Arab Revolutions and Border Wars 1980-2018

MODERN CONFLICTS PROFILE GUIDE VOL.
III
ARAB
1 98 0
2018
REVOLUTIONS
AND BORDER
WARS
INDEX
1. INTRODUCTION 4
2. REGULAR ARAB ARMIES:
2.1 MOROCCAN ARMY 6
2.2 ALGERIAN ARMY 16
2.3 LIBYAN ARMY 20
2.4 SUDAN ARMY AND SLPA VEHICLES 30
2.5 EGYPTIAN MODERN ARMY 38
2.6 SYRIAN ARMY 48
2.7 IRAK ARMY
2.7.1 MODERN VEHICLES USED BY IRAQ ARMY 68
2.7.2 NON REGULAR ARMIES OPERATING IN IRAQ. 76
2.8 YEMENI ARMY 84
2.9 TURKISH ARMY 92
3. ARAB REBEL ARMIES:

3.1 PESHMERGA VEHICLES 102
3.2 KURDS VEHICLES 104
3.3 DAESH (ISIS) VEHICLES 106
4. MIDDLE EAST WAR MACHINES

4.1 T-72 MIDDLE EAST STREET FIGHTER 108
4.2 T-62 SMOOTHBORE SNIPER 116
4.3 T-55 A SOVIET ICON 124
4.4 2S3 AKATSIYA SOVIET HEAVY HITTER 134
4.5 ZU-23X4 SHILKA, FOUR BARRELED STREET FIGHTER 138
4.6 ZU-23X2 AND ZPU-14.5. MIDDLE EAST FLAK WAGON FIRE POWER 144
Concept and Original idea:

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MODERN CONFLICTS PROFILE GUIDE VOL. III
ARAB
19
201880
REVOLUTIONS
AND BORDER
WARS
introduction
The AraB Spring and Border wars in context
It was on the 17th of December 2010 that impoverished street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set
himself on fire and burnt himself later dying from his injuries. He had had the vegetables he
was selling from his unlicensed cart confiscated by Tunisian police and in a desperate protest
set himself alight. This act led to a wide scale protests about the corruption and indifference of
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Mass Tunisian protests led to the overthrow of Ben Ali by the
end of January, for the first time in human history, it was the use of mobile phones and social
network sights that spread the idea of revolution and protest across the region and start what
we call “The Arab Spring”. Mass protests at a range of different issues broke out in Algeria, Jordan,
Egypt, Syria and several other arab countries. Not all regimes were toppled, and many of the
uprisings or successful revolutions don’t bring the free or better conditions that peoples demand,
instead them ended in creating a platform for extremists like that of ISIS in Syria and to an extent
in Libya where anarchy was the result. In Egypt the removal of Mubarak was ultimately lead to a
military coup by the military under Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. By the end of 2011 Yemen’s government
was overthrown allowing the Shia Houthis take control of Sanaa and a large chunk of the country,
and leading to a bloody and disastrous war with neighboring Saudi Arabia. It is the great divide
and wrestling of power and influence between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran that is the back
drop to many proxy conflicts in the region. The government in Algeria would survive the Arab
Spring as they had already had a protracted civil war with Islamists between 1992 and 1998 in
which thousands of people had been murdered which still loomed large in the memory of many.
In Syria Assad fought peaceful protesters with the tanks and troops and then released Islamic
militants from prisons that make western support for the rebels more difficult.
4 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

As ISIS and other Islamic militants joined the conflict Assad turned to Russia and Shia Iran and
Hezbollah to save his Alawite based regime from the majority based Sunni militants, but not
before millions of Syrians became refugees in Europe and neighboring Arab states.
This volume also examines the military equipment and recent history of states involved in boarder
wars such as Morocco, Turkey and Sudan. Morocco’s occupation of the former Spanish Sahara and
conflict with the Polisario is quite now, but ran for decades with little coverage from the outside
world. Sudan’s civil war with the Christian South led to the split of the country into Northern and
Southern states. While brutal campaigns of ethnic cleansing in Darfur got much attention in the
west but little action. Turkey’s long term obsession with containing Kurdish national aspirations
have led this now questionable NATO ally to attack the US assisted YPG in Northern Syria. Under
president Erdogan, Turkey has fallen out with Washington over a range of issues as her army
seems to be digging in for a long stay in Northern Syria. The destruction of ISIS in Iraq has led
to stability in that war weary country and a bedding down of democracy as witnessed in recent
elections that may be an example to other nations in the region, perhaps the era of the strong
man and dictator, while not entirely over, maybe receding, for it Mohamed Bouazizi sacrifice has
any lasting legacy, it maybe was the beginning of the end of decades of corruption, sectarianism
and misrule in the middle east, only time shall tell.
ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 5

2. Regular AraB Armies
2.1
MOROCCAN
ARMY
The Moroccan armed forces has a long and illustrious history dating back to the 11th century. During the
Spanish Civil war and World War thousands of Moroccans served with Franco and the Free French forces
respectively. With the dissolution of the French Protectorate in 1956, Morocco created its own Royal armed
forces, seeing minor skirmishing with neighboring Algeria and various UN peace duties and as part of
various western interventions in Zaire, Somalia and the Balkans. It was the departure of Spanish forces
from the Sahara in 1975 that would create the Moroccan armies longest and most challenging conflict.
The death of Franco saw Spain finally withdraw from the Sahara, this was seen by the then Moroccan
King Hassan as an ideal opportunity to take over this Phosphate rich territory, situation that he did by
initiating The Green March with thousands of Moroccans marching into the former Spanish Sahara. At first
the Moroccans involved Mauritania in the carve up of this territory but the indigenous Sahrawi people
were determined to fight this occupation and thus The Polisario Front came into being with the assistance
of neighboring Algeria. Using traditional “Ghazzi “ or hit and run tactics Polisario units launched long range
raids against Mauritania’s military, rail networks and power plants leading to French military intervention,
but eventually a Mauritanian withdrawal from Saharan territory leaving Morocco to fight on its own.
Polisario units launched similar attacks on isolated Moroccan garrisons and armed patrols in a conflict that
persisted for decades. The Moroccan forces were eventually to construct a gigantic defensive wall from the
Algerian boarder to the Atlantic coast in an attempt to neutralize Polisario raiders, along which, were dug
in tanks, APCs and sophisticated listening devices. The Royal Moroccan forces had the assistance of Saudi
Arabian finances and were able to procure a broad range of equipment from France, America, Austria,
South Africa and later Belarus. Since the UN sponsored ceasefire agreement of 1991 there has been a peace
with both sides attempting to boost their claims but not a lot of interest shown by the rest of the world in
the long standing Western Sahara conflict.

Moroccan M1A1 SA Abrams
A Moroccan M1A1 SA Abrams, one of 220 to be supplied to Morocco these
differ from US variants in having had their frontal armour packages replaced
with a special armour configuration including a situational awareness
frontal turret package.
Moroccan M60 A1/A3

Moroccan forces have been a large user of the M60 series of tanks.The first were
purchased between 1991 and 1994 and included 260 M60A3TTS,167 A3’s and 300
ex US M60A1’s these tanks were upgraded to A3 standard during service with 140
upgraded to M60 A3 TTS in 2009 these MBTs represented a major advance not only
over the older M48’s but the Polisario T-55’s and T-62 tanks in the western Sahara.

Moroccan T-72B/BK
Between 1999 and 2001 the Moroccan armed forces procured 136 T-72 B’s and
12 T-72 BK command variants from Belarus. These vehicles were refurbished and
updated in Belarusian tank plant 140 in Borisov with new fire control systems and
thermal imaging sights.These T-72 variants feature the thicker front turret armour Nato
code named “Super Dolly Parton” further enhanced by the attachment of “Kontakt-1”
reactive armour boxes. In terms of fire power the T-72B is also capable of firing
9M119 “Svir” laser guided anti-tank missile as well as the standard range of 125mm
ammunition.
Moroccan Eland 90
Having purchased a small amount of second hand Panhard AML 90’s from France, Morocco began
procuring Eland 90 Mk7 from South Africa in 1976. These vehicles were accompanied by a number of
South African instructors who had experience of the type of search and destroy missions in Angola that
Morocco now attempted to apply in the Western Sahara. Further deliveries of Eland 90s and the Ratel
20 turreted Eland 20s were obtained in 1978 along side actual Ratels. Over 30 of the Elands were lost
in ambush to the Polisario front during various offensive actions and a number can be seen in Polisario
camps to this day.

Moroccan SK-105 Kürassier
An Austrian built SK-105 Kurassier light tank, 110 of these tanks were
delivered between 1978 and 1979 for the war in the Western Sahara, a
number of them were captured by the Polisario and are still on exhibit in
their military museum today.
Moroccan M60A1 Rise

Morocco purchased a wide selection of M60 variants including the M60 A1 RISE
Passive, these Reliability Improvement for Selected Equipment variants feature infra
red /white light capable search lights and Passive or Reactive explosive armour
tiles mounted around the turret and hull front. These variants proved extremely
successful for US marine forces in Kuwait in 1991 and a very effective defense
against RPGs and various hollow charge war heads found on the battelfield likes
Sagger wire guided missiles used by the Polisario.

Moroccan Ratel 20/90
Having purchased numbers of Eland armoured cars from Sandock- Austral
in 1976 the Moroccan army ordered a number of Ratel 90s and 20s taking
first deliveries in 1978, a further 80 being ordered in 1979. The few images
of these Infantry fighting vehicles in Moroccan service show them deployed
in defensive positions along the Western Sahara wall but they were also
engaged in raids into Polisario territory. In 2016 60 Ratel 20s and 90s were
still in Moroccan service testament to the robust simplicity of these user
friendly IFVs.
Moroccan M109A5
The M109 replaced the AMX Mk F3 SPG 155mm in Moroccan service. The 109s extra
range over the F3 made it the ideal weapon for long range shelling and fire support
missions against Polisario positions. The Moroccan army has obtained M109s from
numerous sources including 70 A5s from the US in 2016, 43 A1s from Belgium, 40 A1s from
Switzerland along with 60 variants originally supplied by the US and used in the Western
Sahara conflict.

Moroccan Toyota with ZU-23
Like many Armies and Guerrilla groups throughout the middle east the
Moroccan army utilities large numbers of Soviet / Russian made ZU 23mm
AA guns mounted on Toyota pick ups, Land rovers and light trucks. Operating
over vast open expanses such weapons as the ZUs, KPVs and even M163s
Vulcans are very effective in picking off Polisario raiding parties in similar
vehicles
Morocccan Panhard M3 VTT

Morocco purchased 50 M3 VTT troop transporters from France in 1970s.
These simple lightly armoured APCs are ideal for short range patrolling or
convoy duty but lack the fire power or protection for anything else, it’s also
worth bearing in mind in terms of logistics it shares 95 percent of working
parts with the AML 90 and therefore many Eland parts.

Moroccan Unimog with ZU-23 -2
The ubiquitous Unimog 416 has again seen much service as transport and
a gun truck with the Moroccan army in the Western Sahara conflict. These
vehicles were widely used by PLO forces in similar roles in 1982. Now days
the Moroccan forces have replaced these older varian ts with Unimog U1300
L2t gun trucks and Hummers with ZPU 14.5mm AA guns.
Moroccan M113 A1 with ZPU-2

With over 1900 M113s in service with the Moroccan army a number
have had ZPU AA guns mounted on their roofs while other TOW missile
launchers. Of note in the reference photo is extra water drums carried on
the side rails and ammo boxes. This photo is also of interest as it shows
US senator Charlie Wilson on one of his trips in support of the Afghan
Mujahideen.

Moroccan Panhard M3 VTT
This odd looking conversion was seen in a Polisario base camp on display
with the captured remains of an Eland 90. The stripped down American
M101 105mm gun would be useful extra fire power in this mobile form
during sweeps of Polisario territory, but has limited protection for the gun
crew.
Moroccan VAB 6x6 VCI Toucan

The French manufactured VAB six by six variant is widely used by Moroccan
forces with 75 variants mounting the 20mm cannon seen here and 320
standard transport variants. These vehicles have also seen UN service with
Moroccan forces in the Balkans and Africa.

Moroccan M113 A1
M113 weighed down with crew luggage, during their long drawn out
war in the Sahara, Moroccan forces used large white numbers or letters in
conjunction with double white stripes on the top hulls and front of their
vehicles for recognition.
Moroccan M56 Scorpion

The M56 Scorpion is more of a gun carrier than a tank, designed to be easily
deployed by aircraft this 90mm SPG saw service in the Vietnam War with the
173rd Airborne Brigade and with Moroccan troops occupying the Western
Sahara and patrolling the Sahara wall .

Moroccan M48A5
A Moroccan M48A5, starting in 1973 Morocco took delivery of its first
M48A3, culminating with a final delivery of A5s in 1987 from US National
guard stocks. These MBTs played a major role in the conflict in the Western
Sahara, engaging and destroying Polisario T-54 and T-55s.
Moroccan Pegaso 3046 ZPU-2

The Spanish built Pegaso 3046 truck was used in a number of roles by
Morocco troops. Over 1000 Pegaso trucks were utilised during the Sahara
campaign including in gun trucks mode seen here with the KPV 14.5mm x2
AA gun.

2.2
ALgeRian Army
After a bloody 8 year struggle for independence Algeria support for the FIS party or Islamic Liberation Front, the
achieved freedom in 1962. Algeria had not been considered election was quashed. The army and the DRS or military
a colony but an actual part of metropolitan France, the intelligence under General Mohamed “Toufik” Mediene
Algerian guerilla group the FLN or National Liberation now began a brutal war of oppression against the Armed
Front had fought a brutal campaign against military Islamic Group or GIA who conducted bombings and
and civilian targets. France for its part fought a ruthless massacres against civilian, expatriates and military targets.
counterinsurgency campaign. Subjected to bombing, Between 1992 and 1998 entire villages were slaughtered
brutality, torture and the use of other extreme measures by by both sides with an estimated 200,000 people killed
French paratroopers the FLN was soon subdued, however and 20,000 disappeared. The terror inflicted on the people
public opinion internationally and in France had turned of Algeria during these times has left deep scars but also
towards granting independence, in reaction to this the a fear of a recurrence of this dark period if the ruling FLN
OAS the Organization of the Secret Army a right wing anti- feels under threat again. For an over twenty years it was
independence group staged a coup in Algiers and in Paris said that General “Tofik” Mediene and the DRS actually ran
to return the Free French hero De Gaulle to power, a man Algeria with a government of the people likes Boutefilka
they assumed would be anti-independence, but De Gaulle showing them were a mere facade. With two thirds of the
seeing the destruction to France caused by the endless youth of Algeria too young to remember these dark times
conflict granted independence to Algeria. The first Algerian and desperate due to poverty, lack of housing or jobs
leader Ben Bella implemented a Socalist oriented regime opportunities it is perhaps only a question of time before
backed by the Cheif of the FLN army of liberation Houari the next generation of Algerians again demand change.
Boumedienne, a man who would imprison Ben Bella after While the population feels the despair of grinding poverty
he staged a coup in 1965 and remain in power till his death there has been no shortage of funds for the Algerian army
in 1978. Boumedienne set Algeria on a course of pragmatic and airforce sophisticated Russian Su-24s, SU-27 and MIG-
socialism but his rule was to be followed by a series of minor 29 SMT have replaced earlier Soviet designs while over 300
party candidates as the FLN was a synonymous for scam T-90SAs and 100 BMP-3S are in service. Algeria has in recent
and corruption. By 1991 the people of Algeria were hungry times introduced minor reforms but only time will tell if
for political change and forced elections on the ruling FLN. these are real or a pretence.
However when election results showed overwhelming

Algerian 2S3 SPG
The 2S3 Akatsiya 152mm SPG has been used in conjunction with the 2S1 122mm SPG by Algeria
for many years. As a Soviet alternative to the US manufactured M109 the 2S3 was widly exported
to the developing world seeing extensive action not only in Iraq and Syria but also in Chechnya,
Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Algerian T-72 M1M

Algeria is one of Russia / Soviets most trusted and long standing customers, as
such was one of the first to receive the earlist T-72 Ural variants followed by T-72 M,
T-72M1 and AG variants. One of the more interesting updates considered by Algerian
forces was a South African version mounting two large sight systems on the turret
produced by ATE . Algeria is now in the process of updating older T-72 models to
T-90 standards while purchasing 370 T-90SA direct from Russia aswell as licence
production agreements for a further 200.

Algerian BM-21 Grad
With over 200 BM-21 MRLS in service with Algeria this simple
and robust rocket launcher has seen massive use through out
the globe. The Ural based BM-21 is being further suplimented
by the larger and long range BM-30 Smerch.
Algerian BTR-60 PBK

The BTR-60 R-145BM command and control vehicles of this type are
normally associated with air defence units equipped with ZSU 23-4 Shilka
and SAMs such as the SA-6 and SA-8. Standard BTR-60 APCs are further
supplimented by Czech OT-64s and newer BTR-80s.

