Quantcast
Channel: Oryx
Viewing all 603 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

The Syrian Arab Army in decay: Emptying the depots

April 5, 2014, 12:24 pm
$
0
0
Not only the Syrian Arab Air Force is suffering under the burden of war, also the Pro-Assadists (called SAA here for convenience) fighting on the ground are losing men and equipment every day.

The times of one to one replacement of destroyed tanks are long gone, the seemingly endless supply of T-72AVs has stopped and the SAA is increasingly forced to search for creative solutions to solve the growing equipment problem.

One of these solutions is simply adapting pick-up trucks and other trucks for carriage of weapons such as the 14.5mm KPV(T), the 23mm ZU-23, the 37mm M1939 and even 57mm AZP S-60s. For example, a 'Desert Falcons' operated armoured pick-up carrying a 14.5mm KPV machine-gun can be seen below:





















Another solution is to use aging and stored equipment phased out decades ago, such as certain T-55 and T-62 versions and ZSU-57s, seen in footage here. The ZSU-57 was supplemented by the ZSU-23 in the seventies and eighties and was believed to have been fully phased out by Syria in the late nineties and early 2000s.

The ZSU-57 was originally designed as a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) in the late fifties. Yet, it was commonly used against ground targets by Serbian forces for example, boasting two rapid firing AZP S-60 57mm cannons.

The S-60 57mm cannons are extremely popular in Syria on their original mount or mounted on trucks. Given the fact that Syria should still have plenty of ZSU-57s and associated munitions stored, and there isn't much else to get, their re-introduction is more than plausible.












The ZSU-57, accompanied by a BREM-1 ARV upgraded with either a 37mm or 57mm gun was seen in the recent offensive near Al-Maliha, Damascus. Will this be the first of many old vehicles re-entering service?























Recommended Articles

Syria and her fighting vehicles
Syrian BTR-80s, a recent acquisition?
Syria's TURMS-T equipped T-72s (1)
Syria's TURMS-T equipped T-72s (2)
Syria and her BMP-2s
↧
Search

The BGM-71 TOW, a new weapon on the Syrian battlefield

April 6, 2014, 1:39 am
$
0
0


Footage published on the 5th of April 2014 shows a new type of weapon in the rebels' arsenal: The BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile.

The TOW is seen being operated by Harakat Hazm, which 'surprisingly' is also suddenly operating MANPADS. Harakat Hazm is loyal to Salim Idris and consists of mostly ex-Kataib Farouq members. The footage was shot near Heesh, Idlib Governorate and can be found here, here, here, here and here.

Alwiya wa Kataib Al-Shaheed Ahmed al-Abdo was also seen operating the missile, footage of which can be found here, here and here. The missile in hands of the Syrian Revolutionaries Front in Dara'a, can be seen here and here. The missile in the hands of Liwa al-Aadiyat, fighting on the Lattakia front, can be seen here.

The TOW is probably the most popular anti-tank missile used in the region, which makes tracking the source of these missiles, without the help of serial numbers, hard.

Most likely, the TOWs were and still are supplied to the rebels from Saudi Arabia. A transfer which had to be approved by the Obama administration.

These videos likely mark the start of a new anti-tank missile offensive, as seen with the Konkurs and HJ-8s.





















↧
↧

9M117/9K116-1 Bastion Anti-tank missiles in Syria

April 9, 2014, 4:21 am
$
0
0

On the 7th of April 2014, Syrian rebels captured the Tel Ahmar ammunition depot in Quneitra Governorate. Apart from frequently seen anti-tank weapons like the RPG-29 and the 9M131 Metis-M, Tel Ahmar contained another type of munition that was long rumored to be in Syrian inventory, but is now actually seen for the very first time: The Bastion anti-tank missile.

The photo seen below shows no less than nine 3UBK10M-1 tank gun rounds with associated 9M117M guided missiles captured at Tel Ahmar.





The 9M117M missile, also known under its NATO designation AT-10 Stabber, is designed to be fired through the barrel of a gun. It is an upgraded version of the base-model 9M117 ATGM, carrying a tandem HEAT warhead withan  average armour penetration of about 600 mm RHA after penetrating the ERA (explosive reactive armour) of a tank. Together with the casing and the propellant charge, the missile makes the 3UBK10M gun round. The 9M117M missile in a 3UBK10M-1 round together with the guidance device aboard the T-55AM(V) tank is called 9K116-1 Bastion.

Different models of 3UBK10Ms, all containing the same 9M117M missile, can be fired from MT-12 anti-tank guns, T-55 and T-62 tanks and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles. The guided missile rounds from Tel Ahmar are of the 3UBK10M-1 model, designed to be fired from T-55AM(V) tanks.

The 3UBK10M family of guided missile gun rounds; 3UBK10M-1 is the second from the left.

Markings on 3UBK10M-1 rounds captured at Tel Ahmar.
Syria is believed to have acquired the 9M117's carrier, the T-55AM, in the early eighties. Most of the T-55AMs were later upgraded to T-55AMV standard with increased armour protection in the form of Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour. Quneitra saw large concentrations of the latter stationed here, making it likely the pictured missiles were supposed to be fired by T-55AMVs.

Unverifiable reports claim the purchase of as many as 2000 9M117M missiles by Syria.[1] Most of the missiles likely remain stockpiled in ammunition depots, like Tel Ahmar, along the Golan Heights for possible use against Israeli armour.

While originally bought for use against Israeli Magach and Merkava tanks, due to the lack of engagements between tanks, the Bastion hasn't been deployed in the Syrian Civil War yet. This will likely remain the case for the time being: Even though rebels do operate several T-55AMs and T-55AMVs in the area, it is highly unlikely that the untrained crews will be able to operate the 9M117 in conjunction with the sophisticated missile guidance equipment in the tank itself. The only footage we're likely to see is from captured arms depots like this one in Tel Ahmar.

Special thanks to PFC_Joker
↧

Iran deploying her newest drones to Syria: The Shahed 129

April 10, 2014, 6:41 am
$
0
0
After the spotting of Iranian Yasir UAVs in Syria, it appears another Iranian made drone took to the Syrian skies: The Shahed 129 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). Footage of the UCAV, overflying East Ghouta, Damascus can be seen here, here and here.

The Shahed 129 was unveiled in late 2012 and entered mass production in September 2013 for the Aerospace Force of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution. According to Iranian sources the Shahed 129 has an operational radius of 1,700 km, a monitoring capability of 200 km and a flight endurance of twenty-four hours while flying at 7,315 m (24.000 feet).[1] 

The Shahed 129 flying over Eastern Ghouta likely belongs to the third batch manufactured. Apart from the possibility to carry weapons and the retractable landing gear already seen in the second batch, the antenna, enlarged propellers and a new v-tail appear to be the most recent additions. Reports about an enlarged nose section similar to the MQ-9 Reaper are false. A logical mistake caused by the reflection of sunlight.

