OPFOR, short for “Opposing Force,” refers to one of the sides in a mission, typically representing forces associated with the Eastern Sphere of Influence, such as the Soviet Union, Russia, CSAT, or their allies, often equipped with Soviet or Russian-style gear. However, OPFOR can also describe any AI-controlled enemy force during cooperative missions, regardless of the weapons or equipment they use. The term originates from U.S. military training, where it generally represents simulated enemy forces for combat exercises, regardless of which military they mimic.
OPFOR’s arsenal is as diverse as BLUFOR’s (American/NATO) weaponry, with each side having equivalents for most equipment, though there are distinctions. For instance, OPFOR often relies more on heavy wheeled vehicles, prefers reloadable light anti-tank weapons, and tends to emphasize larger unit numbers and quantity over quality.
Most missions feature two main sides, with OPFOR typically opposing BLUFOR. Players usually take on the role of BLUFOR, while OPFOR is controlled by the AI or a Game Master. Rarely, players assume the role of OPFOR instead.
Scenarios where both sides use only OPFOR equipment, such as conflicts like Russia vs. Ukraine, are uncommon but do occur. In these cases, one faction may still be classified as BLUFOR or INDFOR based on the mission’s context. Some missions also include a third faction, INDFOR, which is hostile to both OPFOR and BLUFOR and uses a mix of different equipment types.
Definition
The term “OPFOR” has two primary uses:
- Any military force using Eastern equipment. This refers to any military faction that primarily or exclusively operates Eastern-style equipment, such as Soviet or Russian gear. This includes fictional factions within the ArmA universe that aren’t strictly Soviet or Russian but still use this type of equipment.
- Enemy AI in cooperative missions. In cooperative scenarios, OPFOR refers to the AI-controlled enemy forces, regardless of the equipment they use. Meanwhile, the player’s side is labeled BLUFOR, even if they rely solely on Eastern equipment. Notably, OPFOR typically applies to organized military forces, while paramilitary groups are more often classified as INDFOR (Independents).
Players also use the term “OPFOR” frequently in communication, though it appears most often in mission planning documents like OPORDs (Operational Orders) created by mission designers. Either or both definitions may apply in these contexts.
As with everything, exceptions to the rule are always possible.
Historical Background
After World War II, the alliance between the Western powers (the United States, Britain, and France) and the Soviet Union fell apart. Europe became the central battleground for the Cold War, with the continent split between these two rival blocs. In the West, NATO was formed as a defensive alliance against the Soviet Union and its satellite states in the Warsaw Pact. While the conflict never escalated into a direct military confrontation, both sides prepared for the possibility of World War III. Instead, they engaged in a global struggle of espionage, covert operations, and proxy wars for influence.
The Soviet Union’s industrial machinery focused on producing weapons that capitalized on their advantage in numbers. Their equipment was designed to be inexpensive and efficient, prioritizing practicality over comfort or advanced protection. This included durable small arms, speedy armored personnel carriers, and an array of powerful tanks. To counter NATO’s technologically superior vehicles, the Soviets rapidly advanced their rocket technology and developed cost-effective anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems.
The USSR’s ability to mass-produce weapons allowed it to supply its Eastern European client states and sell arms worldwide to independent nations willing to purchase them. This widespread distribution led to a proliferation of Soviet weaponry, which continues to be used in modern conflicts by at least one side in nearly every war. The USSR’s satellite states, such as East Germany and Poland, relied entirely on Soviet-designed weapons, effectively making their armed forces extensions of the Soviet Red Army.
In response, the U.S. created specialized military units, known as “OPFOR” (Opposing Force), to train for combat against Eastern Bloc tactics and equipment. These units played the role of potential adversaries in military exercises, mimicking the organization and strategy of Soviet-aligned forces. Additionally, OPFOR units simulated the tactics of non-aligned militaries that used Soviet weaponry, allowing NATO forces to study these systems, exploit them, and ultimately defeat them.