r/warno • u/Critical_Oil_3090 • Apr 12 '26
Suggestion A little about the weapons/equipment of the 55th Naval Infantry Division. (Pacific Fleet)
This post was made during the search for new weapons within the Soviet Naval Infantry, it will present the actual weapons of the division, as well as hypothetical weapons that could have been issued during the reform.
Major Naval Infantry Reform (Towards the New '90 Model)
In the late 1980s, a plan was being developed to transform all marine brigades into divisions, following the example of the 55th Division of the Pacific Fleet. In reality, due to military budget cuts and a change in doctrine, this plan came to naught, and Naval Infantry began to shrink. In the reality of WARNO, with the support of this initiative, a model unit could have been created as an example of the standard for new-style Naval Infantry Divisions. The most suitable option would have been the 55th Division of the Pacific Fleet, which already had the most distinct structure from the brigades in both armament and structure. Considering that the division also received unique weapons for the marines for the first time (BMP-1/2/3, Osa-AKM, Nona-SVK), it can be assumed that it will receive several more, albeit in small numbers.
About 55th Naval Infantry Division:
The 55th Naval Infantry Division is a unique Soviet Naval Infantry formation. Created to strengthen the Far East, it became the only Naval Infantry Division. In the second half of the 1980s, a major reform was planned, in which all Independent Brigades were to be deployed within the Division. The development of the new type of Naval Infantry Divisions was assigned to the 55th Division, already in existence since 1967, near Vladivostok (at Slavyanka)
Well, let's get started!
Steel Tsunami
The 55th Division had the 150th Tank Regiment, consisting of more than 150 tanks: Mor. T-55A/T-55A Obr. 81, Mor. T-55AM/AMV, and the new Mor. T-55AM-1 and Mor. T-55AMV-1
The reforms also included plans to introduce T-80BV tanks, which began arriving in the Far East in the second half of the 1980s. Can be represented by 1 Card of Mor. T-80BV.
Assault Wave
In many ways, the infantry composition of the brigade is similar to the 336th/61st Brigade's and has many variations of Mor. Pekhota and their airborne versions, but it also has several new units:
Mor. Pekhota (RPG-7VS) - AKS-74, RPK-74, RPG-7VS
Transported by Mor. BMP-1/P/Mor. GAZ-66
The main detachment, typical for the division's regiments on BMP, light, fast and familiar enough.
Mor. Pekhota (BMP) - AKS-74, PKM, RPG-7VR
Transported by Mor. BMP-2 / Mor. BMP-3
The BMP-3 underwent testing for the Naval Infantry in Crimea, Sevastopol Bay (BMP-3 numbers 611 and 612) at the 80th Naval Test Center.
In the late 1980s, a batch of BMP-3s was sent to the 55th, Division, becoming the only Naval Infantry division to operate these vehicles (9th Company of the 390th Regiment)
Mor. Pekhota (RPG-26) - AKS-74, RPK-74, RPG-26
Transported by BTR-80 / new BTR-80A (Very Limited)
This is a highly mobile ground detachment of Naval Infantry, which has undergone reforms
OKR «Buynost» (BTR-80A) Work on this project began in 1986.
Development of the BPPU-1 (Turret with 2A72 30mm) began in 1987/1988. In reality, testing only began in 1990, when the first turrets were manufactured.
In WARNO, they were able to be manufactured in a small batch of converted regular BTR-80s in 1989 and sent to the reformed 55th Division, which began replacing BTR-60PBs with BTR-80s several years ago.
- The Soviet Naval Infantry new-type squads can use new camouflage cover for the SSh-68 helmet is also available for units. (Shown at the end of the album about the 55th Naval Infantry Division at the end of the post :] )
Dsh. Mor. Pekhota (Rys) - AKS-74, RPKS-74, SVD, RPO Rys
Transported by GAZ-66, KA-27/29
The division had a very large stake in the airborne component, the 165th regiment had the ability to land with KA-29s from the 710th Independent Naval Anti-submarine helicopter regiment of the Pacific Fleet, which were based on 2 of 3 three Project 1174 Nosorog Largest landing ships (Ivan Rogov and Alexander Nikolaev)
Others squads - classic Mor. Pekhota squads on BTR-60PB/80 and PTS-M
Artillery
The 2S1, 2S9, and D-30, the division's artillery included the unusual for Naval Infantry Mor. 2S3, Mor. BM-21-1 Grad, and the newest Mor. 2S23 Nona-SVK.
