The Tanks Of Babylon Main Battle Tanks Of The Iraqi Army

In the name of increasing their own defensive capabilities, the armies of several different countries have undergone massive modernization programs. As far as armored forces are conccrned, thesc efforts have been concentrated in two areas; the purchase or production of new, more capable systems, and tlic modification of well known, currently-fielded equipment. When the various factors of combat experience and combat-proven technology are included, a future threat can become a battlefield reality. The result of this effort is the creation of a capable and modern tank-based, close-combat-heaw force. This is the current situation with the heavily armored ground forces of Iraq, a situation that requires a modern U. S. tank-based (heavy) solution. According to several unclassified sources, the Iraqi Army currently includes 5,500 to 5,800 tanks. This impressive nunlber is primarily made up of both Soviet and Chinese tanks. There are, however, a small number of British and American tanks as well. In fact, if the total Iraqi armored force is con-sidcrcd, Brazilian and Frcnch armorcd personnel carriers, vehiclcs, and reconnais-Iraq has modified older T-55s to take the powerful Soviet 125-mm main gun. Iraqi Armor Type Numbers T54/T-55. TR-77 (Romanian variant) 2500 Type 59, Type 69-2 (Chinese) 1500 T-62 1000

(approx) 500 Chieftain Mk3/5 30 unknown Figure 1 sance vehicles, as well as some American M109A1 SP howitzers, all add to the massive total of Iraqi armored vehicles. Tlie Mifitan, Bnfartcc 19S9-IY90 lists the Iraqi main battle tank (MBT) fleet as shown in Figure 1. While this force of MBTs is impressive by sheer numbers alone, two particular groups of Vehicles deserve special attention. The first of these is the Soviet T-72 MBTs used by Iraq. There are currently 14 identified variants of the T-72. While some of these variants are much more modern and capable than others, the threat imposed by the export models of the T-72 has become a reality. This well-known and very capable MBT is currently employed by 16 different countries. This list, which also includcs Syria and Libya, is cxpectcd to continue to grow. There are also five different countries (including tlie Soviet Union) that currently produce the T-72. Although first seen by the West when the Soviets paraded it in Red Square in November 1977, the T- 72B in Iraqi service remained largely unknown until the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war. Most of the video tapes of the war clearly show that the Iraqis werc proud of their T-72s and were quick to show these tanks to the world. It must be pointed out, however, that somc of these video tapes wcre made during the carly part of thc war and do not show tlic two most modern of tlie Iracri T-72s.. -

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While some of these variants are much more modern and capable than others, the threat imposed by the export models of the T-72 has become a reality. The Iraqi T-72G and T-72M1 are more modern and more capable variants of the T-72B. All three variants mount the same 2A46 D- 81TM 125-mm main gun. The earlier T-72B is fitted with a coincidence rangefiider, while both the T-72G and the T-72M1 mount laser rangefinders. This difference facilitates variant identification: only the T-72B model has the right-side rangefinder “ear,” or end- housing, on the turret roof. The T-72G and T- 72M1 do not. The three variants are illustrated in Figure 2, at right. The other significant difference between the variants is their armor protection. While the exact details of the armor composition and capabilities are classified, open sources confirm some general information. The oldest of the three variants, the T-72B, has a conventionally armored RHA turret. The glacis armor, however, consists of a three-layer design with an outer layer of steel, a middle layer of glass-fibedceramic material, and an inner layer of steel. Reportedly, the 20 The Iraqi Army’sT-72s I u- Figure 2 1 T72B T72G T72M1 ARMOR - November-December 7990 actual thickness of this composite armor is 200mm. Like the T-72B, the T-72G has a conventional RHA turret and uses the same three-layer composite front slope. This pattern of armor protection apparently changed with the T-72M1. The frontal armor is visibly thicker, and composite armor is built into internal cavities on either side of the main gun. With the important exception of the added plate, the glacis armor used on the T-72M1 is similar to the earlier variants, and considered to be at least as effective. The 30-mm-thick add-on armor "face-plate" on the glacis has two holes cut in it to allow it to fit over the standard tow hooks. The addition of this face-plate improves the already very capable glacis armor beyond the level of the T-72B and T- 72G. Because the T-72G and T- 72M1 are very difficult to tell apart, the two holes cut in the added armor plate (as well as the small section of the original glacis visible below the tank's left and right headlights), offer one of the few visible variant identification features. Additionally, all three of these T- 72 variants can be (and normally are) fitted with forward-firing smoke grenade launchers attached to the turret front on both sidcs of the main gun. Finally, there is some confusion in the unclassified press concerning the production of these T-72 variants in Iraq. While both the T- 72B and T-72G were exported to Modified T-55 Fitted with very thick multi-layer (probably composite) applique armor on the glacis, turret front and sides, hull sides, and turret rear. Four large multi-layer armor "boxes" cover almost the entire rear area of the turret, are attached via a large metal bracket, which provides a considerable standoff distance between the add-on armor and the RHA turret armor. Iraq from the Soviet Union and CzechoslovakidPoland respectively, the origin of the T-72M1 is not as clear. Some sources state that the Iraqis are in fact producing the T-72M1, while others report that the Iraqis are only assenibling it. It has been confirmed, however, that the Iraqis are producing the T-72M 1's main ARMOR - November-December 7990 27

