The Soviet Readiness System

The Soviets maintained their units at varying degrees of readiness in peacetime, and divided their ground units into two broad readiness categories:

• Развернутая - Ready (expanded, filled up)
• Неразвернутая - Not Ready

These broad categories reflected readiness distinctions in terms of manning, equipment, training and mission. A unit was considered Ready, if it could conduct combat operations with little or no mobilisation.

The readiness management system was extremely flexible. A well-prepared force was maintained in Eastern Europe. In the western part of the Soviet Union, a mixed readiness posture was maintained, around a small nucleus of reduced-strength Ready units and a large number of cadre or Not Ready units, that were not prepared for immediate operations. In the interior of the Soviet Union, most units was maintained in low-strength Not Ready status.

The Soviet system was also evident within large units (divisions), in which some subunits were kept in a highly prepared and trained status, while others were kept in a cadre or reduced-strength Ready status. For example, a division might be composed of one or more Ready regiments, while all other regiments are in cadre status or Not Ready.

Each of the broad readiness cathegories was divided into various subgroups.

Ready Divisions

1. Full Strength divisions (Дивизия полного состава) - also called first line divisions - do not require mobilisation with reservists and have all their authorised equipment (95% or above) - conducts a full training program, are equipped with modern weapons, and are ready for immediate combat operations. The "present for duty" strength of these divisions varies on a daily basis. If alerted, assigned personnel who are not present for duty within the division, would be recalled. All 30 tank and motorised rifle divisions in the group of forces, six airborne divisions, 3 motorised rifle divisions in Afghanistan and two tank divisions in Mongolia was maintained at this level during the 1980's.
2. Reduced-Strength Ready divisions (Дивизия сокращенного состава) - also called 2nd line divisions - 42 divisions fell into this cathegory. There were two general manning variations within these divisions - some were manned at between 70-85% of wartime strength (Reduced Strength Ready I), and others from 55-70% of wartime strength (Reduced Strength Ready II). Internal manning patterns within these divisions also varied - some divisions maintained one or more regiments (motorised rifle or tank) and other selected units (especially the missile battalion) at or near wartime authorised strength, while other elements were manned at a much lower level. Other divisions had one battalion in each regiment manned at or near wartime strength, while the other battalions were manned at reduced or cadre strength. These divisions could be fully mobilised within 48 to 72 hours.

Reduced Strength I divisions (22 divisions) - do require mobilisation with reservists and have all their authorised equipment (95% or above) - conducts a modified full training program, are equipped with modern weapons, and parts are ready for immediate combat operations.

Reduced Strength II divisions (20 divisions) - do require mobilisation with reservists and have all their authorised equipment (95% or above) - conducts a modified full training program, are mostly equipped with modern weapons, and parts are ready for immediate combat operations.

Not Ready Divisions

1. Cadre divisions (Дивизия кадрированная) - 103 divisions fell into this cathegory. Again there were two general manning variations - some were manned between 25-40% of wartime strength (High-Strength Cadre), and others from 5-25% of wartime strength (Low-Strength Cadre). All command positions at company level and above were filled, and sufficient enlisted personnel were available to maintain equipment in storage. Peacetime manning in cadre divisions generally limits training to the company level, or at best battalion level, unless reservists are mobilised. Many low strength cadre divisions would require up to 10000 reservists to be mobilised. Even in these divisions, the independent missile battalions were manned at 50 to 100%. Mobilisation of reservists would take up to six days, but additional time would be needed for training, before the divisons would be ready for combat operations. The specific training divisions were obviously manned at 100% and even sometimes over 100%, however, the effective fighting strength of these divisions were about 25 to 30%, and they are all classed as High-Strength Cadre.

High-Strength Cadre divisions (52 divisions) - do require mobilisation with large number of reservists - limited training, not above battalion level - older equipment - most major items are present, but some shortage in trucks and armoured personnel carriers.

Low-Strength Cadre divisions (51 divisions) - do require mobilisation with large number of reservists - limited training, rarely above company level - older equipment - most major items are present, but some shortage in trucks and armoured personnel carriers. Mainly Motorised Rifle Divisions.

Mobilisation Divisions

Division configured equipment sets maintained in storage. Unmanned in peacetime, except for pre-assigned officers serving in active divisions. No regular training program - substantial equipment shortfalls (tanks, artillery and engineering equipment predominating) - often co-located with active divisions. Would take at least a month to be ready for action, including a shortened training program. Also called 2nd level divisions. Some were upgraded to Low-Strength Cadre during the 1980's.

Several mobilisation divisions were only "paper" divisions, with no equipment or personnel available. These divisions would be activated in wartime, and would receive equipment from schools and ordnance depots.

Non division readiness

Artillery Divisions and Artillery Brigades were manned at cadre level (10 - 20%), except for those in the group of forces.

Reaktive Artillery (MRL) and Heavy Artillery Brigades were manned at cadre level (20 - 50%).

Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigades and Missile Brigades were manned at near or at full strength.

Army and Military District communications brigades/regiments and radio relay battalions were manned as Ready units, but at reduced strength - all other communications units were manned at cadre level.

Pontoon Bridge Regiments, Engineering Brigades/Regiments and Chemical Defence Units were manned at cadre level (15 - 40%).

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US intelligence used the following readiness cathegories for the Soviet divivions:

• Cathegory I: 75 - 100% manning (NATO: Cathegory A)
• Cathegory II: 50 - 75% manning (NATO: Cathegory B)
• Cathegory III: below 50% manning (NATO: Cathegory C)
• Mobilisation/unnumbered cathegory: 0% manning

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Division readiness per Military District in 1985:

Training divisions are marked with blue. The mobilisation divisions listed are those with their own equipment.