|
|
|
|
|
|
Resources |
|
|
|
Syrian Missiles: Shifting Balance in the Middle East
| Article
# : |
12351 |
|
|
Section : |
CURRENT ISSUES
|
| Issue
Date : |
1 / 1987 |
3,039 Words |
| Author
: |
Avigdor Haselkorn
Avigdor Haselkorn is a senior analyst for Analytical
Assessments Corporation. |
Numerous recent reports indicate that the Soviet Union has agreed to supply Syria with SS-23 Spider short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs). The Syrians are also known to possess mobile shorter-range SS-21 Scarab surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs), first introduced in September 1983. Although Syria received its first Frog-7 surface-to-surface rockets in 1972, followed by the SS-1C Scud-B missiles, the recent Soviet upgrading of the Syrian arsenal represents much more than a numerical expansion. In fact, the new additions come at a time when the Soviets are radically shifting their views on the use of these weapons as instruments of theater warfare.
Today Syria is credited with a force of more than 120 SS-21, Frog-7 and SS-1C missiles in its inventory. These are intended for use by three recently reorganized SSM brigades. The oldest one is the 69th Rocket Brigade, which was formed after the delivery of the first Frog-7s. It now has 18 transport-erector launchers (TELS) and reloaders. Another brigade is equipped with Scud-B missiles with three battalions and 18 launchers. The third brigade is still being organized. It fields two battalions with a total of 12 SS-21 missiles, and a third battalion with six more missile launchers is apparently in formation. Analysts believe that at least some of these units are normally stationed in concrete shelters in the mountains near Damascus and in the Palmyra region. Presumably, the Syrians will form a fourth brigade once the SS-23s arrive.
The reorganization of the Syrian SSM brigades closely follows the Soviet pattern. Soviet Scud brigades were expanded from six to nine launchers during the 1960s and from nine to 12 launchers in the 1970s. Currently, such units deploy 12 to 18 launchers with the
... (2000 of 19157 Characters)
Read Full Article
|
|
