What this section covers

This reference guide explains the designation systems and abbreviations used for Soviet and Russian military equipment. Understanding these codes is essential for interpreting equipment profiles and technical documentation.

Aircraft designation systems

Soviet/Russian prefix codes

Su (Сухой - Sukhoi) : Design bureau founded by Pavel Sukhoi, specializing in fighter aircraft (Su-27, Su-33, Su-35)

MiG (Микоян и Гуревич - Mikoyan-Gurevich) : Fighter design bureau known for interceptors (MiG-21, MiG-29, MiG-31)

Tu (Туполев - Tupolev) : Design bureau specializing in bombers and large aircraft (Tu-95, Tu-160, Tu-142)

Il (Ильюшин - Ilyushin) : Transport and attack aircraft bureau (Il-76, Il-102, Il-28)

Yak (Яковлев - Yakovlev) : Versatile design bureau covering fighters, trainers, and VTOL aircraft (Yak-38, Yak-141)

Role designations

Interceptor (I): Air defense fighters optimized for speed and altitude (Su-15, MiG-25)

Bomber (B): Strike aircraft for ground attack missions (Il-28, Tu-4, Yak-26)

Transport (T): Cargo and tanker aircraft (Il-76, An-124)

Maritime (M): Naval aviation platforms (Tu-126, Tu-142, Be-12)

Shturmovik (S): Ground attack aircraft (Il-102, Su-25)

Ground vehicle designation systems

Truck nomenclature

ZIL (Завод имени Лихачёва) : Moscow automotive plant producing military trucks (ZIL-131, ZIL-157, ZIL-3906)

GAZ (Горьковский автомобильный завод) : Gorky automotive plant, light to medium trucks (GAZ-66, GAZ-63, GAZ-3937)

MAZ (Минский автомобильный завод) : Minsk heavy truck plant for transporters (MAZ-537, MAZ-543, MAZ-7310)

Ural (Уральский автомобильный завод) : Ural truck plant for military logistics (Ural-375, Ural-4320, Ural-532362)

MZKT (Минский завод колёсных тягачей) : Minsk wheeled tractor plant for heavy TELs (MZKT-79221, MZKT-7930)

Armored vehicle codes

T- prefix: Main battle tanks (T-54, T-62, T-72, T-80, T-90)

BTR- prefix: Armored personnel carriers (Бронетранспортёр) - (BTR-80, BTR-152, BTR-40)

BMP- prefix: Infantry fighting vehicles (Боевая машина пехоты) - (BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3)

BMD- prefix: Airborne combat vehicles (Боевая машина десанта) - (BMD-1, BMD-2, BMD-3)

Artillery designations

D- series: Divisional artillery (D-44, D-48, D-30)

2S- series: Self-propelled guns (2S1, 2S3 Akatsiya, 2S19 Msta-S)

9K- series: Rocket and missile systems (9K72 Elbrus/SCUD, 9K52 Luna-M)

Naval vessel classification

Submarine designations

Project numbers: Soviet submarines use project numbers (Project 941 Typhoon, Project 705 Lira/Alfa)

NATO reporting names: Western codenames for identification (Typhoon, Akula, Oscar, Victor)

Type prefixes:

Surface vessels

Project-based system: Ships designated by project number (Project 1143 carrier, Project 1144 cruiser)

Fleet assignments:

Weapon system codes

GRAU index system

GRAU (Главное ракетно-артиллерийское управление) : Main Missile and Artillery Directorate numbering system

Format: Two digits, letter, two digits (e.g., 9M96, 2K25, 9A52)

First digit indicates category:

Missile designations

9M series: Guided missiles (9M96 SAM, 9M133 Kornet ATGM)

9K series: Complete weapon systems (9K52 Uragan MLRS, 9K72 SCUD)

3M series: Anti-ship and cruise missiles (3M54 Kalibr, 3M80 Moskit)

Key pages in this section

Related sections

Technical glossary

Design bureau : Soviet/Russian aircraft development organization led by chief designer (OKB - Опытное конструкторское бюро)

GRAU index : Standardized numbering system for Soviet/Russian weapons and military equipment

NATO reporting name : Western designation system for Soviet/Russian equipment (e.g., "Flanker" for Su-27 family)

Project number : Soviet naval vessel designation system using numeric codes

TEL (Transporter Erector Launcher) : Mobile platform for missile systems combining transport, positioning, and launch functions