History of the Soviet Afghanka Uniform (M88) – Afghan War Guide + How to Assemble Full Set
Soviet Afghanka Uniform (M88): History, Variants & How to Assemble Your Set
- Soviet combat boots of the Afghan War - testing 3 designs
- Soviet Spetsnaz uniform in Afghanistan (1979-1989)
- How the Soviet Army uniform changed from 1955 to 1991
- Field uniform and equipment of the Soviet Army (1968-1991)
- Field uniform and equipment of the Soviet Army (1968-1991) - Part 2
- Field uniform and equipment of the Soviet Army (1968-1991) - Part 3
- Field uniform and equipment of the Soviet Army (1968-1991) - Part 4
Afghanka and OKZK-D uniform
The uniform of 1969 did not meet the modern military requirements, leading to the decision to develop a new uniform in the mid-1970s. The basis for creating the Afghanka was the OKZK-D, a paratrooper general-purpose uniform developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The OKZK-D had two variants - an early version until the mid-1970s and a late version. The early version featured two chest pockets, two hand pockets, and two openings for attaching suspenders. The trousers included two front pockets, two side pockets, reinforced knees, belts, two back pockets, and reinforcement on the buttocks. The jacket was tucked into the trousers, and suspenders were worn under the jacket.
The late version of the OKZK-D saw some changes. The peculiar suspenders from the early version disappeared, but a piece from a Telnyashka was added around the neck area. The trousers remained mostly the same, except for the removal of the rings for suspenders due to their unnecessary nature.
Experimental version of the Afghanka
Later, the experimental version of the Afghanka emerged. The distinctive features of the experimental Afghanka included only one pocket on the left sleeve, Velcro fasteners on the chest pockets, and two rows of buttons on the lower pockets. The internal pockets had flaps and were made from water-resistant materials, with two pockets at the back of the jacket.
On the trousers, two pockets had two rows of buttons. In the experimental conditions of the Soviet Union in 1982, Afghankas began to be produced with slight modifications.
Soviet Afghanka visor cap
The forage cap was borrowed from the border troops of the 1976 model. The cap had two buttons for fixation on top and eyelets for ventilation. In 1988, the ventilation eyelets were moved forward to allow ventilation even with the ear flaps fastened up.
Soviet Afghanka pants
The jacket had 2 pockets on the chest, 2 pockets on each sleeve, and closed with Velcro. It also featured reinforcements on the elbows and cuffs with buttons. There were four ventilation holes under the armpits. In the back part of the jacket, there was more material, colloquially referred to as "Garmoshka," providing more freedom of movement.
The trousers had pleat seams for convenient storage, two regular pockets, two side pockets, and a small pocket on the front for a personal medallion. The belt had two rows of loops for officer and soldier belts. There was a waist adjustment with buttons at the back. The material was reinforced on the knees.
Soviet Afghan VDV Butan uniform
Mass production started in 1985
In 1984, the introduction of camouflaged Afghankas for the Airborne Troops (VDV) and Marine Infantry in the Butan camouflage pattern marked a significant shift, leading to a clear division.
For the Marine Infantry, the summer field uniform in the Butan camouflage was constructed in the same style as the sandy Afghanka, following the TU-17-08-172-82 standard.
However, the VDV's Butan Afghanka took a different route with three distinct types, each reflecting various design modifications depending on the year of production.
Type 1 Butan VDV uniform
The first type, emerged in 1983. The VDV's Butan Afghanka of the first type was manufactured from 1984 to 1989, lacking shoulder straps for epaulettes on the jacket. It retained the same cutouts for suspenders as the initial sandy Afghanka, as paratroopers favored the older version with suspenders.
The trousers of the first type featured suspenders.
Type 2 Butan VDV uniform
The 2 type of VDV uniform was produced from 1989 to 1990, introducing shoulder strap loops on the jacket.
The 3 type, produced from 1990 until victory, no longer had cutouts for suspenders, and accordingly, suspenders were not present.
Type 3 Butan VDV uniform
Butan and Barvikha camouflage
Soviet Winter Afghanka uniform
Winter Afghanka
The Winter Afghanka came in two variations - sandy and Butan camouflage, with an additional airborne (desantny) version.
What distinguishes the general-purpose greatcoat from the airborne one? In the general-purpose greatcoat, the pockets on the sleeves are patch pockets, while in the airborne version, the pockets on the sleeves are slit.
Soviet winter Butan uniform
The sandy-colored winter greatcoat followed the TU-17-08-194-84 standard. The airborne winter greatcoat, according to TU-17-08-193-84, featured a built-in hood and a detachable warm lining.
Winter trousers for both the general-purpose and airborne versions included suspenders, two slit pockets, two cargo pockets, and two rear pockets. The only difference between the general-purpose and airborne trousers was the universally shared left pocket; the airborne trousers had this pocket, while it was absent in the general-purpose variant.
Afghan combat boots M88
During the Afghan War, Soviet soldiers faced challenging conditions posed by Afghanistan's terrain and climate. To ensure high mobility and reliable protection for soldiers' feet on the battlefield, boots with nailed soles, colloquially known as "Derevyashki," were widely utilized. These unique boots became a crucial part of the military gear, offering a combination of durability, stability, and outstanding traction on various surfaces.
You can order these boots from our store, and they will perfectly complement your Afghan War costume, known as "Afghanka."
FAQ: Afghanka, M88 uniform and Afghan War setup
What is an Afghanka uniform?
The Afghanka is a Soviet field uniform associated with the Afghan War era. Collectors and reenactors often use the term "Afghanka uniform" to describe the M88-style jacket and pants set, including its variants and camouflage versions.
Is Afghanka the same as M88 uniform?
In many English queries, "m88 uniform" and "Afghanka" are used together (for example: "m88 afghanka"). In practice, people usually mean the Afghan War era field uniform cut that became widely recognizable in the 1980s, including sandy and Butan camouflage variants.
What are the main Afghanka variants collectors look for?
Common variants include early design influences from OKZK-D, experimental features (pocket layouts, closures), and later mass-produced versions. For VDV and marine infantry impressions, Butan camouflage versions are a major subcategory.
How do I assemble a complete Soviet Afghan War uniform set?
A typical set includes the Afghanka jacket and pants, headwear (often an Afghanka visor cap), and period-correct field gear. For many impressions, a belt and appropriate footwear (Afghan combat boots M88 style) complete the look.
Why do people search for "Afghanka jacket" specifically?
The Afghanka jacket has distinctive pocket placement, closures, reinforcement areas and back construction details. These features help identify variants and are important for accurate reenactment and collecting.
More information about Soviet uniforms
SovietUniform.com - Soviet uniforms and gear guides
The material for this article was taken from the YouTube channel: @RedIvanAirsoft