The drone is unarmed in the video however. Yet, this doesn't exclude the possibility of armed Shahed 129s already flying around or being armed in the near future.

When armed, the Shahed 129 can carry up to eight guided missiles and is thus capable of precision strikes anywhere in Syria. Possible targets include headquarters and weapon depots of the rebels, or simply the support of ground forces.



The Shahed 129 could turn out to be a true game-changer for Assad, especially when armed. It is also capable of effectively taking over some roles of the air force's fighter-bombers and helicopters, which are already overstretched. The Shahed 129s are likely to be bassed at Mezze AFB.

The sighting the of Shahed 129, obviously Iranian operated and delivered on board on one of the many Iranian transport flights to Syria, shows the extent to which the Iranians are prepared to support Assad. It's only a question of time before new Iranian weapons are spotted in Syria.


Recommended Articles

Iran deploying her newest drones to Syria; The Yasir UAV
↧

North Korean Kh-35 anti-ship missiles shed light on a modernizing navy

June 11, 2014, 6:13 pm
$
0
0





By Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans

Even though a lot of categories of equipment of the Korean People's Army are known quite well due to satellite imagery and propaganda videos, the rare aspect of the Korean People's Navy (KPN) is often overlooked. Considering the scarcity of footage and high-quality satellite footage of KPN naval ships, this is hardly surprising. However, as is illustrated by the sheer amount of ships being produced over the years, the Korean People's Navy still does play an important role in the current day North Korean military.

The most recent developments of this secretive branch has been the introduction of so-called Surface Effect Ships (SES), stealth technology and even domestically produced Kh-35E missiles. The latter, a true game changer in the Korean peninsula, signifies the start of a new dawn for the Korean People's Navy.

 A North Korean Kh-35E launched from Surface Effect Ship. Note the 76mm OTO Melara copy in the lower left in the second shot.

The Korean People's Navy, commonly known to be solely operating ageing P-15 Termit (Styx), HY-2 (Sillkworm) and indigenous KN-01 anti-ship missiles, received two types of anti-ship missiles since the dissolution of the Soviet Union: Chinese made C-802s were supplied to North Korea from Iran in 1999 to help Iran producing this missile for its own navyand Kh-35Es (also known as 3M-24E) were received from Russia in the 90s.

The missile, the Korean designation of which is currently unknown, was also exported to Myanmar. Relations between North Korea and Myanmar reached a peak in the mid 2000s, and also seems to have led to the export of sophisticated weaponry to Myanmar. The Navy of Myanmar, along with other North Korean naval weaponry, installed the missiles on the frigate F11 Aung Zeya.

North Korean Kh-35 canisters aboard the F-11 Aung Zeya.

The import of Kh-35Es was first unveiled in early 2012, when imagery of a North Korean SES was released as part of a military documentary, showing racks used to mount four Kh-35 canisters. The recent surfacing of imagery of the Myanmarian F11 Aung Zeya class frigate confirmed that the missiles are produced by North Korea and actively exported to friendly nations, along with other naval assets.

Originally developed by the Tactical Missiles Corporation, the North Korean missile differs in a few areas compared to the original Russian Kh-35. Most notably, the canisters have been extensively modified compared to the original Uran-E launcher. The number of mounts for the stowage of additional missiles has been increased to three and the canister has a much cleaner look compared to the Russian canister. It also appears the engine was modified, as is shown by the cone-shaped exhaust nozzle which appears to be unique to the North Korea design. Lastely North Korea appears to manufacture their own distinctly shaped mounting rack.


Kim Jong-un walking in front of a quadruple mounting rack on one of the Surface Effect Ships.


It is unknown if the indigenous Kh-35 constitutes an up- or downgrade over the original design. The
original Kh-35E is capable of destroying ships up to five-thousand tonnes at a maximum range of one hundred and thirty kilometres while under heavy electronic countermeasures. The missile enjoys a low signature due to its small size, sophisticated radar, sea-skimming capability and capability to resist the strongest of electronic countermeasures.

The indigenous Kh-35E missile, the Russian base variant of which is often regarded as the most cost-effective anti-ship missile in existence, is a huge improvement over other North Korean anti-ship missiles, and poses a massive threat to the navies of both South Korea and the United States due to its large range and countermeasure-defeating properties. While the measure to which it is deployed by the Korean People's Navy is as of yet unknown, the missile is likely used on a variety of newly produced naval platforms. This is certain to present a great challenge to opposing forces, and will definitely have serious implications on naval balance in the area.

Although it has only just been publicly confirmed the Kh-35 is in use by North Korea, their first usage by the DPRK dates back to the 90s, a testimony to the capability of the secretive state to keep prying eyes away from military projects.

The domestically produced Kh-35E is to form the spearhead of the Korean People's Navy striking power for years to come.
↧
↧

The delivery of Russian Su-25s to Iraq

June 28, 2014, 4:40 pm
$
0
0

A video uploaded by the Iraqi Ministry of Defence and a subsequent announcement shed light on Iraq's first success in acquiring a combat capable platform to stop the advance of the Islamic State. The latter has made great progress in capturing large areas of Iraq and is now slowly advancing to Iraq's capital Baghdad.

''The Ministry of Defence announced the arrival of the first out of five Russian combat aircraft Su-25 into Iraqi territory under a contract with the Russian ministry, which will contribute to increasing the combat capability of the Air Force and the other branches of the armed forces to eliminate terrorism.''

The Iraqi Army and Air Force have proved anything but capable to halt the Islamic State's advance and have been desperately looking for other ways to fill the caps currently posed in Iraqi's Armed Forces. With the United States reluctant to provide close air support or speeding up the delivery of Iraq's F-16s, Iraq has been increasingly looking to countries in Eastern Europe to strengthen the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF). It is now clear a batch of five ex-Russian Su-25s are the first to have arrived.




The first Su-25, still in Russian Air Force (RuAF) camouflage and with a hastily applied Iraqi flag and air force roundel, arrived onboard a Russian An-124-100 cargo plane together with ground support equipment on the 28th of June. The Su-25s are believed to have been stored at the Aircraft Repair Plant 121 (ARZ 121) in Kubinka before being flown to Iraq. The contract also included new engines for the aircraft, which were installed just before the delivery flight.

The Iraqi Air Force received around fifty-five Su-25s in the late eighties and were used with devastating effect against Iranian troops near Bashrah during the Iran-Iraq war. Iraq's last Su-25s were destroyed  after the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and it is thus unknown if any of the former Su-25 pilots are still capable or willing to fly one of the five Su-25s.

According to various media outlets, the IQAF has four pilots qualified to fly the Su-25s. Maintenance will be performed by Russian contractors, which are to be replaced by Iraqis once they finished their training in Russia.

If not, the Su-25s are likely to be flown by either Belarusian or Russian contractors or even pilots from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force, the air branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps which is also operating Su-25s.



