The Iraqi army adopted the T-72 and BMP-1 delivered by sea at the end of last week. On this occasion, a solemn ceremony was held at one of the military bases, which was attended by the Minister of Defense of the country, Juma Inad Saadun, who arrived by helicopter.
On this occasion, twenty infantry fighting vehicles and ten main battle tanks were displayed on the parade ground.
The equipment was in the Bulgarian army, underwent major repairs under a contract signed in June last year. According to some reports, it is designed for three years, the transaction amount is $ 245 million. New supplies, including spare parts and other military equipment, should be expected in the future.
Judging by the video footage, the BMP-1 has been modified at the lowest level. Most likely, they have changed only the means of communication, and in their capabilities they correspond to the level of the 70s.
Interestingly, even the guides of the "Malyutka" anti-tank missile launchers mounted above the barrels of 73 mm 2A28 "Thunder" guns remained in their place. These ATGMs are currently practically not used in the Iraqi army.
The T-72M1 also arrived in an outdated configuration, similar versions were used on the fronts of the eight-year war with Iran, during the invasion of Kuwait and in battles with American M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams tanks in 1991 and 2003.
For example, a serious disadvantage is the lack of modern night sights and dynamic protection on them. These "seventy-second" are inferior even to cars of a similar type, modernized by the Forces of the People's Militia.
At the same time, the T-72 is valued in Iraq for its reliability, maintainability and ease of development.
In addition to them, the troops operate modern T-90S and BMP-3, the development of which began in educational institutions of the Ministry of Defense.
Alexey Brusilov
