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successEuro
heT1980 - 1989Reaching fartherStriking harder
(AFP)
storypean
missile
twoas number
Europe
113112
uring the 1980s, the balance of terror between NATO and the
Warsaw Pact began to waver. This was no doubt most evident
during the Afghanistan War. On 24 December 1979, Soviet
tanks rolled into Afghanistan to support the communist regime in
place in that country, and in doing so, stirred up the East-West
tensions that had subsided. With the support of the U.S. and Europe,
the Mujahideen fought back with great ferocity. The Soviets finally
pulled out ten years later, on February 15, 1989, just before the fall of
the Berlin Wall. The two blocs had already begun the disarmament
process in 1985.
This decade saw the largest amphibious operation carried out since
World War II, and the use of missiles would be a determining factor
in the outcome. In the name of decolonisation, on 1 April 1982,
Argentine troops disembarked on the British-held Falkland Islands.
Britain's response was swift. Margaret Thatcher deployed 30 British
warships, among them two aircraft carriers. It was major challenge for
the British forces, which found themselves 15,000 kilometres from
home with only the limited capabilities of Sea Harriers as a means of
air support. The Argentines, on the other hand, had the latest French
aircraft-Mirage IIIs and Super Etendards fitted with Exocet missiles.
Losses were significant on both sides, and it did not take much for the
British to find themselves in a delicate situation. In the end, the Navy
and the SAS made up for the lack of air superiority.
In Europe, many of the programmes launched during the Cold War
were completed during the 1980s and 1990s. Some of the most ambi-
tious and costly ones did not survive the warming of East-West
relations, while others were cut back or spread out over time. In any
event, the arms race led to a surge in European industrial develop-
ment and the emergence of advanced technologies. In the 1980s, as it
reached number two worldwide with a broad range of missile
systems, the European industry began to look for new growth
segments. It did this in part by taking on the sectors held by American
or Soviet competitors, such as the Mistral very short-range ground-to-
air missile, Apache cruise missile, ANS supersonic anti-ship missile,
Alarm anti-radar missile and vertically launched surface-to-air missiles
such as the VL Sea Wolf. The industry also demonstrated a great deal
of inventiveness in opening new markets, with bold challenges such
as bringing together in a single Mica missile distant interception
and close-range combat capabilities, and by creating the first very
short-range anti-tank missile, the Eryx.
The British task force on its way to reclaim the Falkland Islands after they fell into Argentine hands. In the end, the combination ofSea Harrier fighters and Sea Dart medium-range surface-to-air missiles for distant interceptions and that of Rapier short-rangeground/surface-to-air and Sea Wolfs prevailed, the Argentine Air Force suffering losses to such an extent it could no longer be operational. The Falklands War served as a “baptism by fire” for a number of missiles, among them the Rapier, Sea Wolf, Sea Dartand Sea Skua on the British side, and the Roland and Exocet on the Argentine side. (AFP)
(AFP)
115114
he 1980s were a time of intense activity in the anti-tank sector, which kept pace with the evolving
threat posed by the generations of Soviet tanks that were developed in rapid succession. For each new
development in armour or countermeasures capabilities made to adversary
tanks, corresponding improvements had to be made to Milan and Hot
missiles in order to guarantee their effectiveness.These missiles had, in fact,
become the backbone of western anti-tank defence. Of the 300,000 Milan
missiles produced by then, 80 per cent were in service in the armies of the
six European countries that were members of NATO. From then on, the
upgrade process was pretty much permanent. The adoption by the Soviets
of more reactive so-called “exotic” multi-layered tank armour led to the
development of new dual warheads positioned “in tandem” (2T) with the
Milan 2T and Hot 2T. At the same time, a joint venture between France,
Germany and the United Kingdom was put in place to develop the Trigat
family (Third Generation Anti-Tank) to succeed the Milan and the Hot.
