ABSTRACT
In 1966 the Soviet Armed Forces were inferior to those in the West with respect to military airlift and airborne capability. Soviet military strategists watched with close interest the growing use of helicopters by the United States in Southeast Asia. The equipping of the Armed Forces with nuclear weapons constituted a basis for military-theoretical thought to decide on the necessity of using airborne troops more broadly in military operations. Essential changes in the development of theory and practice of the use of airborne troops were determined by the appearance of new aircraft with greater speed, range, and load capacity, as well as by the more modern airborne landing equipment. The creation of the helicopter has increased the possibilities for landing troops from the personnel of regular ground troops who have not been trained in airborne landing. Various forces and means participate in preparing and carrying out the landing and in supporting the airborne troops.
