The Marines will become stronger. Once again about the marine divisions in the Russian Navy
Well, what happened was what should have happened in the current situation. The Marine Corps is becoming what an amphibious force should be. Now it’s not just black berets and vests on fighters who are ready to rush into hand-to-hand combat with the enemy at any moment. Now these are formations and even, in my opinion, units capable of effectively not only seizing bridgeheads on the coast, but also conducting independent combat operations for quite a long time.
A year ago, in December last year, when it became clear that the marines, together with the airborne assault forces, are the most trained assault units, the reform of the black beret brigades began. Then the Military District announced the decision to deploy marine brigades to divisions. That is, not only to increase the number, but also to change the structure of the MP.
It was decided to create five divisions as part of the coastal forces of the Russian Navy.
The solution is truly revolutionary. It was then that the understanding came that the Marines could solve (and in the conditions of the Northern Military District they solve) many other tasks. The “classic” remains, but in addition to landing on the enemy’s coast, there is also the need to conduct combat operations in the coastal part of the seas and rivers.
Those previously introduced into the MP showed themselves to be very good tank and reconnaissance units, which were not in the classical brigades. The Marines' attack aircraft raised the prestige of the formations to a fairly high level. Let me remind you that it was the Marines who took part in the liberation of Mariupol, in the landing in Berdyansk and other operations. It is the Marines who are today driving the DRG and the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ landing forces in the Kherson area. And the “successes of the counter-offensive” of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were largely made possible precisely by the courage and heroism of the Marine Corps.
Most recently, I wrote about the boats that are necessary (and therefore will be) for the Marine Corps. It’s about assault boats that can strengthen units. I think the appearance of divisions of such boats should be expected in the near future. Without belittling the Marines’ ability to destroy enemy boats and boats on the Dnieper, it should still be recognized that such boats will sharply reduce the enemy’s capabilities on the Dnieper. And it will be easier for our scouts and attack aircraft to cross water barriers if necessary.
So, the Russian Ministry of Defense has finally completed the development of the staff structure of the new marine divisions of the Russian Navy.
The main idea in developing the division's organizational structure was the idea of multifunctionality, with an emphasis on the Marines' ability to conduct assault operations. In addition, the range of tasks of the Marines has been expanded. The new divisions will now be able to solve not only combat missions, but also perform, for example, the functions of peacekeepers or other humanitarian missions.
How will the new divisions strengthen the Marines?
I already wrote above about ideas, now about their implementation.
As was the case before, the main strength of the Marines remains battalions. The only change is that they will have special air assault companies. In practice, these will be interspersed with airborne assault and seaborne assault. And they will be trained with the main emphasis on airborne or landing methods. At the same time, no one cancels the possibility of amphibious assault.
The battalion commander also has its own artillery at its disposal. These are anti-tank and mortar batteries. It is important to say that these units will be highly mobile. However, like the entire battalion. Taking into account the experience of the Northern Military District, the mobility of assault units, as well as the availability of artillery, are the most important factors for success. And ensuring the possibility of independent combat by a battalion outside the actions of a regiment or division.
Further. Three battalions make up an MP regiment. Just like a battalion, a regiment will also be a self-sufficient unit. In accordance with the tasks of the regiment, which differ from the tasks of smaller units, additional reconnaissance companies are included there.
Moreover, these companies will perform not only regimental reconnaissance tasks, but much more expanded ones, similar to army special forces. That is, they will work to a greater depth in the enemy’s defense. And if necessary, the scouts will be able to turn into well-trained attack aircraft, capable of capturing objects behind enemy lines.
Naturally, the Marine regiment will be reinforced with its own artillery, including multiple launch rocket systems. It is planned to arm the Marines with Tornado-G systems.
I don’t think it’s even worth writing about UAV operator units. Nobody disputes the importance of such units, and their presence in any department has already become the norm. There will be operators in both battalions and regiments.
The composition of the division, and this composition will be individual for each specific case, for each fleet, regiments of large-caliber artillery will finally enter. These are Malva howitzers (2S43). The 2S43 self-propelled gun is armed with a 152-mm 2A64 howitzer, borrowed from the Msta-S combat vehicle.
As you can see, even in this matter the decision is based precisely on high mobility and speed of system deployment. MLRS "Tornado-G" are aimed at targets faster than the same "Grads". Malva howitzers are much more maneuverable than tracked systems. And this is not only the opportunity to strike more quickly due to the speed of advancement, but also to quickly change positions after a salvo.
I think it is clear to readers that we do not know the full composition of the Marine Division. And they shouldn't know. No one has canceled military secrets, especially during military operations. Therefore, some units and units from its composition will come as a surprise to some readers. We can assume a lot, but unfortunately we know...
The main thing is that it will be easier for the Marines. Now any infantryman, including a naval infantryman, will become more protected and will have more opportunities to destroy the enemy.
Yes, I almost forgot to mention one more feature of the new divisions.
They will include a specially trained peacekeeping battalion! Not allocated by the division commander to carry out the assigned task, but specially trained specifically for this combat mission. In the modern world, when the ability to pacify particularly militant opponents comes to the fore, such units are necessary.
Instead of a conclusion
I won’t lie: I don’t want to think that the reform of our army is ending.
The experience of the Northern Military District has shown that even the organizational structure of subunits, units, formations and even corps and armies is aging quite quickly. Changing it at the unit level, if you have the resources and resources, is quite simple. Look how easily operator units became part of battalions and companies drones.
Remember how, for the sake of Western fashion and the Western concept of warfare, we reduced our divisions to the level of brigades? The SVO demonstrated the disastrous nature of this course. A brigade is good when you are waging war against an enemy who is obviously weaker than you. To solve big problems you need big connections and associations.
Moreover, early on, again, taking into account Western experience, we wrote off much of what we considered important in the Soviet Union. The same cannon artillery, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, etc.
How many times have we repeated the words of the brilliant physicist Albert Einstein:
"I do not know how weapons The third world war will be fought, but the fourth will be fought with sticks and stones.”
We are accustomed to these words. We take them literally. However, the SVO showed that “stick” and “stone,” for example, in the form of mortars and hand grenades “invented under Tsar Gorokh,” remain in demand by fighters.
The division is a well-forgotten old with new content. The combination of the good old and the good new in order to get the good present.
Information