OPFOR Cbt Support

1
Canadian Forces School of Military
Intelligence lÉcole du Renseignement Militaire
des Forces Canadiennes
OPFOR Doctrine Tactics
Combat Service Support
Ref LFDTS - OPFOR Triple Compact Alliance Part
2, Chapter 4, Section 8/9/6/7/16/13/11/12 Para
54-60/ 62-67/46-49/50-53/130-132/83-89/
71-75/76-81.
Preparation Sgt J. Church, Intelligence
Training Platoon
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Lesson Outline
1. Artillery 2. Air Defence 3. Engineers 4.
Anti-Tank 5. Aviation 6. Chemical Defence 7.
Electronic Warfare (EW) 8. Logistics
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Artillery
4
Artillery in Offence
Artillery used to destroy or disrupt enemy
defences, tactical reserves and counter-attacks
were repulsed.
Its primarily responsible for creating
conditions in which tactical and subsequently
operational manoeuvre, can be generated.
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Artillery in Defence
Artillery is the principal means by which the
attackers preparations are disrupted.
OPFOR relies on Artillery to deny the enemy that
has reached or penetrated the forward edge
therefore allowing OPFOR counter-attacks to be
executed successfully.
6
Basic Principles

• The basic principles in allocating missions and
  organizing subordination of missile and artillery
  units are fourfold
• Centralized Control (Comd but lower echelons
  decide on the method and form of inflicting
  damage)
• 2. The Struggle for Fire Superiority (first
  Priority task for Missile and Arty forces)
• 3. Priority for Support (even distribution of
  massing support on main effort)
• 4. The Basic Fire Unit (is a Bn however many
  smaller combat grouping, Vanguard/raiding group,
  will normally get a Bty)

7
C2 Artillery
Artillery commanders will try to collocate with
the manoeuvre commanders they are supporting.
Requests for artillery support during a battle
are passed over the command net and not the
artillery net.
Artillery groups will fire only with the
manoeuvre commanders approval.
Note Artillery Command and Observation Posts
(COPs) will be formed at battery and battalion
levels using specialized armoured vehicles.
8
Artillery Groupings

• Artillery assets are organized into
  task-orientated groupings whose strength and
  level of control depends on the mission of the
  supported unit, the strength of the enemy and the
  relative importance of the axis
• Battalion Artillery Group (BnAG)
• 2. Brigade Artillery Group (BAG)
• 3. Divisional Artillery Group (DAG)
• 4. Corps Artillery Group

Note These groups are used as directed from
above to contribute to the long-range battle
(e.g., by suppressing ADs in support of friendly
air penetrations or the insertion of airmobile or
ground raiding forces). Their main role,
however, is the fire support of the manoeuvre
elements of their formation.
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Artillery Deployment on an Divs/Armys Main Axis

FEBA
1st Echelon
2nd Echelon
I
X
BnAG
Secondary Axis
BAG
Rear Svcs
I
X
BnAG
DAG
Breakthrough Sector (4-10 km)
X
BAG
Main Axis
X
BnAG
X
1-4 km
3-6 km
5-8 km
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Artillery Deployment
When 1/3 of the artillerys range remains in
front of the manoeuvre units, the artillery will
move 1/3 of its force forward. Only 1/3 of an
artillery units assets will be moving at any one
time.
A bound may be as long as 10 kilometres.
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Artillery Deployment
OPFOR tends to deploy its artillery well forward,
especially in the offensive. This will allow it
to reach as deep as possible, increase in
expenditure norms as range lengthens and allow
the time required to relocate artillery
By deploying forward, it can ensure continuity of
fire support for attacking units for longer
before having to displace.
12
Artillery Fire Planning
Average reaction times from receipt of fire
orders to first round on the ground are as
follows a. Mortar battery - 1-1.5 minutes. b.
Artillery battalion - 2-3 minutes. c. MBRL
battery - 4 minutes. d. BnAG - 4 minutes. e. BAG
- 5 minutes. f. DAG 5 minutes. Note Within
this area, the battery commander selects a
primary position and one or more temporary firing
positions 300-400 metres or more from the
previous one. Each howitzer fires for three to
four minutes then moves to an alternate position.
Each MBRL fires then immediately moves to
another position, reloading en route.
13
Artillery Fire Planning
OPFOR Fire Planning is based on the following
levels of destruction

• 1. Harassing Fire
• 2. Neutralization
• 3. Suppression
• Disruption
• Destruction