With the increased effectiveness of Soviet tank armour it appeared that anti-tank rocket launchers would
eventually have to be withdrawn, due to their limited capabilities. Hence the French Army expressed the
need for a weapon with a doubled range (600 metres instead of 300 metres for the rocket launchers) that
could be fired from an enclosed space during urban combat. Aerospatiale won the competition with its pro-
posal for a very short-range anti-tank missile, the Eryx.
Armour is reinforced
A Desert Storm hero Hot 2 Production and entry in service in 1985
Weight: 23.5 kg
Range: 75 to 4,000 metres
1980The second version of the Hot features a 150-mm hollow charge, increased from
136 mm on the Hot 1, and uses a more powerful explosive. Its perforation capability
was increased to 1,250 mm of homogenous armour instead of 850 mm on the Hot 1.
With a mass identical to the Hot 1 thanks to more advanced integration of electronics,
the missile's capabilities are in fact very different from those of its predecessor.
The Hot 2 proved its worth in 1991, when it was widely used during the first Gulf War,
fired against Iraqi tanks during Operation Desert Storm.
Power of a Hot in the hands of an infantryman Eryx
Entered service in 1992
6 customer countries
Range: 600 metres
1983
The Eryx was developed as a short-range
anti-tank missile. It was created to
succeed rocket launchers, which were
limited in range (300 metres) and power.
As a missile, the Eryx's range is twice
as long and it can carry two warheads
in tandem. These can perforate up to
900 mm of tank armour, i.e. same capabi-
lity as the Hot, while remaining man-
portable. Thanks to direct-thrust vector
control, the Eryx can be fired from an
enclosed space during urban combat. A
third-generation missile, the Eryx met
with considerable success on the export
market as it has no competitors.
(AFP)
(Euromissile/Eddy Guilloux)
(MBDA/J.C Ranvier)
(MBDA/Michel Toineau)
Hot 2T operational in 1992
Weight: 33 kg
Range: 4 km
Fitted on armoured vehicles andhelicopters (Gazelle and Bo 105)
117116
Countering reactive armour
1987To maintain the effectiveness of anti-tank
missiles against new Soviet reactive
armour, a smaller charge was added in
front of the main one in order to set off
the reactive modules, hence the principle
of tandem charge weapons (2T) adopted
at the same time for the Milan and the Hot.
Milan 2T and Hot 2T
Milan 2T operational in 1991
Weight: 12 kg
Range: 2 km
Fitted on light vehicles
1985
Trigat medium-range: A system that arrived too late
AC3G-MR
Range: 2.5 km
1st guided firing in 1991
Qualification in 1996
Programme stopped in the summer of 2000
1988As the product of a five-way cooperation between
Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the
United Kingdom, the Trigat third-generation anti-tank
missile was designed as a successor to the Milan.
With a range identical to that of the Milan, the
medium-range Trigat featured additional capabilities.
It relied on laser guidance, could be fired from an
enclosed space and had an impressive military charge
(150 mm for the main warhead and 40 mm for the front
charge). Several interruptions of at least a year with
every new phase of the programme delayed its opera-
tional entry considerably. With the fall of the Berlin
Wall, quantities were cut in half, before the programme
was discontinued in 2000.
(MBDA/J.C Ranvier)
(AFP)
(EMDG)
119118
Trigat long-range:The fire-and-forget anti-tank
AC3G-LR
1988Development of the long-range version of the Trigat
was launched by Germany, France and the United
Kingdom, the goal being to replace Hot, Swingfire and
American Tow missiles. As the first European fire-and-
forget anti-tank missile to rely on infrared homing, the
programme was plagued by several problems. While it
was launched at the height of the Cold War, the needs
of armies have changed since the fall of the Berlin
Wall. As a result, in 1993, the vehicle-launched
versions were abandoned and the United Kingdom
decided to withdraw from the programme, which was
then transferred from Aerospatiale-Missiles to the
German company LFK.
