The Iraqi Revolutionary Army 1965 to 1991

One of the most infamous armed forces in recent history; it has few if any redeeming features.  Other than this it was trounced in 1973 by the Israelis, and totally mangled by Allied forces in 1991.   The best equipment should be reserved for Republican Guard units.  Only Soviet made equipment was used against the Israelis in 1967.

Iraqi Brigade Headquarters (Commands 4 Battalions)

HQ                                                                               HQ

Recce Company                                  1 PT76 or AML90 or ERC90, or EE9 (no recce company in infantry units)

Anti Aircraft Company             2 ZSU57 or 1 ZSU23, 1 SA9 in tank and mechanized units or 2 23AAG, 2 Truck in Infantry units

Mortar Battery                          2 Truck, 2 120M or 82M

Note                                                                             In 1965 may use BTR-50, and T55.  From 1968 add BTR60, OT-62 and OT64. In 1975 add T62, in 1980 add BMP-Comd, 1982 add YW531 and T72, and in 1983 Type 69, ERC90 in 1987 and EE9 in 1991. Tank Regiments may use BTR50, OT-62, BMP and YW531 and recce uses PT76.  Mechanized Regiments use YW531 or any of the other APCs and Armored Car for Recce Company.  Infantry use trucks, these replace all vehicles noted. Armored and Mechanized use 120mm Mortar Batteries, Infantry use 82mm ones.  An Infantry unit has 3 Infantry Battalions in trucks, and may add 1 in APC (most likely BTR60).  A Mechanized Unit has 3 Mechanized Battalions with one T55 Battalion.  Tank units reverse this and may use any tank type.

Iraqi Tank Battalion 1965 to 1991

HQ                                           1 HQ

3 Tank Companies each          4 Tanks

Note                                                                             Tank types are listed under the notes for RHQ, T55, T62 and Type 69 were upgraded with extra armour during 1988 - 90,

Iraqi Infantry/Mechanized Battalion 1965 to 1991

HQ                                           1 HQ

3 Companies each                   2 BMP1 or BMP2, 3 Rifle

Or                                3 APC, 3 Rifle

Or                                3 Truck, 3 Rifle

1 Mortar Battery                       1 Truck, 1 82M

Anti Tank Platoon                                2 APC, 1 Sagger, 1 SPG-9 (Not BMP equipped battalions)

Note                                                                             For APC types see the Brigade HQ. Only one vehicle type may be used. If Trucks are used all vehicles noted as APC are Truck. The exception is the Mortar battery, which always has Truck.                                                                                

Iraqi Special Forces Battalion 1965 to 1991

HQ                                           1 HQ

3 Companies each                   2 BMP1, 3 Rifle

1 Mortar Battery                       1 Truck, 1 82M

Note                                                                             This battalion is a divisional controlled and is used in a number of ways.  It is drawn from the best soldiers in the division and forms the backbone of any counter attack force in the defense.  In the offense it is used as a spearhead.  It has also been used as a field police by being positioned behind weak or demoralized troops to force them to fight.  Most members of this battalion are members of the ruling political party.

                                                 

Iraqi Divisional Anti-Tank Battalion 1965 to 1991

3 Companies each                               2 SU-100 or 2 Truck, 2 100ATG (from 1979)

Or

2 Jeep/Harpoon or 2 BRDM2/AT

Note                                                                             Dates are approximate. Battalion has a mixture of missile and gun companies.  Individual companies may be fielded.

Iraqi Artillery Battalion 1965 to 1997

HQ                                           1 FAO

3 Batteries                                                       Towed - 2 Trucks, 2 122H or 155H or 152H

Or

Self-Propelled - 2 GCT or 2 SO122 or 2 SO152, 2 BM-21

Note                                                                             Divisional units have 122mm, with 1 Battalion of 152mm in mechanized or armored units. These divisions also use one battalion of BM21. Infantry Divisions also have one battery of BM21.  All the rest of the gun types are Corps assets.  Soviet self-propelled guns appeared in 1984, the GCT from 1987 on in good quantity.

Iraqi Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion (Towed) 1965 to 1997

3 Point Defense Batteries        2 Trucks, 2 57AAG or 85AAG or 100AAG

Iraqi Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion (Self-Propelled) 1965 to 1997

2 Self Propelled Gun Bty each            2 ZSU57 or ZSU23 or M53/30

1 Launch Battery                     2 SA6 or SA8

Note                                                                             ZSU23 is rare at this level although it maybe in some infantry divisions as a stopgap.  SA8 is a recent purchase in very limited quantity use in Guards units only.

Iraqi Engineer Battalion 1965 to 1997

HQ                                           1 HQ

            1 Engr Company                      3 Engr, 1 GMZ, 3 APC, 1 IMR

                                                            1 Assault Engr Company          1 BRDM1 or 2, 2 GSP, 2 PT54, 2 Truck with 10 Rafts

            1 Bridging Company                1 Truck with 5 Rafts, 1 Engr, 1 BTR152, 4 PMP

            1 Tech Engr Company             2 Bulldozer, 1 BAT-M

            1 Construction Company          4 Dump Truck, 2 BAT-M, 2 Bulldozer

Iraqi Helicopter Battalion

4 Flights                                                           2 Alouette III/SS11 (From 1965) or 2 Mil24 (From 1978) or 2 Gazelle/HOT (From 1982)

Note                                                                             Individual flights may be used attached to any Headquarters.  No helicopter sorties were attempted during the Gulf War 1.

Iraqi Divisional Recce Battalion 1965 to 1997

HQ                                                                               1 HQ

2 Scout Company                    4 BRDM1 or BRDM2

1 Tank Companies each          2 PT76 or T55 (after 1980)

Note                                                                             This unit may use French M3VTT or Yugo M60 APC in place of BRDM and may use AML90 or ERC90 in place of PT76.

                       

Large Units:

Tank Division – 2 Tank Brigades, 1 Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade (3 122mm Towed Howitzer Battalions, 1 122mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Battalion, 1 152mm Towed Howitzer Battalion, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher Battalion), 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion (Self-Propelled), 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion (Towed), 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Special Forces Battalion, 1 Recce Battalion

Motor Rifle Division – 1 Tank Brigade, 2 Mechanized Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade (3 122mm Towed Howitzer Battalions, 1 122mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Battalion, 1 152mm Towed Howitzer Battalion, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher Battalion), 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion (Self-Propelled), 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion (Towed), 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Special Forces Battalion, 1 Recce Battalion

Infantry Division – 3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade (3 122mm Towed Howitzer Battalions and 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher Battery), 1 Tank Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion (Towed), 1 Anti-Aircraft Battery (self-propelled), 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Special Forces Battalion

Air Mobile Brigade – 3 Commando Battalions, 1 Helicopter Transport Battalion