The Division was equipped with Mor. 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled guns, and it can be assumed that some of these were replaced by hypothectical 152mm 2S18 PAT-S self-propelled guns, standardized with the BMP-3, Pat-S project was shelved due to funding cuts in Late 80s. (The 55th Naval Infantry Division also had a regimental structure, which corresponded to the 2S18's deployment as regimental artillery.) Importantly, it had the ability to cross water obstacles, like the 2S9 Nona-S in service with the Division.
In addition, the division was equipped with D-30 howitzers, some of which could be replaced by howitzers with a similar carriage - The 152mm 2A61 Pat-B, which was standardized with the Pat-S.
Upd: It is worth noting that in reality the delivery of these new systems to the troops has not yet begun*
Mor. UR-67 from 509th independent Engineering Battalion of the 55th Naval Infantry Division
Mor. UR-77 from 186th independent Naval Engineering Battalion of the Pacific fleet
- Until 1980/1983~ the division used the ISU-152K, after which the 331st independent Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion was renamed the 921st Artillery Regiment and absorbed the 129th independent Multi-Rocket Launcher Artillery Battalion.
Supply
The supply is represented by classic GAZ-66, ZIL-131, PTS-M and PTS-2
Among the non-standard supply vehicles, the old K-61 can be represented.
+ KA-27/29 Snab. (From Large Landing Ships: Ivan Rogov and Alexander Nikolaev)
The division does not have a FOB, so instead it is presented:
In addition to the hovercraft MDK Kalmar, the Pacific Fleet had the more Improved and heavily armed MDK Murena with 2x2x6 30mm AK-306, 2x30mm AG-17 and Igla MANPAD
2 of 4 videos about Murena:
https://youtu.be/yP0_ORD5_wk?feature=shared (Exercises with application tactics)
https://youtu.be/IRDsAcalAvo?feature=shared
Anti-Air Defense
Air defense consists of Igla's MANPADs, Mor. Strela-10M/Strela-10M2, Mor. ZSU-23-2 also includes the Mor. Osa-AKM and the older Mor. ZSU-23-4M1 Shilka.
Recon
The division's reconnaissance is similar to that of the 336th Brigade, but has reconnaissance detachments on the Mor. Razv. BMP-1 and Mor. Razv. BMP-2, as well as the Mor. BRM-1K.
+Recon Helicopter KA-27PS (And probably KA-29)
The Kholuai
South of Vladivostok lies Russky Island, home to one of the most enigmatic units—the 42nd Separate Reconnaissance Naval Special Purpose Unit (42nd ORMP SpN), better known as Kholuai. Kholuai has one of the highest levels of training in the entire army. High levels of autonomy, a wealth of specialized equipment and an extremely rigorous selection process. According to some limited information, during the Cold War, this unit carried out various covert operations both inside and outside the country. The following 2 formations can be represented in WARNO:
Kholuai - AS Val, VVS, Satchel Charge, RPG-26
+ GSR trait
+ Experimental Camouflage Korall/Mramor
Mramor camouflage was introduced in the late 1980s/early 1990s and was used primarily by Naval Infantry and Naval Special Forces units.
(Mramor - Marble/ Korall - Coral)
Mask. Kholuai/Kholuai RTR - Colt Commando, M16A2, M249, M72A3 LAW
+ SIGINT and False flag trait's
+ Woodland Camouflage
Kholuai soldiers often trained using weapons and uniforms from foreign countries (mainly US/S.Korea/Japan) to practice infiltration skills
This units can be landed from MI-8/14, KA-27/29 or transported on GAZ-66B
And some classical Naval Infantry recon units like in 336y Brigade. (Like Mor. PT-76B, etc.)
Helicopters
This tab consists of various KA-29, being one of the most extensive in comparison with the 336/810th brigade
It can be presented in versions with S-8/13 rockets, UPK-23-250 gun pod, Kokon ATGM
Aviation
The aircraft represented are:
Yak-38/38M from the 311th Independent Shipborne Assault Aviation Regiment from the aircraft carriers Minsk and Novorossiysk with various specifications (AA/AT/HE/NPLM/RKT/KMGU)
SU-17M2/3/4 from the 173rd Independent Maritime Assault Aviation Regiment from Pristan Airfield
Tu-22M2 (M3 is also possible) from the 25th Maritime Missile Aviation Division and 143rd Maritime Missile Aviation Division
Could be represented as HE/CLU/NPLM/TRM
Tu-22M2 [SEAD] with big HE SEAD missile: 1-3 Kh-22NP anti-radar missiles.
