Escape from Tarkov - BEAR Standard Issue

    In this short article, I will list the standard issue equipment that BEAR Operators. USEC PMCs and their loadouts might be explained in further detail at a later date. Explanations to items that might not exist in the real world or might not be clear will be explained to prevent confusion. If multiple items that would be mutually exclusive are listed, assume that equipment might vary between unit to unit, and from role to role.

BEAR Operator Standard Issue

Weapons

• AK-15K, 7.62×39mm. Shortened barrel variant of the AK-15, specifically made for MOUT and put through duty as a viability test late into the Contract Wars. By March, 2016, almost all non-special role BEAR operators had this weapon, as it could be used in Urban Terrains due to its short barrel, but kept the needed firepower. The AK-15K was issued with a three-point sling, a Valday Krechet reflex sight, a blue tactical laser, and a Zenit RK-4 grip. Generally, they used Magpul PMAG magazines, with 30-rnd capacity.
• AS VAL MOD.4, 9x39mm. The AS VAL MOD.4 is a special issue firearm commissioned by the BEAR command for clandestine urban operations. It is extremely quiet, but overheats fast due to design oversights. It was phased out in early January of 2016 in favor of the AK-15K as the clandestine nature of the Contract Wars came to a close. The MOD.4 was issued with a three-point sling, a Valday Krechet reflex sight, a blue tactical laser, and a Zenit RK-4 grip. Generally, they used special issue polymer magazines, with 30-rnd capacity.
• RSh-12, 12.7×55mm. The RSh-12 is a heavy caliber assault revolver, generally used to deal large amounts of damage to unarmored targets. Reportedly, some special operations BEAR units had reported that the RSh-12, when loaded with special ammo, could out-perform their main weapon (the MOD.4 at the time) greatly, and some preferred to forgo the rifle altogether in favor of the revolver.
• TKPD, 9.3x64. The TKPD is a special issue marksman rifle that was used to punch holes in light infantry armor. It fell out of favor, however, in mid-2014, when ammo for it became exceedingly scarce in Tarkov. The TKPD was issued with a EOTech Vudu riflescope or a EOTech 553 holographic sight.
• Titanium Crash Axe. The Crash Axe was specifically issued for forced entry of TerraGroup laboratories through non-explosive means, and was commonly used as a melee weapon among BEAR operatives.
• 6X5 AK-74 Bayonet. The 6X5 was issued as both a bayonet and a combat knife, though the crash axe unexpectedly was more often used than the 6X5 in most cases. 

Munitions

• Main firearms were generally issued with five, 30-rnd capacity magazines, with ~240 extra rounds to keep in their backpacks. The AK-15K was issued with 7N23 7.9g steel core ammunition, while the MOD.4 was issued with 7N12 15.5g subsonic armor-piercing rounds.
• The TKPD was instead issued with four 20-rnd magazines, with ~60 extra rounds to keep on them, with an additional ~100 rounds for their spotter to carry. Resupply of this ammunition stopped in early 2013, making ammunition become very scarce. It was loaded with 7N33 17.4g steel core armor-piercing ammunition. 
• The RSh-12 was allotted two speed-loaders, with ~30 extra rounds given. When operators began abandoning their main weapon at base camps, some quartermasters upped the allotted ammunition to as high as 105 spare rounds. 
• Two RGD-5 hand grenades as well as two RGN impact hand grenades were issued to each soldier, with grenadiers getting twice this amount generally.

Fatigues and Armor

• The standard BEAR fatigues is a standard combat shirt, either in a green or black color, with SRRV REITER pants, with varying woodland camouflages. The black combat shirt was phased out in early 2013, however some still wear it, like the "Svora" squad. Some elite operatives choose to wear it as a good luck symbol.
• Also worn are the VKBO summer boots, a wrist watch, elbow pads, knee pads, and gloves. Most operators also store a gas mask, tactical goggles, and a balaclava on them for special cases.  
• The 6B46 Plate Carrier with MOLLE webbing is usually worn as a plate carrier, inserted with special issue plates that equal to an ESAPI level IV ballistic plate, or reportedly, GOST BR 6. The soft armor on the 6B46 protects up to GOST BR 1, though some more "mythic" reports say it protects up to GOST BR 2. Generally, four magazine pouches (which could store most magazines up to 45-rnd capacity) are attached to the front, with four grenade pouches; two on the front chest and one on each side. On the sides are also a radio set and a IFAK. Also kept on most plate carriers are a water-resistant notepad and pencil. A tourniquet was also generally attached to the right or left shoulder strap for easy access during combat scenarios.
• Most operators either choose a 6B47 Aramid fiber helmet or a baseball cap with a "BEAR" patch on it, though some exceptions are known, though different helmets must be purchased. Some operatives prefer the hat, as they say it is more comfortable than wearing the helmet in urban operations, due to the poor air conditioning of buildings in the Tarkov and Norvinsk Cities. Generally worn in tandem with this is the GSSh-01 hearing protection and radio set, which connects to the radio in their backpack.
• Operators are issued the RK-ShT-30 3-day assault pack, with side webbing that can hold a firearm on one side, and a pouch that can hold a canteen on another. Inside the backpack is where they put most gear in the "other equipment" section, including their radio set.

Other Equipment

• A full canteen of water, enough to keep one hydrated for at least two days. 
• A topographic (generally annotated) map of the Priozersk "Woods" Nature Reserve. Some BEAR squads had fortified bases in the Priozersk Nature Reserve, which were well hidden. Maps were annotated with locations of all kinds of goodies in the woods, like stashes and hideouts. Some maps are also annotated with locations of minefields in the woods.
• Armasight N-15 NVGs. These were generally issued with two sets of spare batteries. It is unclear to BEAR operatives why command chose western night vision.
• Handheld Cassette Recorder. After an incident where an operative used a cellphone to transmit sensitive data to command, cassette recorders were issued to all operatives, as they are easy to use and easy to sanitize.
• A radio set with a 2-mile range.
• Four days of "Iskra" rations.
• A Zjuratkul 1-Man Tent. Includes ropes, and no poles are required. It is reported that these tents are waterproof. They are more-so lean-tos or tarps rather than full tents.  
• Two additional RGN impact hand grenades. 

Notes
    While this seems like a comprehensive list, it is not. Many senior operatives had special equipment from various locations. Some BEAR operatives were even seen with one-of-one commissioned weapons, though this was generally reserved for section leaders or elite marksmen. There was also a notable budget for operators to customize their weapons as they wish, trading in already issued attachments for those that better suited their preferences.

    Some operators also had special roles, and thus had adjusted equipment. Binoculars, range finders, crash kits, plastic explosives, and other pieces of equipment that was not needed in clandestine urban operations were found on some operators as the Contract Wars continued on into 2015, as combat began to spread all throughout Tarkov.