Range: up to 8 km
Qualification firings between 1997 and 2002
Destined to equip GermanTiger helicopters
he entry in service among Soviet and American armies of advanced medium-range and short-range ground-to-air
systems made it no longer possible to penetrate an air space defended by such means except with very low-altitude
air attacks. Short-range ground-to-air systems were costly, as they combined surveillance radars and fire control systems. A
less expensive system was therefore appealing, both for coverage of “blind” areas not scanned by radars and to serve as
back-up in case of radar jamming. The development of very short-range ground-to-air systems
was launched by the Soviets in the 1960s with the Strela SA 7 and by the Americans with the
equivalent Stinger. Both were very light and could therefore be transported by a single man and
shoulder fired (suitable for commando use). However their capabilities were consistent with
their smaller weight. Attacks could only be carried out on the rear of the target and the missile's strike probability was
relatively low. To be truly effective, it was necessary to be attacked first then respond with a salvo of several missiles and
thus be more certain of striking the target.
In France, the Air Force and the Army expressed a need for this kind of system, but with greater capabilities. This led to
the Mistral programme in 1980. As well, the short-range ground-to-air Roland system was upgraded. The missile's capability
to engage targets on short notice was improved with the Roland 3 in 1988.
The low-altitudethreat
1980
Bad news for enemy aircraft Matra decided to correct the various
shortcomings of very short-range ground-
to-air missiles and came up with a system
featuring a better seeker, capable of
attacking the front of the target aircraft
(impossible for the SA 7 and the Stinger)
by using a bigger charge. The result was
a slightly heavier system that had to be
carried by two men and fired from a tripod.
However, since it was more effective, the
system reduced the number of firing
posts required compared with its Russian
or American counterparts, resulting in far
greater reliability.
Mistral
The Mistral system can be installed on
- A tripod
- Light vehicles (Albi, Atlas, Aspic)
- Naval platforms (Simbad, Sadral, Tetral)
- Helicopters (AATCP, ATAM)
1st firing in 1986
Entered service in 1990
Speed: Mach 3
Range: 6 km
(DGA/CEV)
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Dealing with low-flying threats
1988
The Roland 3 was designed to respond to
the threat of armoured and highly
manoeuvrable modern combat helicopters
flying close to the ground. The missile's
range was increased (8 km instead of 6 km),
its speed and manoeuvrability were
improved and its warhead was made
more powerful.
Roland 3
Warhead: 10 kg
Speed: Mach 1.6
Range: 8 km
Roland missile in service in 11 countries
625 firing posts and25,370 missiles ordered
aunched at the beginning of the 1980s by Lockheed Martin in response to an invitation to tender on
the part of the U.S. Army, the multiple rocket launcher (MRL) was capable of deploying rockets or
missiles, significantly increasing the depth of artillery strikes. With no competitor, its fire power and mobility
drew the interest of many countries, notably in Europe. In 1986, Germany, France, Italy and the United
Kingdom created a consortium to produce the MRL under American licence. The
increased range of this system, as well as those of France's tactical nuclear missiles,
required more effective means of in-depth observation, which artillery units did not
have. Moreover, getting closer to the enemy's means required greater speed in order to improve chances of
survival. Use of the CL89, then the CL289 in these roles stirred up interest in drones. In France, this interest
was confirmed with the Brevel, a slow and long-endurance drone designed to both serve the needs of artillery
and gather intelligence for the division so that its move could be well planned.
Reaching farther
Steel rain
1986In Europe, 284 artillery multiple rocket
launchers (Multiple Launch Rocket
System) were produced for Germany,
France, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Integration was entrusted to Aerospatiale-
Missiles, which produced 134 units at its
Bourges factory. The most notable combat
use of this system was during the first
Gulf War. The Americans used them
aggressively to support their troops and
break down Iraqi defences. Thanks to
their range, these systems were never hit
by enemy artillery.
