Hungarian OOB

[Pannonicus]

HDF air defense 1945-2005

After WW2 from winter of 1944 there were 2-3 batteries, serving with the Red Army. They continued to exist until 1946 October, when they were disbanded. They used WW2 equipment, 40mm Bofors cannons and 80mm Bofors AA guns.

New units with new equipment were formed after October 1948. They used Soviet 39M 37mm cannons as well as 85mm KS-12 guns. There were 4 guns in a battery. 39M had 200 ammo per gun, KS-12 had 120. KS-12 was used against ground targets as well, max. range they trained with was 1000m against tanks. It could also fire as field gun, indirect fire with observer. In infantry battalions DShK machineguns were used as AA weapons in platoons of 3 guns.
From 1950, 39M guns were used in batteries of 6 instead of 4. From 1954, KS-12s were grouped in batteries of 8. This lasted until 1956 November.

From 1956 November to 1959 December, KS-12s were organized into batteries of 4 or tubes, and from 1958 SON-4 fire control radar aided the batteries. In November 1958 a new gun, called KS-19 appeared. It was a 100mm gun, capable of engaging tanks at 2000m. Its allotment was 100 pieces of ammo. From 1961 it was not only in fixed positions around major cities, but with troops as well. A battery consisted of 8 guns and 3 DShK machineguns. They served only until 1962, but then for a long time they were mothballed.

In 1959 October the first unit of S-75M Dvina arrived. It was an older set with 5 containers for crew, later ones had only 3 containers. The one with 5 containers was capable of engaging targets from 3km-20km altitude, from 12km minimum distance. (Game note: SAMs of this type should be like off-map artillery, their perspectives are just so different from ground operations. Every 6 seconds the complex was able to launch a missile, max. 3 at a given target. It was rather hard to maneuver off all 3, so maybe the script allowing airplanes in the game to maneuver missiles off should be modified to reflect these multiple launches.) 3 container version arrived from October 1960 – altogether these systems were combat ready by April 1961. Missiles were called V-750M.

Close protection for missile batteries (1 battery is always 6 1-rail launchers with type!) was provided by S-60 57 mm cannons. They arrived in October 1959 as well. 4 pieces were in a battery, and each battery had a SON-9 fire control radar with E-2 computer to calculate elements. 200 pieces of ammo were given to each gun. From August 1961 ground troops also received this cannon.

In the spring of 1962 tank units were provided with ZSU-57-2 SPAA, 6 pieces in a battery. They were used agains ground targets up to 1500m. 300 ammo was their allotment. At the same time 39M guns were replaced at A category units with ZU-2 14.5mm guns, 6 in a battery. DShK machineguns also disappeared from these troops. However, all equipment not in use any more were retained, until 1989-90 with "M" (mobilization) units. ZU-2 could fire at ground targets up to 1000m, and it had 2352 ammo.

S-75M Dvina was constantly modernized:
-In 1965 the altitude of engagement was extended to 500m down, 35km up. (Not with the single 5 container system.)
-In 1970, minimum altitude to 100m, minimum distance 5km. VISUAL tracking was introduced!
-In 1973, better guidance system was introduced (more automatic), and IFF system was installed
-In 1974, new V-750VM missiles arrived with better maneuverability and more effective warhead.
-In 1975, IARU identification modes were added, helping to see through jamming, and separating jamming targets from each other. V-750VU/VMU missiles were introduced, they could be fired after 30s of preparation.
-In 1980, the last modification took place, batteries now could be connected to VEKTOR-2VE automatic central command, giving 20-30% better hit ratio, and saving 15% on number of missiles used for a target. VEKTOR itself became operational from July 1981 in Hungary.

Regarding mobility of the S-75M, it is worth to note that one year from 21-26 August 3 complexes with everything were deployed back and forth in a 300 km road without problem. Therefore in the game, while these units were generally fixed locations in a country, their deployment in an assault/defend scenario is justified.

In June 1969 ZSU-23-4 Shilka arrived, partially replacing ZSU-57-2. They used the same 6x in a battery format, and were used against ground targets up to 2000m.

In 1973, SON-9 fire control radars were replaced with RPK-1, which encompassed the computer as well.

In 1975, Strela-1 (SA-9) arrived, while from 1977 Strela-2 (SA-7) was used as well.
In 1986 Strela-10 (SA-13) and Igla (SA-16) were introduced as well. Both Strela-1 and -10 were organized into 4 machines batteries. Strela-10 is equipped with a radio-pellengator (1/battery), capable of passive reconnaissance of airplanes emitting electromagnetic waves.

