Cold War.

The United States (Special Forces/Green Berets and Special Operations Forces) operated covertly long before and after the official deployment of troops. They carried out sabotage in North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia (MACV-SOG), and also trained Contra units in Nicaragua. The United States (CIA and pilots) secretly supplied weapons to anti-communist guerrillas in Laos, Tibet, and Angola under the cover of civilian airlines (e.g., Air America), waging a covert air war. The United Kingdom (SAS Special Forces) fought unofficially in Yemen (in Aden), Oman, and Borneo against Soviet-backed rebels. They acted as "instructors," carrying out complex counterinsurgency operations. France (Foreign Legion) was used extensively in Indochina and Algeria. After the Legion's downsizing, officers often turned to mercenaries and fought against pro-Soviet regimes in Central Africa. South Africa (Recces Special Forces and the 32nd "Buffalo" Battalion) was a key Western ally in Africa. South African Special Forces waged a brutal covert war in Angola against Cuban troops and Soviet advisers. Great Britain, France, and the United States (White Mercenaries/Wild Geese)—veterans of World War II and colonial wars from these countries flocked en masse to "volunteer" in the Congo, Rhodesia, and Angola. They were financed by Western companies to protect mines from communists. Taiwan (Republic of China) sent "volunteer" pilots and instructors to Yemen to support the royalists against the pro-Soviet coalition, and also secretly aided the United States in Vietnam.

USSR (GRU Spetsnaz) — Conducted deep reconnaissance, sabotage, the capture of American trophies, and the training of guerrillas in Angola, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Vietnam, and Laos. USSR (Air Force, Air Defense, and Navy) — Soviet pilots and anti-aircraft gunners engaged in direct air combat with US aircraft in Korea and Vietnam, and also defended the skies over Egypt and Syria from Israel. Cuba ("Internationalists") — Sent large contingents of special forces and regular army troops. Turned the tide of the civil wars in Angola (against South Africa) and Ethiopia. China (Chinese People's Volunteers) — Hundreds of thousands of PLA regulars, posing as "volunteers," fought against the US in the Korean War. China also sent anti-aircraft gunners to Vietnam. North Korea (DPRK) – North Korean military pilots secretly participated in air battles during the Vietnam War and also assisted the Arabs in the Yom Kippur War against Israel. East Germany (Stasi and Volksarmee instructors) – East German specialists established intelligence agencies, communications centers, and trained military elites in Yemen, Mozambique, and Angola. North Vietnam – sent experienced special forces (Dak Kong) fighters and advisers to support communist guerrillas in Laos and Cambodia.

1. Purely attacking (Airplanes and Helicopters) Intended only for the destruction of air and ground targets. Do not have a troop compartment. Fighter aircraft (F-15, F-14, F-16): Air superiority aircraft. Armament: 20-mm M61 Vulcan cannon, guided air-to-air missiles (AIM-9, AIM-7, AIM-54). Attack aircraft (A-10 Thunderbolt II): Armored hunters of armored vehicles. Armament: 30-mm seven-barrel GAU-8 cannon, guided air-to-surface missiles AGM-65 Maverick, aerial bombs. Attack helicopters (AH-1 Cobra, AH-64 Apache): Specialized support helicopters. Armament: 20-mm or 30-mm cannons, anti-tank missiles (ATGM TOW or Hellfire), unguided rockets (UNAR) Hydra 70.2. For infantry transport / With weapons. Multi-role helicopters for tactical airborne landings and fire suppression. Transport and attack helicopters (UH-1 Huey, UH-60 Black Hawk): Carry 11-14 troops. Armament: Door-mounted machine guns (M60D or Minigun). In attack versions (Gunship) - side-mounted rocket pods and missiles. 3. For infantry and cargo transport / Without weapons. Heavy transport for troop and supply transport. Weapons - only light defensive. Heavy helicopters (CH-47 Chinook, CH-53): Transport from 33 to 55 troops or light equipment. Armament: Up to three 7.62-mm machine guns in the windows and on the ramp for self-defense. Military transport aircraft (C-130 Hercules): Aircraft for delivering supplies and dropping paratroopers. Armament: None (except for special fire support versions of the AC-130).

