Iraq's "Hungarian" T-72s may actually be ex-Belarussian

[kato]

They're ex-East-German, modified in West Germany to SPz BMP-1A1 standard. Afaik all BMP1 exported to Greece were BMP-1A1.

Nothing special.

BMP-1A1 means they have the AT-3 launcher removed (and AT-5 added), 73mm autoloader removed, fuel cells in back doors removed. Western standard smoke grenade launchers added. Fifth gear was blocked, lowering speed to 40 kph max; modified transmission for better handling. Boarding ladder on the left side of the vehicle, some anti-sliding covering of the hull. Added crew compartment heating. Rubber track pieces originally planned for German service, as the BMP-1A1 didn't get a road license due to its metal tracks.

Later Greek upgrades included a M2HB for the TC.

 

[eckherl]

They're ex-East-German, modified in West Germany to SPz BMP-1A1 standard. Afaik all BMP1 exported to Greece were BMP-1A1.

Nothing special.

BMP-1A1 means they have the AT-3 launcher removed (and AT-5 added), 73mm autoloader removed, fuel cells in back doors removed. Western standard smoke grenade launchers added. Fifth gear was blocked, lowering speed to 40 kph max; modified transmission for better handling. Boarding ladder on the left side of the vehicle, some anti-sliding covering of the hull. Added crew compartment heating. Rubber track pieces originally planned for German service, as the BMP-1A1 didn't get a road license due to its metal tracks.

Later Greek upgrades included a M2HB for the TC.

I would assume that it is the same spandrel launcher found on the BMP 2, Sweden purchased a big batch of BMP1s many years ago from Germany that are apparently no longer being used, what happened to them besides some of them making it to the tank ranges.

Iraq is pulling and making deals with alot of different countries at the current time for a variety of different vehicles, what they haven`t managed to scavenge from battlefield wrecks for spare parts they are purchasing vehicles just for this purpose. With the success rate that Iraq is experiencing with newly established units we will see even more of a mechanized growth rate.

 

[Izzy1]

Eckherl...



I take it that Jane's was right...


BTR-80....


A lousy piece of kit x