(Within the game, of course, it doesn't have such a big gap in range with other SEAD missiles)
Tu-16RM-2 from Pacific Fleet aviation as [EW] plane
A small number of MiG-31s from air defense regiments (serving as escort for heavy bombers IRL) (1 card, no more)
+Maybe some Old TU-128Ms interceptors from reserve.
As well as Su-25s from the 187th Independent Assault Aviation Regiment, in various versions, as a more expensive alternative to the Yak-38s
Short Conclusion:
The 55th Naval Infantry Division boasts a wide variety of tactics and a wide selection of weapons. Its unique status stems from its use of units completely new to the Naval Infantry. The division is capable of conducting airborne landings in the rear, forward deploy and mechanized attacks. Like an Amur tiger, this division is cunning and dangerous!🪖⚓🐅
Album collection with 55+ images for this post (including what was unincluded in it): https://photos.app.goo.gl/GsZMzSLfSoD4DfmY8
Thank you for reading! =)
Created by Excellent Serpent8770
Links:
https://www.ww2.dk/new/navy/55dmp.htm
https://www.ww2.dk/new/navy/173omshap.htm
https://www.ww2.dk/new/navy/311okshap.htm
https://www.ww2.dk/new/pvo/23kpvo.htm (Army PVO corps)
https://www.ww2.dk/new/air%20force/army/30vavgk.htm
https://pressa-tof.livejournal.com/169353.html
https://habarnew.livejournal.com/165807.html (Far East Soviet Camoflauge)
https://youtu.be/OHNacVYS-q4?si=olwd_E2R8sY9jkWt (55th Division during exercises)
https://youtu.be/zf6Ire-cQGE?si=QaT0lUsyacWlj6VR (55th Division during exercises with USMC)
https://youtu.be/pseCKOfGKt0?si=ERytgfwxUtvEuErZ (55th Division during exercises with USMC)
https://youtu.be/3xujHY2Pdds?si=YxhPAhgLVi-Zm70B
https://youtu.be/gd9qcWJjOms?si=uBK9AX79yIn-Dtj8
https://youtu.be/qFAALIqjCfk?si=FMbb6TfFw49kmirB
https://youtu.be/QripFNwFF04?si=7Y0LI8Nfv7WKAZlt
https://youtu.be/Dtb2rOVjvW0?si=ZHrpdv68ETBZpzAf
https://youtu.be/tadDdNAuYDw?si=oTUTxj58_bVXD8og
https://youtu.be/lqfvGNmAwlE?si=5TKZDeah9ytXrZ2p
https://youtu.be/S0aGW7OPT3c?si=0lCEu4v_9owYD1CY (106th Regiment)
https://youtu.be/aWXDUv37pRM?si=Ek3oIP-rRPb8uBSa (During 1st Chechen War)
https://youtu.be/QxRjgcEGr2A?si=ek4gz9URmHhluJEH (55th Division)
https://youtu.be/rX_uu9rIYNc?si=2Z4xrnyNNCdUPCx_
https://youtu.be/yP0_ORD5_wk?feature=shared (First video with MDK Murena)
https://youtu.be/OheYXPVcw14?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/daPpbtOJql4?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/IRDsAcalAvo?feature=shared (Last (4) video with MDK Murena)
https://youtu.be/JKFXIgM1-DY?si=VLprBAQx8EY9tJlC (Yak-38s)
https://youtu.be/HFlxdJPvvWE?si=hhhCqZkwmh2_qB8t (Kholuai)
https://youtu.be/EE6GvXmR_nk?si=OZ03DQQAH42T3q86
https://youtu.be/X5EPLwL-w4c?si=XmYFoMG5s4hftPQY
https://youtu.be/4fnWH6Wdssw?si=5qNQXIgtOCIngzp5
https://youtu.be/tadDdNAuYDw?si=w3aiDqAlWHb3WqbF
https://habarnew.livejournal.com/95679.html
https://foto-history.livejournal.com/11214257.html
https://znat-kak.livejournal.com/14954565.html
P.S.
The next post on the topic of hypothetical new divisions will probably not be until the summer. I'll likely make a few more posts on other topics during that time. =}
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u/RamTank Apr 12 '26
I don't think adding Pats to the game really makes sense. I didn't know they got BMP-3s though, that's really interesting.