Algerian Panhard M3 VTT
Algeria procured 50 French made M3 VTT for policing and internal security
duties along side a number of AML 60s this vehicles would no doubt have
been extremely useful during the long and bloody Islamist insurgency.
Algerian T-90 SA
The Algerian military signed a contract in 2014 with Rosoboron
export thus acquiring it’s first third generation battle tank. Equipped
with a 125 mm 2A46 smooth bore gun, thermal sights, Kontakt-5
ERA, laser warning receivers and Shtora ATGM jamming systems
these latest MBTs are seen as a match for Morocco’s M1 Abrams.

2.3
LiBya Civil War
To get a grasp on the recent history of Libya and it’s various conflicting groups one must go back
to the military coup of 1969. In this year little known Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi took power
and began the transformation of Libya into Islamic Socalist state or his version of it. While he
implemented housing, health care and educational programmes at home his erratic approach
to foreign policy quickly led to conflict with neighbouring Egypt in the 1977 border war and
a series of unsuccessful campaigns in fellow neighbouring Chad throughout the 1980s. Small
detachments of Libyan troops were also sent to try help Idi Amin during the sucessful Tanzanian
invasion of Uganda in 1979. Gaddafi longed for international recognition and insense wanted to
become a figure head of a global anti imperialist movement buying favour and donating arms
throughout the middle east and Africa. His arms shipments to the Irish Republican Army in the
late 80s and other guerilla groups around the world are well documented. The US conducted a
series of air-raids in 1986 in response to Libyan night club bombing in West Berlin in the same
year. Other out rages would follow over the years the worst being the Lockerbie bombings which
destroyed Pan-Am flight 103 over Scotland. Libya became further isolated but could obtain arms
form various nations. While Gaddafi stock piled millions of dollars worth of Tanks, APCs, SPGs
and fighter air craft from Russia, Europe, Brazil and North Korea he lacked the personnel to use
it properly. Gaddafi was never really in a position to be a conventional threat in the region. With
the Arab spring revolution came to many North African states, in Libya the uprising started in
Benghazi in February 2011. These protests were put down by the army with 290 shot, but only
spread to other cities such as Misrata, Al-Bayda and Tobruk soon these towns were firmly in rebel
hands. NATO air strikes quickly turned the tide against Gaddafi’s armoured forces destroying
Libyan T-72s and Palmaria SPGs on the move to Benghazi. The Libyan rebels took to their land
cruisers and pick ups with various light anti aircraft guns and brought the war to the capital
Tripoli, ultimately capturing and killing Gaddafi who had been found hiding in a drainage pipe, a
pitiful end for the once great dictator. Democracy did not break out in Libya however and various
factions now tried to take power uniting only briefly to defeat ISIS in the city of Sirte in 2016. Since
then Libya has been split between Egyptian backed Military strong man Field Marshal Hifter
and the House of Representatives, the Government of National Accord led by Al-Sarraj and the
General National Congress led by Al-Ghawil backed by hard line militas, not to mention Al Qaeda
and ISIS remnants. Whatever the outcome of Libya struggle remains to be seen at this time, but
the vast collection of pick ups, gun trucks, tanks and Mad Max vehicles will surely not remain idle
for long.

A free Libyan army Toyota Pickup
with a ZU-23-2 Anti-Aircraft gun mounted in the rear. Such lash
ups are extremely common throughout the Middle East combat
zones.
Libyan Rebel BTR-60

Under Gaddafi the Libyan military received thousands of Soviet
Tanks and APCs, at one point the Libyan Army operated up to
750 BTR-60s, starting with 100 PB variants ordered in 1974. This
particular vehicle is interesting for a number of reasons firstly
it appears to have a late model BTR-80 turret or the rear smoke
launchers system associated with them and secondly the access
hatch or doors in the middle of the vehicle appear to be those
of a Bulgarian BTR-60 PB-MD1 but without the other additional
adaptions.

Libyan Dawn group Puma 6x6 with SA-6 Gainful (2k12 Kub)
The Libyan National Army received a small number of former Italian army Puma APCs in
2013. Libyan Dawn converted a number of these by mounting SA-6 and SA-3 Surface to
Air Missiles on the upper hulls as surface to surface missiles. Like Iraqi attempts in the late
80s these no doubt encountered problems with the highly complex guidance and control
systems, not to mention the waste of such assets.
Libyan rebel T-62 Model 1972

While not aswell document end as the T-55 or T-72 in Libyan service, the Libyan T-62s first
saw service in the Toyota Wars against Chad. A number of ex Libyan T-62s were captured and
pressed into Chadian service. More recently former Libyan army T-62s have seen action with
militants fighting ISIS in Serta. This T-62 has an improvised armour shield mounted around
the DShK 12.7mm AA gun.

Libyan M113 with AML 90 turret.
This former Libyan army M113 is fitted with a French AML 90 turret for extra fire power. Libya
obtained a large number of early model M113s from the United States as for back as 1966
well before the break in relations caused by Gaddafi’s foreign policies. Testament perhaps to
the M113s ease of maintenance and sheer simplicity.
Libyan OTO-Melara Palmaria 155mm Self-Propelled Gun

Under Gaddafi Libya ordered 210 of these heavy Italian SPGs. Based on the OF 40 tank
chassis the Palmaria was designed for export. This was one of a large number of vehicles
including DANAs, M109s, Scuds and 2S3s found in artillery depots after the fall of Gaddafi.

Libyan M109A1
The M109 is no stranger to conflict in the middle east with long
barrel variants in service with Israel, Egypt, Iraq and Iran, this Libyan
version is an early short barreled variant one of 25 supplied to Libya
before Gaddafi seizing of power in 1969. It was removed from army
storage and used in the battle of Sirte in 2016 along side gun trucks
and Italian made Palmaria SPGs.
Libyan Rebel T-55

This very colourful rebel T-55 is a Polish built variant, orginally
painted overall sand it has decorated with multiple Libyan flags
of the pre Gaddafi regime to avoid friendly fire.

Libyan Rebel T-72 Ural Variant.
This Ural model T-72 is one of the first delivered to Libya in the early 80s.
Fury is stripped of it’s side mounted fuel cells and many of it’s fitting having
been well used by its new owners, it still retains it’s orginal Libyan army
Sand and Green camouflage scheme.
Libyan Rebel Ratel

This South African Ratel IFV is minus it’s 20mm bush cannon but in its place is an old Soviet
designed UB-16-57UMP aerial rocket pod. This Ratel and Centurion or Tariq tanks were part of a
package of assistance provided to the
Libyan Transitional Army by the
Jordanians.

Libyan Rebel M577 / BMP-1 Hybrid.
This extremely colourful conversion of what seems like the command variant of the
M577 series, rather than a M113 with an extra metal box extension added, has a
Soviet manufacturered BMP 1 turret for the some what dudious 73mm rocket gun
fire power, the rebel flag based on the old pre revolution flag not offering much in
the way of camouflage.
Uparmoured Rebel T55

During the desperate defence of Benghazi, a small number of rebel T-55s fought with
Gaddafi’s forces. These T-55s had up armoured in a fashion similar to late model Panzer IVs
in WW2. By welding on parts industrial “I” beam and plate armour rebels hoped to add some
extra protection to their vehicles. In the end French aircraft saved Benghazi by obliterating
Pro Gaddafi forces on the outskirts of Benghazi.

Former Libyan army EE-9 Cascavel
These Brazilian armoured cars were extremely
popular throughout the middle east. The Libyans
purchased 500 of these vehicles which a 100km/h
speed with a 90mm main gun. Libya first used
the earlier MK-ll with an AML-90 turret against
Egyptian forces in the border war of 1977. During
Gaddafi’s disastrous intervention in neighbouring
Chad, Libyan forces abandoned nearly 80 of these
vehicles in the Aouzou strip along with millions
of dollars worth of other equipment. The Casavel
saw action again in Libya during the revolution
and in the battles with ISIS forces in Sirte.
Libyan Rebel VT-55 / BTR-60 conversion

This rather odd armoured conversion has all the appearance of a double
decker bus. The base of the vehicle consists of a Czechoslovakian VT-55
Armoured Recovery Vehicle (as noted by the side mounted driver’s hatch)
minus it’s upper crane and stowage. On top of the ARV is mounted the BTR-60
with a support cage

Libyan ZSU-23-4
A Libyan Army ZSU-23mm Shilka, this vehicle was spotted in a convoy of
Revolutionary Guards Corp, Gaddafi’s trusted Jamahirya Guard. This camouflage
scheme is one found on elite units
of Gaddafi’s armoured corps
consisting of sand and
very green.
Libyan Mad Max

This Mad Max style rebel vehicle is typical of the types of improvised armoured
carriers manufacturered by Libyans, Syrians, ISIS fighters and Kurds. They hark back to
the vehicles built by Croatian fighters in their Homeland war. This particular vehicle is
interesting due to the inclusion of the BMP1 turret, oddly enough these turrets have
turned up on many other home made
APCs across the Middle East.
Libyan T-55 style conversion

This Mad Max style rebel vehicle is typical of the types
of improvised armoured carriers manufacturered by
Libyans, Syrians, ISIS fighters and Kurds. They hark back
to the vehicles built by Croatian fighters in their
Homeland war.

Libyan rebel Toyota pickup with KPV.14.5mm AA gun
Libyan rebel Toyota pickup with KPV.14.5mm AA gun, the Libyans had been
particularly impressed by the use of Toyota pick ups in the Toyota Wars in Chad
during the 1980s where their forces suffered at the hands of Chadian forces. In
a throw back to the Long Range Desert Group of WW2 Chadian forces struck
in ambushes of much more heavily armed Libyan opponents. This tactics were
once again used by rebel forces against Gaddafi’s forces during the Revolution
and in the months after.
Libyan rebel MT-55 / BTR-60 conversion

One of the more visual pleasing Libyan conversion is this MT-55 bridge layer
chassis mated with the eight wheeler BTR-60 APC. This chunky APC took
part in the fighting between Western backed Libyan rebels and ISIS in the
costal city of Sirte.
Libyan JVBT-55
The JVBT-55 were produced by ZTS Martin in former Czechoslovakia, these heavy lifting crane tanks
feature winches, plows and large crane along with tools required for engine repairs and vehicle recovery.
The JVBT was used by Libya for a number of years with at least one abandoned in Chad. Syrian forces
deployed some in Lebanon and towards the end of the civil war in Dara. Iraqi forces made major use of
these ARVs in the Iran-Iraq war recovering hundreds of their own and Iranian tanks. Iraqi variants have
been seen minus BTU bull dozers, with numerous fittings missing while one in Kuwait in 1991 had Chinese
side skirts.

2.4
Sudan Army
and SPLA Vehicles
North and South Sudan
Having gained independence from Britain in 1955 the Sudanese armed forces consisted of more
than 5000 members; this was quickly expanded to deal with an ongoing counter insurgency in
the South and West. Sudan, once the largest in Africa was effectively ruled in the north by Muslim
Arabs while the South was made up of Christian and Animist Africans. The Sudan military obtained
it’s first armed vehicles from Britain in the form of Saladins and Ferret armoured cars. Further arms
shipments were obtained from the Soviet Union, China and the United States leading to BTR-50s
operating side by side with Type 62 mountain tanks and V-100 commandos. During the Cold War,
Sudan was seen as a possible bulwark against Soviet expansion in neighbouring Ethiopia and the
United States provided advanced equipment such as M60 tanks and F-5E fighter aircraft. With
the end of the Cold War, Sudan underwent political change with the coming to power in a coup
in 1989 Omar Al Bashir, it was during the 90s that Osama Bin Laden was allowed a safe haven by
Khartoum. Sudan’s oil insured large scale purchases of Chinese armour such as the Type 85 ll, Type
59D and YW-531 APC’s to mention a few. Side by side with Chinese tanks and an assembly plant
in Khartoum, the South of the country gained independence in a referendum in 2011 ending
the North’s war in the part of the country but not in Darfur in the west. North Sudan continued
an eclectic pattern of procurement obtaining Cobra’s BMP-1 based APC and BTR-80 conversions
made in the Czech Republic, BTR-3 and T-72 AVs from Ukraine and Safir-74’s from Iran. Sudan
maintains and repairs her mixed fleet of MBT’s, IFVs and APC’s at the Military Industry Corporation
workshops in the centre of Khartoum and is now manufacturing a series of jeeps, APC’s and truck
based self-propelled guns.

Sudan MAN KAT1
The Sudanese military procure armoured vehicles and transports
from a wide variety of channels. This ex Bundeswehr MAN truck was
obtained by Sudan from the Dutch company Van Vliet Trucks Holland
BV between 2011 and 2012, numbers of these and the 4x4 type 461
seeing action in the Nuba mountains where examples were captured
by rebels from the Sudanese 14th division. The German Ministry of
Economy subsequently restricted the re-export of such vehicles to
Holland due to the lack of end user certificates and on going conflict
in Sudan.
Sudan M60 A1
One of a very small number of Sudanese M60A1 Pattons are reported still in service, delivered
during the 80s by the US as a counter to Soviet deliveries to Ethiopia. A number of these M60s
can be seen lined up decommissioned in Military Industry Corporation yards in Khartoum a
small number of M60s and other vehicles were deployed to the streets of the capital after a
failed mass raid on the capital by the Justice and Equality Movement “JEM” rebels in May 2008.

Sudan SPLA T-55
One of a number of Sudanese People’s Liberation Army
T-55s entering their new capital of Juba in 2011 upon
independence for the new state of South Sudan. These
tanks were ex Sudanese army T-55s captured in battle
and included a number of T-55M with KDT-1 laser range
finders mounted above their main guns.
Sudanese Type 96/Al Bashir

Sudan has become a major recipient of Chinese equipment in the last
number of years due to competitive pricing and the willingness of the
Chinese allow licence production and assembly. The Type 96 originally
known as the Type 85ll has a 125mm main gun, fire control system and
laser range finder. Sudan fields 200 of these MBTs and small numbers have
already fallen into the hands of the SPLM-M rebels.

Sudan T-72AV
Sudanese T-72AV / Al Zubair 1 these Ukrainian supplied T-72s have seen
a lot of action against the SPLA-N. In battles these tanks has a distint
advantage facing rebels with RPG over the chinese supplied Type 96 or
Al Bashir tanks. Of note is the fact the same tanks have been supplied to
neighboring South Sudan from Ukraine as well which could lead to major
confusion in future conflicts between the two countries.
Sudanese Safir-74/ Type T72Z / Al Zubair 1

The only customer outside Iran for this Revolutionary Guard T-55 upgrade is Sudan. At one point
Sudan had good relations with the Islamic Republic before choosing closer ties with Saudi Arabia.
The Safir 74 consists of various T-55, Type 59 and 69 models being re-engined with a 780hp V46
diesel engine,a new main armament in the form of a 105mm HM-49L (L7 105 copy) Slovenian
Fontana Fire Control System and ERA or reactive armor tiles.

A Al-Zubair 2 or Type 59 D
There are thought to be at least 100 of these tanks in service in Sudan
which may now be updating older models. The Type 59D features
additional protection in the form of ERA Armor tiles mounted on the turret
sides and front hull along with an advanced fire control system and on
newer models a Type 83A 105mm main gun.
T-55 SPLA
This Sudan People’s Liberation Army T-55 in Malakal 2013, bearing a type
of camouflage similar to that found on Sudanese Army tanks indicating it’s
probably a battle field capture. The side skirts and side stowage rack are
improvised affairs.

Sudanese T-55 Hybrid
This Sudanese army T-55 was one of a group of vehicles captured by SPLA-N
in the Blue Nile area. Weapons including Iranian manufactured D-30s,
Chinese APCs and this hybrid T-55 consisting of a T-55AM turret minus it’s
horse shoe armor and KDT 1 laser range finder mounted on a earlier T-55 hull
are typical of some Sudanese army battle groups. Other T-55AMs have been
seen with bow armour and LRFs but also missing their horse shoe armour.
BMP-1 Cobra S
A Sudanese army Cobra S turreted BMP, these updated BMP-1s feature
BMP-2 side skirts and a low profile Cobra turret featuring a 2A42 30mm
cannon. Sudan purchased a number of these updated BMPs developed by
Slovakian company ZTS Special Trencin in late 1990s, Cobra S turrets were
also mounted on some Sudanese BTR-80s.