Mounted on the chassis of a Bradley
Weight: 25 tonnes
Range: 32 km
MLRS
(MBDA/Alain Gortais)
(LTV)
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To go where others do not
CL-289 Piver
Four batteries delivered since 1992
Autonomy: 30 min
Range: 400 km
Speed: 740 km/h
1987The Piver system (Programmation et Interprétation des Vols
d'Engins de Reconnaissance) consists of a land battery for
preparing missions, setting up, deploying and recovering a CL-289
reconnaissance drone (developed in cooperation by Canada,
Germany and France) then exploiting the images gathered. The
system was effectively used in Kosovo in 2000.
Very discreet eyes Brevel
1989
Unlike the CL289, the Brevel system flies at high altitude, slowly and for
a long time. Destined to spy on the enemy, it is difficult to detect (visual,
IR, radar and sound) and highly resistant to jamming. The project brought
together Matra and MBB (Germany) in 1983, which led to the
creation of GIE Eurodrone in 1989. Budget problems delayed
the awarding of the development contract in late 1992, and
France did not participate in the industrialisation phase.
Weight: 150 kg
Autonomy: 4 hours
Altitude: 2,000 metres
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1987
he arrival of multifunction radars (electronic scanning)
aboard modern fighter jets paved the way for a new generation
of air-to-air missiles suited for multi-target engagements, in other
words, the simultaneous firing of several missiles on different
targets. At the beginning of the 1980s, the United States proposed
a transatlantic cooperation consisting of splitting up missile
development and then matching the purchases of two types of air-
to-air missiles. The U.S. proposed that Europe
study the ASRAAM (advanced short-range
air-to-air missile) to replace the famous
Sidewinder while it would look after develop-
ment of an AMRAAM (advanced medium-range air-to-air
missile) to succeed the Sparrow.This “two-way street” proposition
was greeted with a lukewarm response in Europe. France refused
to depend on the United States for the exportation of its future
combat aircraft (upgraded Mirage 2000s and Rafales) by even-
tually fitting them with AMRAAMs. To withdraw from this
transatlantic cooperation as gracefully as possible, France decided
to design a single missile capable of two missions through the use
of interchangeable seekers: Mica EM, with a pulse doppler seeker,
to replace the Super 530 as a long-range interceptor missile, and
Mica IR, with an IR seeker and CCD to succeed the Magic 2 as a
close-up combat missile. The dated notion of close range combat
was gradually phased out, as modern IR seekers now offer a range
of 10 to 15 km.
One missile, two missions
A challenge met Mica
Replacing the Super 530D and Magic 2 duo with a
single missile was an ambitious undertaking. It had to
offer capabilities that were greater than those of the
former within a mass no bigger than that of the latter,
the smaller Magic 2. This technological challenge was
met. Its availability in two versions (active homing for
interception and IR for close-up combat) makes the
Mica a unique missile. Moreover, the Mica is highly
manoeuvrable thanks to a jet interaction control system.
It also features anti-jamming capabilities, effective
against even very sophisticated countermeasures.
As it benefits from low resistance, the Mirage 2000-5
can carry up to four of the missiles, and the Rafale, no
less than eight.
1st firing in 1992
Entered service in 1996
3,000 missiles ordered byfive countries
(ECPAD)
(ECPAD)
127126
1980
he first generation of Martel anti-radar missiles was destined to destroy air surveillance radars as
well as medium-range land or naval ground-to-air systems in order to carry out in-depth strikes (notably
for the French Mirage IV). For this reason, it could only be exported to
NATO member countries. For exports to the Middle East, Matra began,
without British participation, modernising the Martel in 1980 by improving
the seeker. The new missile was named Armat. For its part, in 1983
British Aerospace Dynamics began studying the replacement of the Martel with the Alarm, a missile based
on a new concept. In fact, it featured different attack modes. Direct mode made it possible to fire in salvo
towards an area where enemy radar waves were detected by the launch aircraft. Standby enabled the missile,
in complete autonomy, to reach a cruising altitude and then deploy a parachute to seek out enemy radar
waves. Alarm was designed to open up corridors for fighter-bombers in areas of dense air defence by
eliminating any fire control radars in their paths, up to a range of 45 km.