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Harassing Fire
Used to prevent manoeuvre or force the enemy to
move. Thus provide targets for air attack and to
damage enemy morale.
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Neutralization
This is used to inflict minimal damage, but
paralyses the defence for a very short time.
Employed only against an assessed weak enemy and
when insufficient time is available for a
detailed artillery recce.
Note This is the minimum acceptable effect if an
attack is to succeed and fire has to be timed
precisely, to see the attacking troops onto the
defended position.
16
Suppression
Assessed as 30 casualties inflicted on a target,
resulting in the temporary loss (minutes to
hours) of the ability to fight or manoeuvre.
Note TRIPLE COMPACT commanders will normally aim
to achieve at least suppression, before
subjecting even a hastily defended position to
attack by tank and MR troops.
17
Disruption
By inflicting 25-30 per cent casualties on an
attacking force, TRIPLE COMPACT believes that it
will effectively break up an enemy attack.
18
Destruction
Destruction is to all intents and purposes
achieved if 50-60 losses are suffered by an
enemy grouping, or 70-90 of an individual target.
Note The target grouping will cease to exist as
a fighting force for up to 24 hours (depending on
its morale state, availability of replacements,
C2 restoration, etc.). Destruction is seen as the
only worthwhile objective when engaging missile
or MBRL units or, increasingly, artillery.
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Air Defence
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Mission
To prevent enemy air action from interfering with
the actions of manoeuvre forces.
Ideally, this is accomplished by destroying enemy
air before it can perform its recce or target
acquisition, or deliver its ordnance.
21
Air Surveillance
OPFOR AD radars at all levels are integrated into
an overall system, covering all the defended
airspace. Most early warning radars are held in
SAM units at corps level.
Note This will allow higher formation AD
commanders to make a rapid and informed
assessment of the threat and pass both
information and fire missions down to the
appropriate fire units.
22
Deployment of Tactical AD Systems
(In Support of Ground Forces)
20 km ()
Early Warning Radar Coverage
10-20 km
SAMs
lt 5 km
AAA
MANPADS
Division/Corps
Battalion/Battle Group
Regiment/Brigade
Direction of Advance
Forward Edge of Battle Area (FEBA)
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The March
On the March, air defenders are distributed
throughout the March columns.
Up to 30 per cent of weapons conduct air
surveillance on the move and all are ready to
open fire immediately.
Note AD Elements may deploy ahead to cover choke
points such as defiles or bridges.
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Engineers
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Role
The primary role of the engineers is to enhance
the survivability and mobility of their own
forces, while degrading that of the enemy.
Note Speed and mobility are considered key
factors influencing victory on the modern
battlefield at both the tactical and operational
level.
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Engineer Groupings

• The most common groupings include
• Movement Support Detachments
• (MSDs)
• Mobile Obstacle Detachments
• (MODs)

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Movement Support Detachments (MSDs)
The MSD moves either before or after the
vanguard, about two hours ahead of the main body,
and improves the axis of advance.
Note An MSD may have MR (unskilled labour), and
tank troops and AD for protection, tracked
diggers, dozers with cranes, dump trucks, tank
and truck launched bridges, mine detectors and
clearers, trucks with explosives and possible
metal trackway and NBC recce.
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Mobile Obstacle Detachments (MODs)
The MOD is a temporary grouping with rapid
mine-laying, ditching and other obstacle creating
capabilities, that usually operates in
conjunction with an Anti-Tank Reserve.
Note MODs are built around minelayers and can be
reinforced by higher. Two to three MODs can be
formed on their own. MODs will have trucks with
extra mines, explosives for demolition. Often
dozers, road plows and mechanical ditchers are
used for obstacle creation and digging in
elements of the ATR.
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Additional Engineer Support in the Offensive
a. Specialized Reconnaissance of river crossing
sites, routes and enemy obstacles b. Preparation
of assembly areas, artillery firing positions and
roads c. Camouflage Deception measures
In addition to their primary function,
Engineers will camouflage real locations and
create false ones, using dummy equipment and
local material.
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Anti-Tank
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Anti-Tank Support
OPFOR believes that defence must first and
foremost be A/T in nature.
CA Corps and Div level A/T Bns, along with Bde
A/T units (with an MOD) provide the economy of
force grouping, which is dedicated to meeting
armoured thrusts and counter thrusts.
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Missions
The A/T units and MOD Mobile Obstacle Detachment
(MOD), work together as a team, with the A/T in
command. The MOD may be temporarily detached
when the level of threat is low, to carry out
obstacle creation in support of defending forces,
before reverting to its main role.
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Anti-Tank Reserve
Assets from the A/T Bn in M Bdes and Divs forms
the A/T Reserve, often reinforced with infantry
and tanks for close protection.
Tank units and formations use a tank sub-unit in
the role.
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Aviation
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Aviation
Aviation operating in direct support of OPFOR
ground forces is classified as Army Aviation
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Missions
Army Aviation can perform a range of missions and
tasks, which are usually associated with aircraft
role and weapons load. They are

• Fire Support Missions
• Transport Missions
• Recce Missions
• Deep Raids
• Special Missions

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Rotary - Tactics
Attack helicopters frequently fly forward of the
attacking forces and will work in coys (groups of
four as hunter-killer teams) using pop up tactics
to fire into an engagement area (EA).
Note All helicopters will fly at least in pairs.
Helicopters are also used to insert special
operations forces in the enemy rear as well as to
move troops and supply laterally on the
battlefield.
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Rotary - Capabilities
One group of attack helicopters, operating in
one sortie against the target, can expect to
destroy 10-12 tanks in the open or 6-8 tanks
dug-in.
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Rotary - Capabilities
One pair of medium lift transport helicopters
(Mi-8) can carry 48 combat-equipped men to a
target area.
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Fixed Wing Support

• Fixed wing aircraft are integrated into ground
  force battle plans and are used primarily for
  battlefield air interdiction (AI).
• OPFOR has limited numbers of modern aircraft.