Sudanese WZ 551 Share 2
Sudan use and assembles large numbers of Chinese WZ 551 and WZ523 APCs.
This vehicle was one of a large group vehicles captured by the Sudanese
People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in a major engagement in April
2016. Second front Blue Nile under Gen Ahmed Alomda Bade captured 55
vehicles including WZs, BMP1s and BTR 80s.
Sudanese BTR-82A Shareef 1

Sudan use the BTR-80, BTR-80 Cobra and BTR-80A with its 30mm gun turret
it has much improved range over the standard KPV 14.5 mm gun of the 80
variant. It is fully amphibious but with a YAMZ-238 M2 can be prone to over
heating and some what under powered over rough terrain as I found in
Ukraine driving the standard 80.
Sudanese Safir-74/Type T72 Z /Al Zubair 1

These Chinese manufactured Mine clearing tanks have been seen during
military parades in Khartoum. The GSL-130 can be fitted with mine plows
of Chinese design or KMT 4 mine rollers,a mine clearing line charge can be
launched from the large boxy housing mounted above the Type 59 hull. These
vehicles have also seen service with Chinese forces serving with the UN in
Lebanon in 1987.

South Sudanese Toyota pick up with Chinese Type 63 MRLS
One of a number of South Sudanese army vehicles used during the
retaking of the town of Bor and Pariak in 2014. Such formations with units
of commandos and Dinka tribes men are standard in the power struggle in
newly independent South Sudan.
Sudanese YW 531C APC

The Type 62 or YW 531B APC is essentially the same APC introduced by
the PLA in the late 1960s and exported to Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Iraq .The
addition of the armoured cupola for the machine gunner is a more recent
addition to this cheap and cheerful Chinese equivalent to the US M113.
Sudan URAL 4320

This Ural truck was one of ten, eight Toyota Land Cruisers
captured by the SPLM-N guerrillas in an attack Alrom in the
Blue Nile region. Of note are the large tires and bonnet from a
different Ural.

2.5
Modern
Egyptian Army
Following the Yom Kippur war of 1973, Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat made peace with Israel after decades of war at the
Camp David with Isreali Prime Minister David Ben Gurion and US president Jimmy Carter. For this move Egypt would
be expelled from the Arab league. Sadat was to be assassinated during a military parade in 1981 and replaced by his
vice president Hosni Mubarak. Mubarak was to remain in power from 1981 to 2011. Egypt sent troops to fight in the
1991 Gulf war and by this time Egypt was once again accepted back into the Arab league. while Mubarak privatized
large sections of the economy, he also jailed opposition politicians and his regime became associated with cronyism and
massive corruption. Inspired by a popular uprising in Tunisia, Egyptians flooded into Tahir square demanding the removal
of Mubarak, violence ensued and elections were held in which Egyptians voted for Mohamed Morsi and the until recently
the outlawed Muslim brotherhood party. Morsi began to try and side line the Mubarak era judiciary and grant himself
unlimited powers with the support of an Islamist dominated constituent assembly. After protests by anti-Morsi groups in
2013 the military under General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi launched a successful military coup.
What followed was a crackdown on the Muslim brotherhood, violence and instability, while the treat of ISIS materialized
in the Sinai with bombings and attacks on military, police and civilian targets. Sisi’s promise of security, stability and
economic prosperity in exchange for his authoritarian rule looks more and more illusory despite the massive power and
expenditure of the military.
In terms of equipment the Egyptian military is an interesting mix of older Soviet designs updated and adapted for
domestic use and modern Western designs. Egypt still fields T-54s, T-55s and T-62s alongside various M60 models and the
M1 Abrams. A wide range of SAM missiles from East and West are available including BUK-Ms, Hawks, SA 6, Chaparrals
and older SA-2s and SA-3s. The Egyptian air force operates Mirage 2000s, F16s and the ultra-modern Dassault Rafale
with Kamov KA 52s alongside many older Soviet and Western designs. The real challenge however in this most populous
nation in the Arab world will be opportunity and economic growth for a nation where many earn as little as 2 dollars a
day and over 75 percent of the population is under 25.

Egypt M113A2 Operation Desert Shield
This colourful M113 pictured in Saudi Arabia in 1991 is one of nearly 2500
operated by Egypt over the last thirty years, Egypt uses a number of different
variants of this versatile APC one of the more interesting ideas was for a six wheel
EIFV 1995 mounting a Bradley Turret which hasn’t gone into mass production.
An Egyptian M109A2,
seen during Operation Bright Star in 2005 these US weapons form the bulk of
Egyptian SPG’s units backed up by M109/D30s and newer truck mounted SPG’s.

An Egyptian army upgraded T-54 E1
Model 1951 or T-54-3 these old workhorses have been updated with a new
sighting system positioned in the gunner sight and attached to the tank
barrel. As seen in Aswan in 2011.
Egypt M113A2 Red Crescent

This Ambulance M113 along side M577 command variants, Fitter versions
and the M901 Hammer head, more recently these have been joined by
1000 YPR-765 a Dutch Infantry Fighting Vehicle variants.

An Egyptian army M1A1 Abrams,
This tank crew has mounted a sun cover above the turret while in static
position in an Egyptian town while monitoring the population. Egypt now
plans to produce over 1130 of these vehicles in conjunction with General
Dynamics who supply the components for Egyptian assembly.
Egypt M730 Chaparral

The Chaparral is a realitivly elderly US Surface to Air Missile sytem have been
introduced in 1969 phased out of US and Israeli service in the 1990s. The ground
launched Side Winder did see action with the IDF in 1982 downing at least
one Syrian fighter. Egyptian Chaparrals join Russian made SA-3, SA-6 and more
recently BUK-Ms.

Egypt BTS-2 ARV
This basic Armoured Recovery Vehicle replaced the T-34T it consisted of
a T-54 hull with a large stowage box, small folding crane and rear earth
anchor, these ARVs still serve with Egyptian army units that operate updated
T-54 and T-55s, while M88 and M88A2 Hercules with M60 and M1A1s.
Egypt BMP-1 with Amphibious kit

Large numbers of the BMP-1 are still available to the Egyptian armed forces,
this one has a rarely seen Amphibious kit added .The BMP-1 suffers from being
extremely confined for both crew and troops, while the 73 mm main gun is
difficult to load and fire in action with poor visibility.

Egypt BMR-600
This Spanish produced APC is used by a number of Middle Eastern countries
such as Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Egypt. Egypt purchased 260 of these handy
APCs which are extremely useful in the counter insurgency campaign against
ISIS in the Sinai with its large flat desert landscape.
Egypt M60A3 TTS

Egypt operates over 1700 M60A1s and M60A3s these MBTs were are very distinct
improvement over earlier Soviet supplied T-54, T-55 and T-62 designs. Even with the licence
production of the M1 Abrams the M60 will soldier on for many years to come,a small number
have been up armoured with frontal turret sections similar to the Israeli Magach 7C and with
reactive armour tiles, it remains to be seen if the whole fleet shall be updated in this manner.

Egypt M113A2
An Egyptian M113 daubed with the feelings of a large amount of Egyptians
during the revolution of June 2013. A time when nearly all types of Egyptian
army vehicles took to the streets to keep the peace leading to the fall of
Hosni Mubarak, election of Mohamed Morsi and subsequent army coup.
Egypt Pegaso 3046

The Egyptian military are one of the largest operators of this Spanish made utility
truck with over 10 000 in service. The Pegaso can carry up to 20 fully loaded troops
and 5 tons on road or 3 tons off road.

Egyptian army M60A3,
as deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1990 as part of it’s contingent to Operation
Desert Shield, Egyptian M60’s were the main stay of their armoured forces
for many years participating in many Bright Star exercises and being used
on the streets of Cairo when the army seized power after the removal of
Mubarak.
Egypt Fahd 240/280

The indigenous Fahd series of APCs are based on the Mercedes-Benz LAP 1117/32
truck chassis with an armoured body in a simple box configuration. The Fahd
comes in a number of layouts including with a BMP-2 turret aswell as recovery
vehicle, Ambulance and Command vechile.The Fahd series been exported to
seven other nations including Kuwait, Congo, Mali and Algeria.

An updated Egyptian T-55E (Ramses)
this tank is one of a number updated with an L7 105mm main gun and
radio communications seen operating along the canal zone with units
of BTR-50’s and BTS-4 ARV’s in recent years
Egypt T-62
After the Yom Kippur war the Egyptian mounted two types of home produced
smoke rocket systems on a number of their T-62 tank turrets. The first batch
consisted of four large tube launched units per side and the second batch these
rectangular boxed variants with two per side.

Egypt ATS-59G with BM-21
The Egyptian army workshops have updated and converted a large number
of former Soviet supplied ATS-59G Artillery tractors to Multiple Rocket
Launchers mounting their own version of the BM-21 which differs slightly in
layout from the orginal by the fact that the launch tubes are in two distinct
pods.
Egypt SPH 122mm D30

Having produced a basic Self Propelled Howitzer using a T-34/85 hull and Soviet
D30 122mm after the Yom Kippur war the Egyptians saw the need for a more
advanced variant. A British and an American design were both considered with
the American M109 chassis mounting a simple light armoured box and locally
manufactured early model D30 122mm variant won out. These SPHs have seen
action shelling ISIS areas in the Sinai peninsula.

2.6
Syrian Arab Army
Syrian Civil War
Al-Baghdadi after considerable success in Iraq Isis took the city of Raqqa
in Syria in March 2013 and Fallujah in Iraq in 2014. Isis along with other
Sunni jihadist groups began to dominate the struggle against Assad and
The Syrian Arab Army has fought more than four major conflicts with
the IDF and has in fact been in a state of war with Israel since 1948. In his beleaguered army. Desperate to stop the steam of the rebel flow of
this chapter, we examine the equipment and conduct of the Syrian Arab battlefield victories, Assad turned to Russia for direct military assistance
Army during the ongoing civil war. Following its performance during the in September 2015, by this stage Isis, Al-Nursra and the Army of Conquest
battle of Lebanon in 1982, Syria introduced a series of modest updates were in control of large areas of Syria. Russian air power, missiles and
to their T-55 and T-62 units. Syrian T-55s already fitted with North Korean new armour were to play a major role in turning the tide in against the
manufactured Laser range finders which saw use in 1982 alongside rebels in Syria. Soon the latest T-90 and T-90A were to be seen in action
indigenous Syrian units were updated with rear mounted wind sensor alongside T-72B3s, T-62M1s, BTR-82As, BMP-97s, BM-30s and a host of
units. While many standard T-55s remained in service or were put in penny packet deployments such as the TOS-1, UR-77s, 2S19s and even
storage, new models such as the T-55M and AMV were procured from a BMP-T Terminator, probably more for battle field testing than anything
Belarus and Russia. Many Syrian T-62s were also updated with side else. These vehicles had all manner of camouflage schemes and carried
mounted retractable wind sensor units positioned on the rear left hand various marking from Russian railway numbers, Graffiti to Arabic text on
side of the turret beside the commander’s hatch. Russian military police Typhoon-Ks.
Throughout the 80s and early 90s the Syrian Army introduced four The Syrian military also got assistance from Iran and Hezbollah during
large batches of T-72s into service including T-72 Urals, T-72A, T-72M these perilous years in terms of financial aid but also volunteers, logistics,
and T-72M1s. Of these 700 tanks, over 120 were updated between 2003 drones and small arms. Iran may have also helped develop a series of
and 2006 by fitting the Italian designer Office Galileo TURMS T FCS, anti-missile boxes referred to as Sarab or Mirage in Syrian army. These
taking the form of a large rectangular box sight mounted in front of units have been developed in three different models and deployed on
the commander’s hatch, while others had a new Machine gun mount numerous tanks, APCs and even on pickup trucks mounting AA guns.
and gunner’s sight added. The T-72A would also be upgraded to AV Another areas the Syrians have shown much initiative is in up-armouring
standard with reactive tiles, these improvements may well have been a their tanks and APCs with slat armour, sand bags and mesh sections
response to the terrible performance of Iraqi T-72s against US Abrams particularly in the 4th armoured division and Republican guard divisions.
during Operation Desert Storm. Such updates and procurements were In 2017 and 2018 images of unarmoured ZSU-23s, D9 Bull Dozers and
also certainly implemented by the Syrian Army on the basis that future various types of T-72s began appearing with ‘’Shafrah’’ armour consisting
conflict would, with no doubt, be with their long term foe, the IDF who of over lapping strips of steel plate which acts as a stronger form of
were themselves constantly upgrading their Magach fleet and building stand-off armour. Colour schemes differ widely from standard Sand,
more and more capable and sophisticated Merkavas variants. In the end Grey and Green to the Sand finish found on elite Republican Guard units.
however the most deadly threat to the Assad regime came from within. Other areas of Syrian military development has been in the area of self-
In February 2011, Monawiya Syasneh and some of his fellow 7th graders propelled artillery in the form of large calibre rocket launchers mounted
inspired by the Arab Spring sprayed graffiti on their school wall ‘’Your next on altered BMP-1s, GAZ-3308s and more recently on modified T-72
doctor” in reference to the possible demise of Bashir Assad, local police from chassis in the form of the Golan which launches three 500mm rockets.
the city of Dara arrested and tortured the teens. After furious protest the It is worth mentioning that various rebel units have proved particularly
nervous police released the badly bruised children to even more outrage, adept at manufacturing similar DIY MRLS. One area that the Syrian
leading to shootings, death, insurrection and the start of a nationwide military have heavily invested in and seen very little return to date is in
uprising. Suddenly all types of types of Syrian vehicles could be seen on Surface to Air Missile defence systems. Pantsir-S1, BUK-M2E,Pechora-
news feeds and video footage coming from the ever expanding battle 2M and S-200s along older systems have proved incapable of really
zones. Regime T-55s, T-62s,T-72s, and BMPs were joined by 2S1s and 2S3s deterring Israeli airstrikes on Syrian, Iranian and Hezbollah bases or for
as Syrian were pushed out of the country side or besieged in their bases as that matter American and allied cruise missile attacks. As Assad’s forces
rebels moved closer and closer Assad’s Alawite hinterland of Latakia and with Russian assistance eliminate rebel enclaves through siege and
certain suburbs in Damascus fell into the hands of insurgents. bombing one thing is clear, this savage civil war is sucking in more and
Meanwhile in neighbouring Iraq, the new government of Shia leader more regional players. While the people of Syria suffer bombardment,
Nuri al-Maliki had been alienating the minority Sunni population. A new displacement, exile and torture at the hands of both Regime and Rebel
group calling itself the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant [Isis] burst forces as witnessed through the photos of ex-Syrian army photographer
onto the Iraqi stage in 2013. An offshoot of Al-Qaeda, led by Abu Bakr Caesar or the videos of Isis.

Syrian TOS-1A
This TOS-1 is one of a small number of the Thermobaric Multiple Rocket Launchers
sent to Syria in the later stages of the civil war. Of note is the camouflage scheme on
this vehicle as it is the exact model demonstrated at a military show in Russia before
transfer to Syria. The TOS -1 has seen action in 2015 in Hama, later in the mountains
around Latakia and in Palmyra against ISIS.
Syrian T-72AV with Viper Sight and Sarab 1 box.

This T-72AV fitted with NBC cladding and Explosive Reactive Armour tiles is further
enhanced by the fitting of a Syrian produced Viper replacing the original Russian
TPN-3-49 night vision unit. The Viper thermal sight has a range of between 1.5
and 2 kms and can even detect firearms flashes from sniper rifles. The Sarab-1 box
offers good protection from early guided missiles.

Syrian T-90A
This early model T-90 1992 model is one of the first examples of this series
with a cast rather than welded turret and earlier RMSH A tracks found on the
T-72 series a batch of which were supplied to Syria along side more modern
T-90A models, the white numbers sprayed on the side skirts are Russian
railway transport markings.
Syrian T-55 M with Thermal Camera and Sarab 1 box

This later model T-55M which has the ability to fire the 9k116 Bastion 100mm
guided missile round through the main barrel. External differences included an
air filter unit instead of a second diesel fuel cell, a KDT-2 Laser Range Finder and
side skirts. To add to these updates the Syrian crew has mounted a thermal image
camera and Sarab 1 anti missile box.

A Syrian army BREM-2
armoured recovery vehicle with a 61-K 37mm anti-aircraft gun mounted
in a home-made armoured box where stowage container is normally
positioned.
Syrian BM-30 Smerch

The BM-30 Smerch comes in a number of variants the Syrian military are thought
to use the 9A52 variant with Maz -79111 truck chassis. This massive MRLS has a
range of 90 kms and fire a wide range of 300mm rockets with various types of
warheads including Cluster munitions, Thermobaric and guided anti tank. The
BM-30 has seen action in Syria since 2015 and also in Donetsk and Lugansk with
Ukrainian and Russian forces.

Syrian T-72 BREM 1ARV
This T-72 based ARV represents a big improvement in Armoured Recovery
Operation capacity for the Syrian military over their earlier VT-55 and BTS-4
ARVs from the 1970s. The Brem 1 has seen much use with units such as
the Republican Guard (usually sand camo) and 4th Armoured Division
recovering numerous damaged vehicles. A number of Brem ARVs have been
seen with considerable damage to top stowage bins and minus their dozer
blades indicating the nature of the ir frontline service.
Syrian SA-6 Gainful

This 1970s vintage Surface to
Air Missile defense system is still
effective in the right hands and in
the right conditions. It is outdated
however compared to more recent
purchases such as the BUK M2,
Pantsir S1 and S-200 which have
only managed to bring down one
Israeli F-16 in a concerted SAM
operation in 2018 after numerous
incursions and unpublished attacks
on Syrian, Iranian and Hezbollah
units in Syria during the course of
the Civil war.