With Iraq's Prime Minister al-Maliki already claiming the aircraft could be flying missions in Iraq within days, planes such as the resilient Su-25s are of great importance for the survival of the current Iraqi government, from stopping the Islamic State further advancing towards Baghad and in taking the fight to the Islamic State, being capable of attacking convoys, munition dumps and other targets of opportunity over a wide range.

The purchase will also serve as a moral boost and is a sign of what might has yet to come, with
other possible purchases including Mi-24s from the Czech Republic and MiG-29s, Su-24s, Su-30s and Mi-24s from Belarus and Russia.

↧

The Iranian Su-25s in Iraq

July 1, 2014, 2:26 pm
$
0
0
After receiving the first Russian Su-25s just days ago, Iraq's air power is now further bolstered by seven Iranian Su-25s operated by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force (IRGCAF).

Most of the Iranian Su-25s arrived on the 1st of July 2014, increasing the number of Su-25s in Iraq to twelve. Ironically, some of the Su-25s now transferred by Iran are former Iraqi mounts, evecuated by the Iraqi Air Force in 1991 to escape Coalition airstrikes.

The Su-25s, landing one at a time, will be flown by ten Iranian IRGCAF pilots and four Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) pilots, further increasing the already large Iranian influence within the Iraqi military. The transfer of these Su-25s will also see Iranian maintenance personnel travelling to Iraq to support the Su-25s.


The batch of seven Su-25s includes both single seaters and dual seaters, easing the training of future Iraqi pilots on the type.

This unorthodox transfer greatly increases the combat effectiveness of the IQAF, not only due to the additional seven Su-25s, but also because of the ten experienced Iranian pilots flying the aircraft.

The Su-25s will mainly be armed with unguided rockets, bombs or a mix of them. Although guided weaponry was never supplied to the IRGCAF's Su-25 fleet, the Bina laser-guided missile was recently unveiled and might equip the Iraqi Su-25s in the future, increasing their effectiveness against the fighters of the Islamic State.

Other ex-Iraqi planes now in Iran also seem to be on the Iraqi's wishlist. A deal in which Iran would overhaul the ex-Iraqi Su-22s and return them to Iraq in exchange for the six SU-30Ks ordered by Iraq has also been reported. This would circumvent the arms embargo currently imposed on Iran.



Special thanks to IIAF-JSF and ACIG.

Recommended Articles

The delivery of Russian Su-25s to Iraq
↧

Oryx Blog's contributions to the Arms Control Wonk

July 3, 2014, 12:13 pm
$
0
0
Jeffrey Lewis, Director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and founder of ArmsControlWonk.com, has invited us to write a guest article for this site, which was published a few days back. The subject we chose to investigate was that of North Korean anti-tank missiles in the Middle East, due to the poorly documented but notable influence North Korea has on the conventional arms trafficking market.



"North Korea, well known for its ballistic missile programme, depends on its foreign relations to provide currency that allows the regime to maintain control over the country. Exports of ballistic missile and even nuclear technology to countries such as Egypt, Syria, Iran and Myanmar have been much reported and draw a lot of attention from international observers. However, aside from delivering both conventional and strategic weaponry to sovereign states around the world, it appears North Korean anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) are now also showing up in the hands of what have been branded as terrorist organizations by the USA, a development which shows a broadening involvement of the DPRK in the arms trafficking market."

"Imagery of a fighter loyal to the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, shows him operating an indigenous variant of the 9K111 Fagot, designated the Bulsae-2 in North Korean service. The al-Qassam Brigades is likely to have received the missiles from North Korea via Iran through an elaborate network of smugglers and backdoor channels ranging from Sudan to the Gaza Strip. This likely happens in a similar fashion to how this is done with other transports: after delivery to Port Sudan, the weaponry is transported overland to the Gaza Strip via Egypt, as was supposed to be done with the the delivery onboard the Klos C, which was intercepted by the Israeli navy near the coast of Sudan in the Red Sea."

Continue reading at http://lewis.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/7370/oryx-blog-on-dprk-arms-exports

Recommended Articles

Oryx Blog's contributions to ARES (Armament Research Services)

↧
Search

The spoils of Regiment 121, captured by the Islamic State

July 27, 2014, 5:51 pm
$
0
0


After two succesful operations by the Islamic State last week, Assad's footgrip in Nothern Syria weakened even further, losing two bases of vital importance. Division 17 located near Raqqa and Regiment 121 located near Al-Hasakah both fell to fighters of the Islamic State. The capture of these two bases were conducted in quick succession to each other with the Islamic State suffering minor losses, this in sharp contrast to earlier operations in Syria, in which the Islamic State often suffered far more casualties. A development worth keeping an eye on. Some of the fighters were also seen with U.S. made M16 rifles captured in Iraq, another sign of the arms tranfers between the two battlefields.

Given this, another important Assadist base is now under even more threat than ever before. Kweres, the main training base of the Syrian Arab Air Force before the revolution is already surrounded and falls under occasional heavy mortar fire by the Islamic State. With the capture of Division 17 and Regiment 121 freeing up forces, Kweres has much to fear.

Regiment 121, an artillery and storage base contained huge amounts of weaponry and munitions, enabling the Islamic State to further intensify the attacks on various groups opposed to them in Nothern Syria. The most important weaponry captured are obviously the 130mm M-46 field guns and 122 BM-21 Grads MRLs, a quantum leap forward in Northern Syria.

Below, an overview of some of the weapons captured:

130mm M-46s field guns, at least twelve of which were captured with associated ammunition and towing trucks.


BM-21s, at least seven of which were captured. Some BM-21s are showing burn marks, indicating heavy usage in the past couple of weeks.

T-55s, of which at least three were captured at Regiment 121. More tanks of this type were captured at Division 17.

9K115-2 Metis-M anti-tank missile systems. Three 9M113 anti-tank missiles together with another box showing '1ПН86ВИ' or 1PBN86VI, the thermal sight used with the launcher, can be seen below.
This indicates the Islamic State not only captured the missiles, but also the 9P151 launchers required to operate the missile.

The final destination of these 9K115-2 Metis-Ms will most likely be Iraq due to a heavier armour threat being present there.


More anti-tank missiles were also captured at Division 17, including various types of Malyutka missiles. Under which a few Iranian I-RAADs. These are also likely to be transferred to the Iraqi front.







Various trucks and jeeps, apart from the MAZ-6317s and GAZ-66s most of them in derilict condition. Also captured were Soviet ZiL-130s, ZiL-131s, ZiL-157s and UAZ-469s, Belarussian MAZ-6317s, Czechoslovak Praga V3S's and Tatra 148s and one lone Russian GAZ Sobol and a lone British Land Rover.




Apart from munition for the 130mm M-46s and 122mm BM-21 Grads, Regiment 121 also held various other munitions such as tens of thousands small arms rounds and hundreds of PG-7V rocket-propelled grenades for the RPG-7. The reason for the large cache of weapons and munitions is that regiment 121 did not only hold ammunition for troops stationed on this base, but was one of the main weapon depots in the Al-Hasakah Governorate.




