IRAQI FORCES, 1990-2003
Unit Data for Boots, Tracks, and Rotors and Emcon C
While Iraq began the Gulf War with arguably the strongest military in the region, it proved no match for the overwhelming superiority in technology and training of the US Army and USMC and other Coalition ground forces (particularly British and French) engaged in that conflict. Iraqi forces were thoroughly defeated in combat during Desert Storm and suffered losses from which they never recovered. Iraq's subsequent isolation under a UN-mandated sanctions regime prevented Saddam Hussein from rebuilding Iraq's military capabilities, which ensured Iraq's military potential in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 was lower than it was when it invaded Kuwait in 1991. The organization and capabilities of Iraqi divisions have remained essentially the same in both conflicts.

Ground Units
Iraqi Republican Guard Armored Division
Two Armored Brigades, 1 Mechanized Brigade, artillery and other support units. T-72 MBTs, BMP-1 and -2 IFVs, 2S1 and 2S3 S SP howitzers. Experienced, Tech 4.
Size Strength Armor Fire Support Air Defense Mobility Doctrine
5
 12 (5)
 III/V (IV/V*)
 6 (3) [2]
 [3]
 4/4 M
 7

Iraqi Republican Guard Mechanized Division
As RG Armored Division, but with one Armored Brigade and two Mechanized Brigades. Experienced, Tech 4.
Size Strength Armor Fire Support Air Defense Mobility Doctrine
5
 12 (8)
 II/V (IV/V*)
 6 (3) [2]
 [3]
 4/4 M
 7

Iraqi Armored Division
Two Mechanized Brigades, one Armored Brigade, equipped with T-62, T-55, or Type-59/69 tanks and a variety of APCs. Trained, Tech 3.
Size Strength Armor Fire Support Air Defense Mobility Doctrine
5
 8 (3)
 II/IV (II/V*)
 6 (2) [2]
 [2]
 4/3 M
 5

Iraqi Mechanized Division
As Armored Division, but with 1 Armored Brigade and 2 Mechanized Brigades. Trained, Tech 3.
Size Strength Armor Fire Support Air Defense Mobility Doctrine
5
 8 (5)
 II/IV (III/V*)
 6 (2) [2]
 [2]
 4/3 M
 5

Iraqi Infantry Division
3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Tank Battalion, supporting units. Trained, Tech 3.
Size Strength Armor Fire Support Air Defense Mobility Doctrine
4
 6 (6)
 0/IV (I*/V*)
 4t (2) [1]
 [1]
 2/1 F
 4/5

Iraqi Reserve Infantry Division
As Infantry Divisionk but Green, Tech 2.
Size Strength Armor Fire Support Air Defense Mobility Doctrine
4
 4 (4)
 0/IV (I*/IV*)
 4t (1) [1]
 [0]
 1/1 F
 2/3

Iraqi Commando Brigade
3 Mechanized Commando Battalions, 1 Artillery Battalion. Regular, Tech 4.
Size Strength Armor Fire Support Air Defense Mobility Doctrine
1
 3 (3)
 I/I (I/V*)
 1t (2) [1]
 [1]
 4/4 M
 7

Iraqi Corps Artillery Brigade
Up to 5 battalions of towed 152mm howitzers and 122mm MRLs. Regular, Tech 4.
Size Strength Armor Fire Support Air Defense Mobility Doctrine
--
 --
 --
 5t (3)
--
 4/4 M
 --

Iraqi Corps Air Defense Brigade
A mix of 3 towed 57mm AAA battalions and 1 SAM battalion with SA-6 or SA-8. Regular, Tech 4.
Size Strength Armor Fire Support Air Defense Mobility Doctrine
--
 --
 --
 --
 3 (2)
 4/4 M
 --

Iraqi Corps Attack Helicopter Regiment
4 squadrons with Mi-24 helicopters. Regular, Tech 4.
Size Strength Armor Fire Support Air Defense Mobility Doctrine
--
 1 (0)
 (V*/V*)
 --
 --
 4/4 M (6A)
 8

Air Units

The ratings below are for Desert Storm. To reflect the reduction in flying time during the 1990s, reduce Air, Surface, and Survivability ratings by 1 for post-Desert Storm scenarios.

Iraqi Tu-22 Squadron

Regular, Tech 4.

Size

Detection

Air

Surface

ASW

Survivability

Movement

Special

.8 B

--

--

7

--

4 [3h]

2/5/10

 

Iraqi MiG-29 Squadron
8 MiG-29 fighters. Regular, Tech 4.

Size

Detection

Air

Surface

ASW

Survivability

Movement

Special
.8 F
 --
 4
 3
 --
 5 [1a]
 1/2/3


Iraqi MiG-23 Squadron
16 MiG-23 fighters. Regular, Tech 3.

Size

Detection

Air

Surface

ASW

Survivability

Movement

Special
1.6 F
 --
 3
 2
 --
 4 [1a]
 1/2/4

Iraqi MiG-21 Squadron
16 MiG-21 fighters. Regular, Tech 3

Size

Detection

Air

Surface

ASW

Survivability

Movement

Special
1.6 F
 --
 2
 2
 --
 4
 0/1/2


Iraqi Mirage F-1 Squadron
16 Mirage F-1 fighter-bombers. Regular, Tech 4.

Size

Detection

Air

Surface

ASW

Survivability

Movement

Special
1.6 F
 --
 3
 4
 --
 5 [1a]
 1/2/4

 Iraqi Su-20 Squadron
16 Su--20 aircraft. Regular, Tech 3.

Size

Detection

Air

Surface

ASW

Survivability

Movement

Special
1.6 A
 --
 1
 4
 --
 3
 0/1/3

Iraqi Su-25 Squadron
16 Su-25 'Frogfoot" attack aircraft.

Size

Detection

Air

Surface

ASW

Survivability

Movement

Special
1.6 A
 --
 1
 5
 --
 4 [1]
 0/1/2



Mike J.
=====
The J-8 Shop
Wargame Rules, Variants, and Orders of Battle
http://www.geocities.com/pmj6/