Syrian Arab Army 2S1 Gvozdika
Large numbers of the 2S1 122mm SPG were available to Syrian forces at
the start of the Civil war. Rebel factions such as the FSA and ISIS manged to
capture numbers of these handy self propelled guns from over run bases.
The 2S1 replaced the indigenous T34/D30 in Syrian service offering better
crew protection and speed being based on a streched MT-LB chassis.
Syrian 2S3
The 2S3 Self Propelled Gun is widely used by Syrian army regular units and
Republican guard units. The Akatsyia entered service in the USSR in 1971 and was
exported widely through out the globe, the 152mm gun has seen action in the
direct fire role in urban areas but also long range firing where it’s 18.5 km range is
acceptable given the rebels shortage of suitable counter battery fire power.

Syrian T-55 MOD.1963 with North Korean Laser Range Finder
Large numbers of T-55s still serve in the Syrian army and with Pro Assad
Militias. Many early models such as this variant which served during the
Yom Kippure war have been updated with LRFs and saw use in 1982 and
later were further updated with Sarab boxes and Viper thermal sights. This
variant is seen early in the Civil war before modern ATGMs were sent to
rebel groups.
Syrian T-55 AMV

The T-55 AMV is in many ways the ultimate Syrian T-55, based on the T-55A, it has
improved optics and a laser range finder for firing the 9K116 Bastion ATGM round
(M) and Kontakt-1 ERA tiles (V). To top this off the Syrians have mounted a Thermal
image camera above the KDT-2 LRF.

Syrian BVP-1 AMB-S ambulance and command vehicle
The Czechoslovakian state license produced 18,000 BMP-1s over the years,
including a large number of simple AMBS variants these versions of the BMP-
1 did away with the gun turret and raised the roof allowing for ambulance
and command variants. First spotted in service in Lebanon the Syrian Arab
Army use many of these variants as battle taxis as they allow more head room
and space for combat units than the highly restricted BMP-1 rear infantry
section.
Syrian BRDM with ZU-23-2

A number of Syrian army BRDM-2 reconnaissance vehicles have been seen in the
latter stages of the civil war with Slat armour and turret updates. The Syrians fitted
ZSU-23mmx2 as seen here with an improved sighting system, as well as others
with enlarged gun turrets or open topped AGS-17 grenade launchers and sun
covers above. These and other updates display a marked determination to recycle
and improve older equipment to make it relevant to the current fighting against
well armed insurgents

Syrian SS-21 Scarab 9M79 Tochka
This mobile missile system is a considerable improvement over the earlier
Frog-7 or Luna-M deployed by the Syrian army. The Tochka is a much more
accurate missile while being some what smaller and easier to handle. The
Tochka began to see action around 2016 when these weapons were fired
at the civil defense centre in Aleppo, at Jihadist groups in Eastern Ghouta
where they were witnessed in transport with Smerch during offensives in
this sensitive area for the Assad regime.
Syrian Arab Army T-55 with North Korean Laser range finder
This late model Russian built T-55 model 1970 features a T-62 style loader’s hatch.
It is interesting as it features a North Korean LRF but also has been fitted with an
early model D-10T 100mm tank gun, indicating Syrian armourers use what ever is
at hand in the repair depot .

Syrian 2S1 Gvozdika
Replacing the indigenous T34/D30 SPG in Syrian service the 2S1 was
a serious improvement in mobility and crew protection while sharing
the same calibre 122mm gun as the D30. The 2S1 SPG is based on an
MTLB chassis with an extra road wheel added, is fully amphibious and
NBC protected. These SPGs have seen extensive use in urban fighting
throughout the Civil war with a number falling into the hands of various
rebel factions where their rugged simplicity is appreciated.
Syrian Arab Army T-55

This Syrian T-55 has been updated with a Syrian produced Laser Range Finder unit.
Sriyan T-55s can be seen with at least three different LRF units, including Russian
and North Korean. First witnessed in 1982 in Beriut, these T-55 had wind sensor
units added in the late eighties, this vehicle has extra stand off armour added to
the turret in the form of empty 100mm tank shell casings.

Syrian Police force BRDM-2
Syrian forces have operated the BRDM-2 in large numbers since the Yom Kippur
war. According to former Soviet soldiers the BRDM is rather under powered
and lacks proper protection or fire power for the modern battlefield. That said
the BRDM-2 has been a major export sucess, this Syrian Police variant wears an
interesting blue camouflage scheme similar to Iraqi police vehicles. The extra
armour plating around the wheel wells offers better protection from small arms
fire.
Syrian BUK-M2
The BUK-M system is now infamous for the downing Boeing 777-200ER Malaysia
Airlines Flight 77 in July 2014. In Syrian service the BUK -M was used in April
2018 when American, British and French forces launched multiple cruse missile
attacks on Chemical weapon sites in Syria. Russia claimed that 29 BUK-M2Es hit 24
incoming missiles, claims denied by US DoD. In May of that year the Isreali Air Force
claimed to have destroyed a BUK system during operation House of cards.

Syrian Army T-55
This Czechoslovakian produced T-55 with North Korean Laser finder is typical of a
number of these conversions used by the Syrian Army since the battle of Lebanon
in 1982. More recently Syrian units have mounted Sarab 1 anti-missile boxes on
the turret and in some cases above the LRF to offer better protection against rebel
ATGMs.
Former Syrian Army T-62 Model 1972

This T-62 variant could easily be a survivor of the massive tank battles on the Golan
Heights of 1973. The yellow sand and dark green camouflage is a more recent
addition as is the retracted wind sensor unit mounted on left hand side rear of the
turret.

Syrian T-72 Ural
A Syrian T-72 Ural variant, these early model T-72s with GIll armour were
alleged used in action for first time just before the cease-fire ending the
1982 battles outside Sultan Yakoub where a number of vehicles belonging
to the 82nd armoured division were knocked out by Israeli Tow missiles,
with no photographic evidence observers would have to wait nearly thirty
years before seeing hundreds of these early Ural variants in action in the
current Syrian civil war.
Syrian T-62M
Russia delivered a substantial amount of T-62M and T-62M1s to the Syrian 11th armoured
division in 2015. These tanks, some with the anti-radiation cladding, had been developed to
fight /to survive a limited Nuclear war in Europe and had been deployed to East Germany in the
mid eighties. Later these tanks were to see action in Afghanistan, some seeing service with the
Taliban, Soviet variants were put into storage after the conflict only to be sent to Syria in batchs, a
recent develery being made on September 2018 with ERA armour clad T-62MVs included.

Syrian Arab Army T-72M TURMS-T with Sarab 1
This Syrian T-72 is one of a batch of T-72 variants including early Ural, T-72M and
T-72AVs that were updated with the Italian produced SELEX GALILEO TURMS-T system.
A number of these vehicles also received the automated machine gun loader’s hatch
and sights not present on this vehicle. In place of it is a Sarab 1 anti-missile box.
Syrian SA-6 Kub chassis / AZP S-60

A small number of former Syrian air defence SA-6 Gainful Tel launcher chassis were
converted during the civil war to ground attack gun mounts. Such chassis have
also been used similar roles in Iraq, the light tracked vehicle is a handy run around
on which to mount such heavy AA guns and the SA-6 Gainful is a fairly outdated
system at this stage.

Syrian Arab Army PTS-2 Amphibious vehicle
Seen during Syrian Arab Army operations to cross the Euphrates in 2017. The PTS-2 was joined
by pontoon bridges delivered by Kraz-225B, after retaking Delr-Ez-Zor Syrian forces atttacked ISIL
and Syrian Democratic Forces in this area.
Syrian Arab Army BM-27 Uragan

This 220mm MRLS like the larger BM-30 Smerch has seen active service in Syria and in the
Ukrainian conflict in Don bass in recent times. With an effective range of 35kms the Uragan can
fire a choice of warheads and has proved devastating in built up areas.
Syrian Republican Guard BMP-2

This uparmoured Republican Guard BMP-2 is seen in 2013, part of a mixed battle group of T-72
AVs, AMB-Ss, and Brem-1s. Side skirt armour of rubber sheeting, Concrete or metal mesh have
been used on Syrian BMP-2s to add extra protection from RPGs to the vulnerable sides sections of
the vehicles.

Syrian Arab Army BPM-97 Vystrel
This Kamaz designed designed Russian MRAP has been deployed in a number of versions to Syria.
Russian forces use variants with various electronics while standard variants with various turret
armament layouts are used by Syria forces. A number of Syrian variants have side stowage lockers
and rear turret stowage bins added to the side and front of the BPM-97.
Syrian Arab Army T-72 Shafrah

Towards the end of Syrian Civil War, units such as the 4th Division applied Shafrah over lapping
armour plate to many of their vehicles. This over lapping armour plating has been seen on ZSU-
23mm x 4 Shilkas, D9 bulldozers and a range of T-72 variants. This anti missile defence system has
evolved since earlier bird cage and concrete and traditional bar armour screens.

Syrian Arab Army T-62 model 1972
This Syrian army T-62 has had the simple addition of empty 115mm ammunition cases
added around its turret. Similar type of shell case arrangements have been seen on rebel and
government forces T-55s sometimes filled with sand or stones.
Syrian Arab Army BMPT-72 Terminator 2

The Terminator was first seen displayed in Khmeimim air base during a visit by president Assad
in June 2017, along side various Russian weapons deployed to Syria. This single example of this
powerfully armed armour protection vehicle is a hybrid using an earlier Terminator with later
missile pods. The bags hanging on the sides of the vehicle are said to contain a new sort of ERA
armour. The BMPT is currently deployed with the elite Syrian unit the Desert Falcons.

Syrian Arab Army ZSU-23-4 Shilka
This Syrian army Shilka wears a fairly traditional Syrian army camouflage pattern of
sand blotches over green. In the later years of the Civil war Shilkas have been spotted
with Sarab 1 anti-missile boxes, including at least one with a Syrian Hezbollah unit
operating in Iraq with a Sarab 2 mounted on it’s roof.
Syrian Arab Army AMB-S with ZSU-23mm AA gun

This Czechoslovakian AMB-S has been up gunned with a ZSU-23mm AA gun, with
a sturdy gun mount and protective gun shield. These large boxy APCs are a distinct
improvement over the original BMP-1 in terms of crew operating space.

Syrian Arab Army Short Shoreland Armoured car
Originally developed and produce by Short Brothers and Harland in Belfast in the 1960s, the
Short Shoreland was designed for use by the Royal Ulster Constabulary for the Troubles in
Northern Ireland. It found far greater success internationally. Most variants used a series 2 Land
Rover chassis and a Ferret Armoured Car turret. Syria fields a large amount of Shoreland types and
it seems to have copied and manufactured their
own versions. The variant pictured here is a MK4
with a Chinese DShK 12.7mm AA gun. Of interest
are the paratrooper markings below the Syrian flag.
Syrian Arab Army T-62 Model 1972

This Syrian army T-62 minus it’s DShK 12.7mm AA gun has a Sarab 2 anti-missile defence box
mounted above the TPN-1-41-11 night sight unit. The Sarab 2 interferes with the initial guidance
signal of missiles like the US TOW.

Syrian Arab Army T-72BM model 1989
This T-72BM is seen in action with the Desert Hawks unit in Aleppo. This vehicle retains its orginal
turret and bow Kontakt-5 ERA armour but has extra earlier Kontakt-1 tiles fitted to the front of the
turret, while Kontakt-1 tiles have added to the side of vehicle replacing some of the orginal T-72B
side armour panels, easily knocked off during street fighting.
Syrian Arab Army T-55 with KMT mine roller system

The Syrian army has made extensive use of both the older KMT-4 seen in the photo and KMT-7
seen in the illustration during the civil war. Many vehicles being destroyed by rebel IEDs and
ingeniously designed land mines using old artillery shells and bombs.

2.7.1
IraQ Modern Army.
modern vehicles
Britain created what can be considered the foundation of the Ba’athist leaders including Saddam who was executed in 2006
modern Iraqi army in 1921, Iraq at the time being a British mandate did not stop Sunni, Shia or Al Qaeda from launching IED attacks,
over which they had installed King Fiasal. In 1958 Fiasal was removed bombings and sectarian murders. It was the marginalization of
in a bloody coup by Abd al-Karim Qasim who withdrew Iraq from the once dominant Sunni population by the Shia based Al Malaki
the pro American Baghdad pact and turned towards Moscow for goverment that would create the spark that allowed the once small
military aid and equipment. Qusim himself was assassinated by a force of Al Queada fighters under Abu Bake al-Baghdadi morph
group of Ba’athist officers in 1963. What followed was a period of into the Islamic state of Iraq and create a genocidal inferno that
instability and the retaking of power by the Ba’athist party again would consume central and northern Iraq. At first ISIS had the
in 1968, the general secretary of the party at the time being one support of many sidelined Sunni Iraqis as they stormed through
Saddam Hussein. During these years Iraq, though not a front line Fallujah, Mosul and a large swath of central and Northern Iraq. The
state would play a part in the 67 and 73 wars against Israel, sending Iraqi army fell back in disarray as their humiliation was broadcast
volunteers to fight in Syria. It was during the Iran-Iraq war however by ISIS on the Internet. The reality of life under ISIS didn’t take long
that started in 1980 when the now president Saddam Hussein to be brutally brought home to many Iraqis. Western airpower and
attempted to invade and take territory from neighboring Iran that the formation of mainly Shia based Popular Mobilization Forces
would see the biggest test and transformation of the Iraqi army. halted ISIS allowing critical time for goverment forces to launch a
Over the 8 year long war Saddam forces would expand massively series of offensives in central Iraq in 2015, while US and Peshmerga
aquiring vast amounts of modern equipment from around the forces liberated territory in the North of the country. Iraqi army
globe. Though the Iran Iraq war ended in an uneasy truce it did not armament and equipement has gone through numerous changes
limit Saddam’s regional ambitions incensed by Kuwait’s demand since 2003, with reforming in 2004/5 it’s armour consisted of likes
for repayments on massive war loans and lack of gratitude for of US M113s, second hand Hungarian T-72s and Greek BMP-1s. By
halting Khomeini’s revolution in the gulf he decided to invade and December 2008 Iraq was purchasing US M1A1 Abrams tanks and
keep Kuwait in 1991. Saddam’s forces were routed by a much more Ukrainian BTR-4 IFVs. In 2016 Iraq had returned to purchasing
advanced coalition force. What followed was crippling sanctions from Russia with large scale orders for T-90S and BMP-3s, now
and in 2003 after the 9/11 attacks an invasion and occupation that ISIS is effectively defeated and a long period of instability and
of Iraq by American led coalition forces. The Ba’athist party destruction is hopefully at an end it must surely be time for Iraq to
was disbanded as was the Iraqi army and it’s senior leadership, put aside it weapons for a while and rebuild it’s destroyed cities
eventually the army was reformed while the Americans fought and traumatized society.
an insurgency throughout Iraq. The capture and killing of many

Iraq M-113A2 Red Crescent
Iraqi M113, these robust old American APCs have
served with the reconstituted Iraqi army since 2003.
This particular vehicle is mounting it’s orginal. 50
cal. machine gun and improvised gun turret, many
had ZSU 23mm or KPU 14.5mm AA guns added. Of
interest is the Red cresent marking on this former
ambulance variant.
Iraqi army T-72 M1

In the first number of years after the overthrow
of Saddam the Iraqi army relied on second hand
T-72s from new NATO members such as Hungry.
This T-72 has been upgraded with the addition of a
ACAV turret for the loader’s operated NSVT 12.7MM
machine gun.

Iraqi army T-55
This renovated T-55 has rear stowage baskets attached aswell as an ACAV gun
turret and canvas sun cover. The T-55 and Type 69 tanks are more likely to be seen
it Popular Mobilization Units as M1A1s and T-90s are increasingly used by the
army.
Iraqi Humvee with ZSU 23x2

This combination of Iraqi Humvees with Russian ZSU 23mm anti aircraft guns have become
increasingly common on the Iraqi battle field. The Iraqis utilise a number of Humvee variants
including up armoured ones and as in this variants have proved to adapt at producing field
modified armoured gun turrets.

Iraqi Popular Mobilization Unit M53/59 Praga
with Norcano P793 (M1939 x 2)
This old fashioned Czechoslovakian Praga SPAAG saw plenty of action in the
Balkans, but is not known for service during the Iran-Iraq war or other conflicts. It
is one of a large number of older vehicles being repaired and put back into service
by Shia militas. The Czechoslovakian made 30mm AA guns have been replaced by
more common Chinese offerings.
Iraqi police BTR-94

This modified BTR-80 with a BAU 23x2mm turret uses the same guns as those mounted on the ZSU 23x4mm
Shilka. These APCs were supplied to Jordan from Ukraine between 1999 and 2000. Over 50 of this variant
were later contributed to the Iraqi government by Jordan, a number of the BAU 23x2 turrets were also
mounted on up armoured Hummers as well as on an
SA-6 SAM launcher vehicle. A number of Iraqi BTR-94s
have replaced one of the 23mm barrels on the
BAU 23x2mm turret with a DShK 12.7 mm AA gun,
while the upper turret has been up armoured with
steel plate or standoff mesh.