An overview of the weapons and munitions stored in one of the depots of the base.


- Sixty-two automatic rifles (AKs)
- Eight Polish rifles (Mosin-Nagants)
- Two Degtyaryov machine guns (RPDs)
- Three B-10 recoilless rifle
- One Austrian sniper rifle (Steyr SSG 69)
- Forty attack grenades
- One-hundred and twenty defensive grenades
- One sniper rifle scope
- Three Optical devices
- Twenty boxes of rifle accessories
- Seventy-five NATO Belgian bullets
- Two-hundred and sixty-four high explosive incendiary rounds
- Fifteen armour piercing bullets
- Twelve smoke gun rounds
- Thirty-six illumination rounds
- Fifteen RPG grenades








More photos can be seen at here.

Special thanks to Mark Anthony.

Recommended Articles

The spoils of Brigade 93, captured by the Islamic State
↧
↧

The spoils of Brigade 93, captured by the Islamic State

August 7, 2014, 4:35 am
$
0
0






Boosted by the enormous amount of weaponry captured at Regiment 121 just more than a week ago, fighters of the Islamic State took on another stronghold of the Pro-Assadists in Nothern Syria, Brigade 93. This base was the last remaining non-airbase stronghold of the Pro-Assadists in this region.

BM-21s captured at Regiment 121 were used to attack Brigade 93 before the main assault begun, reportedly setting it ablaze. The base was then attacked by three trucks filled with explosives, clearing a path for the fighters storming the base. During the following attack around ninety fighters of the Islamic State are believed to have died along with around three-hundred Pro-Assadists and another hundred captured. Only a few have been able to evade capture by the Islamic State, with most of the fleeing personnel surrendering in the desert.

Apart from Brigade 93, Kweres airbase has seen increased shelling, and is without a doubt the next target of the Islamic State.

Before the revolution, Brigade 93 was home to around fity tanks, seventeen howitzers, numerous anti-aircraft guns, countless trucks and various other armoured fighting vehicles. Although some of this equipment may have been distributed to other bases, most was still believed to have been present on the base during the attack.




Footage and images of fighters of the Islamic State in the base shows at thirty T-55s, two BRDM-2s, ten 122mm D-30 howitzer and one 130mm M-46 field-gun captured.















The Islamic State also captured on of its first self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPAAGs). Althugh originally designed to attack air targets, the four 23mm guns of the ZSU-23 are often used against ground targets. Yet transferring the system to the Iraqi battlefield would pose a serious threat to the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF), which has no means of defending its choppers against the radar guided ZSU-23.



The two remaining Pro-Assadists strongholds in Nothern Syria, Kweres airbase and Tabqa airbase are obviously next on the list. The first was the main training base of the Syrian Arab Air Force before the revolution, housing three squadrons worth of MBB-SIAT 223K1 Flamingos, PAC MFI-17 Mushshaks, Mi-2s and L-39s.

With most planes on the base already been destroyed or damaged beyond repair by the constant shelling of the base, and with the Islamic State seemingly not interested in working on any of the L-39s captured at Kshesh (Jirah) given they're still operational, the chances of seeing the Islamic State operating planes or helicopters in the near future remain small.

Tabqa airbase is home to at least two squadrons operating MiG-21s and has provided most of the air support for Pro-Assadists in the North. Although operating captured MiG-21s might be a step too far, Tabqa also houses numerous radars and anti-aircraft guns, an interesting booty for the Islamic State.

Recommended Articles

The spoils of Regiment 121, captured by the Islamic State
↧

Jaish al-Islam, more than just a rebel faction?

August 11, 2014, 7:03 am
$
0
0


Jaish al-Islam is arguably the strongest of the seven rebel groups fighting under the Islamic Front umbrella. Primarily fighting in Damascus, it takes the brunt of the Pro-Assadist forces, including fighters of Hizbullah and the Republican Guard.

Formely fighting as the Platoon of Islam and Liwa al-Islam, the brigade restructed itself into Jaish al-Islam. Once part of the Syrian Islamic Liberation Front, Jaish al-Islam later became one of the founding members of the Islamic Front, under which it still fights today.

Jaish al-Islam is led by Zahran Alloush, who also acts as leader of the Military Office of the Islamic Front. Zahran Alloush studied at the Islamic University in Medina, Saudi Arabia before returning back to Syria.

After being arrested by the Intelligence Services in 2009, Zahran Alloush was imprisoned and charged for practising Da'wa, for which served two years in prison. Zahran Alloush was released from Sednaya Military Prison in June 2011 as part of a government amnesty. Yet, it is most likely prisoners like Zahran Alloush were released in order to further strengthen the process of islamification of the opposition.

In September 2011, Zahran Alloush founded the Platoon of Islam, later envolving into Liwa al-Islam and Jaish al-Islam. Apart from being active on the battlefield, Jaish al-Islam also makes extensive use of media to spread its own ideology. Other services provided are flour and fuel, all distributed by Jaish al-Islam's relief organization Nour al-Islam.

When still fighting under the name of Liwa al-Islam, the brigade began to receive financial support via private channels from Saudi Arabia, enabling Liwa al-Islam to grow significantly.

The flow of money was apparently enough to allow Jaish al-Islam to work on two L-39s in an effort to establish a local air force. Based at Kshesh, this project was abandoned after the capture of the airbase by the Islamic State. A video showing the L-39s can be viewed here.


Jaish al-Islam also used the money for a wide amount of other projects. Notably was the usage of a captured 9K33 missile system to shoot down at least two Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) helicopters[1] and the purchase of two T-72AVs and two BMP-1s from a corrupt officer in the 4th Armoured Division, an elite unit within the Syrian Arab Army.

Armoured fighting vehicles always had an important status within Jaish al-Islam, it being the only group in Syria which operates various types of armour and infantry in a mechanized force, fully exploiting their potential. Footage of Jaish a-Islam's armour in action can be viewed here and here.






The group takes the use armour so seriously it even founded a school to train its personnel on all aspects of armoured warfare. A video about that school can be viewed here.

Most interestingly however was the foundation of a local arms industry, capable of both manufacturing a wide array of munitions, performing overhauls and upgrades on captured fighting vehicles and producing small arms.

Below a list of Jaish al-Islam's most ambitious arms projects.

The 'Dushka' bolt-action sniper rifle, using 12.7×108mm rounds from the DShK heavy machine gun.


A 23mm anti-materiel rifle, the largest of its kind currently used in the world. The rifle can be seen used here.


Manufacturing 107mm rockets and various types of large and small caliber mortar rounds.


The integration of 107mm Type-63 multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) on a new chassis, improving its off-road capability. This system can be seen in action here.



The introduction of the Arrow of Islam 3 MRL, armed with three 122mm rockets installed on a 6x6 Ural-375D. The Arrow of Islam 3 was mainly used against Nasriyeh airbase, home to a large portion of the SyAAF's fighter-bomber fleet.


