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Ustwo · 11-07-2004, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tecoyah

Thank you......but I will need to pass on the offer. Appreciate the information though.

Guess I need to find my own links.

Edit: Found a good one http://www.csis.org/features/0407_IransMilForces.pdf

You are right, I'm not worried in the least.

Quote:

Iran is still a major military power by Gulf terms. It has active forces of some 540,000 men, although some 220,000 of this total are 18-month conscripts which general receive limited training and have marginal military effectiveness. It also has an army reserve of some 350,000 men, although these reserves receive negligible training and Iran lacks the equipment, supplies, and leadership cadres to make effective use of such reserves without months of reorganization and training. Iran’s problems in military modernization have been compounded by a number of factors. The combat trained manpower Iran developed during the Iran-Iraq War have virtually all left service. Iran is now a largely conscript force with limited military training and little combat experience. The deep divisions between “moderates” and “hard-liners” in Iran’s government have inevitably politicized the armed forces, which remain under the command of the supreme religious leader, the Ayatollah Khamenei. Iran has also divided armed forces, split between the regular forces that existed under the Shah, and the Revolutionary Guards created under the Ayatollah Khomeini. This split is compounded by a highly bureaucratic force, which has made limited progress in joint warfare.

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Only part of Iran’s tank inventory is fully operational, however, and it is uncertain how many Chieftains and M-47/M-48s are operational. Some experts estimate that Iran's sustainable operational tank strength may be fewer than 1,000 tanks. Further, its Chieftains and M-60s are at least 16-20 years old, and the T-72 is Iran’s only tank with advanced fire control systems, sights, and anti-armor ammunition.

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The Iranian Air Force The Iranian Air Force has some 15,000 men and over 300 combat aircraft in its inventory (The IISS estimates 306). Many of these aircraft, however, are either not operational or cannot be sustained in air combat. This includes 50-60% of Iran’s US and French supplied aircraft and some 30-40% of its Russian and Chinese supplied aircraft. It has nine fighter-ground attack squadrons with 162-186 aircraft; seven fighter squadrons, with 70-74 aircraft, a reconnaissance unit with 4-8 aircraft, and a number of transport aircraft, helicopters, and special purpose aircraft. It operates most of Iraq’s land-based air defenses, including some 150 IHawks, 45 HQ-21s, 10 SA-5sm 30 Rapiers, and additional forces equipped with light surface-to-air missiles.

Its like Iraq lite. More untrained men, less real weapons.