Iraq M1A1 M Damaged
This battle scared M1A1 Abrams is one of 152 reconditioned vehicles
supplied by the US. Iraqi Abrams were heavily involved in fighting with ISIS
units during the long and protracted fighting in many of cities and towns
in central and northern Iraq. By 2018 it was reported that 60 Abrams were
out of action as a result of missiles and IEDs, while satellite images of the
9th armoured division’s base at Taj showed 80 M1A1s lying up damaged or
being used for spare parts. Iraqi M1A1s lack depleted Uranium armour and
such items as the Commander’s Individual Thermal Vision or CITV units.
Iraqi Federal Police T-72M

This former army T-72 may have been recaptured by Iraqi police units,
minus it’s side skirts this vehicle also has home made front mud guards. The
blotchy blue camouflage is standard on Iraqi police vehicles.

Iraqi army M113
This Iraqi army M113 is one of a large number supplied by the US unlike
many other M113s and other APCs it has a simple circular armoured cupola
around the commander’s hatch and fairly basic markings.
Iraqi M1A1SA Abrams with home made mine roller

This Iraqi Abrams has a home made mine roller mounted on the front of the vehicle
built using box section and old T-55 front drive wheels. Other Iraqi Abrams had stand
out armour screens welded to the front right hand side of their turrets. A strange
situation when the tanks crews have to add such improvised additions considering
the cost of these vehicles.

Iraqi army HET tank transporter unit
The Iraqi army received Oshkosh 60 M1070AO complete with 635NL semi trailers.
Images of Iraqi HET tank transporters transporting M1A1 Abrams bedecked in
Hezbollah flags caused a number of objections from US circles. In this illustration
we see the Russian produced TOS-1 multiple rocket launchers on the 635NL trailer
unit.
Iraqi army BMP -1A1 Osts

Upon restructuring the Iraqi army in the early post Saddam years, the Iraqis
purchased or were given APCs and tanks similar to those already in service this
included a batch of 100 ex Greek BMPs, themselves ex East German BMPs. These
BMP-1s can be identified by the rectangular rear lights and turret smoke launchers
amongst other items.

Iraq Police SA-6 with BAU-23 turret RF
Iraq BAU 23x2 Tel, This Iraq police conversion consists of a Ukrainian BAU 23x2
turret orginally delivered on BTR 94s from Jordan mounted on an old 2k12 Kub
SA-6 Gainful launcher TEL or transporter. It wears the distinctive dark blue and
grey camouflage found on Iraqi police force Hummers and BTRs. Syrian forces also
converted SA-6 TELs but with more powerful S-60 57mm AA guns.

2.7.2
IraQ Modern Army.
non regular
armies
Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces vital struggle to retake Iraq from ISIS. The PMF has taken part
Formed by the Iraqi Government in 2014, the PMF consisted in most of the major engagements or retaking of towns and
mainly of fighters from seven Shia militia groups including cities since 2015 including the battle for Tikrit, Anbar province,
the Badr Organization and Kata’ib Hezbollah amongst others. Mosul and in 2017 in the battle with Kurdish forces in the
Christian and Sunni groups also joined as top Shia cleric Ali al- retaking of Kirkuk. The PMF have not been without criticism
Sistani called for the force to be non sectarian in his fatwa on after the battle for Tikrit and Mosul there were accusations of
Sufficency Jihad following the ISIS take over of Mosul in 2014 war crimes and revenge killings against local Sunni suspects.
and the subsequent massacre of 4,000 mainly Shia security PMF equipment comes from a series of sources including
personnel. At this vital time the Iraqi army and security forces Iranian T-72s, BMP-2s and modified BTR-50s, these vehicles
were in disarray and PMF at first helped defend Iraqi cities and bear tyical Iranian camouflage and are usually bedecked with
towns. As the tide changed and coalition forces airpower and Shia flags. American M1 Abrams, Humvees and M113s were
the Iraqi military began to go on the offensive against ISIS also in use with the PMF till US criticism caused an end to this
the PMF took the war to the occupied Sunni regions. In 2016 practice . The other important source of MBTs and APCs is the
Iraqi president Faud Masum approved a law that incorporated old tank grave yards of Al Taji, here mechanics have restore
the PMF into the countrie’s armed forces.The role of the PMF hundreds of old Saddam, and in some case pre Saddam era
in the struggle against ISIS can not be underestimated with vehicles to fight in the liberation of Iraqi territory. In early 2018
the force even creating a local Rambo like figure in the form the PMF was fully reorganised by its Commander and Chief
Kataib al-Imam Ali commander Abu Azrael. Such figures gave Haider al-Abadi giving it ranks and pay grades equivalent to
Iraqis military and civilans figures to rally around during the the Iraqi army.

iraqi AMX-10 P
These French built infantry fighting vehicles were supplied to Saddam’s
Republican Guard units late in the Iran-Iraq war. During the embargo years
they lay idle in large open air tank parks like that at Al Taji, these vehicles
and others like former Kuwaiti Chieftain tanks were refurbished by Shia
Hashd militas for their fight with ISIS.
Iraqi Popular Mobilization unit Chieftain

During the Iran Iraq war, Iraqi forces captured a large number of Iranian Chieftain tanks,
and later Kuwait variants were also absorbed into the Iraqi army. In mid 90s numbers of
these and other vehicles were donated to the Iranian people’s Mujhahideen. As a part of a
refurbishment drive by the PMU or Shite milita small numbers of Chieftain tanks and other
Saddam era weaponry were made serviceable again for the war against ISIS.

Shia militia M-113 with ZU-23-2 RF
Iraqi M113, while too lightly (with Aluminium armour) armed for the pitched
battles with ISIS the M113 is a reliable platform for heavy duty AA guns . This
M113 mounts a pair of ZSU-23mm cannons in cobbled together armoured
turret, ideal for the type of long range shooting engaged in during probing
and engaging ISIS. This vehicle has also been seen with large Shia milita
flags painted on the side hull.
Kata’ib Hezbollah M113 with ZSU-23mm

Kata’ib is an Iranian sponsored Shia milita that plays a major role in the Popular
Mobilization Units. The large Yellow and green flag can be seen flying on vehicles or
painted on the hulls as in this case .

Iraqi Popular Mobilization Unit 531/ Type 63 with ZSU-23mm AA gun
Relatively rare in Iraqi armouries now. At least 650 YW-531s and other variants were delivered
to Saddam’s army between 1982 and 88. This vehicle had been installed bar armour and a
ZSU-23mm gun turret added to inhance it’s protection and fire power.
Shia Militia BTR-152

Due to the vast scrap yards in Iraq of old Saddam era armour and weaponry the Popular
Mobilization Units have been able to cannibalise lots of old MBTs and APCs. Vehicles such
as the T-55, Type-69, MTLB and even British Chieftains have found their way back into
service with the PMU but more surprising is the appearance of pre Saddam era Praga AA
trucks and this BTR-152. This BTR had armoured shields added as wheel covers and has had
it upper body armour extended by a number of inchs for action fighting ISIS in the Hatra
area South West of Mosul.

Iraqi Popular Mobilization Unit MT-LB
with ZSU-23mm flak turret
Under Saddam the Iraqi army made large scale use of MT-LB APCs
these low slung carriers are ideal platforms for the ZSU-23mm and side
extensions were added to the rear of many for ammunition boxs and
gun crew gear, this milita variant has extensive crew protection on the
gun turret.
Iraqi Kata’ib T-72S

These Iranian manufactured T-72s have been supplied to Iraq it is unclear if they
are on loan to Kata’ib, sold to the Iraqi army or crewed by Iranian volunteers.
What is strange is that they were supplied without the Kontakt-1 ERA tiles by the
Iranians.

Iraqi Popular Mobilization Unit Type 69 II
Large numbers of Chinese T-69s and former Soviet and East block T-55s
were sold to Iraq. This T-69 is one a large number supplied without turret
mounted smoke launchers, of note are the large Shia milita flags a standard
feature with such units.
Iraqi T-55 /AZP S-60 conversion

This highly effective conversion of a standard T-55 chassis as a gun platform for a
57mm S-60 AA gun allows for excellent long range gunnery against ISIS targets.
While many of these guns were used in the ground role, it is worth noting that an
ISIS unit managed to shot down an Iraqi air force Cessna 208 Caravan in 2016 with
one of these obsolete AA guns.

Iraqi BMP-2
Like the Iranian supplied T-72S variants these former Iranian BMP-2s wear the Sand and brown
camouflage scheme used by the Iranian army.
Iraqi PMU MT-LB with ZSU-23mm

The MTLB has served in the Iraqi armed forces in
various guises for over 2 decades. This example
has an enclosed gun turret with the now standard
ZSU-23mm for urban combat in operations retaking
towns from ISIS /ISIL.
Iraqi PMU M113

A simple large rusty gun sheild mounted in
front of a more complex commander’s cupola
and the DShK 12.7mm MG.

Iraqi Popular Mobilization Unit BTR-50 flak ZSU-23mm
This elderly BTR-50 has the rear railing fitted to both Iranian and Iraqi BTR-50s during the Iran-Iraq war.
These simple straight forward APCs are obviously easy enough to restore to working order and by
the fact that their engines are half of a T-55 V12 engine simple enough to get parts for. The
ZSU- 23mm AA gun in a home made armoured turret is the norm on such updates. Under
Saddam the Iraqi army made large scale use of MTLB APCs these low slung carriers are
ideal platforms for the ZSU-23mm and side extensions were added to the rear of many for
ammunition boxs and gun crew gear, this milita variant has extensive crew protection on
the gun turret.
Shia Militia EE 9 Cascavel

During the Iran-Iraq war, Saddam Hussein’s military purchased thousands of armoured vehicles from around
the globe. Brazil’s fledgling arms industry in the form of Engesa sold the Iraqis hundreds of EE9s and EE11s
armoured cars, these cheap and reliable vehicles were also used by the Iranian people’s Mujahedeen. After
the US invasion of Iraq, US forces restored 35 EE9s to service, since then Iraqi Shia milita followed suite, this
milita version has had its Belgian designed 90mm Cockerill canon
replaced by a DShK 12.7mm MG ammo for which is available in
abundance.

2.8
YEMEN ARMY
Following the unification of North Yemen (a tradional tribal based state) and South Yemen (a
former Marxist secular state) in 1990 many in the South felt their oil reserves were being usurped
by the North, the situation went from bad to worse. In 1994 a civil war erupted as Northern forces
attacked and defeated the South, in October of that year a new electoral system would see
the election of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The story of the Yemen and it’s descent into chaos
is interlinked with Saleh and his urge to grasp on to power come what may. The Arab spring
brought ordinary people out on to the streets of North Africa and the Middle East demanding
change,an end to corruption and so it was on the streets of Yemen in 2011 Saleh must go they
demanded. It was decided Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi his assistant would replace him. Hadi
however was unable to deal with Southern separatists, Shia Houthis rebels and Saleh supporters,
not to mention massive unemployment, food shortages and suicide bombings. Saleh and his
supporters sided with the Houthis as they took over the capital Sanaa and attempted to take
control of the entire country. As the Houthis surged forward in 2015 Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia,
the Saudis in turn formed an alliance of Arab nations to attack the Shia Houthis, fearful of their
connection with Iran. Saudi air strikes and governmental chaos has ensued with various factions
commandeering old Russian built tanks, American APCs and South African IFVs. Houthis forces
have also begun to retaliate Saudi bombings of markets and civilian infastruture by launching
modified Scuds and SA-2 Guidelines at Riyadh.

Yemeni Army M60A1
While delivery numbers of the M60A1 to Yemen differ widely it is said that at least 50 were
available at the start of the Civil war. In earlier confrontations with the Houthis a small number
were captured in 2009, later when the Houthis effectively took power in Yemen a number
were destroyed in Saudi air strikes of military bases. On the border with Saudi Arabia Houthi
units have managed to ambush and destroy numerous Saudi vehicles including a number of
Saudi M60s, AMX 30s and M1A2s in areas such as Ma’rib.
Yemeni Army Ratel AA with BAU 23mm turret

This interesting hybrid combines a South African Ratel IFV with a Ukrainian BAU 23mm AA gun
turret. Jordanian company KADDB produced a number of these conversions for the Jordanian
forces which then exported them to Yemen. Some of these vehicles have ended up with pro
Haddi forces and then been destroyed in Houthi ambushes.

Yemeni Army T-54AM1
Yemen received 97 T-54/55AM1 and T-55AM2 in the year 2000 from the Czech Republic.The
T-55AM1 is equipped with the Czechoslovakian produced Hammer fire control, Laser Range
Finder and retractable wind sensor unit. It joins T-55 and T-55As already in service.
Yemeni Army T-80BV

Yemen obtained 31 T80 BV variants from Russia in 2000 plus a further 66 from
Belarus. These advanced tanks were highly thought of in the Yemeni Army but the
OMSK built tank was not a very sucessful design. In the battle for Grozny 225 were
destroyed and the gas turbine engine preformed extremely poorly,this fact, design
flaws and high operating costs led to General A. Galkin of the Armour Directorate
deciding to never again procure tanks with gas turbine engines.

Yemeni Army T-62
Yemen is thought to have obtained 150 T-62s including model 1962 and model 1972 variants.
Typically they appear in Sand and Brown camouflage or faded green. T-62s are used by the
Houthi and pro Haddi Southern separatists. In one incident Saudi Arabian M60s can be seen
engaging Yemeni T-62s in rare tank on tank combat.
Yemeni Army M167 VADS

The Yemeni army had apparently required the mobile M163 based on the
modified M113 chassis but had to take delivery of the static variant due to various
restrictions on foreign arms sales to the Middle East. Unperturbed Yemeni forces
mounted the 20mm M167 in the rear of BTR-152s, in unarmoured Hilux pick ups
and in US M35 trucks as depicted here. Houthi forces have used the Hilux based
M167 as recently as July 2018 against Saudi coalition forces in the Gulf of Aden
area.

Yemeni Army M113
Numbers for the M113 in Yemeni service differ widely from between 32 supplied by the US
in 2006 to 107 some of which may have been supplied from neighboring countries. What
is clear is that Yemeni Army personal have updated the M113s in service with vision blocks
and gun slots on the rear and sides of the vehicle, an armoured DShK 12.7MM cupola on
top. These vehicles have seen much
action in the ongoing civil war.
Yemeni Army SU-100

These World War Two Soviet produced 100mm armed tank destroyers were widely exported to Arab
countries in 50s,60s and 70s but to see them in active service is testimony to their resilience and still
powerful gun.As late as 2018 pro Haddi forces backed by Saudi Arabia released footage of group of
vehicles including an SU-100, T-34/85, T-55 and ZSU-23 Shilka on a milita parade ground.
Yemeni T-34/85
Another World War Two era war winner the T-34/85 is truly a museum piece. In the hands of Yemen’s factions
the T-34/85 has seen action more as a mobile gun than tank with crews firing the main gun by command
wire through the side pistol port, indicating perhaps a certain nervousness about firing the elderly gun from
inside the tank. The mix of post war road wheels is noteworthy.

Yemeni Army ATS 59 /D30 122mm SPG
These straight forward conversions, with rear mounted D30 and armoured cab is typical of
some of the interesting Yemeni military conversions that have come to light. Others include
AML-90s with BTR-60 turrets and BTR-60s with AML-90 turrets.
Yemeni Army BTR-152

This BTR-152 combines a BTR-60 14.5mm machine gun turret, a new roof, vision blocks and gun slots
to produce a uniquely Yemeni conversion. Some variants may have new engines judging by large side
mounted exhaust seen on at least one vehicle.
Yemen forces Scud B

The Houthis forces in Yemen have used a series of missile types to retaliate Saudi
bombings of their territory. A small number of Russian built 9P117M1 launch
vehicles and North Korean Hsaspng -5 launchers still survive and have indigenous
Burka 2-H and Iranian Shahab-1 missiles at Saudi Air bases, oil facilities and the
capital.

Yemeni Army T-55 AM2
This variant of the T-55 series is the most advanced in Yemeni service, with
Hammer fire control system of the AM1 above but also the extra horse shoe and
bow armour attached. The T-55AM2 has featured widely in the battles between
the Haddi forces and the Houthis.
Yemeni Army T-72S

Yemen received the T-72S and T-72B variants, this T-72S is pictured in Sanaa
where the Houthi forces proably retain these vehicles for the defence of the
capital for the inevitable taking of the city by Saudi backed proxy forces.

