Posted on 01/11/2011 10:58:37 PM PST by DJ Elliott
While there is RUMINT [Rumor Intelligence] that the Iraqi Army’s 7th Infantry Division is mechanizing, there is no hard data confirming or denying this. The RUMINT claims that some of the M113s that Iraq is acquiring are to be used to mechanize this division.
Normally, RUMINT that thin would not rate an article. However,
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Have you seen the mix of armored vehicles that they are supposedly using. There might have been a time that could pass muster on a battlefield, but that time is long gone. All those vehicles are is IED fodder.
APC’s (M-113) are more than IED fodder. They are fodder to anything more than a AK47.
That can be said of all APCs.
All US APCs are designed to provide protection from light MG and shrapnel - not anything heavier.
The only APCs in the world that are rated for hits by heavier weapons are Israeli converted tanks and an offering from the Ukraine of converted T72s. Ukraine has yet to make a sale.
With the exception of some of the IDF, A M2 50 cal will take out any of the world’s APCs. They are light armor...
M113s are still used in 28 countries and are still viable.
Proper employment of infantry in APCs is to get out of the taxi and fight on the ground. The APC is just a way to get thru the artillery shrapnel and keep up with the tanks...
PS Review the countries bordering Iraq.
Syria, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi, Jordan, and Turkey do not have much better.
This is good enough for the potential threat.
Although I would upgun the T55s. And put a couple of TOWs on every APC.
PS The M113 is not yet out of service in the US Army. There are 3,000 more to be replaced with Bradleys and Strykers over the next 5 year.
I know. Most people do not understand that all vehicles are suceptable to landmines. And IEDs are just hillbilly landmines. Nothing new to warfare...
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