Soviet Army Uniforms of the Afghan War

Soviet Army Uniforms
of the Afghanistan War Period
(1979-1988)

Unlike many of the earlier uniform changes, those of the 1980's were selective. Only specific uniforms were replaced or modernized. It should be noted than the vast majority of uniforms worn during this period were those of the reforms of 1969. Some of those that were changed reflected the Soviet experience in Afghanistan, while others were simply attempts to make the infantryman's uniform appear more modern.

More uniforms will be added as they are acquired. In any case we will attempt to have detailed descriptions of each uniform along with a photograph of the uniform being worn, and an illustration of the uniform from a Soviet-era military manual. Not all of the uniforms will have all of these things at this time, simply because it is a rather lengthy task.

Uniforms of the 1985 Regulations (and later modifications)
Officers	Enlisted	Special Purpose Uniforms
None Currently in Collection	M85 Field Uniform	Spetsodezhda KZS Camouflage Uniform
Older Uniforms Still in Service (after the 1985 Regulations)
Shirtsleeve Parade Dress Uniform M-1969 Summer Parade Uniform (out of formation) Walking Out Winter Parade Uniform Shirtsleeve Everyday Uniform Dress Uniform with Summer Coat	M-1969 Walking Out Dress Uniform M-69 Everyday/Field Uniform (garrison)	OP-1 Combined Arms Protective Suit L-1 Lightweight Protective Suit ZMK Arctic Camouflage Uniform M-1972 Summer Tank Crew Coveralls KLMK Camouflage Uniform Kommandant Service Field Uniform
Ladies Summer On Duty Parade Dress Ladies Field Uniform

Uniforms in Service from 1979-1984 (1969 Regulation and Earlier Uniforms)
Officers	Enlisted	Special Purpose Uniforms
Shirtsleeve Parade Dress Uniform M-1969 Summer Parade Uniform (out of formation) Walking Out Winter Parade Uniform Shirtsleeve Everyday Uniform Dress Uniform with Summer Coat	M-1969 Walking Out Dress Uniform M-69 Everyday/Field Uniform (garrison) M-69 Everyday/Field Uniform (combat)	M-1972 Summer Tank Crew Coveralls KLMK Camouflage Uniform Kommandant Service Field Uniform OP-1 Combined Arms Protective Suit L-1 Lightweight Protective Suit ZMK Arctic Camouflage Uniform
Ladies Summer On Duty Parade Dress Ladies Field Uniform

Further Research

From this section you can also see earlier and later period uniforms by clicking the appropriate links below. We have found that this is quite useful for tracking the modifications and changes in a particular uniform.

Earlier Period Army Uniforms

Back to
Main Uniform Index

Later Period
Army Uniforms