises and maneuvers. In addition, there are regular news on the neutralization of certain threats with the participation of various units of the National Guard.
- Ryabov Kirill
- FSVNG, AP RF
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