In 1976, first Kub 2K12 complexes arrived. There are 4 launchers in a battery, each holding 3 missiles. The are effective from 25m-10km altitude, 4-20km distance. (In 1978, a more advanced version of Kub arrived.)
In December 1981 Krug 2K11 systems arrived. There are 3 launchers in a battery, each holding 2 3M8 missiles. Effective from 150m-24km altitude, 9-50km distance. Krug and Kub were complementary, much like S-75M Dvina and S-125M Neva, the first doing high-altitude, the second low-altitude jobs. In 1978 an automatic fire distribution/control system appeared at ground troops as well, called PU-12, making air defense more effective. At the end of the 1970s the 39M cannons were finally retired – however, in case of war, they might have been used again, as not all of them were destroyed.

In October 1977 S-125M Neva was introduced. Its V-601P missile was effective from 20m to 18km, distance of 3.5km-25km. 2 missiles could be guided at the target simultaneously. They had optical guidance too.

In September 1978 the first S-75M2 Volhov complexes arrived (SA-2e), their V-755 missiles were effective from 100m to 30km altitude, and 7-43km distance. They had improved anti-jamming capability, and optical guidance as well. By 1984 Dvina systems were gone, completely replaced.

In 1983 new S-75M3-OP Volhovs arrived, with improved capabilities.

In September 1986 a group of S-200VE Vega (SA-5) became operational, capable of covering almost all Hungary. Its 6x V-880E missiles were could be used from 300m-40km altitude, and from 17km-240km distance. (Now this is a problem for the game – this is really a strategic weapon!)

In September 1986 a SENEZ-ME replaced the VEKTOR-2VE system. It had a direct connection to Moscow, to the ALMAZ system, coordinating all WP air defences. With this Hungarian air defenses reached their zenith, there were no more developments. (Originally, for 1990 two complexes of S-300 were planned – but history wished otherwise, they were never installed in Hungary.)

After the political changes, radical military downsizing started, and still continuing today. Due to the closeness of this period, I do not have as clear data as I had with older systems.

In 1990, ZSU-23-4 was withdrawn, together with ZSU-57-2.
In 1996, both Strela-1 and Strela-10 was withdrawn. ZU-2 also disappeared at this time.
From December 1997, missile units were withdrawn from their deployement around the countryside, but they continued to exist – to a lesser and lesser number – until December 2000. Then Volhov, Neva, Krug systems were withdrawn.
In 1999 Mistral missiles arrived – they are installed with double launchers on Unimog flatbed trucks, with a Swedish early warning radar in each battery.
The most modern Kubs we received in the early 80s are still in service. ZU-23 and S-60 guns were withdrawn around 2001.

[Pannonicus]

I dont know whether spoob group is still active, anyway, I post this message. I hope developers will have the time, incorporating these into WinSPMBT. (By the way, congratulations to the effort!)

So I would like to briefly summarize the transport aircraft, helicopters of the Hungarian People's Army / Hungarian Defense Forces. The date below is from a book recently published by a former pilot of one of the two helicopter units. I cross-checked the info with friends from army and MoD, they all say it is correct, and the best available source.

Iljusin IL-28

The first planes arrived in February 1955, and the last ones were decommissioned in April 1970. However, from December 1966 they did not fly them. There were only 9 planes in Hungary, 7 combat version, 2 trainers (no navigator/bombing officer). The funny thing is, that since after the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty Hungary was forbidden to have bomber planes, there was no bombs in service, planes were only used to reconnaissance and towing drones for aerial gunnery of fighters. Crews did not even receive bombing or gunnery training. In case of war, there were to serve as recon units.

Lisunov Li-2 "Teve" (words in brakets are Hungarian codenames, used only before 1955. Teve = Camel)

First plane arrived in September 1949, last was decommissioned in 1974. Altogether there were 20 pieces of this plane, but some of them were destroyed before 1974. Also, sometime they were in civilian service.

Jakovlev Jak-12R "Gém"

Small liaison plane, similar to L-5. First ones arrived in 1952, they served until 1973. They were not intended officially for reconnaissance, but in a case of war, they would have been used, I am sure. 10 pieces served in HPA.

Jakovlev Jak-18 "Fürj"

Similar to Texan trainer, 67-68 pieces were used in aviation schools between 1951-1965. They could have been used as recon, I suppose.

