Gorka (uniform)

Uniform of the Soviet and Russian Army From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Gorka (Russian: горка, romanized: Gorka) is a Soviet and Russian military uniform originally designed for use in mountain warfare during the latter phases of the Soviet–Afghan War and saw continued use during many of the post-Soviet conflicts. The uniform is still actively used by the Russian Armed Forces, several countries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Russian separatist forces in Ukraine, among others. The uniform is also used on the civilian market for hunting, mountain climbing, and outdoor recreation.

TypeMilitary uniform
PlaceoforiginSoviet Union
Inservice1980s–present
UsedbySee Users
Quick facts Type, Place of origin ...
Gorka
Soviet special forces wearing the Gorka during the Soviet-Afghan War in 1988
TypeMilitary uniform
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1980s–present
Used bySee Users
WarsSoviet–Afghan War
First Chechen War
Second Chechen War
1999 war in Dagestan
Insurgency in Ingushetia
Russo-Georgian War
Donbass War
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
VariantsSee Variants
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Etymology

According to the Oxford Russian Dictionary, the word Gorka (горка) can be roughly translated as hill or hillock, it can also refer to a mountain.[1] This is because the suit was originally designed to be worn in the mountains and other regions with inclement weather.[2]

History and design

Spetsnaz troops interrogate a captured Mujahideen insurgent in 1986. The two soldiers in the middle are wearing second pattern Gorka suits

The Gorka has its origins in the Soviet–Afghan War where it was developed from civilian windproof smocks and mountaineering suits which provided the wearer protection from the elements, particularly against wind chill and light rain.[3] The Gorka's robust tarpaulin fabric made the suit ideal for mountain warfare and early variants were utilized by specialist Soviet troops.[3] According to Vlad Besedovskyy of Safar Publishing, the first two patterns of the Gorka were originally produced from 1981 to 1991 and came in two major variants, the First Pattern (early version) which was produced from 1981 to 1987 and the Second Pattern (later version) which was produced from 1987 to 1991.[2]

The first pattern Gorka was constructed of water-repellent fabric and consisted of a button up hooded jacket with double breast pockets, side pockets, and a waistband cord.[2] The trousers of the first pattern had two thigh pockets with suspenders similar to overalls and a reinforced crotch.[2] Meanwhile, the second pattern Gorka jacket was simplified and consisted of a hood, inner clasp buttons, cut-in side pockets, and a hidden breast pocket on the interior of the jacket.[2] The trousers of the second pattern featured outer thigh pockets, a reinforced crotch, and suspenders with elastic bands around the calf.[2] Gorkas are commonly made out of tent fabric materials similar to ripstop with reinforcements.[4] The most common modern-day variant of the Gorka is the Gorka 3 which is widely used by the Russian Armed Forces.[4]

Variants

The first two models of the Gorka uniform came in one color, khaki, as it was originally designed for the arid and desert regions of Afghanistan[2], however, many modern after-market versions of the Gorka come in a variety of camouflage patterns.[4]

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Gallery

In popular culture

The character Tachanka from Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege wears a Gorka.[4]

See also

References

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