Yemeni army /Southern separatists forces Oshkosh M-ATV
These vehicles were supplied by the UAE during their ongoing involvement in
the Civil War.Having deployed G6 Rhinos, Le Clerc tanks and BMP3s the UAE
wisely withdrew their own troops after increasing loses and began to arm proxy
factions instead. This M-ATV has been up gunned with, you guessed its a ZSU
23mm x 2.
HASM battalion M-ATV with BTR-80A turret

This Salafi militant group is based around Aden and is one of three anti Houthi
groups with UAE backing.Anther HASM conversion of this nature is a Humvee
with BTR-80A turret in similar camouflage.

2.9
Turkish military history
2. Regular
AraB Armies
Turkey has by and far one of the largest armies in the region, appeal. Erdogan became prime minister in 2003 going on to
positioned as it is between Europe and the middle east it is become the first directly elected president in 2014. In July
also a key NATO member. Turkey had a long imperial history 2016 a coup attempt by small groups of tank troops made it
of military conquest though out North Africa and the Balkans seem that Erdogan might end up like his various successors
in the cusp of the Ottaman empire, an empyre that, by the but scores of his supporters came out onto the streets and
late 1800s, was well and truly in decline and referred to as “the the coup was foiled. What followed was the arrest of 10.000
sick man of Europe”. It was the key figure of Mustapha Kemal thousands of soldiers, 30.000 Judges and Gulenists and the
Ataturk, and his fellow young Turks who had fought with firing of 160.000 people in various state institutions. Allowing
distinction at Gallipoli and later in Turkish war of independence Erdogan to break the power of the army in Turkish politics
in 1920s that decided that Turkey needed to cast off the Sultan it seems for once and for all perhaps? Only time shall tell.
Abdul Hamid’s corrupt and authoritarian rule and replace it Erdogan’s some what erratic approach to foreign policy and
with a secular Republic which was established in 1923. It was the Kurds have seen mixed results for the military. In 2015 he
this legacy that the Turkish military have tried to ensure, not declared that the long running truce with the PKK was over
always too smoothly. Turkey’s recent domestic history is one and instructed the military to launch attacks against Kurds in
where the military dominated the civil government with more Turkey and Syria in retaliation for a series of car bombings in
than 4 sucessful coups since the 1960s. In 1960 Prime minister Turkey at a time when Kurds were desperately fighting ISIS.
Adnan Mender was removed from power and executed for As early as 2013 various Turkish border cities had become
treason, with the military effectively controlling politics till staging points and logistic hubs for militants on their way to
1965. Wide spreed economic and civil unrest in 1971 saw the join ISIS, with wounded militants getting treatment in Turkish
military once again step in to restore what they saw as law hospitals and the wide spread sale of ISIS oil through Turkish
and order. Forcing the then prime minister Suleyman Demirel front companies, this passive support for such a group led to
to resign, Turkey was to have 11 prime ministers in the 1970s. bewilderment among Western allies. As of 2017 the Turkish
Clashes between right wing and left wing groups broke our military launched Operation Euphrates Shield to secure a
on the streets in 1980 as further political turmoil ensued large area of Syrian territory between Afrin and Manjib. In early
thousands of assassinations followed and the military again fighting with ISIS and then the YPG the Turkish military lost a
imposed martial law and dissolved the government. Cheif number of Leopard 2s, M60A3s and Israeli updated Sabras.
of staff Kenan Evren became president with thousands of This operation was followed up by oddly named Operation
people arrested and dozens executed. The Islamic orientated Olive branch in 2018, when Turkish armour and troops were
Welfare Party and it’s political sucess in the mid 90s became a backed up former Jihadists took the YPG controlled city of
growing concern for the military and in 1997 during what is Afrin, a group who were working with coalition forces fighting
referred to as the postmodern coup they introduced various ISIS. Erdogan seems determined to create a Sunni buffer zone
decrees targeting religious and conservative groups in Turkish in Northern Syria as a means of blocking Kurdish consolidation
society forcing the then Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan in the region. On the ground it seems that Turkish Leopards
to resign. In 1999 the now president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Sabras will be patrolling for many years to come yet if
was jailed for reading an Islamic poem and banned from their intervention in Cyprus in 1974 is anything to go by.
politics for a time, his Justice and development party however
went from strength to strength as his appeal to Islamic
conservatives and Turkish nationalist had major mainstream

Turkish Army M60A3 with M9 Bulldozer kit
This Turkish Army M60A3 is seen operating with updated M113s. Turkish M60s
have been modified in various ways over the years. A standard addition are the
German style smoke launchers attached to the turret and occasionally spare
road wheels and return roller halves are bolted on too.This particular camouflage
scheme is used in the south east Anatolia region and in Syria.
A Turkish M60 T (Sabra)

In the new desert camouflage scheme for Northern Syria in offensive operations
against ISIS and later the Kurdish YPG increased pressure on Turkish Armor in the
form of ATGM’s would see the M60 T (Sabra) further updated.

Turkish Army M60 T Sabra
This extensive modernization of the M60 series by Israeli Military Industries
involves a new 120mm MG253 main gun, Knight fire control system and a more
powerful MTU Friedrichshafen engine. Despite these improvements the Turkish
military lost a number of these tanks to ISIS ATGMs.
Turkish Army M60A3 TTS

This Turkish Army M60A3 TTS variant has stand off mesh screens added to the
turret and lower hull to fend off RPG 7 attacks from PPK insurgents. It would be of
little protection against more advanced anti tank missiles.

Turkish Army Leopard 2A4
The German produced Leopard 2A4 had a rude awakening with its combat debut in
Northern Syria. Several Turkish Leopard tank were destroyed with Turkish Army positions
overrun by ISIS militants. The turret armour proved to extremely vulnerable to modern
ATGMs, a number of tanks were destroyed in static positions where they were sitting for
long periods of time and therefore easier targets.
M48T5 Tamay ARV

The Turkish military have had nearly 2500 M48s of various types from German
and US stocks over the years. The M48T5 Tamay is a highly effective use of the
older M48 hulls, Turkey produced 105 such ARVs with American design assistance,
though the ARV looks highly influenced by Berg panzer series of Leopard based
ARVs also used by Turkey.

Turkish Army M48A5T1
This M48 conducting operations in some Turkish town is an interesting mix of
details, it has a set of aluminium M60 road wheels, Turkish made T517 Patton
tank tracks attached to the turret but no German smoke launchers and an early
style Urdan cupola with empty .50 cal. machine mount.
Turkish Army Leopard 2A4

After a number of Turkish Leopard 2A4s were knocked out by ISIS ATGMs most
Turkish Leopards in Northern Syria appeared with these large green mesh unit on
the right hand side of their turrets. It is thought to be added armour of some sort
rather than simple stowage.

A Turkish army Leopard 2A4 TR
A number of which were deployed to the Al- Bab area during Operation
Euphrates shield. This action saw a number of the Leopard 2s being
destroyed by Isis IEDs and ATGMs.
Turkish Army M60A3

Besides standoff mesh armour (illustration page 94) Turkish M60 crews have added
sand bag armour around the turret. This particular vehicle also has twin .50 cal.
machine guns fitted above the main 105mm gun .These weapons were fitted on many
M60s when fighting PPK insurgents in Kurdish areas.

Turkish Army M578 light recovery vehicle
These cold war era recovery and lifting vehicles are a handy maintenance
support vehicle to have on operations. M578s can regularly be spotted in
armour convoys of M60 A3s and Leopard 2A4s tanks,along with former
German M88s and locally produced Tamay ARVs.
A Turkish army M-113A2 T2,

This variant has fold down stowage racks mounted on each side of the vehicle and
an ACAV gun turret.

A Turkish army M60 T or “Sabra” tank called Fury,
this Israeli updated M60 features additional laminate steel and reactive
Armor sections built on around the lower hull and turret and mounts
a 120mm MG 253 main gun, first spotted in action during the Coup in
Istanbul in 2016, the M60 T went into action against Isis in Bashiqah in 2016,
one of them been taking a hit by ISIS 9k129 Kornet and the vehicle’s crew
survived
Turkish Army Otokar Cobra IMV

The Otokar Cobra infantry mobility vehicle was developed using key chassis
components from the US HMMWV series. These vehicles have proved highly
resistant to early IED and mine attacks by the PKK but later loses against ISIS
prompted the Turkish military to develop a series of new MRAPS. Cobras
were deployed by Turkey’s FSA allies in operations against the YPG in
operation Euphrates Shield and Olive branch.

Turkish Army M113A2T1 with M55 .50 cal machine guns
This tried and trusted anti aircraft gun system dating back to World War two is still
in use with the Turkish Army. The M113 based M55 was used in the fire support
role against PKK insurgents attacking Turkish Army bases similar to the way in
which US forces used their M55s in Vietnam.
A former East German BTR-60PB

Supplied by unified Germany to Turkish forces the use of which against the Kurds
caused a temporary German embargo between 1992 and 1994.

Turkish Army M48A5T2
This M48 A5 has been updated to M60A3 standard with thermal imaging an
M60A3 fire control system and Laser range finder. Of note are the aluminium
ribbed style M60 wheels.
Turkish Army M48T5 Tamay ARV

This Tamay ARV wears standard NATO camoflage. Some Tamays in such
camouflage where deployed with Leopard 2A4s by train up to the Syrian border
before repainted in desert camouflage. This Tamay is seen towing a ACV-300 IFV.

3. araB reBel armies
3.1
Peshmerga forces,
Those who face
death
The Peshmerga Kurdish fighters of Northern Iraq have a long Union of Kurdistan between 1994 and 1997. This internal fighting
tradition of independence and rebellion dating back to the Ottaman was put aside when the US decided to invade Iraq and remove
and British empires. In more modern times the Iraqi kurds and the Saddam in 2003 after the 9/11 attacks PUK Peshmerga forces played
Peshmerga fighters found themselves pawns in the Shah of Iran and a major role in the new conflict not only with fighting in the North
Saddam’s proxy conflict during the 1970s. During the Iran-Iraq war of Iraq but also in the intelligence gathering that led to the capture
the Kurds received support and equipment from the new regime in of Saddam Hussein. The new reality of post Saddam Iraq saw the
Tehran, fighting Iraqi forces in the mountains of the North. Saddam’s Iraqi Kurds getting a Kurdistan Regional Government allowing them
reaction to this betrayal was to launch the Anfal campaign in 1986, a large degree of autonomy from Baghdad. With the explosion of
this saw the wide spread use of chemical weapons against Kurdish ISIL in 2014 the Peshmerga were soon in action defending the Iraqi
towns and villages. In all up to 182,000 Kurds were killed while over Kurds from the Islamic state. At first Peshmerga forces had to rely
4,000 villages were destroyed. The most infamous attack was that on on old Saddam era T-55s, T-62s, ZSU-57mm, MT-LBs, these outdated
the town of Halabja in 1988 where up 5,000 civilans were gased on and worn out old vehicles were quickly joined by indigenous home
the orders of Ali Hassan al-Majid or Chemical Ali. made APCs, US MRAPs, Humvees and even a number of German
Dingos along with batches of ATGMs. Having successfully fought
Having been viciously punished by Saddam’s forces during the Anfal off ISIL and captured Kirkuk the Kurdish President Masoud Barzani
campaign, the Peshmerga along with the Shia of Southern Iraq decided to hold a referendum on independence in 2017. This action
rose up again at the end of the 1991 Gulf War, thinking the western caused a split with Baghdad, a cut off from the regional government
powers would support them. Republican Guard units and helicopters funds and the attack and retaking of Kirkuk by Iraqi and PMF forces
of the Iraqi air force attacked and retook towns like Kirkuk causing an in October of that year. As in the past the Iraqi Kurdish leadership
exodus of terrified Kurds into Turkey and Iran, fearful of massacres may have misjudged their timing but there can be no doubting that
and renewed chemical weapon attacks. To make matters worse there the Peshmerga are in a stronger position than ever before and are
followed a civil war between Kurdish forces with Massoud Barzani’s seen by many in the Western coalition as a strong and reliable ally.
Kurdish Democratic Party fighting and Jalal Talabani’s Patriotic

3.2
Kurdish YPG, People’s
Protection Units
The YPG was formed in 2004 as the armed wing of the Democratic The YPG’s success in action unnerved president Erdogan of Turkey and
Union Party, a Kurdish left wing organization. It’s female wing is the many in the Turkish military establishment, leading them to attack
YPJ or Woman’s Protection Unit. Initially it was simply designed to the YPG whom they accuse of supporting the outlawed kurdish PPK
protect Kurds against Arabs in Kurdish areas of Northern Syria, but it in Turkey. Operation Euphrates Shield saw Turkey take Manjib from
rapidly expanded with the out break of the Syrian Civil War. In 2012 the YPG in 2016 and Operation Olive branch was launched to capture
as Syrian forces abandoned the city of Kobani, YPG units took control Afrin and the surrounding area from the YPG in 2018. The YPG are by
of it and other towns in the region. By late 2012 the YPG was under far the most democratic and western in outlook of any units fighting
attack by a number of Syrian Jihadist rebel groups including Al-Nusra in the region as such they have attracted foreign volunteers from
front, Ghuraba Al-Sham amongst others. These attacks were a rallying all over the world in a manner that similar to Republican volunteers
call for Syrian Kurds, strengthening the YPG’s appeal. In 2014 the YPG during the Spanish Civil war. It is probably this appeal and the recent
collaborated with the Free Syrian Army to try and resist ISIL in Raqqa referendum for independence by Iraqi kurds that stirs up fears in
province. ISIL proved extremely strong at the time besieging Kobani various reactionary regimes with Kurdish populations in the region.
on the Turkish border. Despite predictions of an ISIL victory and no
Turkish help whatsoever, the YPG with American air power managed
to save Kobani. The YPG was to prove a major allie to the West and the
US in particular in the fight against ISIS /ISIL, despite this the YPG was
not and has not been a major recipient of major military aid and has
had to depend on captured Syrian army vehicles and ISIL equipment
in various states of disarray to build a hedge collection of mainly
hybrid APCs and uparmoured MBTs.

3.3
daesh (ISIS)
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant In 2014 taking Anbar province and the city of Mosul overwhelming
ISIL is a fanatical offshoot of Al Qaeda and Sunni fighters who took part a much larger group of demoralised goverment troops over 3000
in the insurgency against US and coalition forces following invasion of whom were butchered. ISIS’s growing success in Syria and Iraq
and occupation of Iraq in 2003. Initially it was led by Jordanian Abu changed it to ISIL or Islamic state of Iraq and the Levant and with
Musab Al-Zarqawi who had learnt his field craft fighting the Soviets it came the realization of a new Caliphate. The new Caliphate or
in Afghanistan. Zarqawi’s group of Sunni group al-Tawhid wal-Jihad religious state attracted fighters from all over the Middle East aswell
took part in numerous suicide bombings and hostage executions, as Europe and the Caucasus. ISIL forces captured vast amounts of
with a particular focus on targeting Shias and their religious shrines. modern equipment in military bases through out Syria and Iraq and
This policy was designed to spark off a religious civil war between with the help of former Ba’athist logistic officers from Saddam’s army
Iraq’s majority Shia and minority Sunni population. Killed in a US and were remarkable adept at moving munitions and equipment
airstrike in 2006, Zarqawi’s group was largely defeated by the US throughout their expanding Caliphate as their war on conquest
backed Sunni awakening, where various Sunni tribes and groups expanded up into Kurdistan. On video footage released through
such as the Sons of Iraq fought against the insurgents. In 2011 US social media and the internet ISIL showed its forces in large amounts
forces withdrew from a now seemly stable Iraq. On the domestic of captured Humvees,T-55s, BMP-1s aswell as many types of Mad
front Shia Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki fueled Sunni resentment as Max vehicles as they rampaged through towns and hinterland of
this once powerful religious group under Saddam Hussein became the region. It was at this point ISIS over extended itself attacking
more and more marginalized in the new democratic Iraq. Malaki’s the Kurds and ethnic minority Yazidis. The use of horrific violence,
resistance to share power and his crack down on protesting Sunnis beheading, grotesque human rights violations and the ISIL inspired
only added to the growing sectarian tensions creating fertile ground attacks in the West galvanised US and it’s allies to launch air strikes
for the remnants of Zarqawi’s group now known as the Islamic state in Iraq in support of Kurdish and Iraqi ground firces, while Russian
in Iraqi. Under the new leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, fighters aircraft bombed ISIL and rebel territory in Syria. ISIL’s Caliphate
were sent to neighboring Syria to fight in the expanding civil war which seemed unstoppable in 2014 was nearly entirely destroyed
in 2012, while at home they attacked Iraqi prisons freeing Jihadists by 2018, but this group has given birth to off shoots across the
and continued sectarian attacks and bombings. After building up globe with ISIS/ISIL affiliates fighting in Libya, Egypt, Philippines
his forces in Syria and Iraq al-Baghdadi’s group launched an all out and Afghanistan. It remains to be seen what form ISIS or Daesh
offensive. takes in the future, now that it’s Caliphate has been consigned to
the dustbin of history.