Mil Mi-4

The HPA had very bad experience with this helicopter. Only three of them served, but 2 suffered catastrophe within a few years. First one arrived in August 1955, but by February 1958 there was only one left, the two others crashed. The last one was traded with Poland in 1963 for a BUTI-15 (Mig-15 UTI). Between 1958 and 1963 the helicopter only flew a few hours! There was no armament at all on Mi-4s in HPA.

Mil Mi-1M

The first real experience with helicopters, These small crafts were used as liaison and medevac (2 persons carried on outside stretchers.) First one arrived in August 1961, last ones were withdrawn in December 1982. 26 pieces served altogether. No armament was used, but they had experience spotting for artillery.

Kamov Ka-26

While not a real military plane, this one was also used and widely liked in HPA. First ones arrived mid-1971. I did not find the exact number and date of decommissioning. Probably early 90s when unit was disbanded. No armament, they were mostly used for chemical/radiation recon and spraying material against these. Also for liaison, of course.

Mil Mi-8T

Basic version of the Mi-8, it can carry 24 soldiers with equipment or 12 stretchers. Crew is 3 persons. Armament is 4xUB-57UV blocks, with 16 S-5 missiles in each (fragmentation and cumulative), or 4x250kg bombs (would be fun in the game to drop them from hovering – could you please add them?!!!) First one arrived May 1969, they are still in service.

Mil Mi-8P

Personnel carrier version of the Mi-8, can carry 28 persons with luggage. No armament, a few of them are in use. First one arrived in April 1970. Still in use.

Mil Mi-8PS

VIP carrier version, can carry only 11 persons. No armament, of course.  First one arrived December 1982, still used.

Mil Mi-9 "Ivolga"

Special modification of Mi-8, used by division/corps command. Includes cryptographic devices, as well as sets of radio etc. Only one was used in Hungary, from April 1984 to August 1999. It was then converted into Mi-8T. (Probably not applicable in this game.)

Mil Mi-17

Very similar to Mi-8T, it could carry 24 soldiers as well. Its armament was enhanced, and consisted of 6xUB-32A blocks, each holding 32 S-5 rockets, frag and cumulative, or 6x250kg bombs. (Originally, it could also carry napalm canisters of UPK-23 cannon containers, but these were never used in HPA/HDF.) First ones arrived in December 1987, they are still used (but in much smaller number than Mi-8Ts).

Mil Mi-17P

Special ECM variant of the Mi-17. It can be recognized from the "tennis-table" on its side, and the lack of side windows. It was to suppress air defences, but carried no weapons armament. Crew is 5 persons. (Maybe it could be simulated in the game by using a Mi-17, giving it very high EW, and not giving it any transport capacity. Then it could be used by the player as a "missile magnet" putting it high altitude, and see SAMs launched (emptying launchers) in vain. Just an idea…) Only 2 of them were used, they arrived in February 1990, and were converted to transport variants in January 2004.

Mil Mi-24D

First ones arrived in July 1978, they are still in use. The helicopter can carry 8 persons as desant. It is armed with a 12.7 mm 9A624 four-barrel machinegun, which carries 1470 cartridges. Rate of fire is 4-5000/min.

It has 4x9M17 Falanga ATGMs.
Other armament may include:
4xUB-32 blocks (see at Mi-17)
4xB-8V-20 blocks, each holding 20 S-8 80mm rockets
UPK-23-250 cannon containers (GS-23 cannon with 250 ammo)
GUV GM-30 container with 30mm grenade launcher built in
GUV container with 9A624 machinegun with 700 ammo, AND 2x7.62 machineguns with 1800(!) ammo per machinegun (it would be fun to use it against hordes of infantry…)
2x500 kg bombs
4x250 kg bombs
napalm canisters

Mil Mi-24V

Same as above, except that it can carry 8(!)x9M114 Shturm missiles. Started service in Hungary in December 1985, still used.

Mil Mi-24P

Same as Mi-24V, except that instead of the 9A624 it has double 30 mm cannon, fixed. They were given to us by Germany after reunification, but only in 2004 they started to refurbish them. First entered into service August 2004. Five of them will be used altogether. There were plans that with Czech Rep, and Poland we modernize Mi-24s, but Hungary left the programme. So they will probably stay as they are…

[DRG]

I've put all this info into my V3 to-do list and when we start work on it I'll read through this and see what we can use

Don