richk@tera.com (Richard Korry) (08/23/90)
From: richk@tera.com (Richard Korry) One aspect of Iraq's military I have not seen addressed is their stockpiles of materiel. It has been demonstrated that "modern" warfare consumes tremendous amounts of fuel and munitions in addition to personnel (:-( ) and equipment (tanks, planes, etc). While Iraq has a large army, does it have an equally large reserve of materiel that would allow it to fight a protracted war? I'm wondering since the embargo prevents resupply of munitions and spare parts, would their army grind to a halt (literally) within a few weeks? Would their supply depots be perhaps among the best initial targets? Do they have the ability to maufacture munitions? spare parts? Thanks rich
bxr307@csc.anu.oz (08/28/90)
From: bxr307@csc.anu.oz In article <1990Aug23.014637.1878@cbnews.att.com>, richk@tera.com (Richard Korry) writes: > > > From: richk@tera.com (Richard Korry) > One aspect of Iraq's military I have not seen addressed is their stockpiles > of materiel. It has been demonstrated that "modern" warfare consumes tremendous > amounts of fuel and munitions in addition to personnel (:-( ) and > equipment (tanks, planes, etc). While Iraq has a large army, does it have > an equally large reserve of materiel that would allow it to fight a protracted > war? I'm wondering since the embargo prevents resupply of munitions and > spare parts, would their army grind to a halt (literally) within a few > weeks? Would their supply depots be perhaps among the best initial targets? > Do they have the ability to maufacture munitions? spare parts? Thanks > rich A very good question. The only clue which I know might point to the war material problem for the Iraqis is that they have over the last few years had an arms show of quite large proportions in Bagdad. At these arms shows they have displayed some very sophisticated weapons systems, including some 155mm and 240mm SP artillery guns very similar to those used by the South Africans (the G6 155mm SP Gun was based upon a design by Dr.Gerard Bull and Armscor of South Africa has been proposing manufacturing a 240mm version for several years but have yet to publicly show if they have). Also shown were various artillery rockets, short range and medium range ballistic missiles all apparently of native manufacture. The reports in various defence journals (Janes Defence Weekly, International Defence Review, etc) were all at pains to point out that the Iraqis seem to be building up their manufacturing base during the Gulf War to prevent too much relience on outside sources. In addition in the various reports about the off-limits areas devoted to the manufacture of chemical and supposedly biological weapons were mentioned various areas where conventional ammunition were being manufactured (one of the reasons why these various factories would be built in close proximity to each other would be to allow easy transport the shells to the chemical and biological plants for filling). I can also dimly remember reading that the Iraqis had been purchasing for many years during the Gulf War assorted machinery for the filling of artillery shells and the mixing of explosives (International Defence Review has a handy little list in the back of each issue of major international defence contracts let during that month :-). Therefore I'd say that the Iraqis would most probably have a reasonable ability to provide for their own needs in most munitions. However I would say that their stockpiles of the more sophisticated munitions like SAM's and tank AP rounds would be relatively limited. In addition I would say that their stockpiles of raw materials from which they could manufacture munitions would be rather limited. As far as I know they would have to import most raw materials (other than oil :-). In addition I would expect that these factories are all well known by now to the US military planner and in the case of them undertaking an attack, I'm sure they would be targeted most probably in the second or third wave of attacks. Brian Ross