the advantage of a scope - telling?

[Destraex1]

have armies that use soviet equipment or the soviets got scopes by now on their standard assault rifles? In arma2 they have i assume for balance reasons.

[akd]

have armies that use soviet equipment or the soviets got scopes by now on their standard assault rifles? In arma2 they have i assume for balance reasons.

No, they generally do not. Certainly not to the standard of the US and some other NATO members. I don't know if small arms optics are even factored into CMSF, but I can assure that if they are, Syrian soldiers have not been given optical weapon sights for "balance."

[hcrof]

The Soviets view the Assault rifle more as a Sub machine gun and less than a rifle than the west. This is based on the success of the SMG squads in WW2. They are not expected to fight at range as their BMP/BTR will do this for them. Instead the AK series of rifles was to be used to put down a lot of fire very quickly as the squad moves into its final assault after dismounting from the vehicle at around 300m (IIRC) from the enemy.

In fact, the Soviet infantry wasn't even expected to dismount at all if they thought they could just punch through the position while firing from the firing ports of the vehicle. Unsurprisingly the Soviets had no concept of regular 'light infantry' that fights with their rifle. Even their airborne troops where dropped into battle in armoured vehicles. This is because they regarded the modern battle as too fast and lethal for non armoured infantry, especially with NBC weapons flying around.

Basically, the short answer is that the infantry arn't expected to need a scope givent their job in the Soviet way of war so paying for that expensive glass is a waste of money. They suffered for this in Afghanistan due to the harsh terrain restricting vehicle movement and the long range accuracy of the Enfield armed Mujahadin. In response they increased the number of SVD rifles available to the company and would create ad-hoc sniper squads to deal with them.

[akd]

The Soviets view the Assault rifle more as a Sub machine gun and less than a rifle than the west. This is based on the success of the SMG squads in WW2. They are not expected to fight at range as their BMP/BTR will do this for them. Instead the AK series of rifles was to be used to put down a lot of fire very quickly as the squad moves into its final assault after dismounting from the vehicle at around 300m (IIRC) from the enemy.

In fact, the Soviet infantry wasn't even expected to dismount at all if they thought they could just punch through the position while firing from the firing ports of the vehicle. Unsurprisingly the Soviets had no concept of regular 'light infantry' that fights with their rifle. Even their airborne troops where dropped into battle in armoured vehicles. This is because they regarded the modern battle as too fast and lethal for non armoured infantry, especially with NBC weapons flying around.

Basically, the short answer is that the infantry arn't expected to need a scope givent their job in the Soviet way of war so paying for that expensive glass is a waste of money. They suffered for this in Afghanistan due to the harsh terrain restricting vehicle movement and the long range accuracy of the Enfield armed Mujahadin. In response they increased the number of SVD rifles available to the company and would create ad-hoc sniper squads to deal with them.

Of course a reflex or holographic optic (ala Aimpoint and Eotech) would be in perfect keeping with Soviet/Russian doctrine. The real issue is they and most countries they equipped simply do not have the money to provide for their troops to that level. The cost of the optics would often equal or exceed that of the weapon they were put on (which is true in some cases in the West as well).

[hcrof]

Very true. If nothing else, the Soviets were on a tight budget - especially with the infantry! An aimpoint sight would be nice but the soldiers wern't really expected to aim very much, just put down a lot of lead to keep the enemies head down before the final 'Urrah' and charge.

Their money went to counters for advanced western technology like aircraft and of course tanks. Conventional ground forces were expected to have a very short lifespan in WW3 so anything that wasn't absolutely necessary for combat wasn't included.

[Frankster65]

Interesting read gents. Thanks. So...If I may take from this thread the idea that in CMSF, if you are the Syrians, you should only really have your squads open up on the NATO forces from about 150 meters tops?

[Other Means]

No, I don't know if small arms optics are even factored into CMSF

They are.

Interesting read gents. Thanks. So...If I may take from this thread the idea that in CMSF, if you are the Syrians, you should only really have your squads open up on the NATO forces from about 150 meters tops?

Probe and Pound is Blue's SOP (mine to). You're best leaving the range as short as possible. 50m is you're in not in MOUT. Right outside/next door/same room if you are.