1. Purely attacking (Airplanes and Helicopters) Designed exclusively for the destruction of air and ground targets. Do not have a troop compartment. Fighters for achieving air superiority (MiG-23, MiG-29, Su-27): High-speed air defense and interception aircraft. Armament: 30-mm automatic cannon GSh-30-1, guided air-to-air missiles of short and medium range (R-60, R-73, R-27). Attack aircraft and bombers (Su-25 "Rook", Su-24): Armored aircraft for close support of infantry and bombing of the rear. Armament: Built-in cannons GSh-30-2, heavy unguided rockets (NAR S-8, S-24), aerial bombs (FAB-250/500), guided air-to-surface missiles (Kh-25, Kh-29). Attack helicopters (Mi-24 "Crocodile"): A unique "flying IFV". It has devastating firepower, but retains a small compartment for 8 paratroopers. Armament: Four-barreled YakB-12.7 machine gun (or 30-mm GSh-30K cannon), anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM "Falanga" / "Shturm"), S-8 unguided rocket pods. 2. For transporting infantry / With weapons Multi-purpose transport helicopters capable of transporting large units and simultaneously providing powerful fire support. Medium transport and attack helicopters (Mi-8T / Mi-8MT): The most widespread helicopter for landing troops (up to 24 fighters). Armament: Machine gun pods (GShG-7.62), pods of unguided rockets S-5 or S-8 and free-fall bombs were installed on external hardpoints. 3. For transporting infantry and cargo / Unarmed (or minimally armed for protection) Heavy transport and logistics, not intended for direct fire duel with the enemy. Heavy helicopters (Mi-6, Mi-26): Gigantic machines for transporting entire companies of infantry, trucks, light armored vehicles, or deploying mobile hospitals. Armament: None, or one 12.7 mm machine gun in the nose turret for self-defense. Military transport aircraft (An-12, An-26, Il-76): Strategic aviation for the transfer of airborne forces, supplies, and equipment over long distances

1. Requires a special crew / Has weapons Complex combat vehicles controlled by professional crews (commander, driver, gunner, loader). Main battle tank (M60, M1 Abrams, Leopard 1/2, Chieftain) — rifled and smoothbore 105/120 mm guns, machine guns. Crew: 4 people. Infantry fighting vehicle (M2 Bradley, Marder) — automatic 20/25 mm cannon, machine guns, TOW ATGM. Crew: 3 people (+ troops). Armored reconnaissance vehicle (Scimitar, Spähpanzer Luchs) — fast wheeled or tracked vehicles with automatic cannons. Crew: 3-4 people. Self-propelled artillery and air defense (SPG M109, ZSU Gepard) - heavy tracked artillery and anti-aircraft fire systems. 2. Requires a special crew / No weapons (or only a self-defense machine gun) Heavy specialized supply, repair and control vehicles. Armored repair and recovery vehicle (BREM M88, Bergepanzer) - tractors and cranes for evacuating damaged tanks. Command and staff vehicle (M577) - a mobile headquarters based on a tracked chassis, equipped with radios and maps. Without heavy weapons. 3. Can be driven by infantry / Has weapons Transport, the controls of which are similar to a regular car, but equipped with machine guns or missiles. Armored personnel carrier (M113, Fuchs, VAB) - "armored buses". Controls are simple, any infantryman with a license can handle it in case of the driver's death. Armed with Browning M2 machine guns or anti-tank guided missiles. Armed SUVs (HMMWV "Humvee", M151 MUTT) are jeeps with mounted M60 machine guns, large-caliber M2 or TOW launchers. 4. Can be driven by infantry / Unarmed. Linear logistics transport, available for driving by any soldier. Supply trucks (M35 "Deuce and a Half", MAN Kat1) are multi-purpose all-wheel drive trucks for transporting personnel, supplies and fuel. Light jeeps and amphibious vehicles (Volkswagen Iltis, Land Rover Defender) are unarmed communication, ambulance and staff vehicles.