However, Jaish al-Islam's main focus is refurbishing and upgrading various types of armoured fighting vehicles. All overhauls and upgrades are believed to be carried out by just a single workshop in Eastern Ghouta.

A previously unarmed BTR-60PU-12 command vehicle, once captured along with the 9K33 Osa and now adapted for use on the battlefield, upgraded with add-on armour and armed with a 23mm gun taken from a ZSU-23. A Czechoslovak made AMB-S armoured ambulance vehicle was upgraded in a similar way.


A BREM-2 armoured recovery vehicle (ARV) captured at Batallion 559, an army Storage Base north of Seen airbase. While not of much use for Jaish al-Islam in its original role, the vehicle was not let go to waste and was reconfigurated into a fire-support platform armed with a 14.5mm ZPU-4. Note the four guns were not installed when this picture was taken.


Modifying several BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles with the addition of extra armour. Of the three variants spotted so far, one has slat armour and four 81mm smoke grenade launchers installed on its turret while the other two are equipped with explosive reactive armour (ERA) from a T-72AV here. All of the vehicles feature new rear doors, increased armour on its glacis plate and (provision for) slat armour further reinforced by sandbags on their sides. These vehicles can be seen in action here, here and here.





























Jaish al-Islam's tank fleet consists of a few T-55s, multiple T-72M1s, one T-72M1 equipped with the Italian TURMS-T fire-control system (FCS) and numerous T-72AVs. At least one T-72AV was upgraded with additional armour on the rear and on its glacis plate.


More interesting is the upgrade of at least two T-55AMs with homemade armour mounted on the turret and front of the vehicle. It is unknown if the armour contains any explosives and metal plates, also known as ERA. One of the two vehicles can be seen in action here.








Recommended Articles

Jaish al-Islam using a 9K33 Osa (1)
Jaish al-Islam using a 9K33 Osa (2) 
Jaish al-Islam's own Air Force? 

Special thanks to Mark Anthony. 
↧

Kh-29 air-to-surface missiles used as unguided rockets in Libya

August 18, 2014, 12:47 pm
$
0
0


In a series of photos coming out of Tripoli, Libya, it appears Islamists are now using highly sophisticated guided missile weaponry in the ground-to-ground role. The missile used was taken from a weapon depot near Ghardabiya airbase, near Sirte.

The missile, a Kh-29T, normally uses TV-guidance to reach its intended target. In Libyan service, the Kh-29T was solely used on the Su-24 delivered from the Soviet Union in the late 80s. Unable to maintain the five Su-24MKs and one Su-24MR on its own because of the imposed arms embargo, both Syria and Iran helped keeping the fleet operational. Syria was subsequently rewarded by one Su-24MK fighter-bomber and Libya's sole Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft.



In the early stages of the Libyan Civil War, 1124 Squadron flew a number of sorties with the remaining two operational Su-24MKs against National Liberation Army positions near Ra's Lanuf. In the course of these operations, one Su-24MK was brought down. The sole operational Su-24MK and the two non-operational Su-24MKs were subsequently destroyed by NATO air strikes at Ghardabiya airbase.

The weaponry once bought to be used by these Su-24s was now useless as no other aircraft in Libyan inventory was capable of carrying these weapons. This left sophisticated KAB-1500 laser-guided bombs, Kh-25, Kh-29L and Kh-29T air-to-surface missiles without operator.






It now appears efforts have been made to make some of this weaponry usable again, albeit not in their intentional role. The Kh-29T depicted in the launch photos had its fins and ailerons at the front and back removed for a somewhat more stable flight path in the unguided ground-to-ground role. The size of the warhead was obviously the reason these missiles are now used in their new role, packing a 320 kilogram heavy warhead.












More launches of such missiles can be expected as the Islamists have already conducted several similar launches.




Special thanks to Khaled Ben Alewa.

↧

Tabqa airbase still holding out against the Islamic State

August 23, 2014, 1:34 pm
$
0
0


After a series of fierce clashes, the penultimate Pro-Assadist stronghold in Northern Syria is still holding out against fighters of the Islamic State. Tabqa airbase is now the fourth base to have been targeted by fighters of the Islamic State in a series of offensives conducted in lightning speed.

Similar to the attack on Brigade 93, the base was pounded by artillery and multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) captured at Regiment 121 and Brigade 93. However, while the capture of Regiment 97, Brigade 93 and Regiment 121 went smoothly, fighters of the Islamic State fell into a prepared, well-executed trap during the assault on Tabqa. Subsequently the Islamic State only managed to capture one anti-aircraft position and a few buildings.



Much of this has to do with the inability of the Islamic State to succesfully defend itself against enemy aircraft, a gap in capabilities fully exploited by the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF), which not only flew sorties against fighters of the Islamic State, but also managed to resupply the base using Il-76 and An-26 transport planes.

The defence of Tabqa rested on the SyAAF's ability to provide sufficient air cover to not only help defend the base, but also strike back at Islamic State positions. The initial assault was slowed down by the many minefields surrounding the airbase, during which the fighters also came under heavy fire from multiple sides. The SyAAF was subsequently unleashed on the fighters of the Islamic State, which were out in the open and fully exposed. The MiG-21s still present at the airbase remained active during the assault, flying sorties from Tabqa's 9.842 feet long runway.

The SyAAF's assault on Islamic State positions and vehicles around Tabqa also saw the first combat role for the SA-342 'Gazelle' in the now three-and-a-half-year-long Syrian Civil War. Because the SA-342s can only be armed with SS.12 and HOT anti-tank missiles, they weren't very useful before. The open deserts of Tabqa proved to be the perfect place for these helicopers. Armed with HOT missiles, they saw heavy action against vehicles of the Islamic State.



They were joined by the heavier Mi-25s, which flew sorties armed with unguided rockets and bombs.


Recommended Articles

The spoils of Regiment 121, captured by the Islamic State
The spoils of Brigade 93, captured by the Islamic State
↧
↧

Tabqa airbase captured by the Islamic State at last

August 24, 2014, 7:38 am
$
0
0



After encountering some setbacks earlier on, Tabqa airbase finally fell to fighters of the Islamic State today. With only one Pro-Assadist obstacle remaining in Northern Syria, the Islamic State's territorial continuity in Northern Syria is closer than ever.

Tabqa is now the third airbase to have been captured by the Islamic State and is the second currently in the hands of the Islamic State along with Kshesh. Tabqa provides the Islamic State with numerous anti-aircraft guns and radars. Although several MiG-21s were captured intact, it is deemed unlikely that the Islamic State will be able to use them.

While the initial three assaults were slowed down and then repelled by a combination of minefields and the involvement of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF), which brought in fighter-bombers, attack helicopters and resupplied the base with transport planes, the ground forces on the base remained limited in numbers. The renewed, fourth offensive broke through Tabqa's main defence line, after which the SyAAF was powerless to stop them.