The T-72: Identifying the Variants Iraq also uses the T-72G, similar to this East German tank. It has a laser rangefinder (note single "doghouse") and smoke grenade launchers on turret. T-72M1 resembles the G Model, but has an add-on armor plate covering the front slope. Tow hooks pass through add-on plate. This T-72M1 is Finnish. The M-84 version of the T-72 is made in Yugoslavia, was used by the Kuwaiti hrmy, and, since the invasion of Kuwait, is now probably.... i I p m n l n \ r m r i h\i Iran I I I L.,,'p,.",---. ',..-.y. Note unusual gun- ner's primary sight and wind sensor on the turret roof. T-72B has right side window for earlier coincidence rangefinder. This one is East German. Close-up shows add-on armor plate on T-72M1 front SIC I - 22 ARMOR - November-December 7990

Within the framework of a Persian Gulf scenario, the threat posed by the Iraqi Army cannot be overstated. This threat is based upon Iraq's massive armored force, and, more specifically, the main battle tanks that lead it. gun, ammunition, and some of the tank's electronic components. In Iraqi service, the T-72M1 is known as the "Babylon Lion." The other group of Iraqi MBTs that deserve special attention are the indigenously modified Soviet T- 55 MBTs. While the massive Iraqi modification effort also includes the fitting of full-length hull applique armor to the BMP-I, the creation of a 160-mm SP mortar on a T-54/T-55 hull, and the creation of a four-tube 120-mm SP mortar on the MTLB (to name a few examples), the centerpiece of this program is clearly the modified T-55. The basic T- 55 has been extensively reworked, resulting in two different versions. The first involves mounting, in the T-55, the complete main gun and automatic loading system of the T- 72M1. This impressive modification, which also includes new passive night sights, smoke grenade launchers, and a large turret stowage basket, apparently required the turret roof to be raised a few inches to accommodate the automatic loader. Like the T-72 variants, this "new" T- 55 is fitted with full-length nonmetallic hull skirts and the T-55 crew is reduced from four to three men. The second modified Iraqi T-55 not only causes problems for vehicle identification, it also gives a good indication of the capabilities of Iraqi military technology. This "new" T-55 is fitted with very thick multi-layer (probably composite) applique armor on the glacis, turret front and sides, hull sides, and turret rear. The four large multi-layer armor "boxes" that cover almost the entire rear area of the turret are attached via a large metal bracket, which provides a considerable standoff distance bctwccn the add-on armor and the RHA turret armor. Thc new armor completely changes the look of the T-55, giving it a very "non-Soviet" appearance. Although very little information has been released concerning the composition and capabilities of this multi-layer armor, a quick look at the available photographs reveals some of it's potential. Depending on the threat that this new armor was designed to defeat (which could include Israeli and Iranian 105-mm and 120-mm main guns, as well as the massive number of modern ATGMs deployed throughout the area), the Iraqis may have effectively brought this 32-year-old tank into the 1990s. This T-55 still mounts the original D-lOT2S 100-mm main gun, although it has been fitted with passive night sights and lorward firing smoke grenade launchers. Finally, these modified T-55s (in the hands of Iraqi combat veterans) are not the same MBTs that the Western world has downplayed in recent years. In Iraq, these old T-55s may have re-emerged as capable "new" lions. Within the framework of a Persian Gulf scenario, the threat poscd by the Iraqi Army cannot be overstated. This threat is based upon Iraq's massive armored force, and, more specifically, the main battle tanks that lead it. The alarming size and capabilities of the Iraqi MBT fleet, like those of many other potential enemies, must be countered and defeated (if required) by a superior heavy force. The worldwide availability of both imported and locally produced Soviet T-72s, and the increasing ability in several countries to modify and update older vehicles; represents a hcavy armor thrcat that requires a U. S. heavy armor solution. The firepower, mobility, and protection providcd by the M1 Abranis close combat heavy force, currently deploying to the Persian Gulf, is the solution to the Iraqi MBT threat. Bibliography

1. The International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Militarv Balance 19891990, London, 1989.

2. Cullen, Tony, Jane's Armoured Fiqht-ina Vehicle Systems 1989-90, London, 1989.

3. Foss, Christopher F., Jane's Armour And Artillerv 1989-90, London, 1989.

4. Foss, Christopher F., "Iraqi Modifications to Soviet Armoured Vehicles," Jane's Soviet lntelliaence Review, London, October 1989.

5. International Defense Review, Geneva, June 1989.

6. Jane's Soviet lntelliaence Review, London, February 1990. Captain James M. Warford was commissioned in Armor in 1979 as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Santa Clara, California. He has served as a tank platoon leader and a support platoon leader; and has also commanded D/1-66 Armor, Af2-66 Armor (COHORT), and HHC 2-66 Armor. He is currently assigned as a Small Group In-structorpeam Leader for the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox, Ky. ARMOR - November-December 7990 23