Motor Rifleman, Lightweight Summer Field Dress


Some Motor Rifle units were issued the light hooded jacket introduced from 1984, with new gathered trousers, for mountain infantry, and wore it over the normal lightweight summer Field Dress. Note LP0-50 flamethrower, soon to be replaced by the RPO and RPO-A.


Motor Rifleman, Lightweight Summer Field Dress

Recent photos show this new outfit, including a forage cap. Unusually, some Motor Rifles troops are shown wearing the striped blue and white undershirt previously limited - as a sign of elite status to Airborne and Naval infantry forces; could this be a sign of unit distinction earned in combat? Note R-105M manpack radio, which can also be accompanied by an amplifier carried by a second soldier.


Motor Rifleman, Lightweight Winter Field Dress


Since 1985 the Limited Contingent of Soviet Forces/Afghanistan introduced a variety of new uniform items. This new winter jacket, roughly resembling the traditional officers; winter work jacket but with pockets and other features similar to Polish and Czechoslovak equivalents, began replacing the clumsy greatcoat. Experience in Afghanistan also led to the introduction of a variety of armored vests, this example being used by road patrol and truck drivers. Photos taken in Afghanistan in 1986 also show this new chest pouch rig for AK-74 magazines.