NATO reporting names are code names for military equipment from countries that were not part of NATO during the Cold War. These names were primarily used to identify Soviet, Chinese, and other Warsaw Pact military aircraft, missiles, submarines, and other equipment when their original designations were not known or were too difficult to pronounce.
The system was developed in the 1950s and continues to be used today. It provides a standardized way for NATO members to communicate about foreign military equipment without confusion. The names are designed to be easy to remember and pronounce in English.