The losses at Tabqa reveal the main weakness of the Islamic State: A lack of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) to destroy or prevent enemy aircraft from flying over its territory. While there aren't any SAMs to capture in Iraq, such weaponry is available in Syria. Although MANPADS are scarce in Northern Syria, Deir ez-Zor still houses two SAM sites with 2K12 Kub mobile SAM systems. While the 2K12s are too complicated to use for an inexperienced crew, former operators can be forced to man these systems for the Islamic State.

The continued efforts by the SyAAF to save Tabqa from capture by the Islamic State were significant. Yet now it seems this expensive operation was all in vain. It did not only cost precious amounts of fuel, but also tonnes of ammunition used by the SyAAF's fighter-bombers and attack helicopters on positions of the Islamic State.

The assault on Tabqa airbase largely came as unexpected as it was thought Kweres airbase would be next on the list. The reason for focussing on Tabqa instead might have something to do with the status of this base.

Strategically located, the fall of the base provides a free card for the Islamic State to expand their base of operations deeper into Syria. Although a renewed offensive on Aleppo might seem a more obvious move for the Islamic State, there is now nothing in between the Islamic State and Tadmor airbase near Palmyra and T.4 airbase, housing the SyAAF's Su-24 fleet.

Also, while Tabqa still houses operational fighter-aircraft, Kweres is nothing more than a runway littered with plane wrecks and troops only capable of defending the base, already being under siege and preparing for the imminent assault since December 2012.

While most of the planes at Kweres are either incapable of performing interdiction sorties, damaged or destroyed by the Islamic State's mortar fire pounding the airbase in the last months, Tabqa is home to 12 squadron and another unknown squadron flying MiG-21bis, MiG-21MFs and MiG-21UMs

The airbase was also home to various Mi-8/17, Mi-25 and SA-342 'Gazelle' detachments, mostly being used for barrel-bomb attacks and resupplying the besieged bases of Division 17, Regiment 121, Brigade 93 and Kweres airbase.

Lastly, Tabqa houses eight munition bunkers, four anti-aircraft positions with a total of twenty-four anti-aircraft guns and five radars. Two PRV-13s, one P-14, one P-35/37 and the modern JY-27 radar system remained undamaged after the the initial three assaults, probably because the Islamic State wants them intact.

These radar systems are responsible for detecting aircraft in Northern Syria. If that capability is lost, the Pro-Assadists will lose any grip of what plane enters Syrian airspace via the North. A gap that can't be filled.

Recommended Articles

Tabqa airbase still holding out against the Islamic State
The spoils of Regiment 121, captured by the Islamic State
The spoils of Brigade 93, captured by the Islamic State
↧

The Islamic State Resets Balance with Spoils of Tabqa Airbase (1)

August 25, 2014, 11:13 am
$
0
0


With the recent fall of Tabqa airbase in Northern Syria, the Islamic State has again gotten its hands on a massive amount of military equipment, which will certainly be used to further strengthen the Islamic State's advance in the Middle East.

Although all operational assets of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) were evacuated before the base was captured by the Islamic State, two MiG-21MFs, one of which serialed 1543, one MiG-21bis serialed 2217 and three MiG-21UMs, two of which serialed 2360 and 2357 undergoing maintenance and numerous inoperational MiG-21MFs and MiG-21UMs were left at the base and subsequently captured as spoils of war. Up to twenty-three MiG-21s are believed to have been captured in total.



Also captured were four anti-aircraft positions with a total of twenty-four 57mm AZP S-60 anti-aircraft guns, a couple of T-62s, large stockpiles of ammunition and various 9M113 Konkurs and 9M133 Kornet missiles with associated launchers.









R-3S air-to-air missiles once destined to be used by the two squadrons of MiG-21s once based at Tabqa were also captured. While these missiles are useless in their intentional role without a suitable launch platform, R-3S missiles were used as unguided rockets after scores of them were captured at Dhab'ah airbase. However, due to the light warhead, this adaption is anything but useful.



Another invaluable asset to the Assad regime present at the base was a large array of radars responsible for detecting aircraft in Northern Syria. Without these, any aircraft is able to venture intoSyrian airspace undetected. Given the Islamic State did not target the radars, it is likely they wanted to capture them in intact in an attempt to get a radar network up and running. However, it's plausible that all were sabotaged by the remaining personnel on the base.

The most modern radar available at Tabqa is the Chinese made JY-27, seen in footage of the base before the capture below. Although this radar could be of great use for the Islamic State when aided by former operators of the system, the JY-27 lacks a height finding capability and needs to be supported by the three PRV-13s also present on the base. Other radars captured included a P-12, a P-14 and a P-35/37.





Despite the fact that many of the forty-year-old aircraft captured were derelict to begin with and possibly even deliberately sabotaged by the remaining personnel, it is not unthinkable that the Islamic State will work on making the two MiG-21s previously undergoing maintenance operational again. Similar to how the Taliban used pilots and technicians to enable them to operate MiG-21s, Su-20s, L-39s and Mi-8/17s in Afghanistan, mechanics trained to operate this equipment might be forced to aid the Islamic State in keeping them operational. Alternatively, given the amount of states operating MiG-21s in the past, it is plausible that Islamic State sympathisers with flight or aircraft maintenance experience will be brought in from abroad.

The Islamic State showed no interested in making any of the L-39s captured from Jaish al-Islam at Kshesh operational again however, instead using the airbase as a training base for its fighters. It is also possible the retreating fighters of Jaish al-Islam destroyed the L-39s, preventing possible use by the Islamic State.


The Islamic State is mostly defenceless against aerial attacks both in Syria and Iraq, a lack in capabilities thankfully exploited by the USAF and SyAAF in the past few weeks. Numerous anti-aircraft guns were also captured at Tabqa and during earlier battles, but due to their low mobility and limited use against modern, high-flying aircraft they don't present the same risks to enemy aircraft as surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) do.

The most important facts remain that the fall of Tabqa ends the SyAAF's dominance over the Raqqa Governorate and provides a free card for the Islamic State to expand their base of operations deeper into Syria. Although a renewed offensive on Aleppo might seem a more obvious move for the Islamic State, there now lies nothing between the Islamic State and Tadmor airbase near Palmyra and T.4 airbase, housing the SyAAF's Su-24 fleet.

Wether or not the captured aircraft will be brought into active service, it is evident that the latest in a string of victories for the Islamic State will have great impact on the balance between the forces currently battling for control of Syria and Iraq.

Special thanks to ACIG.

Recommended Articles

North Korean MANPADS showing up in the hands of fighters of the Islamic State‏?
The Islamic State Resets Balance with Spoils of Tabqa Airbase
Tabqa airbase captured by the Islamic State at last
Tabqa airbase still holding out against the Islamic State
The spoils of Regiment 121, captured by the Islamic State
The spoils of Brigade 93, captured by the Islamic State
↧
Search

North Korean MANPADS showing up in the hands of fighters of the Islamic State‏?

