DOHA, 3 April 2003 — Among the many surprises that awaited the invading forces in Iraq was their enemy’s ability to knock out the US Army’s most advanced battle tank.
Defense analysts believe the three — perhaps five — M1-A2 Abrams tanks which have been disabled so far appear to have been hit by a weapon far more potent than the decades-old RPG-7 rocket propelled grenade.
Instead, it seems the Iraqis — who say they have knocked out dozens of US tanks — may be using the Kornet-E, an export version of a Russian laser-guided missile which can destroy tanks fitted with explosive reactive armor.
“We’re pretty sure they do have them,” said Robert Hewson, editor of Jane’s Air-Launched Weapons. “It is a nasty surprise (for US forces) and they will have to adapt their tactics. But it won’t be a show stopper and it is no cause for huge alarm.” Where Iraq might have procured the Kornet-E in the face of a UN ban on weapons sales to the country is not clear.
The Interfax news agency said on Tuesday the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry had denied reports that Ukrainian firms had supplied several hundred such anti-tank missiles to Iraq.
