Antiaircraft Missile Forces

forces designated specifically for air defense. They appeared in the armed forces of the USSR and of some foreign states after World War II. Organizationally they consist of units of different levels; they are armed with antiaircraft missile complexes. In the armed forces of the USSR the antiaircraft missile forces are an arm of forces and belong to the National Air Defense Forces. Antiaircraft missile units are found in the Soviet ground forces and navy, whereas in the armed forces of foreign states they are included in the air defense, air force, or army commands, as well as in the navy. Antiaircraft missile forces have great fire power, can conduct fire under any weather conditions at any time of day or night, and have adequate mobility. In combat, antiaircraft missile forces can destroy various enemy air targets on the distant approaches and in the regions of the objects defended, either independently or in cooperation with other air defense means.