 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
| Obr88 "Afghanka" | |
|---|---|
  Two types of Afghanka uniforms. The summer version (Left) and the winter version (Right) | |
| Type | Military uniform |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1980s–present |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | Soviet–Afghan War First Chechen War |
| Production history | |
| Variants | SeeVariants |
TheAfghanka (Russian:Афганка,romanized: Afganka[ɐvˈɡankə]; proper designation:Obr88) is a type ofmilitary uniform system developed and issued by theSoviet Army in the early 1980s, still in use today in somepost-Soviet states in many different variants. The nameAfghanka is an unofficial popularslang term in Russian for the uniform, derived from its prolific use during theSoviet–Afghan War
They are typically made ofcotton (Russian:хлопчатая бумага or "Х/б", "cotton paper"). The more modern ones in Digital Flora were made of ripstop 53% cotton / 47% polyester "PolyCo", whichSplav calls "Gretta".[1] Since these were made by Splav, it is possible that other Afghanka offerings by Splav are either official Russian military / paramilitary pieces, or exact copies of said pieces.
The Afghanka field uniform is made in a lightweight summer and heavier, lined winter version; both consist of a long, loose fitting 6-pocketBDU-style jacket with large stand-and-fall collar,epaulettes, concealed buttons, armpit vents, and tube-stylefield trousers with cargo pockets on the thighs. Afield cap made from sturdier cotton and featuring ear flaps which could be unbuttoned and lowered to protect the ears was supplied with the uniform.[2]
_Weapons_of_Mass_Destruction_(WMD)_production_facilities_-_DPLA_-_724a014243af49c195a67c6ee8e34f09.JPG)
The winter model is composed of: jacket, jacket liner, trousers, plus insulated liners and suspenders. The liners are buttoned into their respective garments, and the outer garment can be worn without the liners. The jacket liner bears the fur collar of the jacket, usually infish fur but occasionally in real fur (officer's uniforms). The jacket and trousers are lined with a pile-type material that helps insulate by trapping warm air, whereas the liners are made of a quilted material similar to theTelogreika uniform.[citation needed]
The Obr88 were originally made in akhaki-coloured material,[3]: 35 but factory variants on occasion resulted in slight discoloration such asolive drab,tan, andsage green.[citation needed] Later in the Soviet-Afghan War, camoflogued variants similar to the BritishDisruptive Pattern Material and AmericanWoodland began to appear.[3]: 35
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Afghanka has been copied and issued widely byCIS members in various localized camouflage patterns.[citation needed]
The Afghanka began appearing in Soviet military units in the early 1980s during theSoviet–Afghan War of 1979-1989, hence the name. The design of the jacket and trousers may stem from similar patterns used by otherWarsaw Pact armies such as by theNationale Volksarmee of theGDR. Initially only used inAfghanistan, the Afghanka uniform was in very short supply and was often issued to units rather than individuals and passed around as necessary for various duties. By the end of the 1980s, it had become possible to issue a personal Afghanka to each soldier. Individual soldiers began marking the collars of their uniforms with bleach. In 1988 theSoviet Armed Forces adopted the uniform as standard issue, replacing the ageingObr69 Uniform in all theaters.[citation needed]
The soldiers found the new uniform very effective, especially in Afghanistan. Even without the liners in, a winter Afghanka provides comfortable warmth in temperatures down to −20 °C. Other advantages of the winter Afghanka over the precedingbushlat [ru] (pea coat) and over theshinel greatcoat included greatly enhanced mobility for the wearer, and the increased number of pockets.[citation needed]
The Afghanka was initially issued to regular units of the armed forces in a khaki colour. The uniform was also standardized with theKGB Border Troops, but in the service's unique "birch" camouflage pattern (similar to that used on theKLMK camouflage coverall) as well asSoviet Marines, who were the first to be issued with the newest Soviet camouflage development of the time — the woodland-style three-coloured Butan pattern (also known as TTsKO).[citation needed]
Although derived from a previous chemical-warfare uniform known as OKZK-D, the camouflage uniform made forSoviet VDV paratroopers in 1984 included many features from the Afghanka. Since then, various other uniforms evolved from the Afghanka in various camouflage patterns—such asVSR-93 (the standard field uniform of the Russian Armed Forces since 1993,[4] and later "horizonal VSR" / Flora camouflage (issued since 1998),[5] and many others. MVD Internal Troops frequently used "Les" (copy of US woodland) or "GOROD / Urban Les" during the 1990s.[5][6][7]
Belarus,Kazakhstan andUkraine both currently issue Afghanka-cut uniforms in their own camouflage patterns. Ukraine used many different recolors of "TTsKO" and they kept using them well into the 2010s.[8]
The Soviet andRussian VDV model, made in either khaki, Butan, or VSR, lacked the lower patch pockets on the jacket as the blouse was intended to be worn tucked inside the trousers, to better accommodate the numerous harnesses used with a parachute. Both the USSR and theRussian Federation have also produced the uniform in plain colours for paramilitary use.[citation needed]
Since at least 2005, Splav has made "M21" Afganka's in Les (Woodland copy) camo. While they were once made of 100% cotton twill, they were then made of 60 percent cotton / 40 percent polyester, and then 53 percent cotton / 47 percent polyester "Gretta". Since these pieces heavily resemble 1990s pieces and the Splav has manufactured Afghankas for the Russian state, it's not clear which of these pieces were ever issued to Russian MVD internal troops.[9][10]
Afghanistan - Obr88 winter jacket issued to some soldiers and officers[citation needed]
Armenia[11]
Azerbaijan[citation needed]
Belarus[citation needed]
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria[citation needed]
Georgia[citation needed]
Kazakhstan[citation needed]
Kyrgyzstan[citation needed]
Russia[citation needed]
Soviet Union: Passed on to successor states.[citation needed]
Turkmenistan[citation needed]
Ukraine[12][13][better source needed]
Uzbekistan[14][15]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Media related toAfghanka at Wikimedia Commons