Russia is to create two new divisions by the end of 2016 to counter the growing NATO military might on the Russian borders, Russia’s defence minister has announced.
One new division will be created in Russia’s Western Military District (MD), and another in its Southern MD. The creation of the new divisions come on top of plans announced in January to create one division in Russia’s Western MD and one in its Central MD.
“The defence ministry is undertaking steps to counter the growing NATO potential in close proximity to the Russian borders. Two new divisions will be formed in the Western MD and one in the Southern MD by the end of the year,” Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said. He added the places for their deployment are already being built up.
In total the plans mean Russia is forming four new divisions: two in its Western MD, one in its Southern MD, and one in its Central MD. Currently the Russian Ground Forces possess just two divisions: the 2nd Guards Motorised Division and the 4th Guards Tank Division.
Ground forces commander-in-chief Colonel General Oleg Salyukov said the new formations will emerge on the basis of existing brigades. Their organisational and staff matrix is likely to copy Soviet-era standard divisions – six regiments per division and 10,000 men in total.
The places of new deployment have not been disclosed so far. Military experts believe one of the divisions is likely to be created on the basis of the 9th Motorized Infantry Brigade, which together with the command of the 20th Army will be relocated from Nizhny Novgorod to Boguchar and Valuiki. Earlier there were reports the settlements will accommodate the 10th Guards Tank Division. Most likely the 20th Army of the Western MD will be reinforced by the 10th Guards Tank Division, which will be formed on the basis of the 1st Guards Tank Brigade.
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