Tamil Tiger tanks???

[drg]

Hey everybody,
I've recently been doing some research into the larger non-governmental armed groups around the world (ie FARC, Tamil Tigers etc), and in one source it claimed that the Tamil Tigers have "some tanks" (can't remember where it was, but i know i read it). I remember a couple of months back, the Sri Lanakan govt bought Baktar Shikans from Pakistan, that had tandem warheads, and i wrote at the time that it seemed a strange move, as i assumed that such a weapon would be used against armoured vehicles.
So I was just wondering if anybody knew what armoured vehicles (tanks etc) that the Tamil Tigers have, as i've tried Google and i couldn't find anything. Also of interest in re to Sri Lanka,(if this info hasn't been posted before)is that i read in International Military Machines magazine, that Sri Lanka apparently signed a deal in 2006 for al-Khalid tanks, (as i said before this info may have already been posted) from Pakistan. Anyways, any info on armoured vehicles that the LTTE has would be greatly appreciated.
Gracias.

 

[eckherl]

Hey everybody,
I've recently been doing some research into the larger non-governmental armed groups around the world (ie FARC, Tamil Tigers etc), and in one source it claimed that the Tamil Tigers have "some tanks" (can't remember where it was, but i know i read it). I remember a couple of months back, the Sri Lanakan govt bought Baktar Shikans from Pakistan, that had tandem warheads, and i wrote at the time that it seemed a strange move, as i assumed that such a weapon would be used against armoured vehicles.
So I was just wondering if anybody knew what armoured vehicles (tanks etc) that the Tamil Tigers have, as i've tried Google and i couldn't find anything. Also of interest in re to Sri Lanka,(if this info hasn't been posted before)is that i read in International Military Machines magazine, that Sri Lanka apparently signed a deal in 2006 for al-Khalid tanks, (as i said before this info may have already been posted) from Pakistan. Anyways, any info on armoured vehicles that the LTTE has would be greatly appreciated.
Gracias.

Maybe the tandem warheads wil be used for beefed up bunkers or building structures. They are quite useful against buildings made out of concrete.

 

[kato]

Depending on source (well, on dubiousness of sources), the LTTE operates up to nine T-55 tanks, captured from the Sri-Lankan Army.

eelam.com, a LTTE site, has a picture of a captured T-55 in supposed LTTE service (well, it has their flag hanging from the barrel). Interestingly, with a cage installed on the turret.

 

[levathan]

Depending on source (well, on dubiousness of sources), the LTTE operates up to nine T-55 tanks, captured from the Sri-Lankan Army.

a LTTE site, has a picture of a captured T-55 in supposed LTTE service (well, it has their flag hanging from the barrel). Interestingly, with a cage installed on the turret.

Intersting, where do they get spare parts and ammo for them?
I presume the international black market but it would be difficult for a non-national state to purchase them and get them across various customs back to sri lanka.
Any idea when the tanks were captured? And whether they're still in use?

 

[suddendeath]

HELLO yes they do have some old t55 captured from srilankian army.
that is why the government of srilanka has asked pakistan to upgrade its old t55s to al zarrar standard to combact tamil tanks sorry cant post links but got the info at the tamil tigers own site. cheers

 

[SABRE]

HELLO yes they do have some old t55 captured from srilankian army.
that is why the government of srilanka has asked pakistan to upgrade its old t55s to al zarrar standard to combact tamil tanks sorry cant post links but got the info at the tamil tigers own site. cheers

than post the link from LTTLE website.

 

[swerve]

HELLO yes they do have some old t55 captured from srilankian army.
that is why the government of srilanka has asked pakistan to upgrade its old t55s to al zarrar standard to combact tamil tanks sorry cant post links but got the info at the tamil tigers own site. cheers

Even if you can't post the link, you can still spell it out.

So far, the only reliable evidence for this I know of is the single picture of a single T-55 linked to by Kato, & there's no evidence I know of that the LTTE have ever done anything with it except drape a flag on it & take a picture.

 

[icekid]

I am not surprised that they got tanks too... They recently acquired a bi plane and attacked sri lankan air base.