CHAPTER 1: OPFOR Structure and Task Organization Principles

1-5 COMBINED ARMS BATTLE.

    The OPFOR defines a battle as "an organized armed struggle among units of various sizes and formations of different branches and services of the armed forces". A battle can occur on the ground, in the air, or on the sea. Ground battle goals are the destruction of BLUFOR tactical formations and the capture, or retention, of important terrain. The essence of the tactical ground battle is combined arms combat. In combined arms battles, OPFOR commanders coordinate the actions of tactical units of every branch of the armed forces in terms of mission, place, and time, to achieve the rapid destruction of the BLUFOR. The characteristics of modern OPFOR combined arms combat include:

• High maneuverability.

• Decisiveness.

• Nonlinearity.

• Potential use of weapons of mass destruction and high-precision weapons.

• Swift and radical changes in the combat situation.

    This means that units of different combat arms and special troops, as well as of aviation, conduct combined arms combat by joint efforts. Different combat forces and assets aligned in combat formations take part in it, including mechanized infantry (or infantry), tank, artillery, air defense, engineer, and chemical protection units. Close, continuous coordination of mixed forces and assets in a single combat formation permits the OPFOR to perform combat missions successfully. Its combat attributes and capabilities are mutually supporting, ensuring the most effective combination of strikes, fires and maneuver.

     a. Strike. The OPFOR strike is a component part of battle. It consists of a simultaneous engagement of BLUFOR groupings and targets by all available assets and forces. There can be NBC, fire, troop, missile, artillery or air strikes.

An OPFOR troop strike is a combination of fire and movement by tank and mechanized infantry (or infantry) units, or by airborne assault forces, to complete the BLUFOR's defeat and take a designated objective. The strike is most typical of the offense. In the defense, it is usually used in a counterattack.

The force of a strike by units is determined above all by their firepower, rate of movement, and surprise in delivering it. Tank and mechanized infantry (or infantry) units with effective artillery and air support and reliable cover by air defense weapons have the greatest force for a strike.

     b. Fire. The OPFOR concept of fire is the engagement of the BLUFOR by fire using all available weapons. Fire differs in terms of intensity, direction, methods, and types. Fire is the chief factor in achieving success in battle, inflicting damage, which deprives the BLUFOR of combat effectiveness. Fire prepares and accompanies a troop strike, supports its development, and creates necessary conditions for executing a maneuver. In the defense, fire in combination with obstacles determines the possibility of repelling a BLUFOR attack.

The effectiveness of OPFOR weapons, especially with the appearance of high-precision weapons, has led to a significant increase in depth and accuracy of fire delivery, to damage of targets in the shortest time periods, and to an increase in the level of losses. Use of high-precision weapons has significantly increased effectiveness of OPFOR antitank fire.

     c. Maneuver. Maneuver is the third component of modern battle. It consists of the organized, concealed, rapid displacement of troops in the course of combat. It allows occupation of a favorable position with respect to the BLUFOR and creates favorable groupings of forces and assets. It also allows the transfer or re-targeting of strikes and fires for maximum effectiveness.

    In the defense, the OPFOR maneuvers units to change a position for a more favorable one, cover a threatened axis more reliably, or to reinforce or replace units. Maneuver can also allow the OPFOR to counter a BLUFOR strike, occupy a line of firing positions, or move to a counterattack position. The maneuver of forces, assets, and fire is a constant element of tactics employed in both defense and offense, in all stages of battle.