Re: When did 2 MG per soviet section become standard?
probably depends on what was to hand -
Both an RPK SAW, and a full-bore 7.62 LMG in a section was not unheard of, and 2xRPK was very common.
Afghanistan seems to be when they became more interested in putting full-bore LMG back in the rifle platoon, and also they beefed up the battalion support weapons coy with the GPMG platoons and AGL platoons. (Pre Afghanistan, the BN support platoon was quite lean, only a couple of RCL and saggers and a section of 3x82mm mortars as far as I recall). The AGL/MG platoons typically get attached down to company HQS as standard protocol, I believe.
Afghanistan was also the time that grenade launchers appeared for the individual assault rifles (GP-25).
So - its a WAG - but Afghanistan (75+) would be the time frame methinks.
Andy
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