T-72 MBT in Iranian Service

Iran is believed to operate 480 T-72M1 and T-72S since 2002. (Not be confused with the T-72Z.)

Iranian Anti-Tank Guided Missiles

Above are brochure slicks on Iranian ATGMs made by A.I.O. in Iran. Top is the Saeghe-2 and below that the RAAD-T. Click on images for full size resolution.

It is believed that these potentially lethal systems have not turned up on the Iraqi battlefield.

Independent Command Proposed for IRGC Missile Division

From PressTV:

Top Iranian military commander Mohammad-Ali Jafari has announced new IRGC plans to enhance the efficiency of its missile division.

"An independent command may soon be established to strengthen the structure and improve the activity of our missile division," said the IRGC major general in Tehran on Sunday.

Jafari added that the new IRGC missile command would be established only after the approval of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Regarding the proposed IRGC restructuring, he said the move should be considered a 'natural procedure' aimed at using financial and human resources in a way that can maximize efficiency.

It appears this move is primarily intended as a logistical enhancement. It's unclear if the move will in any way alter the existing chain of command.

The IRGC operate Iran's ballistic missile forces, which include the Shahab and Zelzal.

Syrian Defense Minister in Tehran

Syrian Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Hasan Al Turkumani arrived in Tehran today for talks with Iranian military officials. Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Mostafa Mohammad Najjar welcomed his Syrian guest at Tehran airport [Fars New Agency photo; 25 May 2008].

The revelation last week of on-going secret talks between Syria and Israel, brokered by Turkey, created noticeable tensions in Iran-Syria relations. Reports from Tehran indicate the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was shocked and in a state of disbelief when told of Israeli-Syrian peace talks. Ahmadinejad had an explicit understanding with the Syrians that they would not negotiate with Israel without prior coordination with Tehran.

Ever since the founding of Islamic Republic, Syria has been the principle ally of Iran in the Arab world. Late last year, the first signs of friction between the two allies began to be noticed. The Syrians asked Tehran to recall its ambassador to Damascus for his pro-Shia propaganda and financing religious publications sympathetic to Shia Islam. Ahmadinejad sent his vice president to Damascus as the new ambassador.

Hezbollah commander Imad Mughanieyeh, Iran’s principle ally in Lebanon was assassinated after leaving the Iranian cultural center in Damascus and meeting with the new Iranian ambassador. Some factions within the Islamic Republic suspected Syrian role in the assassination. Iran requested inclusion in the inquiry into Mughanieyeh’s death, but was denied a formal role.

The Syrian-Israeli secret negotiations added to suspicions in Tehran that Syria would do anything to get back the Golan, including dumping Iran as an ally. Today’s visit to Tehran of Syrian defense minister is used by Syrians to mend their relations with Tehran.

Boragh APC Variants Pt. 2

Boragh APC Variants Pt. 1

The Boragh is an Iranian-made armoured personnel carrier (APC). Boragh is believed to be a reverse engineered and upgraded model of the Chinese Type 86 (BMP-1). The upgrades include a reduction in weight, a higher road speed, and stronger armor. The vehicle is fully amphibious and is fitted with an NBC protection system and infra-red night vision equipment.

Iranian Self-Propelled Artillery

Self-Propelled Guns in 175 mm and 203 mm.

IRIAF Mirage F1 in action

The Mirage F1 was obtained by Iran from elements of the Iraqi Air Force during the First Gulf War, which flew to Iran on orders from Saddam Hussein. At least three examples were seen participating at the National Military Day in Tehran in 2008.

Pasdaran Troops Clash with Kurd Rebels

Iran troops kill nine Kurd rebels. From AFP:

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have killed nine Kurdish rebels, five of them women, in clashes in West Azarbaijan province near the border with Turkey, reports said on Saturday. "Revolutionary Guards clashed with a 10-member team and nine were killed," Jomhuri Eslami newspaper said, describing the rebels as "members of a military arm of the PJAK terrorist group."

The Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK) operates from rear-bases in northeastern Iraq and has been involved in a series of clashes with Iranian security forces in recent years. The rebel group has close links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a deadly insurgency in southeastern Turkey since 1984.

Jomhuri Eslami said that seven of the nine rebels killed were Turkish nationals and just two Iranian. "There were five women and four men among the nine dead bodies," it added. The paper said the clashes took place in the village of Gonbad, near the city of Orumieh. It said the 10th member of the rebel cell escaped across the border to Turkey. A report in the Kargozaran newspaper said the clashes took place on Wednesday night.

UPDATE: From Reuters:

Three Iranian Revolutionary Guardsmen have died from wounds sustained during a clash with rebels near the Turkish border, an Iranian news agency said on Monday, in an apparent reference to Kurdish guerrillas.

The semi-official Fars News Agency quoted a Guards spokesman as saying the fighting took place on Saturday. Iranian media had earlier said nine Kurdish rebels were killed on that day, but Fars did not make clear if it was during the same clash.