A second generation of anti-radar missiles
An upgraded Martel To develop the Armat, a medium-range anti-radar mis-
sile, Matra resumed the development of British-made
equipment. The capabilities of the seeker as well as the
electronic components were significantly improved,
benefiting from the latest technological advances, such
as total band coverage of enemy radar frequencies.
The Armat was used in combat by Iraqi Mirage F1s,
which destroyed numerous Iranian radars.
Entered service in 1984
Range: 100 km
160 missiles produced
Weapons for Mirage F1and Mirage 2000
Armat
1st firing in late 1986
Entered service in 1991
Weight: 200 kg
The “loitering” missile Alarm
1983The Alarm (air-launched anti-radar missile)
is a short-range aircraft-launched anti-radar
missile whose purpose is to open up
penetration corridors for fighter-bombers.
It can be deployed in two modes: direct
attack or “loiter” mode with an ascent to
cruise altitude followed by a parachute
descent to seek out and identify enemy
radars. And even if the target shuts down
before being destroyed by the missile,
Alarm is programmed to remember the
location. The radar seeker's electronics
can be reprogrammed to adapt to changing
threats. The Alarm is fitted on Tornado
GR1s, which can carry up to seven missiles
beneath their wings. Alarm missiles were
used by the British during the Gulf War
in 1991.
(D.R.)
129128128
The beginnings of a great family
1989
Following the failure of a transatlantic cooperation project, France plunged
itself into the study of a cargo missile that could scatter anti-runway
sub-munitions. This required mastering technologies that were new in
Europe: mission preparation, contour-hugging flight with radar correction,
stealth, etc. Meanwhile, the lessons learned during the Gulf War in 1991
spawned the need for a longer-range single-warhead cruise missile to
attack hardened infrastructures (command centres, telecommunications,
bunkers, etc.), resulting in the Scalp-EG and the Storm Shadow.
Apache
s the anti-aircraft defences of Warsaw Pact countries were reinforced, flying over air
bases became too dangerous. Yet in the event of war, neutralising them during the first
hours of a conflict was vital in order to re-establish a balance of numbers between the air forces
of the West and those of the East. At the beginning of the 1980s, advances in inertial navigation
as well as the possibility of correcting the path of a long-range missile using cartography (thanks
to the development of observation satellites), made it possible to aim for a strike precision of
50 to 100 metres following a trajectory of several hundred kilometres. Such a missile could
therefore be launched from a safe distance, without having to fly over the
target or even enemy territory.
In 1986, the United States proposed the development of a missile of this
type, within the framework of NATO, to seven countries. Called the
MSOW (Medium Stand-Off Weapon), the project was nonetheless withdrawn in 1989.
Meanwhile, France preferred to act alone in 1987 by having Matra and Aerospatiale team up to
develop an air-to-ground anti-runway missile, the Apache, thus creating the technological basis
for a cruise missile.
Stand-off firingcapabilities
Tests carried out from 1993 to 2001
Entered service late 2002
Weight: 1,280 kg
Range: 140 km
1980
iding on the success of anti-ship missiles during the previous period, the 1980s were marked by
improvements to these weapons, notably regarding their anti-jamming capabilities.
Nonetheless, several new programmes were launched.
In 1988, the reinforcement of cooperation between
Italy and France translated into the launch of the
Milas torpedo-carrier anti-submarine missile project.
In France, replacement of the light anti-ship AS12 was not planned, due to lack of funds. While the Royal
Navy put the Sea Skua in service aboard Lynx helicopters in 1982, Aerospatiale decided in 1981 to develop
a competing missile, the AS15TT, for use on the naval version of its Dauphin helicopters. These two missiles
had an identical range of 15 km, allowing the helicopter to remain beyond the reach of the enemy's naval air
defences. They also both had a 30-kg warhead to destroy smaller-size vessels such as rapid patrol ships.
