During the late Cold War (1970s-1980s) Night Vision optics and infrared equipment was not issued to most conventional armies. I'm wondering what the substitute for this was. Did NATO or Soviet forces make use of Chemlights (around since 1976) or would they have used more conventional lighting techniques such as flares fired from a mortar or grenade launcher?
Follow-up question: how effective was this equipment at facilitating night-fighting and how much of an emphasis was given on night-fighting by specific armies?
Night vision was actually common by that point, especially the 80s. Late cold war NATO tanks (M1, Leo 2, Challenger) had night vision and/or thermals, and NVG were seen in infantry units. Older tanks mostly had infared searchlights, including soviet and warsaw pact tanks from the T62 onwards. It was a similar situation with Aircraft.
Remember, much of what modern armies use right now was designed during that period and later upgraded. The 2 superpowers in particular had vehicles and equipment still considered advanced now.