August 26, 2014, 5:15 pm
$
0
0



A photo published by the Islamic State after the capture of Tabqa airbase apparently revealed the capture of an Igla-1E man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) at this base. However, it has now been uncovered the missile isn't an Igla-1E and the photo was not taken at Tabqa but at Kshesh, an airbase captured from Jaish al-Islam that is now being used as a training base by the Islamic State. The row of decommissioned MiG-17s in the background and the presence of two L-39s gave the identity of the base away.

While the missile was initially identified as an Igla-1E, the MANPADS seen operated by the fighter didn't quite match the system's visual appearance. The presence of an aerodynamic spike (as seen on the 9M39 Igla) indicated it isn't just a regular Soviet-produced Igla-1E, which all have pyramidal nosecones. Other external features ruled out other Russian systems and foreign copies thereof. Few other countries produce Igla-1Es, however, North Korea acquired a license to produce them along with 9K111 anti-tank missile systems and subsequently modified and produced different variants of Igla-1Es for its own needs. While the modified 9K111s received the designation of Bulsae-2, it is currently not known what name the Igla-1E received. However, MANPADS in North Korean service often receive the nickname "Hwaseong Chong" (Arquebus).


While Syria is known to have acquired North Korean arms, MANPADS were never noted to have been delivered to the Syrian regime. While both the DPRK and Syria were never too keen on publishing information about arms transfers, the possible North Korean design wasn't yet recognized in Syria during the now three-and-a-half-year-long conflict either, which saw numerous other MANPADS fall in the hands of opposition fighters.

The missile also wasn't sighted in various photo and video reports coming out of the captured bases of Division 17, Regiment 121 and Brigade 93, which showed scores of other equipment being captured, including Iranian made I-RAAD anti-tank missiles.

North Korea is well known to have been delivering arms to what have been branded terrorist organizations by the U.S. A recent example of such transfers was confirmed by the sighting of Bulsae-2s used by Hamas.

While it is unknown wether the North Korean version differs qualitywise from its parent design, a couple of external differences can be noted. Firstly, the missile itself appears to use the aerodynamic spike seen on later generation Russian MANPADS instead of the characteristic pyramidal extension. Furthermore, on some models the battery and handles have been modified, and the protective cap is more reminiscent of more modern MANPADS.


It is unlikely that the Islamic State owns a substantial stock of Igla-1Es, as it is not even ruled out the missile pictured is the only one in their possession. It is therefore improbable the Igla-1E sighted will have any impact on the day-to-day operations of the air forces of the United States, Syria and Iraq over the Syrian and Iraqi battlefields.

Recommended Articles

The Islamic State Resets Balance with Spoils of Tabqa Airbase
Tabqa airbase captured by the Islamic State at last
Tabqa airbase still holding out against the Islamic State
The spoils of Regiment 121, captured by the Islamic State
The spoils of Brigade 93, captured by the Islamic State
↧

The Islamic State Resets Balance with Spoils of Tabqa Airbase (2)

September 1, 2014, 8:18 am
$
0
0
A video showing fighters touring the recently captured airbase of Tabqa provides an interesting insight in some of the equipment captured by fighters of the Islamic State. An overview can be read below.

First off; Tabqa's gate guard, a MiG-21MF serialed 460, a symbol for what happened to the base.



















Two T-62 Model 1972s, once stationed here to protect the base against attacks of the Free Syrian Army. Due the inability of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) to fly in heavy armour, a couple of T-62s were the only sort of armour present at Tabqa.



















A RSP-7 early-warning radar along with the associated DRL-7 antenna.

One of Tabqa's five double Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS) holding one MiG-21MF and various artillery pieces.

A MiG-21MF serialed 1543. This plane once entered service with the SyAAF in 1973 and is believed to have been undergoing overhaul at the time of capture. Its cockpit remains in pristine condition nonetheless.


Three 130mm M-46 field guns and three 122mm D-30 howitzers seen in the othe side of the HAS.

More interesting are the four German made HOT missiles however. Intended for use on the SyAAF's SA-342 'Gazelle' fleet, they are part of a batch of around one-thousand missiles delivered between 1977 and 1981. They once saw heavy action against Israeli armour in the 1982 war and were recently flown in along with SA-342s for use against vehicles of the Islamic State around Tabqa. While the SA-342s were evecuated, these missiles remained at Tabqa. With the Islamic State lacking a suitable launch platform, these missiles are as good as useless.

9M113 Konkurs and 9M133 Kornet anti-tank missiles which were also captured at Tabqa did come with launchers though, their usage in Syria or Iraq can be expected.



















Four R-13M air-to-air missiles, once intended to be launched by the MiG-21s based at Tabqa. The second picture shows chaff and flare dispensers in the lower right corner, used by planes for evading MANPADS.







UB-16-57 rocket pods firing 57mm rockets were also found. Although also intended for use on the MiG-21s, they can easily be mounted on vehicles. Bombs and at least twenty UB-16s along with associated S-5 rockets were captured in this HAS.


MiG-21bis serialed 2217 in front of a double HAS holding two MiG-21UMs. Apparently no effort had been taken to safely store this plane in the nearby HAS when this video was shot. On the other hand, no effort was taken by the SyAAF to destroy the MiG-21bis either.


MiG-21UM serialed 2360, already inoperational long before the attack on Tabqa began.


A shot at Tabqa's radars, once responsible for detecting any plane entering Syrian territory via the North, now seeminly still intact after the battle for Tabqa. It is likely the Islamic State wanted to capture these intact for possible future use, thus evading any damage from this side. If any of the radars were sabotaged by the defenders is unknown but seems unlikely due to the status of the MiG-21s, which seemed to have been captured without being sabotaged. None of the radars appeared to suffer any kind of damage in the video and curiously enough, none have been targeted by the SyAAF yet.


Two PRV-13 height-finding radars, supporting the single JY-27 also present at this base.



















One P-12 early-warning radar, one P-35/37 early-warning and interception radar and a JY-27 long range surveillance radar, the most modern radar captured at the base and one of the most modern radars within Syrian service.























Lastly, a P-14 early-warning radar and another PRV-13 height-finding radar.




















Recommended Articles

North Korean MANPADS showing up in the hands of fighters of the Islamic State‏?
The Islamic State Resets Balance with Spoils of Tabqa Airbase
Tabqa airbase captured by the Islamic State at last
Tabqa airbase still holding out against the Islamic State
The spoils of Regiment 121, captured by the Islamic State
The spoils of Brigade 93, captured by the Islamic State
↧
↧

Cuban fighting vehicles

September 10, 2014, 1:09 pm
$
0
0

By Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans

 

(Click on the equipment to get a picture of them in Cuban service)

Notes:

- If several configurations of a vehicle with one designation are known, they are added as such.

- All vehicles listed are presumed to still be in use with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias.

- AAP (Artilleria Auto Propulsada) = Self-propelled Artillery.

- AAPMP (Artilleria Auto Propulsada Multi Proposito) = Multi-Purpose Self-Propelled Artillery.

