Romanian Army - Cold War

06/03/2019

https://m.adevarul.ro/locale/hunedoara/secretele-industriei-militare-romania-anilor-50-faceau-specialistii-sovietici-fabricile-armament-romanesti-1_5c7e9ef3445219c57eeb0c79/index.html

Rapoartele secrete ale spionajului american din România primilor ani de comunism arătau cm încerca industria de armament să facă faţă nevoilor acelor vremuri şi cât de mult era controlată de sovietici.

04/08/2018

03.08.1978 - In order to endow the military aviation with MiG-23, a group of pilots and technicians went to training in the USSR, the head of the group being Colonel Dumitru Tache.

Source: CER Senin - Revista Forțelor Aeriene

02/05/2017

In the late 1970s, Romania ordered 30 T-72M main battle tanks from the USSR. The Romanian government asked USSR for a license to build T-72 tanks locally but was refused by the Soviet leaders.

In response they started to develop a Roumanian tank: TR-125. The tank was developed from 1984 to 1991. The turret and the loading mechanism were developed by ICSITEM research institute from Bucharest, while the chassis was designed by ACSIT–P 124 from the F.M.G.S. (FMGS stands for "Fabrica de Mașini Grele Speciale" - Special Heavy Equipment Factory) division of the "23rd August" (now known as FAUR) factory from Bucharest.

Three prototypes were made between 1987 and 1988 and tested until 1991. An order from the Romanian Army did not come however, and the project was later canceled. The prototypes were kept in storage, hidden from public eye. Until now.

After years of secrecy, almost forgotten, the famous and controversial P-125 (also known as TR-125) were brought to the National Military Museum "Regele Ferdinand".

On this occasion we have access to the most interesting and awaited photos of the P-125: those of the interior. Well, on this occasion I was confirmed and what was a maximum enigma, total controversy, information became myth: The engine !!!! They were very exotic over time, culminating in the idea that their plans were "stolen" with the diplomatic bag, being inspired by the "Leopard!" Engine ... Well, not only those who have no idea can fabulously do this, but actually it has nothing to do with "Leo"!

The tank seems to be complete, it has the fire and tank management system, the sighting system, the cannon loading, etc.

If you can, you can see it in the National Military Museum, otherwise enjoy attached pictures.

source: http://suntemromania.blogspot.ro/2015/11/909au-iesit-la-lumina-t72-si-p-125-in.html

29/12/2016

Antitank rocket antitank missile 9M14 Maliutka was most widespread in the Romanian army. It was used on numerous types of land and air platforms.

Earlier equip the army with this type of weapon was made by imports from the former USSR complex 9P110 (chassis BRDM 1 Crew 2 persons) and portable complex 9K11 (transport-launch team of 3 people). If there 9P110 for armored complex photographs attesting its use by the Romanian army, for portable complex 9K11 I personally have not been able to find any source of information although authorized and drawings he mentions the existence of knowledge.

26/12/2016

MIG-23 in serviciul de lupta,langa Celula de alarma.

24/12/2016

A weapon used in wars, better or worse, depending on skill by operators or adverse propaganda.

Reference Soviet model was introduced equipped in 1963 and was produced with successive improvements until 1984 in the USSR. In other countries, such as Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria is still in the nomenclature of production. It mentioned that in Russia, especially since 1995, have made offers to resume production with upgraded models or just upgrading existing missiles to third countries in user equipment. Around 45 new types of cargo are provided cumulative, in tandem, or thermobaric loads.

The original rocket is a rocket antitank guided wire-guided manually by sight picture (acronym in English MCLOS). In this case the operator launches rocket and then notice the bright point target and the missile tracer through the periscope with the naked eye or using a joystick to make corrections on the path. The simplest form of routing an antitank missile. But do not forget that to reach something was needed 200 years of industrial revolution and two world wars.