Naval: between modernisation and innovation
A Sawari anti-ship missile Otomat Mk2
The Otomat Mk2 was the modernised version selected by Saudi
Arabia to equip its four Sawari 1 frigates ordered from France. The
missile features foldable wings to allow it to fit more compactly
into its launch container.
1st complete firing in 1983
Deliveries began in 1984
131130
The Marte benefits from the Otomat Marte Mk2
1980The upgrading of the Marte was characterised by the
adoption of the Otomat's seeker, giving the missile its
bulbous nose. Responsibility for the development and
production was transferred from SISTEL to Otobreda.
Tests on an Mk2/A version of the anti-ship missile, launched
from an aircraft (without a booster), were carried out in 1995.
Range: 25 to 35 km
Delivered starting in 1987
An all-weather anti-ship missile AS15TT
1981The AS15TT was developed as part of the Saudi Sawari 1 programme to arm
20 Panther (Dauphin) helicopters. The missile was developed in response to
the need for an all-weather system featuring Agrion radar guidance and a 15 km
sea-skimming range. It was also ordered by the United Arab Emirates in 1995
for its Panther helicopters.
Entered servicein 1985
(EUROCOPTER)
1331321983
A very reactive system British Aerospace achieved a breakthrough in the
European naval sector by finalising the VL (Vertical
Launch) Sea Wolf in 1983. It was the first vertically
launched surface-to-air missile in Europe. This type of
launch considerably shortens response time by elimi-
nating the targeting delay required by a traditional
rotary launcher. It also eliminates the blind angles of a
moveable launcher, ensuring 360-degree coverage
regardless of the position of the vertical launcher. The
missile entered production in 1989 and eventually
equipped Duke-class frigates (Type 23) within the
GWS 26 Mod 1 system (launch containers in groups
of eight).
Testing of the VL Sea Wolf between 1987 and mid-1990
Exported to Malaysia in SeaWolf XL (Extra Light)
VL Sea Wolf
A torpedo-carrier missile Milas
1988The Milas was the first joint venture between the
governments of France and Italy. It aimed at developing
a derivative of the Otomat/TESEO capable of carrying
a light anti-submarine torpedo. It was destined to
equip anti-submarine frigates. The vehicle carries a
light torpedo, the MU90, also jointly produced by
France and Italy. MILAS was intended to extend the
range and speed up the reaction time during anti-
submarine combat faced with rapid and stealthy
nuclear attack submarines. It makes it possible to fire
a torpedo in the water from a great distance as soon
as contact with an enemy submarine is established.
It was produced as part of the GIE Milas carried out
by Matra and Alenia Difesa (a 50:50 joint venture)
following Alenia's takeover of OTO Melara's missile
activities. The programme's duration was extended
due to major delays with the torpedo following the
merging of the French Murine project with the Italian
A290. Due to budget problems, France was unable to
participate in the industrialisation and series phase.
The Milas is destined to equip Italy's future FREMM
frigates.
Weight: 815 kg withtorpedo
Range: up to 35 km
135134
n the research and technology sector, the 1980s saw
the launch of many projects involving ramjet propulsion
in order keep up with very advanced Soviet ground-to-air,
anti-radar and anti-ship ramjet
missiles already in service. This
explained the launch in 1981 of
French MPSR studies on a “rustic”
ramjet and of the supersonic anti-ship ANS in 1983.
A technology whosetime had not yet come
The rustic ramjet
1981
The exploratory MPSR 1 programme
(Modèle Probatoire de Stato-fusée
Rustique) was carried out from 1981 to
1985 by Matra, ONERA and SNPE. The
missile was fitted with a solid-fuel ramjet.
The aim was to reduce its size and cost.