1. Requires a special crew / Has weapons. Trained specialists (driver, gunner, commander) are required to operate the vehicle. The equipment has powerful standard armament. Main battle tank (T-55, T-62, T-72, T-80) — 100/115/125 mm gun, machine guns. Crew: 3-4 people. Infantry fighting vehicle (BMP-1, BMP-2) — 30 mm or 73 mm gun, ATGM, machine gun. Crew: 3 people (+ paratroopers). Airborne combat vehicle (BMD-1, BMD-2) — airborne vehicle with a standard crew of 2 people and gun and missile armament. Reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) — light armored vehicle with KPVT and PKT machine guns. Crew: 4 people. Anti-aircraft and artillery equipment (ZSU-23-4 "Shilka", SAU "Gvozdika") - self-propelled guns and anti-aircraft guns, controlled by specialist crews. 2. Requires a special crew / No weapons (or only for self-defense) Support equipment requiring professional driving skills and servicing of complex components. Engineering and repair vehicles (BREM-1, IMR, BAT-M) - armored tractors, bridgelayers, bulldozers. Maximum - a personal assault rifle or machine gun on the turret. Command and staff vehicles (KSV based on the BTR-60/BMP) - mobile command posts, filled with radios. Do not have heavy weapons. 3. Can be driven by regular infantry / Armed. Vehicles that are intuitive to operate for any soldier with a basic driving license, but carry firepower. Armored personnel carrier (BTR-60, BTR-70, BTR-80) - controls like a truck. Can be driven by a regular infantryman, although a driver is assigned as standard. Armed with a large-caliber machine gun. Armed SUVs (UAZ-469 with a PKM or SPG-9 machine gun) - regular all-terrain passenger cars with heavy weapons mounted in the back. 4. Can be driven by regular infantry / Unarmed. Standard army transport for logistics, which any soldier can drive. Trucks (GAZ-66, ZIL-131, Ural-4320) - the main workhorses for transporting infantry, ammunition and supplies. Light staff amphibious and SUV vehicles (UAZ-469, LuAZ-967 TPK).

Infantry and Riflemen (Rifleman, Grenadier, Designated Marksman, Sniper, Scout)M16A1/A2 / FN FAL / G3 - Primary assault rifles in 5.56mm and 7.62mm calibers. Basic personal weapon of infantry and scouts.M14 / L42A1 / G3SG1 - Accurate semi-automatic and bolt-action rifles. Used by designated marksman at medium ranges. M24 / Remington 700 / Accuracy International L96 - specialized high-precision sniper rifles for long-range combat. M9 / Colt M1911 / Browning Hi-Power - pistols for self-defense for commanders and officers. Machine gun crews (light and heavy machine gunners) M249 SAW / FN Minimi - light 5.56 mm light machine guns for suppressive fire at the squad level. M60 / FN MAG - 7.62 mm general-purpose machine guns. Used on bipods by machine gunners or by crews on tripods. Browning M2HB - legendary 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. Heavy-duty weapon for engaging armored vehicles and helicopters. Anti-tank classes (Grenade launchers of all types) M203 - 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher, attached to the M16 rifle. The main weapon of the grenadiers. M72 LAW / AT4 - lightweight disposable anti-tank rocket launchers (light class). Carl Gustaf M2 / Panzerfaust 3 - powerful reusable hand-held grenade launchers (medium class). TOW / MILAN ATGM - heavy long-range guided anti-tank missile systems for destroying tanks. Special, engineering services and crews (Medic, Sapper, Crew) XM177 / Colt Commando - shortened carbines based on the M16 for vehicle crews and special forces. Uzi / MP5 - submachine guns for self-defense of medics, sappers, signalmen and heavy weapons crews. M202 FLASH - four-barreled rocket flamethrower for special flamethrower crews of the USA.