The rocket itself was simplified to the maximum. If the previous model, 3M6 Shmel have 6 servos routing Maliutka has only one engine nozzles acting on the march. Gyroscope is put in march by a metal band wound on the shaft or, simplistically speaking, in the same way that is done ... starting with a cord motor boats or one similar (lawn mower, generator, etc.). Rocket launch to impart a rotation movement around its axis (8.5 rev / sec) by positioning angled nozzle motor home. Trajectory this rotation angle is provided by the arrangement of the bearing surfaces. The missile has no onboard power source, which is received from the control panel through three core cable with a length of 3000 m, in the command signal left-right and up-down. Linking command signal to the correct position to the horizontal gyroscope is made by block. Immediately after launch, the rocket rises avoid hitting any restriction due to the angle of the ramp. Minimum distance running conditions for entry into the bloc gyroscopic guidance is 400-500 m bye this portion rocket flying unaided. For this reason, the team launch complex equipping and portable complexes on chassis BRDM 1 and 2 enter an antitank gr***de launcher RPG-7 (AG-7) to fight antiblindate in this dead space. As noted before, the rocket has a tracer, whose flame is observed by the operator, observing at the same time target and trying to maintain the bright point of tracer superimposed on target, directing rocket with a joystick located on the control panel .

26/10/2016

TABC-79

Making a recce vehicle from a 8×8 APC
Before the TABC-79, The Romanian Ratmil Regie Automoma designed and built locally modified versions of the Soviet BTR-60, known as the TAB-71 (from the year of acceptance). When the BTR-70 was out, it gave birth to the TAB-77, also an improved local version. Next, the TABC-79 was a brand new vehicle all by itself. About the size of a BRDM-2, it was derived from the TAB-77 and kept most if its components and features. It is now known as the ABC-79M in the Romanian Army Inventory and classed as a reconnaissance APC. Formerly the C in TABC stands for “reconnaissance”, TAB for “transportorul blindat” or APC. It was accepted into service in 1979 and produced to an extent of 430 vehicles until the mid-1980s. Now maintained by ROMARM (which absorbed Ratmil) it is known as the ABC-79M which stands for amfibiu blindat pentru cercetare Or literally “Amphibious Armoured For Reconnaissance”.

Design
Basically the original TAB-77 hull was shortened by 1,80 meters, and the wheel-train was reduced to two axles, with independent roadwheels, making it an agile 4×4. Most if its components are shared with the TAB-77. The hull is of all-welded steel construction, providing protection against 20 mm rounds, shell splinters and small arms fire. The original configuration is kept, with the commander and driver seating at the front, their view protected by windscreens and armoured shutters, plus single-piece hatches above, opening forward, and four PF2 day periscopes to the front and sides. The commander was given an AON1 IR searchlight mounted and operated from the roof while standing buttoned-up or remotely.

Right behind was located the one-man manually operated turret (shared by the TAB-71/77) armed with the 14.5 mm KPVT heavy MG plus a coaxial 7.62 mm PKT LMG. There is room for four equipped infantrymen, ammo and equipments behind, but the engine bay immediately follows, showing air inlet and outlet louvres protruding on the roof while the exhaust pipes are located on the rear left side. For access, a single door is present on either side at the rear, opening outwards, one with a firing port, but also lower hull entry doors on each sides, between the axles, and a single roof hatch, right of the engine compartment. There are also two hull firing ports, side periscopes, and turntable-mounted roof periscopes.

The main engine is the same modern SAVIEM 797-05M1 132 hp diesel engines that also propelled the TAB-77. Due to the much reduced weight, the TABC-79 was much faster and agile than the 8×8 APC, with a top speed of 80 kph and an operational range of 700 km. It retains full amphibious capability, relying on a single water-jet in the rear for propulsion. Preparation includes turning on the bilge pumps and erecting the trim vane by the driver. The latter is normally stowed retracted on the glacis plate, acting as add-on armour. Other protection equipments includes NBC, and the standard automatic fire extinguisher. There is also a front-mounted winch (50 m cable, 5,5 tons capacity), infra-red night vision equipment and a central tyre-pressure regulation system plus an engine preheater for extremely low temperatures.

