26.11.2005, 14:15
:hand: von <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htworld/articles/20051126.aspx">http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htworl ... 51126.aspx</a><!-- m -->
Zitat:Iraqi 9th Mechanized Division
The Iraqi 9th Mechanized division received an equipment upgrade over the Summer, as 77 T-72 tanks, contributed by Hungary, entered service. This month, the new vehicles, and their crews, were declared ready for service. These tanks equip two battalions of the 2nd Brigade. A battalion of infantry in the brigade uses Russian BMP armored vehicles. Another brigade uses older T-55 tanks and Russian made MTLB infantry vehicles. [...] The tanks and armored personnel carriers are effective protection against suicide bombers, and their machine-guns on the vehicles can deal with hostile gunmen, or suicide bombers on foot or in vehicles. [...]
The Iraqis, however, already have their eye on the future, and want more modern equipment. The United States has already said that it would leave a lot of military equipment behind when American units are withdrawn permanently, and the Iraqis are hoping some of this gear will include used M-1 tanks and M-2 infantry vehicles. [...]