tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620264550074013695.post8356117700342784559..comments2024-03-27T14:28:56.189-07:00Comments on The Arkenstone - ارکنستون: Howeizeh APCAuthor: Galen Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14420998943532765616noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620264550074013695.post-65854603378460928102012-12-12T05:42:19.032-08:002012-12-12T05:42:19.032-08:00Excellent analysis mr.Wright.Excellent analysis mr.Wright.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620264550074013695.post-43936513433901282772012-12-11T16:17:43.912-08:002012-12-11T16:17:43.912-08:00Well, I still have yet to gather up the descriptio...Well, I still have yet to gather up the descriptions of it in the Iranian media, but when I get around to posting them this should clarify some of its doctrinal use. It's small size certainly makes limited use in the manner you describe likely, and is supported by some of the language in reference to setting up ambushes by transporting heavy/semi-heavy weapons (AKA MANPATS/MANPADS). Off the top of my head, within mechanized units, all attached anti-tank assets above the small-unit level use soft-skin vehicles - motorcycle RPG-teams, Jeep-mounted RCLs and ATGMs. So it's certainly plausible. By the same token though, it doesn't really appear to be optimized for the tank-destroyer role (as per something like the FV102 Striker), which makes we want to believe it's for more general-purpose mechanization. I think they could do better if they wanted to field a tank-destroyer - the FV101-based Sayyad (armed with a TOW) is an example. Though, as you suggest, different variants may be fielded (i.e. mortar carrier, APC, ATGM). <br /><br />Because the Howeizeh and the Tala'eeyeh are associated together, it's possible that they're two different avenues of mass mechanization - much like the Soviet decision to equip their divisions with the high/low BMP/BTR-mix (though, probably with a different internal logic of course). <br /><br />I have to wonder how they would be deployed though since I still don't know too much about the IRGC's OOB/TO&E at the Brigade level, let alone battalion and company strength. Would existing M113s and BMPs be consolidated into stronger units, or would the Howeizeh be deployed alongside them? In other words, what would be the smallest homogenous concentration of vehicles - platoon, company, battalion? The answer would probably depend on production capability. Though the simple design should make any operationalization relatively painless for units switching over from one design to another, or being converted from motorized to mechanized infantry.<br /><br />I don't have any answers one way or another to be honest, I'm just kind of going through my though process out loud. <br /><br />Other than that, Vahidi's comments suggest that they will also be used for a) peacekeeping, and b) border patrol / internal defense. The first role might be in reference to the Army's battalion outfitted in U.N-white livery that we've seen before, but I'm skeptical of this overall requirement in the design simply because peacekeeping isn't a high priority for Iran, let alone the IRGC. On the other hand, the ground forces do conduct extensive internal defence operations among the high-desert mountain terrain of Eastern Iran (Baluchistan, Khorasan) and Kurdistan. If you check out my article on skill tabs used by the Iranian forces (under the "equipment" tab on the top of the screen), you will see a "mountain warfare" patch, which is frequently seen worn by the army's light-infantry "commando" brigades, and by various IRGC units which operate in these regions. <br />Author: Galen Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14420998943532765616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620264550074013695.post-85717555646913765152012-12-10T21:15:55.932-08:002012-12-10T21:15:55.932-08:00Great article. Couple thoughts: we don't see ...Great article. Couple thoughts: we don't see the whole system here -- how does the thermal camouflage jacket/awning, if such exists, fit? A Weisel 2-size vehicle might be just for high-value teams: anti-tank, MANPADS, etc., who need greater manuverability around the edges of an enemy advance? Weisels and Bv-206S have been used in Afghanistan in mountian terrain as a heavy weapon (20mm cannon) platform for patrols and to provide a "platoon mule" for extra ammo/food/water/stow the 60mm mortar and the javelin, etc. The Weisel was originally part of German airborne doctrine, what's the doctrinal origin of this vehicle?<br /><br />This actually touches on a bigger issue: Continental Europe traditionally has had specialist mountain fighting doctine and units (alpini, gebirgsjäger). In WWII the US modelled the 10th Mountain Division after them, and the British retrained the Lovat Scouts for mountain fighting. Post-WWII the US and the British discarded the idea and one assumes their trainers did not recommend such to the Shah. Does Iran have specialist mountain fighting doctrine and the TTPs that follow? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620264550074013695.post-41509631320676630372012-12-10T20:52:45.298-08:002012-12-10T20:52:45.298-08:00Whether or not this vehicle will enter production,...Whether or not this vehicle will enter production, well...we'll just have to see. Maybe, maybe not. I remember watching a documentary a short while ago that discussed the funds available for procurement across the services. The ground forces received a paltry 10% - that's not a lot of APCs, let alone tanks. Author: Galen Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14420998943532765616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620264550074013695.post-20663810555340723742012-12-10T20:50:52.340-08:002012-12-10T20:50:52.340-08:00Really, it comes down to there not being enough de...Really, it comes down to there not being enough demand to build up the necessary industrial base. There was some attempt during the 1990s to create the required base, including the BMP overhaul program (Boragh), the upgrades for their existing Soviet and Western-built tanks, the assembly of T-72s and BMP-2s, and the forays into indigenous design of heavy and light AFVs. But this promising development never matured into the sophisticated base that would have been needed to produce Zulfiqars by now. The licensed assembly of BMPs and T-72s was cancelled, upgrades for M-60s and Chieftains stagnated, the Zulfiqar remained in the development phase. The IRGC was better funded, but they were never an armour-centric force. <br /><br />I have no doubt that if the general command decided to invest in the industrial base that Iran has the national capability (resources, education, human capital) to produce something on par with other regional powers. It probably wouldn't rival the top tier tanks today - the Leo 2A6, Chally 2, Merk 4 - but I can easily see something comparable to China's Type 96/99. It would, however, take several years to get there, simply to build up the expertise and entrenched knowledge base, which could design and produce competant armor designs. Remember that all the great producers today, Russia, U.S, Germany, Britain, all have decades of institutional experience producing and designing tanks. Iran simply doesn't have that. Look at the teething problem's India's had designing the Arjun. I suspect much of that is simply due to them building up a non-existent industry over the years. Author: Galen Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14420998943532765616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620264550074013695.post-83699963796916772512012-12-10T17:47:40.326-08:002012-12-10T17:47:40.326-08:00And lastly, what do you think is the possibility t...And lastly, what do you think is the possibility that this new vehicle will reach mass production stage? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620264550074013695.post-54296334218849466242012-12-10T17:41:19.120-08:002012-12-10T17:41:19.120-08:00This was a very well written and interesting artic...This was a very well written and interesting article. But there is something I've always wondered...<br /><br />I've been to Iran before and it is not a backward country. For example they had a decent automobile industry that in my opinion could easily mass produce armored vehicles (like Zulfiqar tanks and Boragh APCs). <br /><br />The thing I don't understand is that why up until now the bulk of their army consisted of light infantry and obsolete vehicles. Hopefully they will now begin to modernize their forces, but I'm surprised that they haven't learned from the Iran-Iraq War and failed to do so until now. Do you know if there is any reason they did not modernize until now? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com