Whats left of Iraqs Military?
 

Ya, I know basically Iraqs military is basically nothing, but I'm curious does anyone know what is left of Iraqi armor and equipment after the occupation? I found this site which is quite interesting...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Iraq

Although these figures were before Gulf War I (I guess thats that name for it), it does show how massive Iraqs military was at one point of there history. When the occupation began, I was shocked to see so much unused armor in stock piles near Iraqi bases. It looked fairly old and not upkept well, but a lot looked still basically intact. I'm just wondering if anyone knows if even a small percentage of this is operational and useful? They keep saying someday Iraqs military is going to be needed to control its country, could any of this be used (if any is left). Or is it most likely we (and maybe others) will just sell new arms to them?

Re: Whats left of Iraqs Military?
 

If that's pre-Gulf War you likely need to cut it in half, (at least) to account for everything we blew to small bits during the first and second wars, attrittion between the wars from random accidents, etc.

Re: Whats left of Iraqs Military?
 

Ya, I think those figures on that site are pre-Gulf War I but I would have to think even a small percentage (even 1 to 5%) of it must still be useful or enough to be fixed to operational status.

Re: Whats left of Iraqs Military?
 

If you have an AK, are unable to read, and want to get fed well, come join the IRAQ army. Wait, if you can't read then you can't read this... crap!

Re: Whats left of Iraqs Military?
 

Apparently the huge stockpile of heavy metal bought during the eighties was extensively crippled during the war against Iraq, all of the advanced systems that could be found were systematically busted by US forces during Desert Storm, and the ongoing twelve years of embargo had a disastrous effect on the infrastrcuture, industry and economy, making the shortage of spares critical.

Some of the most advanced equipment also has a habit of being sheperded into Iran in times of crisis http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif, as happened to several dozens of the most serviceable aircrafts in the first days of ODS. It looks like quantities of industrial equipment has followed on the same way in recent years too.

Even so, the figures on the Wiki page mentionned sound strange, but most of them may be valid for the '88-91 period or so.
For cross-reference, here is a summary of the armour assets available to the New Iraqi Army as of 2006, according to Jane's World Armies:
<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre>T-72/Asad Babl Main Battle Tank Up to 700
T-62 Main Battle Tank 300
T-54/55 Main Battle Tank 1,000
T-55 modified Main Battle Tank n/a
Type 59 Main Battle Tank n/a
PT-76 Amphibious Light Tank n/a
SU-100 Tank Destroyer n/a
AML-60 Light Armoured Car n/a
AML-90 Light Armoured Car n/a
BMP-1/2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle 1,200
BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle n/a
MT-LB Armoured Vehicle n/a
EE-9 Armoured Car n/a
ERC-90 Armoured Car n/a
Panhard M3 Armoured Car n/a
BRDM-1 Reconnaissance Vehicle n/a
BRDM-2 Reconnaissance Vehicle n/a
PSZH-IV Armoured Personnel Carrier n/a
BTR-50 Armoured Personnel Carrier n/a
BTR-60 Armoured Personnel Carrier n/a
BTR-152 Armoured Personnel Carrier n/a
EE-11 Armoured Personnel Carrier n/a
OT-62 Armoured Personnel Carrier n/a
OT-64 Armoured Personnel Carrier n/a
Walid Armoured Personnel Carrier n/a
Type 531 Armoured Personnel Carrier n/a
M-60P Armoured Personnel Carrier n/a
BMD-1 Airborne Combat Vehicle n/a

Note: About 2,200 main battle tanks and 3,000 other armoured fighting vehicles
were estimated to remain in the inventory prior to the Iraq war, although only
about 40-50 per cent of these were thought to be serviceable.
Note: Many of the tanks and armoured vehicles seized after the 2003 Iraq War
have been stored by US forces at Taji military camp north of Baghdad.
</pre><hr />
Not very helpful, I know, but that's how things appear to be for now!

Re: Whats left of Iraqs Military?
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Iraqi_Army

This seems to have some more recent estimates. I'm sure actual details aren't released for security.

Re: Whats left of Iraqs Military?
 

More recent equipment is going to be added to this, like the whole batch of BTR-94 Guardians bought by Jordan, or original equipment left behind by the Polish contingent as they leave the country, including Mi-24 helos.

I had heard about the DoD's plans for supplying the new Iraqi army with the heaps of surplus US equipment mentionned at the end of the article, even since the last days of the war; I don't know if that was ever anything official, but it looks like the armored division-style dream has been blown away by the need for an efficient counter-insurgency force.

Re: Whats left of Iraqs Military?
 

While not approaching the glory days before the many misadventures of the last few decades, Iraqi strength is improving. The quality of the average solider is still much in question. They have received quite a lot of equipment of late or soon to be delivered. And should be able to provide for their own defense should one of their neighbors decide to try them on for size.