Iraqi Army develops the heavy mechanized and armored forces

An American M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank and a crew of Soldiers in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, and Iraqi Army crewmen of a T-72 tank perform checks in preparation for a live fire demonstration on Forward Operating Base Hammer, Oct. 31, 2008. (US Army photo by Pfc. Evan Loyd, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs)

The Iraqi Government has been ordering substantial numbers of weapons this year. These orders, combined with known training plans, and existing force structure, provide insight into the eventual planned force structure of elements of the Iraqi Security Forces. The Air Force, Iraqi Army light infantry, and light armored forces already have been addressed in The Long War Journal. The focus of this article is on the announced arms purchases and what they indicate for developments in the Iraqi Security Force's heavy mechanized and armored forces.