Posted on 09/08/2011 12:53:06 PM PDT by Starman417
It can't come as a big surprise to find that multiple Libyan munitions stockpiles have been looted, and shoulder fired heat seeking missiles, such as the SA-7b Grail, are unaccounted for. While one concern would be that bad-guy-in-hiding, Gaddafi, may have absconded a few for personal revenge, analysists tend to think the weaponry is not in the hands of Gaddafi or his loyalists.
Western governments and nongovernment organizations have repeatedly asked and prodded the rebel government, the Transitional National Council, to take steps to secure the vast stockpiles of arms that it has inherited, apparently to little avail.“Claims that depots holding Manpads and other dangerous weapons are still not being properly secured are very worrisome and should be thoroughly investigated,” Mr. Schroeder said. “In cases where stockpile security is found to be lacking, immediate steps should be taken to correct any deficiencies.”
In Washington, President Obama’s top counterterrorism official, John O. Brennan, said that the spread of shoulder-fired missiles and other weapons from Libya’s arsenal posed “a lot of concerns,” and that the United States had pressed the rebel government to secure weapons stockpiles. “Obviously, there are a lot of parts of that country right now that are ungoverned,” he said at a security conference.
A senior American military officer who follows Libya closely said it was puzzling that there had been so few documented instances in which Libyan loyalist troops launched shoulder-fired missiles at NATO aircraft. “I’m not sure what that means,” the officer said. “Fewer systems than we thought? Systems are inoperable? Few in Libya know how to operate them?”
Instead, military analysts are assuming they are in the hands of AQ or other extremist groups... either directly looted, or perhaps sold by rogue rebels.
Twenty crates from Russia were also found, with one of the crates labeled as containing “9M342,” the Russian designation for the SA-24 heat-seeking missile.... a powerful weapon that Venezuela has also been busy acquiring.
The Igla-S (SA-24) is Russia's most advanced MANPADS and considered one of the most lethal portable air defense systems ever made. Starting in 2005 the US Government raised its concerns with the Government of Russia (GOR) about the Government of Venezuela's (GOV) possible acquisition of MANPADS and other conventional weapons. In particular, the US highlighted the risk these could be diverted to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) or other regional terrorists and non-state actors.
SA-24s were spotted by NATO as far back as March. While Libya is in possession of two-missile Strelets system (designed for mounting on platforms like armored vehicles, helicopters and ships, the missiles themselves cannot be used as MANPADS, according to an Aviation Week defense blog. The company who admitted selling the truck mounted SA-24 Grinch to both Libya and Syria stated the weapons required separate trigger mechanisms for use as MANPADS, and these were not supplied to Libya.
(Excerpt) Read more at floppingaces.net...
Exactly what Skippy the Echolocating Wonderbat wanted.
I started to get worried these might fall into the wrong hands and then I saw this,”separate trigger mechanisms for use as MANPADS, and these were not supplied to Libya.” I can sleep safe at night knowing all is well. sarc off.
Paging Tom Clancy, you need to update your plot outlines.
Just in time for the post Ramadan 9-11 Mid eastern celebration.
I’ll bet Europe and Israel air travelers are real happy, let alone the Israeli Air Force. All that skippy promised his brethren.
I am sure that Skippy will be sitting watching Al Kajeera as they kick off their 9-11 parties throughout the mid east. The “democratic” mid east.
Western civilization is under attack from OUR White House.
Sadly enough.
And there isn’t anyone currently in office with the stones to say anything about it.
We have to get rid of that whole REGIME!
Can I be your vp?
Nobody would vote for me.
They’d say I’m too crazy.
Unintended consequences. At least from the point of view of freedom loving people's. From the communist in the WH's view, it is just what the muslim ordered.
Thanks Starman417.
Nobody would vote for me.
They’d say I’m too crazy.
No, you are not crazy enough.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.