4. Middle
East War
Machines
4.1
T-72 Middle East
Street Fighter
Although designed as a main battle tank to fight its way through but, in the process of loading, raised the barrel into the air(giving
NATO formations in the 1980s the T-72 has found its through role in away its position) and was far too long compared to well-trained
urban combat in the shattered back streets of Libya, Iraq and Syria as loaders of the coalition forces. When fired the T-72 sighting system
recently as 2018. First seen in Moscow during a Red army parade in was nowhere as accurate as the M1A1 and lacked thermal sights for
1977 the T-72 Ural encompassed much of its predecessors design and fighting in the dark or smoke filled environment, these issues as well
layout. An off shoot of the advanced T-64 tank programme, the T-72 as fact that the T-72 could not fire on the move meant Saddam’s Lion
was a simpler less expensive version of this complex vehicle reserved of Babylon soon became an endangered species. In the more recent
solely for Soviet forces. Both the T-64 and T-72 shared the same type Syrian civil war Assad’s T-72’s have faced well-armed rebel groups
of layout with a 125mm main gun and auto loader the centre piece including ISIS forces armed with a wide range of the latest western
of this new MBT. The T-72 had a crew of three with the driver in the and Eastern designed ATGMs as well as mines and IEDs.
center rather than the left as found on the T-55 and T-62. On the The Syrian as already mentioned had updated some of their T-72
right side of the hull are placed diesel fuel cells, while crew tool and fleet with the TURMS-T fire control and sighting system, now they
stowage lockers are mounted along the left. The tank is low slung mounted Sarab anti-missile guidance boxes above their T-72 turrets
with the T-72 using large chunky road wheels in comparison with the much in same manner as the Iraqis had on some of their T-72s in 1991.
narrow steel wheel affairs of the T-64. While the T-72 was rumoured Despite its numerous short comings the T-72 and later models such
to have been involved in the fighting between the IDF and Syrian as much more advanced T-72B3 can be found in service around the
forces in Lebanon in 1982 there is no proof of this occurring what is globe today, with large numbers of T-72s produced by Russia, Poland
not in doubt is that it’s first combat debut took place with Iraqi forces and Czechoslovakia, these tanks can be obtained cheaply, with no
during the Iran-Iraq war. Both Iraqi and Iran made use of the Ural, M strings attached and at a reasonable price be updated depending on
and M1 models during their eight year conflict. It was during the Gulf a customer’s requirements.
war of 1991 that the T-72 was to show just how vulnerable it was to As a street fighter tank on rubble strewn streets of the middle east
modern western air and ground power assets in the form of the M1 the T-72 will no doubt place on with various armies and militias it’s
Abrams, Apache attack helicopters and A10 Warthogs in actions that robust reliability appreciated by its crews whether it be donned in
would litter the deserts of Northern Kuwait and Southern Iraq with ERA tiles, slat armour or sand bags and concrete.
burnt out droves of T-72s amongst others tanks and APCs.
The T-72’s armour could easily be penetrated by the latest ATGMs
as well as 120mm tank rounds. Another issue was the famed auto
loader which when working correctly took eight seconds to load

A detailed shot of the Turms-T system
mounted in place of the original gunner’s
TPN-1-49-23 night sight unit. The
commander’s hatch is also updated with
a new mount for the NSVT 12.7mm gun
with a new panoramic sight. Of note is
the System 802A 81mm smoke launchers
mounted on the front of the T-72 M1
turret.
This T-72M1 with its extra laminate armour

on the front glacis plate is no doubt one of
a batch supplied by Czechoslovakia state
factories and updated to Turms-T standard
by Italian company Galileo Avionica.
Records indicate a mixed group of 122
T-72 Ural variants, T-72M1s and T-72AVs
were updated in Syria between 2005 and
2006. These important T-72 updates are
retained mainly by trusted Republican
Guard units and the 4th armoured
Division. Of note are the 125mm tank
rounds protruding from the rear stowage
bin.
This standard model T-72 M1 retains its

original sighting units, but has had a
Syrian manufactured Sarab 1 or Mirage
anti-missile box added, it’s powerful lights
interfere with the guidance systems of
early guided ATGMs such as the American
TOW. This unit is missing it’s top circular
lid.

This well-worn and battered T-72 M1 has a cover over its Sarab anti-missile box. In the urban fighting and badly damaged city areas
these units, mud guards and L-2AGM Luna infrared search lights are easily damaged as seen here.
A Syrian T-72AV reversed back into a destroyed An interesting sub variant, in the Syrian T-72 versions,
building of note on this variant is the mix of ERA is this T-72M1 with ERA tiles randomly added by the
or Explosive Reactive Armour tiles, and good old crew in a fairly haphazard fashion. Of particular interest
fashioned eastern front passive armour in the form is the later Sarab 2 anti-missile box with its curved
of spare RMSH tracks hanging from the front of the front and the Viper sight in the gunner’s unit.
vehicle. Of note is the Sarab 1 box in conjunction with
the Viper sight system, another new Syrian update
hosed in the original gunner’s TPN -1-49-23 night sight
housing.

A detailed front three quarter view of a
Polish T-72 Ural variant, of note are the flip
out Gill armour side sections still in use
in Syria.
Detail shot of the L-2AGM Luna active

infrared searchlight and right side
port mounted TPD2-49 coincidence
rangefinder, with hand railing instead of
smoke launchers units.
Detail shot of the left hand side battery

of 81mm 802A empty smoke mortars bar
one missing unit and its wiring.

Detail shot of the third rear stowage bin,
mounted on the left hand side of a T-72M.
The T-72 exhaust outlet is mounted in

the same position as the preceding T-55
and T-62. As with earlier models fuel can
be poured or dripped on to the exhaust
manifold to create extra smoke to shroud
the vehicle in white plumes.
A detail shot of the stripped down

gunner’s TPN-1-49-23 night sight unit, its
outer housing removed.

A front three quarter view of a T-72 M, this
ex-Iraqi example is has a T-55 mudguard
fitted as a replacement for the standard
unit, not entirely uncommon in the middle
east.
Top shot of V-46 -6 12 cylinder engine,

this engine design can trace its roots right
back to the T-62,T-55 and T-34 to the very
original Italian aircraft engine which was
hauled off a run way after the Russian Civil
War by Bolshevik engineers and used as
a basis for their highly successful Diesel
engine.
This T-55 fuel cell has been mounted in

the rear right hand side section by Iraqi
crew men many years before hand as a
replacement for the original T-72 unit,
again not uncommon in battle field
situations.

Top shot of the T-72 Air filter unit mounted
to the side of the V-46-6 12 cylinder multi
fuel engine.
Top shot of the armoured cover for the

radiator unit and to rear of that the Air
intakes for the engine fan.
Rear left hand side tool stowage box unit.

Overview of the narrow engine oil
container, mounted above the exhaust
outlet on the rear left hand side of
To the rear of the T-72M and M1 models

are two hinged stowage boxes, these are
used to hold extra ammunition, of note
is the empty NSVT mount for 12.7mm AA
machine gun.
Overview of this former Iraqi T-72M1

turret showing the gunner’s TPD-K1 laser
sight (to the front) and TPN-1-49 -23 night
sight to the rear complete with gunner’s
infrared searchlight.
A good example of a six spoked road

wheel now standard on later T-72 and T-90
variants, replacing the earlier eight spoked
version.

4.2
T-62 Smooth
Bore sniper
The T-62 tank was designed and built around the 115mm U-5TS turret port, much slower than the M60 at the time. The crew work
2A20 smoothbore gun as a result of the realization in the 1950s that load is extensive in terms of driving or retrieving ammunition and
the rifled 100mm D-10T of the T-55 could not penetrate the frontal loading. Over ranges of further than 2000 metres the T-62 sighting
armour of modern western tank designs such as the Centurion and systems are unreliable. It is for this reason perhaps that the Syrian
M48 Patton. As the T-55 was otherwise fine the T-62 used many have updated their T-62s with side turret mounted wind sensor units.
components and the layout of the earlier T-55 but differed in having The T-62 remains a popular tank throughout the middle east serving
the larger caliber 115mm smoothbore main gun and the ability in Algerian, Libyan, Polisario forces, Egypt, Syria.
to fire Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot or APFSDS Iraqis T-62 are longer in service though a few are in Kurdish hands
ammunition. The T-62 carries 40 rounds as compared with 60 rounds and the Iranian army purchased 200 North Korean Chonma-ho T-62
in the M60. The T-62 carries a mix of Ammunition types including copies in 1984 but quickly passed them on to the Revolutionary
high explosive, high explosive anti-tank and the mentioned APFSDS. Guard. Syria makes use of a number of Types of Soviet/Russian T-62
During the 1973 conflict the speed of this high velocity round, over 1 variants including model 62, 72 and earlier variants which have had
mile a second allowing the fin stabiliser the ability to penetrate any machine gun cupolas added. More recently Russia supplied T-62M
Israeli MBT it hit. On the down side the main gun has a slow rate of fire variants to Syria complete with BDD turret armor, bow armor, Gamma
approximately 1 shot every 15 seconds, due to the gun automatically radiation cladding and KTD-2 laser range finders these vehicles last
rising after firing for reloading and the automatic ejection system seeing action in the hills of Afghanistan.
takes six seconds to jettison the spent shell casings through the rear

A Syrian T-62 Model 1972 with a
particular gaudy mustard yellow and
green camouflage, the yellow is faded on
patches revealing a paler colour below.
A Syrian Army T-62 Model 1962 turret

on improved model 67 chassis this
combination of early turret later
improved chassis were numerous in the
Syrian army from 1973 to present, this
variant also has updated T-72 style tracks.

A Syrian Army T-62 Model 1972
complete with DShK 12.7mm AA
machine gun for overhead defence
and more recently in the civil war
dealing with rebel anti-tank teams.
A Syrian Arab Army T-62 Model 1967 with early Smooth model 62 turret featuring
an indigenous wind sensor unit, an attempt to improve the accuracy of the main
gun over 900 metres.

Syrian Arab Army T-62 Model 1972 with RMSH (T-72 style) tracks,
this vehicle displays one of the more common ways in which Syrian
crews tried to add extra protection to their tanks with the addition of
sand bags.
A detailed shot of a captured Syrian army T-62, with Model 1972

turret featuring an empty DShK 12.7mm AA mount but with earlier
model 1962 engine as indicated by raised rear hatch, the Syrian
produced wind sensor unit is shown to good effect in raised position.
A heavily sand bagged Syrian model 1972 with a somewhat serious

looking crew the sand and green camouflage shown to good effect.

In 2017 the Syrian armed forces received a
large shipment of T-62 M and M1 variants
from Russia, these ultimate model T-62s
have extra turret and bow armour along
with KDT-2 laser range finders while the M1
has Gamma radiation cladding attached to
the turret roof. These tanks were originally
deployed to East Germany towards the end
of the Cold war only to end up fighting in
Afghanistan, be put in storage and finally
be sent to Syria.
A Syrian T-62 model 1972 in a Dark green

camouflage with pale stripes, rust and dirt.
This shot provides a good depiction of a
typical Syrian tank crew in field conditions.
A dug in T-62, again a mixture of late turret

and early hull, complete with crew bedding
attached to the rear of the turret.

Overhead view of rear engine deck on the T-62 this engine deck
is the improved Model 1967 variant also used on the Model
1972.
Detailed shot of the rear engine and transmission grills and

decking, a vulnerable area of the tank during urban combat
operations.
Overhead shot of the rear two diesel fuel cells on the T-62.
These examples are missing their metal tubing fuel lines and
filler caps.

The rear of the T-62 turret feature a turret ventilator
unit beside which is positioned an oval shaped
spent shell ejection port. The large 115mm shell
cases needing to be removed quickly after firing.
An overview of a T-62 Model 1962 turret, this

version lacks the DSlK 12.7mm AA machine gun
mount of later variants.
The commander’s hatch on this T-62 has been

reversed to the rear it is standard on T-62 and T-55
models.
Overhead view of T-62 side tool locker and front

right diesel fuel cell.

A detailed shot of the rear engine plate of the T-62
housing the cooling fan and transmission unit. Of
note is the empty rear fuel tank attachment plate four
of which are welded to the rear.
Detailed shot of the two rear diesel fuel cells on the

back running board of the T-62, showing the correct
position of the grab handles and side holding clips.
A fine study of a delegated T-62 engine bay empty and

covered with tarpaulin. The extreme paint chipping,
mud and grime make for an atmospheric image.

4.3
T-55 a soviet icon
The Soviet T-54/T-55 series and it’s Chinese copy the T-59 along Libyan and Egyptian T-54s and T-55s saw action next in their brief
with ARVs and engineering variants are by and far the most widely border war of 1977, but it was in Lebanon that the T-55 would see
produced and serving tanks ever. The T-54/ T-55 has seen action major action with various militas and the Syrian army in 1982. Once
throughout Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. again Syrian forces would find themselves fighting the IDF in T-55s
Developed as a successor for the War winning T-34/85, it evolved and T-62s in an up hill struggle against up armoured Centurions,
through the 85mm gun armed T-44 to the D-10T 100mm armed Pattons and the latest Merkavas. Some Syria T-55s had new laser
T-54. Early models had narrow tracks and a flatted turret, this was range finders fitted, two types were seen a Syrian variant and a North
altered to the T-54 model 1951 with what we consider the classical Korean import. These updates made little difference to the outcome
T-54/T-55 style turret we know today. The T-55 is layout is straight and at this point the T-55 was obsolete on a modern battle field.
forward and simple with diesel fuel cells mounted on the right hand By this time the Iran-Iraq war was in full swing having started with
side running boards and crew Zip boxes, barrel cleaning rods and an Iraqi invasion of Iranian territory in 1980. Iran and Iraq fielded
engine oil container mounted on the left. The engine of the T-54/ armoured divisions of T-55 and Chinese copies in the form of T-69,
T-55 series consists of a V12 diesel engine found in the earlier T-34 throughout the 8 year conflict these tanks were not only destroyed
series, it is amazing to think that this engine was originally designed in their droves but many changed hands and were used against their
by Bolshevik engineers who came across a damaged Italian aircraft former owners. It was in the Gulf war in 1991 that Iraq would lose
engine after the Russian Civil War and used as a basis for their tank thousands of T-55s, T-62s and T-72s to the US coalition in the deserts
power plant for decades to come. The D-10T 100mm main gun was of Kuwait and Southern Iraq.
first used in the highly successful SU-100 tank destroyer in World
War two. The combination of both engine and armament with the Though obsolete by modern standards the T-55 still combat on in
well armoured hull and turret ticked all the boxes for a vehicle that’s the Syrian Civil war with rebels and army forces alike. Syrian army
robust simplicity would be ideal for evolving nations throughout the units feild a range of Russian, Czechoslovakian and Polish built T-55
globe. variants the most recent addition from a number of years back being
the T-55 AMV with reactive armour and laser range finder. In Iraq
The T-54 model 1951 first saw action in Hungry with Soviet forces small numbers of old Saddam era Type 69 tanks operate with the
during their quelling of the uprising in 1956, but it wasn’t long before Popular Mobilization Forces and Iraqi army units many with ACAV
the T-54 saw action in the middle east with large numbers captured style gun turrets. ISIS units operated a large number of captured
from the Egyptian and Syrian armies by the Israelis in 1967. By T-55s up armoured with steel plate and concrete and a number were
1973 the T-55 had joined the fray, with the IDF able to field units of converted into kamikaze bomb tanks for storming operations, before
capture Ti-67s Yom Kippur war alongside captured Czechoslovakian the group’s demise. The fact that the T-55 still operates in the middle
manufacturered VT-55 ARVs and MT-55 bridge layers. east, Africa and Asia is testimony to the design and reliability of this
Soviet Icon which after 6 decades shows no sign of retiring, and will
no doubt pop up in conflicts still to come.

A Syrian T-55 in Lebanon during the late 80s, dug in a base in the
North of the country. Of note is the North Korean Laser range
finder, barrel cover and red brown coloured mudguards.In the
early years many of the T-55 with North Korean LRFs mounted
KPV.14.5MM AA guns instead of the DShK 12.7 mm AA gun
reverted to lat
A late model T-55AMV in Syrian service during the civil war, the
ERA reactive armour blocks are still in neat rows on this vehicle,
indicating that it’s only recently gone into service. Of note is the
Russian KDT-2 LRF fitted to the AMV variant.
A Syrian Arab Army T-55AM variant, this version has rubber side
skirts, a KTD-2 laser range finder, smoke grenade launchers and
enhanced engine but doesn’t mount any ERA as on the AMV
variant. To add extra protection the crew have resorted to the old
sand bag routine.