22/10/2016

De ziua infanteriei, in poligonul Valeni.

09/09/2016

MiG-21 F-13. Numarul "711", Otopeni, anii '90.

MiG-21 F-13 a fost introdusă oficial în serviciul operativ al Aviaţiei Militare Sovietice (VVS) la data de 27 octombrie 1960, construcţia debutând la Uzina nr. 21 (GAZ 21) din oraşul Gorki (actualul Nijni Novgorod).

Este prima versiune de MIG din armata Romana si a intrat in dotare in 1963 pe aerodromul Mihail Kogalniceanu. Modelul F-13 a fost retras din dotare in anii 70.

F = Forsirovannyy ("Inbunatatita")
13 = Dotata cu sistemul de rachete K-13.

Maimulte detalii http://www.aripi-argintii.ro/aparatdezbor.php?p=120

06/09/2016

TR-850. The “TR” stands for “Tank Romanesc”. The program, started in 1974, ended on 1980 when the TR-77 entered in service. The “77” stands for the year of introduction, and “580” was related to the engine which was eventually chosen instead for production. Indeed, negotiation began with West Germany for the delivery of a licence for the local manufacture of the desired 800 hp diesels, but West German attitude towards democracy prevented any prolongated collaborations. Work on the 800 hp version however were pursued and will led ultimately to the TR-85.

Work on the first prototype was was conducted at the “Central repair combat equipment” of Mizil from Mizil Mechanical Plant in 1974. The first three zero-series were completed in mid 1976. In October 1976, the first production vehicles leaved the factory, for further testings which lasted about six months. By late spring 1977, production moved to the larger Marsa Mechanical Plant, where the actual, entire Romanian tank production wtook place nowadays. Investments in march 1976 for this plant were over three billion lei, representing almost 80% of the total planned investment for the TR-77 program. In the spring of 1978 for political reasons, all manufacturing and training specialists, in Sepia were transferred to Bucharest, where a new factory was set up. The new tank Factory was established in 1978 under Decree No. 514/17.12.1978 as the Special Heavy Machinery Factory (FMGS) in 23 August. Investment however was discontinued. The first serie TR-77s however first participated -even before being assigned to military units- in a military parade in Bucharest on the occasion of the Romanian National Day (august, 23). Tests were performed in specialized military polygons until last October 1979 with the first 11 tanks delivered.

Since February 1980 further tests with the new 25 tanks produced in 1980 were made at the Mizil and Jegălia Mechanical Plant, in Calarasi. A final order was placed for 210 tanks and 100 sets of parts per year. By the Decree 474/12.26.1983, technical and organizational measures were intended to increase production capacity to 500 tanks per year. The new capabilities make it possible to organize the production of the tank TR-85, to achieve the required quality and – at the same time – number of pieces required. This also was to gear up production for the TR-85. In 1990 it was planned for 01.01.1991, that the tanks factory would pass from the 23 August Bucharest organic company (now SC Faur SA) to an organic Army Industrial Group, the RAs.

05/09/2016

The Romanian ground forces were primarily equipped with soviet-built tanks at the beginning of the cold war, namely the T-34/85, but modern soviet forces were present at least until 1970 when Ceaucescu pursued an independence policy that led to the retirement of these forces but an order for 850 T-55s. These were delivered between 1970 and 1977. However relations with the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact allies were so cold that no help could be obtained, and Romania turned to the People’s Republic of China, which in turn saw the opportunity to tackle the Soviets once again and provided help and expertise. The T-55A became the major part of these forces, known locally as the Am type, still in service in the 1990s. Their “Volna” fire control system was gradually replaced by the upgraded Czech T-55AM2 “Kladivo” FCS, and eventually the locally upgraded “Ciclop” FCS. This was a modernization program which began in 1974. But alongside there was a strong impetus to develop a domestic main battle tank, in accordance to this independence policy. The original requirement asked for a 40-tons MBT with a 100 mm main gun and a 800 hp diesel engine which was to be similar to one propelling the Leopard-I, and based on the T-55.