Soviet police

Michael Daumen · October 7, 2003, 16:41

Does anyone here know anything about Soviet police c. 1980? Weapons, whether they were under OMON, KGB or GRU, et c?

Thanks.

jasev · October 7, 2003, 17:10

Soviet Police aka 'Militia' was a civil force.

If we're talking about KGB:
Western sources estimated its manpower to be from 490,000 in 1973 to 700,000 in 1986. They had their own land army with the same or similar weapons the Red Army had (AK-74 was the basic infantry weapon), including their own armored divisions: T-74, T-80, etc. No airforce (helicopters maybe?), navy or missiles.

Michael Daumen · October 7, 2003, 22:24

I am interested in militia sidearms and heavy weapons.

POTUS · October 11, 2003, 18:55

Each of the agencies designed to watch over the people had its own force. Most were armed with standard AK-74s, and had some force of light to medium tanks and mobilized infantry. They also had helicopters similar to Mil-24s. Some of the forces had patrol boats operating along the coast. None had fighters or attack aircraft, but the larger ones, like the KGB 2nd and 7th Directorates (the 2nd spyed on the people and the 7th was a sort of border patrol) had transport jets for the high command.

:) Smiley · October 12, 2003, 03:46

Was there still a regular police force?

typhoon · October 12, 2003, 07:26

Were you paying attention? Its called the Militia. Each city had its own branch (Moscow Militia, Leningrad Militia so on so forth.)

DarthVeda · October 12, 2003, 23:08

Quote:

Originally posted by jasev
Soviet Police aka 'Militia' was a civil force.

If we're talking about KGB:
Western sources estimated its manpower to be from 490,000 in 1973 to 700,000 in 1986. They had their own land army with the same or similar weapons the Red Army had (AK-74 was the basic infantry weapon), including their own armored divisions: T-74, T-80, etc. No airforce (helicopters maybe?), navy or missiles.

Are you sure you're not confusing it with the border forces?

fairline · October 13, 2003, 02:42

The Border Guards were part of the KGB, but the source I have put them at 175 000 in the 1980s and they included mechanised and helicopter units; the Mi-24 helicopter was designed specifically for them.

The MVD (Ministry of Internal Security) also had an 'Interior Army' of around 260 000 troops, also with an armoured element.