• It can be expected that a surge of sorties will
  begin early in a conflict.
• The sortie rate will drop off as attrition takes
  place, because of limited repair and resupply
  facilities and expertise.

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Chemical Defence
42
Offensive Use of Chemical Weapons
OPFOR does not have any nuclear weapons. However,
OPFOR becoming increasingly interested in
biological weapons. Not seen as a threat, but
OPFOR is conducting research in this area.
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Offensive Use of Chemical Weapons
Only the LEMGO Armed Forces have a CW capability
(Army SSMs). Estimates of TRIPLE COMPACTs
holdings vary, but they are said to amount to a
minimum of 2,000 agent tonnes. "Release
authority" is held by the LEMGO Minister of
Defence, but would be delegated to the Army Chief
of Staff on outbreak of hostilities.
44
NBC Defence Ops
OPFOR have adequate stocks of chemical protective
clothing/masks and medical treatment kits.
Chemical defence units are located at most levels
throughout corps units.
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Delivery Systems

Chemical rounds are available for all artillery
systems of 122 mm and larger calibres. MRLs,
missile systems and ground-attack A/C (with bombs
and sprays) are also very effective delivery
means, especially against targets in the enemys
depth.
Extract from Genforce not covered in OPFOR
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The Role of Chemical Defence Troops
At the Division-level, sub-units are responsible
for Decontamination Chemical Reconnaissance
Note Chemical recce units are also used as
mobile weather stations. Chemical warning
messages, indicating friendly use of CWs are not
used by TRIPLE COMPACT. Chemical warning signs
are usually of old Soviet/Warsaw Pact design.
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Decontamination
The AFV Decontamination Platoon (Div Chem Def Bn)
can decontaminate a Tank Battalion in 30-90 mins
and an MR Battalion in about 2 hrs.
Extract from Genforce not covered in OPFOR
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Secondary Roles
Chemical Defence troops are also responsible for
the generation of Smoke during both offensive and
defensive operations.
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Electronic Warfare
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Electronic Warfare (EW)
EW is an integral part of all combat actions and
is so important that it is regarded as the equal
to fire in its impact in combat. Major
investments have been made in all aspects of
EW. Note From electronic support
measures (ESM) satellites through electromagnetic
pulse (EMP) munitions and jammers to reducing the
vulnerability of equipments to EMP and enemy ECM
51
EW Operations
Most EW assets are held at Corps level however,
Div assets are found within the Recce Bns. OPFOR
EW staff has responsibility for emission control
and communications security, as well as for
attacks on enemy systems to include a.
Intelligence Gathering. SIGINT and DF are totally
integrated into the overall intelligence effort
and are used in the main for targeting. b.
Offensive Activity. Offensive activity is
concentrated on key systems in the enemys depth
and on the main axis. A careful selection is made
of what frequencies can be jammed and at what
times. c. Defensive Measures. Considerable
attention is paid in training to operating in an
EW environment. d. Deception. EW is seen as
vital to the success of any deception plan.
Emitters are used to replicate CPs, traffic
control nets, AD zones, etc.
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Logistics
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Logistic Support
The OPFOR Commanders believe that future
battlefields will be fluid with no continuous
line and will spread over a wide area,
increasing the demand for logistics
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Supply System
It is essential to maintain stock levels at or
near the norm for as long as possible in all
formations and units. Mobile stocks are setup
incase the logistic cord is cutoff and until such
time as resupply lines are reopened.
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Supply Priorities

• The order of priority is
• Precision munitions,
• Petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL),
• Technical material,
• Conventional dumb ammunition, and
• Food, medical supplies, clothing.

56
Forward Positioning of Support Elements
Medical and repair facilities must move well
forward to work in areas where there has been
heavy fighting and casualties are concentrated.
Note Combat is also expected to take place round
the clock (with the cover of darkness becoming an
increasingly illusory advantage for logisticians).
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During conventional operations, OPFOR anticipates
a one-third of all AFV kills irreparable.
However the remainder will be put back into
action within 1 or 2 days.
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Questions?
OPFOR Doctrine Tactics
Combat Support and Combat Service Support
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Confirmation

• What are types of Artillery groupings?
• What is the role of the engineers?
• What are the types of engineer groups what do
  they do?
• What are the artillery deliver systems for NBC?
• What does OPFOR anticipate for vehicle repairs?

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Questions?
OPFOR Doctrine Tactics Combat Support and
Combat Service Support