Modern Syian Army


Syrian 1965 to 1997

One of the more militant Arab states heavily involved against Israel in 1967, 1973 and during Operation Peace for Galilee in 1982. It also supplied a division to the Coalition during Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991. It does not appear to be as well trained as the Egyptian army, but has provided a tough opponent in defensive positional fighting, and demonstrates high morale.

Syrian Tank Regiment Headquarters 1965 to 1997 (Commands 4 Battalions)

HQ                                                                               1 HQ

Regimental  Company                         2 Trucks, 2 ZPU4 (To 1973) or 2 ZSU23, 1 SA9 (From 1969)

Regimental Recce Company   3 BTR40 or BRDM2

Regimental Engineer Coy        3 Trucks or BTR50, 3 Engr, 1 AVLB

Note                                                                             BTR152 and T34/85 mat be used until 1971, T55 without restriction. T62 may be used from 1972.  T72 was introduced from 1981.

Syrian Mechanized Regiment Headquarters 1965 to 1997 (Commands 4 Battalions)

HQ                                                                               1 HQ

Regimental  Company                         2 Trucks, 2 ZPU4 (To 1973) or 2 ZSU23, 1 SA9 (From 1969)

Regimental Recce Company   3 BTR40 or BRDM2

Regimental AT Company         2 Trucks, 2 57ATG (To 1972) or 3 BRDM2/AT (From 1971)

Note                                                                             Trucks can replace BTR152 in 1967.

Syrian Tank Battalion 1965 to 1997

HQ                                                                               1 HQ

3 Tank Companies each          3 T34/85 or T55 or T62 or T72

Syrian Special Forces Battalion 1983 to 1997

            HQ                                           1 HQ

            1 Company                              1 Mil8, 1 OP, 2 Spigot or Milan, 1 SA7

            2 Companies each                   3 Mil8, 3 Cdo, 3 Spigot or Milan

            Note                                         Only one of these units may be used.

Syrian Mechanized Battalion (BTR) 1965 to 1997  

HQ                                                                               1 HQ

3 Infantry Companies each      4 BTR152 or BTR60 or OT64, 3 Rifle, 1 82RR

Anti Tank Platoon                                2 Gaz, 2 107RR (BTR152 & BTR60 Bn to 1968 to 1973), or 2 Sagger

Mortar Battery                          2 Trucks, 2 120M

Note                                                                             Infantry Battalions may replace the BTR152 with trucks, until 1970. Sagger was introduced in 1971, Spigot and Milan in 1981. OT64 was introduced in 1981.

Syrian Mechanized Battalion (BTR/BMP) 1968 to 1997

HQ                                           1 HQ

3 Companies                            1 BTR50, 3 Rifle, 3 Spigot or Milan

Mortar Battery                          4 BTR50, 2 82M or 2 120M (from 1978)

Note                                                                             BTR50 Battalions may have had a battalion anti-tank platoon. BMPs may use BTR50 mortar platoon.

Syrian Artillery Battalion 1965 to 1997

2 Batteries each                                   1 FAO, 2 Trucks, 2 122H or 152H or 160/240M or 130/180H

Or                                2 BM24 or BM27

Note                                                                             Division has 3 Battalions with 122mm, 1 with 152mm, and 1 with 160mm (most common), or 240mm Mortar. 130mm, 180mm and MLRS are army level assets for counter battery purposes.

Syrian 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

Large Units:

Armored Division – 2 Tank Regiment, 1 Mechanized Infantry Regiment, 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion

Mechanized Infantry Division – 1 Tank Regiment, 2 Mechanized Infantry Regiment, 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion

Infantry Division – 1 Tank Regiment, 3 Infantry Regiment, 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion

Airborne Division – 3 Infantry Regiment, 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion

Air Mobile Brigade – 3 Commando Battalions, 1 Helicopter Regiment