The Military Balance Lista delle abbreviazioni 6

SARH semi-active radar homing
sat satellite
SDV swimmer delivery vehicles
SEAD suppression of enemy air defence
SF special forces
SHORAD short-range air defence
SIGINT signals intelligence
sigs signals
SLBM submarine-launched ballistic
missile
SLCM submarine-launched cruise missile
SLEP service-life-extension programme
SP self-propelled
Spec Ops special operations
SPAAGM self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
and missile system
spt support
sqn squadron
SRBM short-range ballistic missile
SS submarine
SSA submersible auxiliary support
vessel
SSAN submersible auxiliary support
vessel (nuclear)
SSBN nuclear-powered ballistic-missile
submarine
SSC coastal submarine
SSG guided-missile submarine
SSI inshore submarine
SSGN nuclear-powered guided-missile
submarine
SSK attack submarine (hunter-killer)
SSM surface-to-surface missile
SSN nuclear-powered attack
submarine
SSR security-sector reform
SSW midget submarine
str strength
surv surveillance
sy security
t tonnes
tac tactical
tch technical
temp temporary
tk tank
tkr tanker
TMD theatre missile defence
torp torpedo
tpt transport
tr trillion
trg training
TRV torpedo recovery vehicle
TT torpedo tube
UAV unmanned/uninhabited aerial
vehicle
UCAC utility craft air cushioned
UCAV unmanned combat air vehicle
utl utility
UUV unmanned/uninhabited
underwater vehicle
veh vehicle
VLB vehicle launched bridge
VLS vertical launch system
VSHORAD very short-range air defence
WFU withdrawn from use
wg wing

The Military Balance Lista delle abbreviazioni 5

MRBM medium-range ballistic missile
MRH multi-role helicopter
MRL multiple rocket launcher
MS/A/C/D/I/O/R
mine sweeper/auxiliary/coastal/
drone/inshore/ocean/river
msl missile
mtn mountain
MW mine warfare
n.a. not applicable
n.k. not known
NBC nuclear, biological, chemical
NCO non-commissioned officer
nm nautical mile
nuc nuclear
O & M operations and maintenance
obs observation/observer
OCU operational conversion unit
OP observation post
op/ops operational/operations
OPFOR opposition training force
org organised/organisation
OPV offshore patrol vessel
para paratroop/parachute
PAX passenger/passenger transport
aircraft
PB/C/F/G/I/M/R/T
patrol boat/coastal/fast/with
AShM/inshore/with SAM/riverine/
with torpedo
PC/C/F/G/H/I/M/O/R/T
patrol craft/coastal/fast/guided
missile/with hangar/inshore/with
CIWS missile or SAM/offshore/
riverine/with torpedo
pdr pounder
pers personnel
PG/G/GF/H
patrol gunboat/guided missile/
fast attack craft/hydrofoil
PGM precision-guided munitions
PH/G/M/T patrol hydrofoil/with AShM/with
SAM/with torpedo
pl platoon
PKO peacekeeping operations
PoR programme of record
PPP purchasing-power parity
PPV protected patrol vehicle
PRH passive radar-homing
prepo pre-positioned
PSO/H peace support operations or
offshore patrol ship/with hangar
PTF semi-submersible vessel
ptn pontoon bridging
quad quadruple
R&D research and development
RCL recoilless launcher
recce reconnaissance
regt regiment
RFI request for information
RFP request for proposals
RIB rigid inflatable boat
RL rocket launcher
ro-ro roll-on, roll-off
RRC/F/U rapid-reaction corps/force/unit
RV re-entry vehicle
rvn riverine
SAM surface-to-air missile
SAR search and rescue

The Military Balance Lista delle Abbreviazioni 4

INS inertial navigation system
int intelligence
IOC Initial Operating Capability
IR infrared
IRBM intermediate-range ballistic
missile
ISD in-service date
ISR intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance
ISTAR intelligence, surveillance, target
acquisition and reconnaissance
JOINTEX joint exercise
LACM land-attack cruise missile
LC/A/AC/H/M/PA/P/L/T/U/VP
landing craft/assault/air cushion/
heavy/medium/personnel air
cushion/personnel/large/tank/
utility/vehicles and personnel
LCC amphibious command ship
LGB laser-guided bomb
LHA landing ship assault
LHD amphibious assault ship
LIFT lead-in ftr trainer
LKA amphibious cargo ship
LLI long-lead items
lnchr launcher
LoA letter of acceptance
log logistic
LoI letter of intent
LP/D/H landing platform/dock/helicopter
LRIP low-rate initial production
LS/D/L/LH/M/T
landing ship/dock/logistic/logistic
helicopter/medium/tank
lt light
LWT lightweight torpedo
maint maintenance
MANPAD man-portable air-defence system
MANPATS man-portable anti-tank system
MAREX maritime exercise
MBT main battle tank
MC/C/CS/D/I/O
mine countermeasure coastal/
command and support/diving
support/inshore/ocean
MCM mine countermeasures
MCMV mine countermeasures vessel
MD military district
MDT mine diving tender
mech mechanised
med medium/medical
medevac medical evacuation
MH/C/D/I/O
mine hunter/coastal/drone/
inshore/ocean
mil military
MIRV multiple independently targetable
re-entry vehicle
mk mark (model number)
ML minelayer
MLU mid-life update
mne marine
mod modified/modification
mor mortar
mot motorised/motor
MoU memorandum of understanding
MP maritime patrol/military police
MR maritime reconnaissance/motor

The Militari Balance 2019 Lista delle Abbreviazioni 3

CV/H/L/N/S
aircraft carrier/helicopter/light/
nuclear powered/VSTOL
CW chemical warfare/weapons
DD/G/H/M
destroyer/with AShM/with
hangar/with SAM
DDR disarmament, demobilisation and
reintegration
DDS dry deck shelter
def defence
det detachment
div division
ECM electronic countermeasures
ELINT electronic intelligence
elm element/s
engr engineer
EOD explosive ordnance disposal
EPF expeditionary fast transport vessel
eqpt equipment
ESB expeditionary mobile base
ESD expeditionary transport dock
EW electronic warfare
excl excludes/excluding
exp expenditure
FAC forward air control
fd field
FF/G/H/M frigate/with AShM/with hangar/
with SAM
FGA fighter ground attack
FLD full-load displacement
flt flight
FMA Foreign Military Assistance
FS/G/H/M corvette/with AShM/with hangar/
with SAM
Ftr fighter
FTX field training exercise
FY fiscal year
GBU guided bomb unit
gd guard
GDP gross domestic product
GLCM ground-launched cruise missile
GMLS Guided Missile Launching System
gp group
HA/DR humanitarian assistance/disaster
relief
hel helicopter
how howitzer
HQ headquarters
HUMINT human intelligence
HWT heavyweight torpedo
hy heavy
IBU inshore boat unit
ICBM intercontinental ballistic missile
IFV infantry fighting vehicle
IIR imaging infrared
IMINT imagery intelligence
imp improved
indep independent
inf infantry
info ops information operations