The MPSR 2 followed with the association
of Matra and Aerospatiale from 1990 to
1995. This demonstrator had an extended
flight range for air-to-ground or air-to-air
anti-radar applications (START project),
neither of which were finalised despite
four successful test flights.
MPSR
Too fast, too soon ANS
1983In 1974, NATO studied the concept of
a supersonic anti-ship (ANS) missile to
match the Soviet SS-N-22 Sunburn. The
project led to exploratory developments
with the French MPAN (1974-1979)
and SIMS (1979-1982). In 1983, pre-
development was jointly launched by
Aerospatiale and MBB (Germany), resul-
ting in three successful flight tests in 1987.
However, beginning in 1988, France and
Germany were never in step to launch the
full development of the project, now
known as ANNG. As a result, France
restructured the programme, using a
common launcher with the ASMPA called
ANF (future anti-ship). The defining
contract was modified in 1998 but frozen
in 1999 due to budget restrictions.
137136
Falklands War, 1982. British troops had little artillery and Air Force fire support. They therefore relied to a great extent on direct firingsof the Milan anti-tank missile to destroy all manner of Argentine resistance encountered: bunkers, machine gun hideouts, trenches. AtGoose Green, use of the Milan in this role saved the 2 Para from certain destruction. (Béchennec)
On 4 May 1982, an Exocet AM39fired by an Argentine SuperEtendard struck the HMS Sheffield(pictured here), which due to thefire that followed the impact, sankthree days later. This incidentshowed the world how powerfuland effective modern missileswere. The Argentines improviseda coastal battery with someExocet MM38s removed fromone of their ships. An MM38seriously damaged the frigateHMS Glamorgan. (AFP)
In January 1987, Chadian National Armed Forces (FANT) carried out an offensive against the Libyan presence in the north of the country.Milan anti-tank missiles played a key role in combating Libyan tanks and armoured vehicles during the recapture of the Fada Oasis,on 2 January, as well as in the ambush of a Libyan column in the Bir Kora Pass, during which 40 T-55 tanks were destroyed. (AFP)
During the Afghanistan War in 1989, several Milan firing stations were strategically placed, effectively preventing columns of Sovietarmoured tanks from accessing the valleys held by the Afghan resistance. Pictured here are Soviet troops retreating, ten years afterthey arrived. (AFP)
139138
On 6 January 1987, French Air Force Jaguars carried out a raid against the Ouadi Doum airport, held by the Libyans. An AS37 Martelanti-tank missile destroyed the base's “Flat Face” target acquisition radar.
To divert Iran from urban warfare, which involved the two opponents exchanging Frog and Scud ground-to-ground missiles, Iraq launched a “war on tankers” by attacking Iranian vessels near Kharg Island (pictured) using five Super Etendards loaned by France.For its part, starting in August 1985, the Iranian Navy launched its first helicopter attacks on ships. It lined up armed AB212s, AS12sand Sea King SH-3Ds fitted with Marte missiles. (AFP)
The American USS Stark, seriously damaged by an Iranian Exocet during the Iran-Iraq War. This incident revealed the need to provide escort ships with the means of protecting themselves against all types of air threats. (AFP)
In April 1988 Iraq launched a major offensive to recapture Fao. From the start of the battle, Iranian losses were three to four timesgreater than those of the Iraqi Army, which had a greater arsenal of much more sophisticated weapons. Iraq learned a lesson fromFrance: “missiles spare enemy blood.” On the ground, Milan and Hot missiles used for fire support destroyed all types of resistanceencountered. In the sky, salvos of Armat anti-radar missiles cleared the way for aircraft fire support. The Iranian Air Force, exhausted,could no longer penetrate the ground-to-air wall of defence, which notably included a number of Roland missiles, nor could it holdout against Iraqi fighters, greater in number, and Iraqi Super 530Fs or R550 Magics. Overwhelmed, Iran agreed to a cease-fire. (AFP)