This list shows military equipment used by the mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War. The Mujahideen obtained weapons from many sources, mostly supplied by foreign sources, such as the Central Intelligence Agency’s Operation Cyclone, China, Egypt, Iran, Israel and the United Kingdom, and channeled through Pakistan. Many weapons were also captured from the Soviet Army or the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.
Small arms WeaponImage Type Origin NotesTT-33Semi-automatic pistolCaptured from Soviet and DRA troops. Khyber Pass copies were also used.Makarov PMSemi-automatic pistolCaptured from the Soviet Army and DRA Army. Khyber Pass copies were also used.Stechkin APSMachine pistolCaptured from Soviet forces.Carl Gustav Submachine gunPPSh-41 Submachine gunSten Submachine gunNorinco CQAssault rifleL1A1 Self-Loading RifleBattle rifleIndian variants acquired by Pakistan; almost all were not used eventually due to concerns of ammo supplies.AKMAssault rifleCaptured from Afghan Army.Type 56Assault rifleAK-74Assault rifleCaptured from the Soviet Army and Afghan Army.AKS-74UAssault rifle Known as the "Krinkov" by the MujahideenM16Assault rifleHeckler & Koch G3Battle rifleLicense built version obtained from IranJezailMusketLimited use.Martini–HenrySingle-shot rifleLimited use.Mosin–NagantBolt-action rifleDelivered to Afghanistan in 1919 on Lenin's orders.LebelBolt-action rifleLee–EnfieldBolt-action rifleM1917 SpringfieldBolt-action rifleCalled G3 by the MujahideenHanyang 88Bolt-action rifleSKSSemi-automatic rifleM1 GarandSemi-automatic rifleRPDLight machine gunMost commonly used machine gun.RPK Light machine gunMost commonly used machine gun.ZB vz. 26Light machine gunLimited use.PKMGeneral-purpose machine gunLimited use.Type 67General-purpose machine gun
Heavy weapons This includes anti-air and anti-tank weapons used by the Mujahideen, also artillery. WeaponImage Type Origin NotesDShKHeavy machine gunType 54 HMGHeavy machine gunSG-43 GoryunovMedium machine gunKVPHeavy machine gunZU-23-2Anti-aircraft gunSome mounted on trucks and armored vehicles.ZPUAnti-aircraft gunZPU-1 and ZPU-2 versions used.Oerlikon 20mm cannonAnti-aircraft gun40 delivered in 1984.RPG-2Rocket-propelled grenadeRPG-7Rocket-propelled grenadeRPG-22Disposable rocket launcherCaptured from Soviet forcesLAWDisposable rocket launcherType 69 RPGRocket-propelled grenadeType 5675 mm recoilless rifleB-10 recoilless rifle82 mm recoilless rifleSupplied by China.Two-inch mortar51 mm mortarReportedly supplied by the Gulf states.Type 6360 mm mortar82-BM-3782 mm mortarMost widely used artillery pieceM1942 (ZiS-3)76 mm field gunCaptured from DRA forces2A18 (D-30)122 mm howitzerCaptured from DRA forcesM1938 (M-30)122 mm howitzerCaptured from DRA forcesType 63107 mm multiple rocket launcherAbout 500 launchers supplied.SaqarMultiple rocket launcherEgyptian variant of BM-21 Grad. Delivered in several variants with varying range and caliber.9K32 Strela-2 (SA-7 Grail)Man-portable air-defense systemCaptured from DRA forces. Egyptian Sakr-eye version also used.9K34 Strela-3 (SA-14 Gremlin)Afghanistan, 1979-2001; Part 2Man-portable air-defense systemFIM-43 RedeyeMan-portable air-defense system50 launchers delivered.FIM-92 StingerMan-portable air-defense system800 missiles delivered overall, deliveries began in 1986.HN-5Man-portable air-defense systemHN-5A and HN-5B versions delivered, about 400 missiles supplied.BlowpipeMan-portable air-defense system50 launchers and 300 missiles delivered.BGM-71 TOWAnti-tank guided missile80 launchers delivered in 1988MILANAnti-tank guided missile160 launchers delivered in 1988PMN mineAnti-personnel mineM18 Claymore mineAnti-personnel mineA.P. Mine No.5Anti-personnel mineTS-50 mineAnti-personnel mineTM-46 mineAnti-tank mineM19 mineAnti-tank mineA.T. Mine G.S. Mark VAnti-tank mineMk 7 mineAnti-tank mineTC-2.5 mineAnti-tank mineTC-6.1 mineAnti-tank minePRB M3 mineAnti-tank mine
Vehicles
The Mujahideen acquired substantial amounts of armoured vehicles from the DRA, both captured during combat and brought over by defectors but the lack of trained personnel, spare parts and the prevalence of Soviet airpower meant that they were seldom used.
WeaponImage Type Origin NotesT-55Main battle tankCaptured from the DRA, limited useBMP-1Infantry fighting vehicleCaptured from the DRA, limited useBTR-60Armoured personnel carrierCaptured from the DRA, limited useBTR-152Armoured personnel carrierCaptured from the DRA, limited useM113Armoured personnel carrier~5 given by United StatesGAZ-66Transport truckCaptured from the DRAZIL-130Transport truckToyota Land CruiserPickup truckBought in PakistanKrAZ-255Transport truck
Gallery
References
Bibliography