A T-55A with Syrian manufacturered Laser Range
Finder, these units were first encountered in the battle
of Lebanon in 1982 but without the wind sensor units
mounted on the rear of the turret later on.At least one
of these vehicles with this LRF was used by Lebanese
Forces a right Christian milita after being captured from
the Syrian army.
A sand bagged Syrian army T-55AM towing an ERA

covered T-55AMV variant.
This Syrian army T-55 with North Korean Laser range

finder has been recaptured from ISIS and is waiting to
be reissued to an Army tank crew.

A detailed rear hull shot of a Syrian
T-55 showing the various Zip box
arrangements typical of Syrian army T-55s.
A Syrian rebel standing on a rather

battered T-55A with remnants of previous
goverment markings, rigged fuel cells and
buckled mud guards.
A former Iraqi type 69 tank, Iraqi forces

under Saddam Hussien purchased 2,500
of these Chinese T-55 copies .Today small
numbers survive in service mainly with
Popular Mobilization Units and a few in
the hands of the Peshmerga.

Detail shot of the horse shoe armour
mounted on right hand side of
the T-55AM2 Czechoslovakian
variant,empty DShK 12.7mm mount,
this variant has seen extensive action
in Yemen and further fielded in Sri
Lanka.
To the rear of the T-55AM2 turret is

positioned a battery of eight smoke
grenade launchers. Of note is the
wiring and the turret armour bolt
fitting to the front of the vehicle.
To the rear of the T-55AM2 turret is positioned a wind sensor. Of

note is that it’s retractable while not in use.

A front three quarter view of a T-55AM2, showing to
good effect the turret armour,front bow armour and
Czechoslovakian laser range finder.
Side profile of a VT-55A this version of the

Czechoslovakian ARV is the standard variant of
this versatile vehicle,it retains the NBC cladding
on the driver’s and commander’s hatches making
recognisable from the VT-55KS variant.The VT-55A was
delivered to Yemen along with T-54/55AM1 and AM2
tanks.
To the rear right hand side of the VT-55A is mounted

a 15 ton. capacity crane, tow fittings and the snorkel
tube for fording rivers.

Detail shot of the rear crane attachment, tow bars and
crane hook. Of note is the late style T-72 style tracks
used on the VT-55A.
Detail shot of the front Zip box and commander’s

cupola on the VT-55A.
Detail shot of the rear of the large stowage basket on

the back of the VT-55A. The sides of which can fold
down for ease of use with large engine parts etc.

A rear shot of the VT-55KS, 500 of these variants
were produced by Czechoslovakian Martin works for
“Capitalist States “ KS between 1970 and 73. This ex
Syrian ARV is seen in Latrun tank museum.
Detail shot of the front of the VT-55 KS, captured and

modified in 1973 for IDF use. The VT-55KS is still the
main ARV in Syrian Arab Army service.
A front view of the stowage box on the VT-55KS, this

version of the ARV was also used in the Libyan Army, a
number of which were converted into rather strange
APCs.

1. A top shot of the VT-55KS stowage deck, much of
the decking has been removed to expose the upper
hull below which is mounted a 50 tonne winch.
2. A bird’s eye view of the Duxford based VT-55A

showing to good effect the rear earth anchor or spade,
15 ton crane and winch cable above the centre of the
spade.
3. A late model T-55 1970 this variant T-55 is used in

large numbers by the Syrian Arab Army and features a
T-62 style machine gunner’s hatch. A number of these
variants were fitted with North Korean Laser range
finders, with small numbers captured by ISIS and other
rebel groups during the Civil war.
4. An MT-55A bridge layer these Czechoslovakian

engineering tanks were built by ZTS Martin works with
MT-55KS built for foreign customers. Seeing use in
action with the Syrian Army in 1973 and more recently
in the Civil war,it is in Libya that rebels converted these
machines into oddly shaped IFVs with armoured boxes
mounted instead of the bridge units.
5. A detail shot of the folding arm of the MT-55A,

complete with hydraulic ram.

1. Another T-55 based bridge layer is the massive MTU-20, these
units saw action with the Syrian Army in 1973 with a number
captured by Israeli forces. This MTU- 20 is preserved in Parola in
Finland.
2. The full length of the MTU -20 on display, these bridge layers
are no doubt useful in the Civil war where groups like ISIS have
destroyed so much of the infastruture including bridges.
3-4. A rear and front view of the ZSU-57, this twin barreled SPAAG
is obsolete as an AA gun but is ideal for urban combat middle east
style. The ZSU-57 is still used by the Syrian Arab and Peshmerga
forces.

4.4
2s3 Akatsiya Soviet
heavy hitter
The 2S3 was produced by the USSR in response to the United States The 2S3 is well under ranged by modern standards with new SPGs
M109 SPG. The 2S3 used a 152.4mm howitzer based on the towed such as the 2S19 having an effective range of 45km and much more
D20 with a standard range of 18.5 km while the early M109 had M127 advanced fire control and accuracy. However in conflicts like the
155mm gun with a range of 14.6 km. All Later M109s models had Syrian Civil war it has been employed both at close range levelling
the longer 39 caliber M185 with a standard range of 18km. These buildings and in general shelling softening up rebel positions during
Cold war warriors saw action against each other during the Iran- various government offensives. In terms of maintenance and repair
Iraq war, Iran receiving a number of M109s during the time of the it also helps that the V59 12 cylinder diesel engine is the same type
Shah, while Iraqi 2S3s were only a small part of Saddam’s massive fitted to T-55s, T-62s which eases problems in relation to spare parts
artillery arsenal. Iraqi 2S3 would also see action in Kuwait in 1991 and repair considerably.
where one point of interest was the removal on some vehicles of the
commander’s cupola mounted PKT 7.62mm machine gun and the
replacement of it with the heavier calibre DShK 12.7mm AA gun. The
2S3 went into production in 1971 after problems with fume build up
or gas contamination in the turret. The Soviets were slow to export
the Akatsiya initially with other Arab customers such as Syria, Libya
and Algeria only receiving the SPG in 1995 from the now Russian
federation.

A Syrian Republican Guard 2S3 grinds it’s way through the rubble
of a Syrian town, these SPGs have been a vital part of Syrian army
urban combat groups.
This 2S3 in it’s realitivly fresh green livery and regime flag is a new
delivery from Russia.Older Syrian 2S3 are either painted Sand all
over or green and sand camouflage.
A well worn and rusty ex Iraqi 2S3, a good study on how Syrian or
older Iraqi SPGs would look after being on active service for a few
months.

A great study of the mud encrusted road wheels and tracks of a 2S3 SPG.
Front view of the the 2S3 turret showing to good effect the 152mm barrel and recoil housing to the front of which is positioned the driver’s compartment.

1. Front view of the the 2S3 turret showing to good effect
the 152mm barrel and recoil housing to the front of which
is positioned the driver’s compartment.
2. Detail shot of the right hand side 2S3 road front right
hand side road light and metal guard.
3. A view of the business end of the 2S3, showing the

152mm muzzle break and it’s red primer to good effect
4. Top shot of the 2S3 commander’s cupola to the side of

which is mounted a small infa red lamp and a PKT 7.62mm
machine gun, here the mount is empty.

4.5
Zsu-23x4 Shilka
four Barreled
Street Fighter
The Anna news footage opens with T-72AVs their side skirts ripped to helicopters and low flying aircraft but has found a new role in
off and ERA armour in disarray, followed by turret views of a BMP-2 urban combat in spraying possible ATGM launching positions before
as it races down the ruined streets of the Syrian city of Jobar, a single tanks and infantry are sent in to mop up resistance in not only Syria
ZSU-23 Shilka mounts a raised berm and proceeds to fire bursts of but with Kurdish forces and Iraqi police units too. Interestingly the
23mm at buildings in the distance. Such is the new role of this low Kurdish and Iraqi police Shilkas have replaced the orginal water
altitude anti- aircraft gun in the Syrian civil war. Flak suppression is cooled AZP-23mm guns with the air cooled variants found on the
used as part of the vital role in Syrian army mixed battle groups as towed ZSU-23mm x2. Syrian and Hezbollah Shilka have also been
grind down rebel opposition in the large towns and cities of Syria. seen with Sarab 1 and 2 anti missile defence boxes mounted on their
The Shilka first developed in 1958 was put into series production in turrets. Despite their thin armour which can be easily penetrated the
1965 as an integral part of Soviet air defence. The ZSU-23-4 would simple rugged reliability of the Shilka ensures it will remain in use as a
engage aircraft and helicopters at low altitude while weapons such ground fighter in the middle east, while in counties like Poland it has
as the SA-6 Gainful would tackle medium altitude aircraft and SA-2 been updated with new radar and missile defence systems to make
and 3s higher altitude opponents. The Shilka was to see it combat it a relevant SPAAG.
debut in 1973 on the Sinai and Golan fronts shooting down an
estimated 31 Israeli fighter aircraft. Shilkas also saw action in Vietnam,
Afghanistan and major use with Iraqi and Iranian forces during the
Iran-Iraq war. At over fifty years of age the Shilka is still a major threat

A head on shot of a Syrian Arab Army Shilka,
showing to good effect the driver’s station not
unlike that of the traditional Soviet design of the
old T-34 tank driver’s position.
A typical Syrian camouflaged ZSU-23-4, on the

turret sits the famous Druze Major General Issam
Zahreddine. Zahreddine was a key Republican
Guard General and defended Deir Ezzor for over
three years finally being killed towards the end
of the battle for that city when his vehicle drove
over a rebel mine.
A former Syrian army Shilka being removed

from battle by ISIS units, large amounts of
Syrian army equipment was captured by ISIS
particularly from Syrian Air Force bases, much
of it would see action again in Syria and Iraq
many converted into bizarre mad max vehicles
and in some cases suicide bomb tanks.

A detailed shot of the upper turret of a Syrian
Army Shilka turret, it’s large flat hatch not
designed for actual ground combat of note
is the AK 47 close at hand, offering some
degree of protection from sudden attack.
A youthful Syrian army Shilka crew give the

two finger salute for victory. Of note is the
well-worn camouflage scheme and stains on
this ZSU-23-4.
Another example of extreme weathering on

a Syrian Army Shilka, the pressed metal front
turret section is battered and buckled from
driving around the tight streets of Syrian
towns and providing direct fire during urban
combat.

Detail shot of the right access hatch behind which
is the transformer for the Shilka’s electrical supply
and a OU-3GA2 infrared searchlight is stowed for the
commander’s cupola.
Detailed shot of the RPK-2 Gun Dish or radar unit in

the folded down travel position. Syrian Shilka’s have
no use for this equipment in the current civil war.
The front of a rather worn out Iraqi ZSU-23-4 Shilka,

the Shilka is based on an altered PT-76 hull referred
to as the GM-575 its large boxy hull containing the
once sophisticated electronics associated with the
radar unit.

Detailed shot of the Shilka front right hand side head light arrangement,
showing to good effect the small formation light, light cover above and
small stowage hatch below.
The rear of the ZSU-23-4 contains the V6R 6 cylinder 4 stroke airless
water cooled engine, to the right it’s hatch completely rusted is the
access point for the vehicle’s auxiliary power unit.
A side rear shot of the Shilka turret showing the RPK-2 Gun Dish in
stowed position behind which are the access hatch for the vehicle’s
electronics system.

Detail shot of a Shilka rear tracks, drive sprocket and
road wheel typical of so many Soviet /Russian light
APC, tank and tractor designs whether it be PT-76,
BMP or MT-LB.

4.6
ZSU-23x2 and
ZPU-14.5 Middle
east flak wagon
fire power.
Of all the weapons that sum up the revolutions, border wars and airpower if not answered by large deployments of AA guns and SAMs.
guerilla groups of the middle east gun trucks or pick ups with AA guns In client states throughout the middle east badly piloted MIG-21s and
aloft must be the universally excepted image of almost iconic status, MIG-23s would be no opposition to the Israeli, US or Coalition aircraft.
its the combination speed and fire power that is used throughout the The prolific use of AA guns would at least allow citizens of Arab states
region when the protests stop and the dogs of war are unleashed. think their forces were hitting back while their capitals were being
Over the years the twin barreled ZSU-23 mm x2 has been mounted blown asunder. In the end such weapons were to find their way into
in the backs of Iraqi MT-LBs in Saddam’s army, ZPUx4, x2 or singularly the hands of groups as diverse as Hezbollah to ISIS, while being used
as the KPV 14.5 have been lashed to the backs of Toyota pick ups, by armies such as Western backed Moroccans to the Russian backed
Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, Lebanese army M113s, PLO Unimogs, Syrians offering that ability to reach your opponent at ranges up to
Chadian army Humvees the list goes on. These particular Soviet and 2km and 2.5kms respectively with the ZPU and ZSU with a range of
Chicom era AA and guns owe a fair bit of their design to German 2cm different ammunition, these weapons have become as ubiquitous
Flak 30/38 guns of World War two. The Soviets were acutely aware as the AK-47 in conflicts that demand simple reliable firepower, for
in the years following World War Two of the technical superiority which parts and ammunition is readily available from arms dumps
of US and Western aerial fire power in terms of fighter aircraft and and dealers from Eastern Europe and the far East.
helicopter gun ships. The massive use of various types of US ground
attack aircraft in a major engagement in Europe, would see Soviet
and Warsaw pact numerical armour advantage, decimated by US

A rear shot of a ZSU 23mm x 2, this double barrelled
AA gun was developed in the late 1950s to deal with
low flying aircraft in range of up to 2.5 km away. These
powerful guns have ended up on the backs of pick-up
trucks, M113s and a range of Soviet built APCs including
MT-LBs and BMP-1s.
A Syrian government army or milita Gaz-66 utility truck

with a ZSU 23mm x 2 AA gun in a homemade rusty
armoured cab idle for the urban and medium range fire
fights in Syria and Iraq.
A operator’s view of the ZPU-2 this handy

14.5mm anti-aircraft gun is another example
of Soviet /Russian AA gun that has found much
use in urban fighting in the middle east this
A detailed shot of the ZPU-4, this four barrelled version of
particular type being utilized on Lebanese
the ZPU 14.5mm AA gun is the far more famous variant
M113s and Moroccan army Land Rovers, Land
seeing action in the Iran-Iraq war, in Lebanon with all
Cruisers and Humvees.
factions and throughout Asia and Africa.

A side view of the ZPUx4 showing the
rear of the KPV 14.5 mm machine guns,
single versions of these were mounted
on Updated Syrian T-55s by North Korean
technicians while adding laser range
finders but were later removed by the
Syrian Army. Of note is the absence of
the large ammunition boxes on this
example.
A rear view of the ZPU-2 showing the basic crew seating

and straightforward sighting system used on this AA
gun. The trolley unit is usually removed when these AA
guns are mounted on pick-ups or APCs.
A clear shot of the large ammunition

boxes mounted on each side of the ZPU-
2, these weapons have a high rate of fire
using up many 14.5mm rounds during
engagements.

The business end of the ZPU-4,
Soviet barrels on these guns have
oval cooling openings while Chinese
copies have simpler circular ones.
A good overall shot of the ZPU-2

AA gun on its simple towing trolley
obviously influenced by the similar
layout of German World War Two
anti-aircraft gun carriages like that on
the flak 30/38.
A PLO ZSU 23mm x 2, captured by Israeli

forces in Lebanon in 1982 these AA guns were
mounted on the backs of Unimog trucks, but
represent an approach copied from Syria to
Ukraine.


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How did the Arab Spring start?

How did the Arab Spring start?

What were the outcomes of the Arab Spring uprisings?

What were the outcomes of the Arab Spring uprisings?

MODERN CONFLICTS PROFILE GUIDE VOL.

3. ARAB REBEL ARMIES:

4. MIDDLE EAST WAR MACHINES

Concept and Original idea:

Project Manager and Authors:

4 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 5

6 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

Moroccan M60 A1/A3

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 7

8 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

Moroccan M60A1 Rise

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 9

10 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

Morocccan Panhard M3 VTT

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 11

Moroccan M113 A1 with ZPU-2

12 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

Moroccan VAB 6x6 VCI Toucan

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 13

Moroccan M56 Scorpion

14 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

Moroccan Pegaso 3046 ZPU-2

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 15

16 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

Algerian T-72 M1M

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 17

Algerian BTR-60 PBK

18 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 19

20 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

Libyan Rebel BTR-60

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 21

Libyan rebel T-62 Model 1972

22 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

Libyan OTO-Melara Palmaria 155mm Self-Propelled Gun

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 23

Libyan Rebel T-55

24 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

Libyan Rebel Ratel

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 25

Uparmoured Rebel T55

26 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

Libyan Rebel VT-55 / BTR-60 conversion

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 27

Libyan Mad Max

Libyan T-55 style conversion

28 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

Libyan rebel MT-55 / BTR-60 conversion

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 29

30 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 31

Sudanese Type 96/Al Bashir

32 ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3

Sudanese Safir-74/ Type T72Z / Al Zubair 1

ARAB REVOLUTIONS AND BORDER WARS VOL. 3 33