"These three Guardsmen were wounded two days ago in clashes with rebels ... and attained martyrdom after they were transported to hospital," spokesman Reza Rezvani told Fars.

Iranian forces have often clashed in border areas with rebels from the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), an offshoot of the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that is fighting for a Kurdish homeland in southeastern Turkey.

Analysts say PJAK, which Tehran brands a terrorist group, has bases in northeastern Iraq from where they operate against Iran.

Iraq's Kurdistan region borders both Turkey and Iran, and includes remote and rugged mountain ranges where Kurdish rebels from both the PKK and PJAK factions are holed up.

Turkey blames the PKK for the deaths of 40,000 people since 1984, when the group took up arms. Ankara, like the European Union and the United States, considers it a terrorist organisation. (Reporting by Hossein Jaseb and Hashem Kalantari; Editing by Giles Elgood)

T-72Z Tank in action Pt. 2

The T-72Z is a highly modernized version of the T-55, with upgrades performed by Defence Industries Organization of Iran. The name Safir-74 refers to Iranian T-54 tanks which have gone through similar upgrades, and Type T-72z refers to Type 59 tanks which have also undergone upgrade.

T-72Z Tank in action Pt. 1

Type T-72Z tanks in Iranian service.

According to Global Security:

An upgrade has been developed in Iran called the Type 72Z in order to extend the operational life of the T-54/T-55 MBTs, and the similar Chinese Type 59 equivalent used by Iran, all of which are armed with a 100mm gun. The existing 100mm gun has been replaced by a 105mm M68 rifled tank gun in service with Iran on the M60A1 MBT. The Armament Industries Division of the DIO probably makes this weapon because for some years it has had the capability to bore tank and artillery barrels, such as the 122mm Russian D-30.

To improve first-round hit probability, the Type 72Z has a Slovenian Fontana EFCS-3 computerised FCS. According to the manufacturer, installation of the EFCS-3 FCS enables stationary or moving targets to be engaged while the Type T72Z MBT is static or moving. The 7.62mm co-axial and roof-mounted 12.7mm machine guns have been retained as has the ability to lay a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust outlet on the left of the hull. In addition, four electrically operated smoke-grenade dischargers have been mounted on each side of the turret. At least one example of the Type 72Z has been fitted with a roof-mounted laser warning device, probably coupled to a commander's display and the electrically operated smoke-grenade launchers either side of the turret.

Iranian sources say the upgraded Type 72Z is powered by the V-46-6 V-12 diesel engine developing 780hp. This engine has been integrated into a new powerpack, which also includes the SPAT 1200 transmission for use in automatic or semi-automatic modes. The V-46 V-12 diesel engine is also installed in early production T-72 series MBTs, such as the T-72 and T-72A, and Iran could obtain these from various sources besides Russia. The Type 72Z's combat weight is quoted as 36 tonnes, power-to-weight ratio 21.66hp/tonne and maximum road speed is 65km/h. This compares with the T-55 MBT, which has a power-to-weight ratio of 16.11hp/tonne and a maximum road speed of 50km/h.

Iranian Tank Upgrade Facility

Iranian armor works for modernization of T-55 type tank to T-72Z specs. Note attention to turret, hull and main armament. Note also Boragh APC undergoing upgrade.

New IRGC Deputy Commanders

Iran's Supreme Leader has appointed new IRGC Deputy Commanders.

From IRNA:

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in separate decrees on Thursday appointed Brigadier General Mohammad Hosseinzadeh Hejazi as IRGC's deputy commander and Brigadier General Jamaleddin Aberoumand as IRGC deputy commander for coordination affairs.

The appointments were proposed by the IRGC commander and approved of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

In his decrees, Ayatollah Khamenei wished them success in fulfilling their duties and thanked former IRGC deputy commanders.

Saeqeh in action Pt. 2

Several examples of the Saeqeh participated at the 2008 Military Day in Tehran.

Saeqeh in action Pt. 1

The HESA Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) is an Iranian single-seater fighter jet. It is the second generation of the Iranian Azarakhsh fighter and, like the first generation, appears to be based on the US F-5E. The Saeqeh is a joint product of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force and the Iranian Ministry of Defense.

Azarakhsh in action

The HESA Azarakhsh (Lightning) is an indigenously manufactured fighter from Iran. The aircraft appears to be based on the Northrop F-5, although larger by 10%-15%. The Azarakhsh is said to use an upgraded version of N-019 Topaz (N-019ME) radar. Several Azarakhsh fighters performed a flyby at the 2008 Military Day in Tehran.

Bottom photo depicts Azarakhsh at front of formation of F-5 types.

F-5 Freedom Fighter/Tiger in action

Some 75 examples of the Northrop F-5 type fighter are believed to be flying with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force. It serves as the basis for Iran's indigenous fighter types, the Azarakhsh and Saegeh. Bottom photo taken at the 2008 Military Day in Tehran.