- CATAP (Cañon Anti Tanque Auto Propulsado) = Self-propelled Anti-Tank Cannon.

- Copying the list, or certain edited photos in the list is strictly forbidden without naming Oryx Blog as the source.

 

Tanks

 

Armoured fighting vehicles

 

Infantry fighting vehicles

 

Armoured personnel carriers

 

Command vehicles


Military engineering vehicles

 

Tank destroyers


Towed artillery

 

Self-propelled artillery


Multiple rocket launchers

 

Towed anti-aircraft guns

 

Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns

Self-propelled SAM systems

 

Static SAM systems

 

Coastal Defence Systems

 

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

  • Sterkh-BM (Documented by a few sources, not yet seen)

 

Radars

 

Trucks

 

Jeeps and Vans


Special thanks to Foro Militar General and zerocker45. 

Recommended Articles

Iranian fighting vehicles
North Korean fighting vehicles 
Syrian fighting vehicles
↧

North Korea's forgotten aircraft: The Su-7

September 15, 2014, 5:10 am
$
0
0


By Joost Oliemans and Stijn Mitzer

Completely overshadowed by the presence of numerous other types of MiGs, Sukhois and Shenyangs, the Su-7 nevertheless had an important role within the the Korean People's Air Force (KPAF), which it fulfilled for over thirty years.

While it's debatable wether or not Pyongyang's Su-7 fleet remains operational, North Korea is often noted as being the last country operating the Su-7. It took delivery of at least twenty-eight Su-7BMKs, which were ordered in 1969 and delivered in 1971.[1]

However, despite the certainly not insignificant number of delivered aircraft and the fact that the KPAF operates a range of other even more antique aircraft, the Su-7 has long remained elusive in propaganda footage. In fact, even historical footage of exercises and parades throughout the second half of the previous century has never provided any imagery of the aircraft, adding to the theory that all have been retired. The best photographic evidence of these planes in KPAF service comes in the form of a blurry historical shot of Kim Il-sung inspecting an Su-7BMK with serial 727 somewhere in the 70s or 80s, and the presence of a single example at the Korean People's Army Exhibition of Arms and Equipment (top picture).



The mainstay of the North Korean Su-7 fleet has historically been based out of Koksan airbase, although like many other aircraft in KPAF service the planes were likely regularly moved to other airfields. However, at the start of the 20th century the entire fleet seemingly disappeared, leading the intelligence community to conclude the Su-7s had been decommissioned.

For years, the only specimens providing physical evidence of the type ever having been in service with the North Korean military at all were one or two aircraft at Pukchang airfield (which also houses the KPAF's MiG-23 fleet, and numerous helicopters of various types), of which it is not known wether they are even flight capable.


Interestingly, from 2009 to 2011 Koksan airfield was again host to a batch of twelve Su-7s. However, instead of being parked at the paved runway that is also home to large amounts of MiG-19s/F-6s, they were brought to the dirt landing strip on the opposite side of the mountain. Nothing more than dirt roads lead up to this landing strip, raising questions about how the aircraft got there.

The answer lies within Koksan airfield itself. In line with many other North Korean airfields, Koksan has underground aircraft storage facilities, tunneled deep into closeby mountains. Analysis of imagery of the surroundings of Koksan airfield has led to the conclusion that the mountain base features a sort of hidden "back entrance", connecting the dirt landing strip to the main complex. With North Korea's many unpaved landing strips and smaller airfields the Su-7's ability to take off and land on such strips makes it an asset with unique capabilities.


The presence of this large underground complex also suggests the Su-7 fleet may have never left the airfield, and instead has been stored inside all these years. Reasons for their infrequent use could vary from a lack of fuel and spare parts to a perceived lack of use for the aircraft compared to the ubiquitous MiG-19/F-6.


Originally envisaged to be a fighter aircraft, the Su-7 was rerolled as a fighter-bomber shortly after its inception and subsequently widely exported to various Soviet client states in the world. Although the design was deemed a success by India, which utilised the plane in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the aircraft had a much less successful career in the Middle East.

Used in the Six-Day War, War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War, the Su-7 lacked the range and proper weaponry to effectively engage Israeli armour moving through the Sinai desert. While the Su-7 could carry two additional drop tanks, this ability reduced the number of hardpoints for the carriage of weapons to just four. The S-3 and S-5 unguided rockets it carried were not capable of penetrating Israeli armour. Its inability to defend itself against enemy fighters was also a major flaw in the design of the Su-7.

It is interesting to note S-5 unguided rockets remain the primary air-to-ground weaponry of the KPAF, and, carried in UB-16 rocket pods, are employed on nearly all of North Korea's fighters and fighter-bombers.

Next in the series: The Li-2

Recommended Articles

North Korea's forgotten aircraft: The Yak-18/CJ-5
The KPAF investigated: North Korea's MiG-29s
The Korean People's Air Force inventorised
North Korean fighting vehicles
↧

Iranian fighting vehicles

September 17, 2014, 4:42 am
$
0
0

By Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans 

 

(Click on the equipment to get a picture of them in Iranian service)

Notes:

- If several configurations of a vehicle with one designation are known, they are added as such.

- The part within the apostrophes refers to other designations or an unofficial designation, such as the US DoD M-xxxx designation system (referring to the first year the system was identified).

- To avoid confusion over the names of certain SAM systems, names of the missiles used on these SAM systems are sometimes included in this list. TheTaer-2A, 2B and 2C missiles listed have been identified and confirmed to be in use on the specific launcher also listed. The Taer missile family is believed to be interchangeable on all of the launchers in Iranian service. 

- Vehicles captured during the Iran-Iraq war and subsequently only used for a short period of time are not included in this list.

- Civilian trucks towing military trailers are not included in the list. 

- Although listed, none of the weaponry seen on Iran's UAV fleet are believed to be working or operational in any shape.

- TEL = Transporter Erector Launcher

- TELAR = Transporter Erector Launcher and Radar

  

Tanks

 

Armoured fighting vehicles

 

Infantry fighting vehicles

 

Armoured personnel carriers

 

Military engineering vehicles

 

Command vehicles

 

Heavy mortars

 

Self-propelled mortars

 

Tank Destroyers

 

Towed Artillery


Self-propelled artillery

 

Multiple Rocket Launchers

 

Towed anti-aircraft guns

 

Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns

 

Static SAM systems

 

Self-propelled SAM systems

  

Artillery Rockets

 

Ballistic Missiles

 

Coastal Defence Systems

 

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

 

Radars and Sensors

 

Trucks

 

Jeeps and Vans



Special thanks to Iran Military Forum, Pakistan Defence Forum, ACIG.org, Norbert Brügge,The Arkenstone, Farzam and PeeD.


Recommended Articles

Cuban fighting vehicles
North Korean fighting vehicles
Syrian fighting vehicles
↧
Viewing all 603 articles
Browse latest View live
Search