Highlights from Army Day 2011 Parade

Highlights from Army Day 2011 Parade

Every year on April 18th the Islamic Republic of Iran celebrates Army Day, or Rooz-e Artesh in celebration of their armed forces. Traditionally large parades are held across the country, the largest one taking place in Tehran.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the Zulfiqar-3 tank. After creating quite a stir in 2003 when it was shown during Sacred Defense Week, the original bare-bones prototypes remained virtually unchanged whenever they were drug out onto parade in later years. However this year, the tank, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the US's M1 Abrams, was shown with a full complement of equipment (at least externally). A more complete evaluation of this development will appear later. The two other Zulfiqar-3 prototypes were also shown, but without any of the additional accessories. 

Zulfiqar (M-ATF)

Also in the armor department, the relatively recent "Samsam" upgrade for the M-60A1 tank also made an appearance. This time around the "double-thickness Kontakt-3" ERA is organized more symmetrically compared to the earlier models seen on parade which looked as through the bricks had been thrown on and bolted on wherever they happened to land. That being said, there are still major gaps in the coverage, particularly at the front of the turret. Thankfully one mystery has been solved though; the mystery boxes on either side of the main gun on the front of the turret have been identified by a placard on the other side of the trailer as being IR jammers. I had suspected this might have been the case, but now it's confirmed!

Samsam (M-ATF)

A number of Zu-23-2s were also shown that were synced with remote weapons control. While they are not fully automatic, they do have an optical device and power elevation/traverse.

Air defense Boragh (M-ATF)

As one might be able to tell, one bonus to this parade was the wide range of camouflage patterns. Both the Samsam and the Boragh (above) as well as several other vehicles were outfitted in a black (or dark brown), white and brown "blob" pattern on a background of olive drab. A BTR-60 and another Boragh were fitted with a tan, brown and white vertical "striped/blob" pattern. There were a few other patterns, most slightly related to each other in some form or another. These patterns all applied relatively recently as evidenced by the fact that several of these vehicles were seen during Sacred Defense Week 2010 with older paint schemes. This would explain why many of the vehicles on parade appeared to be immaculate and without any "wear and tear". This brings up the question as to whether these patterns are going to be deployed elsewhere. More then likely they are just patterns applied to development or display vehicles as we've seen the same thing happen with plenty of other pain schemes (most rather horrendous) in the past.

Another surprise to many was the presence of two M113s in the all-white paint scheme of UN peace keepers. This is the second time that this happened, the first being at this time last year. This was coupled with an announcement by Brig. Gen. Pourdastan that the IRIA has a designated peacekeeping unit with the express purpose of engaging in UN peacekeeping missions. The general did specify however that they were not currently engaged in any operations. (1) According to the UN, Iran's peacekeeping contributions is currently limited to two "experts" in UMIS (United Nations Mission in Sudan). This is out of a total of 68 countries involved contributing a total of 10,445 peace-keepers. (2)

M113 in Tehran (M-ATF)

As many have observed, ATVs have been replacing motorcycles in their iconic role as modern-day dragoons. The interesting feature in this case is that the change isn't just visible on the parades in Tehran. This year, the use of ATVs has been seen by units in Ahvaz (92nd AD), Khorromabad (84th MID), Mashhad (77th MID), and Qazvin (16th AD).

ATVs in Tehran (Borna News)

There were a number of interesting BTR-60s on parade all across the country. Two were observed with pintle/ring mounted 12.7 mm DShK machine guns rather then the usual turret-mounted 14.5 mm guns. This may be an attempt to reduce weight, free up space in the troop compartment, or any number of other potential reasons which we can only guess at.

BTR-60PB in Ahvaz (Fars News)

BTRs from the 77th mechanized infantry division in Mashhad had M-47/Saeqeh ATGM operators sitting on top of the troop compartment with the roof hatches open. While this isn't remarkable as many APCs often have MANPATS stored internally it's still interesting to see exactly what type of missiles are used in this role.