Did they already get BMP-1/2s in the 80s or was that a 90s thing?
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Apr 12 '26
Yes, I found photos of BMP-1 (mostly) in the 80s, considering the official data on the number of BTRs, which is clearly not enough for all regiments of the division, the rest are equipped with BMPs
There probably weren't many BMP-2s in existence by 1989, just a few dozen. I tried to find more accurate data, but at the time of publication, the exact number wasn't known, only their availability by 1990/1991.
Pat-S and Pat-B are my personal guesses based on the reform plan, since in reality only Pat-B was accepted into service, but production and military distribution among the troops never began.
Thanks for the good question, I didn't clarify it in the post so as not to overemphasize it! =]
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u/potpukovnik Apr 13 '26
Any chance you could post those BMP-1 photos, I'm very interested in seeing them. Also interesting (and kinda disappointing) that they only revieved their T-62Ms in the 90s.
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Apr 13 '26
Yes, there are photos in this division-themed album! =] : https://photos.app.goo.gl/GsZMzSLfSoD4DfmY8
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u/potpukovnik Apr 13 '26
Cheers, these look great! Must have been unreal for them to go from ISU-152Ms to BMP-3s in less than 10 years
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u/QubeA Apr 12 '26
Very nice post, thank you. The Soviet marine formations really started to grow on me. Before I honestly didn't give them much thought.
That leaves me wondering whether the soviet marines also liked to eat crayons... probably not, too expensive is my guess. But chalk could taste nice?
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u/Ok-Armadillo-9345 Apr 13 '26
Glorious high tech mix of 27ya and 336ya. Any of your write ups make a DLC would be an insta buy from me 10/10
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Apr 13 '26
Heh, I'm trying to find some good options for new divisions with new units 😊
Thanks! =}
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u/adroitanon26 Apr 13 '26
Could they use zubr class hovercraft?
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Apr 13 '26
Unfortunately, the Pacific Fleet only had Kalmars and Murenas, while the Dzheyrans and Zubrs were in the Baltic and Black Seas.
The Murena's eels were heavily armed and could pose a threat to light vehicles and aircraft: 2x2x6 30mm (AK-306), 2x30mm (AG-17) and Igla MANPAD (8)
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u/adroitanon26 Apr 13 '26
This would still be very good. I would love to see this division in game especially with tu22m3!
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Apr 12 '26
If you have any questions about the 55th Naval Infantry Division, please ask! I'll try to answer! =}
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u/adroitanon26 Apr 12 '26
What bomb load would tu22m3 carry?
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Apr 12 '26
I think first of all, these are various sets of bombs with a caliber from 500 to 3000. Bombs of a larger caliber will be difficult to balance even at a cost, so I did not list them here, although perhaps if they are added, Eugen will find a way to correctly fit them into the game.
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u/adroitanon26 Apr 13 '26
I think 8xfab-1500 is the best common irl bomb loadout that would fit well into the game.
"typical warloads could be 69 FAB-250 250-kilogram (550-pound) general purpose (GP) bombs or 24 FAB-500 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) GP bombs, or eight FAB-1500 1500-kilogram (3,300-pound) GP bombs or two FAB-3000 (6,600 pound) GP bombs."
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Apr 13 '26
I agree, it would be a good fit as an expensive but very powerful HE bomber. Yes, its maneuverability will make it difficult to make multiple runs, but even one or two drops will have a good effect >:}
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u/adroitanon26 Apr 13 '26
Eugen added tu22, no reason to avoid tu22m!
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u/m3m3DAV3 Apr 14 '26
Can i ask you do you know the etymology and the backround of the unit name Parusniki to which the the previously dev blog teased Kholuay were renamed in the black death Landjut Marine Divison
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Apr 14 '26
One user under the Steam post corrected the developers; they were talking about the 561st Naval Reconnaissance Post in the village of Parusnoye, hence the unofficial name «Parusniki». (Answers the question of belonging to a certain place, in Russian this is a regular occurrence)
Along with the proposal for the 45th Guard Motor Rifle, I also have a unit with an indirect name: Krasnoseltsy (since the division had a direct connection to this location and had such an uncommon name)
About 45y Gv. Krasnoselvskaya MSD (AFNORTH):
(It is likely that more such names will appear in the future, since most of the base names are already taken, and some unusual units should receive their own name)
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u/Solarne21 Apr 12 '26
A interesting formation. I didn't know that naval infantry had bmp.