The Commander Series Forum

Thermobaric munitions appear to be widely available to the Soviets, much to the discomfiture of my British (who are regularly on the receiving end, and can't themselves have any). Is this historically realistic? I know I am whinging a bit at being shot at by them, but would genuinely like to know whether they were that widely available and whether it was or would be part of Soviet doctrine to use them that much.

Thanks

Malcolm

I know that the Soviets considered Chemical artillery rounds and aircraft sprays etc. as conventional weapons.
Not sure about Thermobaric stuff, probabaly did.

Paul

Didn't they use them in Afghanistan, or am I mistaken...

They used them in Chechen war(s) and there are even thermobaric rounds for RPGs!!!!

I've seen a video where they use it to practically vapourise a building!

... that's thermobaric as distinct from napalm

I have it on good authority that most ATGW systems were supplied with Thermobaric, (or can we say fuel air explosive?), warheads. One example cited being the MTLB carrying ?Spandrel/Spiral. With the increasing availability of SACLOS sighting systems it is easier and quicker to aim a laser dot at a window and fire a missile than try to fire tank or artillery rounds at the target. The effect of such a warhead detonating within a room...quite.

I think they also went up to equipping their late model MRL systems with such warheads.
RPGs with FAE/Thermobaric warheads. Mentioned in Total War 2006? It's a tag-team. One fighter fires the FAE round at an AFV, especially if it has ERA. The FAE goes off, and triggers the ERA. AFV now vulnerable to conventional RPGs.

Good job NATO tended to Chobham type armour not ERA, then! Didn't know the Afghan War ones were 'specials' - thought they just used 'everyday' thermobaric munitions. I guess from your 'points ladder' Mark that availability was limited during the 80's even in the context of a general 3rd World War/Central Europe action?

Just remembered one amusing outcome of using thermobaric munitions; they remove cover. So in one game we had, my Soviet opponent dropped them on built-up areas and woodland. In both cases we literally removed the terrain pieces from the table (leaving my British infantry rather bemusedly left sitting in the open!).