BTR-60PB in Mashhad (Fars News)

In Isfahan an M109 was paraded equipped with an amphibious fording kit. The kit consists of four air bags on either side of the track and a wall erected around the top portion of the hull.

Amphibious M109 (Fars News)

For the second time, a T-72 belong to the IRIA was displayed in Mashhad. Since it's a local parade, it would only make sense for it to belong to the local 77th mechanized infantry division. Since T-72s are relatively recent newcomer to this region (which previously only relied on M-47 and M-48 tanks) this is one the pieces of evidence I believe indicates that Iran is probably producing T-72S at a low rate. Iran could simply be transferring tanks from one unit to another which is another possible explanation.

T-72(S) in Mashhad (Fars News)

Also in Mashhad, this parade offered a good look at the unit patch of the 77th MID, a subject which I've been interested in for some time as it relates to helping me organize Iran's order of battle. It features a golden-domed mosque on a black background with crossed objects, possibly rifles, in front of it.

77th MID patch on upper right shoulder (Fars News)

Another development in labyrinthine realm that is the Iranian military's uniform policy, the IRIN Marines are now being issued desert digital uniforms (similar to desert MARPAT/CADPAT). Previously they had only been seen with sage chocolate-chip safarflage or ACU-styled patterns. Marines in both Bushehr and Gilan, were seen wearing them. In Bushehr, the marines have been seen wearing a digital version of their traditional sage safariflage patterned uniform (not pictured).

IRIN Marines in desert digital patterns (IRNA)

Also in regard to uniforms, there is further evidence that the desert-dominant safariflage usually associated with the Artesh's 23rd Commando Division is now being adopted service wide as the standard pattern of the IRIA, replacing the older Woodland patterns based on the original US design.This year, it was visible on troops in Tehran, Ahvaz (92nd AD), Mashhad (77th MID), Tabriz (21st ID), Qazvin (16th AD), Ardebil (40th Ind. Inf. Brig.).

IRIA soldiers in Ahvaz (Fars News)

In Bushehr, a min-sub was seen for the first time. One is tempted to call this a large mockup like the kinds seen on parade in Tehran. However the fact that it has a working hatch as well as diving planes seem to suggest that there's at least the possibility it's a real submarine. If it does work, it's function would be to act as an SDV (swimmer delivery vehicle). A point supported by the presence of a military diver on the display next to the submarine. It would of course be designed to only operate for a short period over an equally short period of time.

Mystery submarine/SDV (Jamejam)

Meanwhile, in Mashhad, we got a rare glimpse of an ancient M-47 tank. These tanks appear to have remained largely as they were when the they rolled of the Bowen-McLaughlin upgrade plant in Khuzestan during the 1970s. However, some noticeable differences exist include a number of ERA bricks running alongside the fender on either side of the tank. The small number of bricks used, as well as their position on the storage bins makes one question the utility of such an upgrade. However more interestingly is what looks to be a security camera - the same kind used in mall parking lots across the world - mounted on a section of metal pipe coming out of the turret roof. Is this some kind of bizarre (albeit innovative) means of situational awareness? Perhaps Iran has a problem with people breaking in and stealing the stereos out their tanks at night?

M-47 with ERA and security-camera in Mashhad (Jamejam)

This year, a Raad-2 was also seen in Tabriz. The fact that a Raad-2 was displayed isn't remarkable in-and-of-itself, however the fact that we saw it deployed on parade in Tabriz indicates the location of at least one operational battalion equipped with them - the first one we've been able to nail down.

Raad-2 in Tabriz (Mehr News)

A proliferation of body armor and tactical vests has occurred in the past few years. This year, a particular kind has seen it's use skyrocket. Interestingly enough, a good number of them read "IRIAF" on the front-right shoulder strap - even the ones with no connection the IRIAF. Odd to say the least.

(YJC News)

(1) Iran Ready to Help UN with Peacekeeping Missions. Fars News. April 20th 2011. http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9001311728
(2) http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/resources/statistics/contributors.shtml