Infantry and Riflemen (Rifleman, Submachine Gunner, Designated Marksman, Sniper, Scout)AKM / AK-74 - the main assault rifles of 7.62 mm and 5.45 mm calibers. Basic personal weapon for riflemen, assault troops and scouts.SVD - 7.62 mm Dragunov sniper rifle. The main weapon of designated marksmen in squads and snipers for work at medium ranges.PM (Makarov Pistol) - 9 mm pistol for self-defense of officers and commanders.Machine-gun crews (Light and heavy machine gunners)RPK / RPK-74 - squad light machine guns, unified with Kalashnikov assault rifles. Weapon of light machine gunners.PKM - 7.62 mm Kalashnikov general-purpose machine gun, modernized. Used on bipods or mounts to create concentrated fire. The DShKM / NSV "Utes" are 12.7mm heavy machine guns. They are used by heavy machine gun crews to combat lightly armored vehicles and helicopters. Anti-tank classes (Grenade launchers of all types). The GP-25 "Kostyor" is a 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher for assault rifles. Light grenade launcher weapons. RPG-18 "Mukha" - a disposable rocket-propelled anti-tank grenade (light class). RPG-7 - the legendary reusable hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher (medium class). SPG-9 "Kopyo" - 73-mm easel-mounted anti-tank grenade launcher (heavy grenade launcher). ATGM "Malyutka" / "Fagot" / "Konkurs" - guided missile systems for destroying tanks at long distances. Special, engineering services and crews (Medic, Sapper, Crew) AKS-74U - shortened assault rifle. Self-defense weapons for tank, infantry fighting vehicle, and helicopter crews, as well as for medics and sappers. The APS (Avtomat Pistolet Stechkina) is an automatic pistol with a holster-butt for heavy weapons crews and grenade launchers. The LPO-50 / RPO "Rys" are infantry flamethrowers for special flamethrower units.

Infantry and RiflemenRifleman - the basic soldier of the line infantry.Grenadier - a rifleman with an underbarrel grenade launcher for high-angle fire.Designated Marksman - an infantry marksman for medium ranges.Sniper - a stealthy autonomous marksman for the elimination of high-value targets.Scout - a forward patrol fighter to spot the enemy.Machine Gun CrewsAutomatic Rifleman - a rifleman with a light machine gun in a squad.Heavy Machine Gunner - a crew of a heavy machine gun.Assistant Gunner - a soldier who carries belts and barrels.Anti-Tank ClassesAnti-Armor Specialist - a soldier with a disposable rocket launcher pipe. Heavy Grenade Launcher / ATGM Operator - a crew of powerful guided missile systems. Ammo Bearer - a supply fighter carrying heavy missiles and shells. Command and Communications Squad Leader / Platoon Leader - the tactical leader of the unit. Radio Operator - the commander's liaison for coordination with headquarters. Forward Observer - a specialist for calling in artillery fire. Forward Air Controller - coordinator of attack aviation from the ground. Special and Engineering Services Combat Medic - a field doctor for the platoon to provide first aid. Combat Engineer - a specialist in explosives, mines and obstacles. CBRN Specialist - a fighter of chemical, radiation and biological protection. Flamethrower Operator - an attack aircraft with a flamethrower (used before late 1970s).Special forces soldier / Ranger (Ranger / Commando) - an elite fighter for deep sabotage in the rear.Vehicle crew - drivers, gunners and commanders of tanks or armored personnel carriers.

Rifle Classes (Infantry) Rifleman - The basic soldier of the line infantry. Submachine Gunner / Assault - A close-combat fighter for breaking through positions. Designated Marksman - A marksman for squad support in combat. Sniper - A stealthy fighter for pinpoint elimination at long range. Machine Gun Classes Light Machine Gunner - A soldier with a light machine gun on a bipod as part of a squad. Heavy Machine Gunner - A crew of a heavy or heavy machine gun. Grenade Launcher and Anti-Tank Classes Light Grenade Launcher - A soldier with an underbarrel grenade launcher or a disposable anti-tank tube. Medium Grenade Launcher - The primary shooter with a reusable hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher. Heavy Grenade Launcher - A crew of a mounted anti-tank grenade launcher or an operator of an anti-tank missile system (ATGM). Assistant Grenade Launcher — a soldier who carries ammunition and covers the gunner. Tactical and Special Classes Scout — a soldier of deep or military reconnaissance units. Saboteur / Special Forces Soldier — a soldier of special forces units operating in the rear. Sapper / Engineer — a specialist in mining, demining, and constructing fortifications. Flamethrower — a soldier of special chemical troops for burning out pillboxes and fortifications. Command Classes and Communications Squad / Platoon Commander — the tactical leader of the battle. Radio Operator / Signalman — a soldier responsible for coordinating and calling for support. Artillery Spotter — a specialist directing the fire of rear batteries. Crews and Support Vehicle Crew — driver-mechanics, gunner-operators, and commanders of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers. Medic / Orderly — a specialist in providing first aid and evacuating the wounded. Ammunition Bearer — a soldier of the supply service on the battlefield.