Crafts of the Islamic state: from BREM to a military fortress
First appearance in January, the 2015 of the armored repair and recovery vehicle BTS-5B, converted into a combat "bus", caused a great surprise, especially because it was quickly stuck in the mud, after which it was destroyed. This invention was the first attempt of the Islamic state (the organization was banned in Russia) to remake one way or another useless cars into platforms with weapons adapted for the needs of the Islamic state. Although the first self-made car was not very successful in its role, less than a year passed and its successor appeared in the open spaces of Iraq. This new version, first seen in December 2015, combines the experience gained from its predecessor and technology, which until that moment was not very widespread in the Islamic state.
Iraqi machines BTS-5B
The new car appeared in an ISIS propaganda video "Meeting in Dabiq" produced by the media center of the Ninawa Vilayet (Nineveh Province), located in the Iraqi city of Mosul. The “Meeting at Dabiq” takes us to the city of Dabiq in Northern Syria, where the Islamic State claims that the final battle between the faithful (ISIS) and the infidels (everyone else) will take place. There are different views on such statements, but the large-scale deployment of coalition forces near this city and the subsequent battle is what IS is recklessly coveting. In it, IS wants to face the "Crusaders" (Coalition), calling its current air attacks and strikes drones manifestations of cowardice. This threat is supported by various kinds of appeals, agitation and collages, for example, a photograph of Islamic State militants on tank T-55, heading to the Roman Coliseum (photo below).
The main role in the film “Meeting in Dabik” is played by the 3-I armored brigade al-Farouq, which, together with the cover battalion, is responsible for the operations of armored combat vehicles in the Ninawa wilayet. This city has the largest concentration of BBM, as Mosul was previously crammed with weapons intended for the Iraqi army, which left all its property during the flight from the city. It is believed that the al-Farouq 3-I armored brigade, together with well-equipped infantry, is undergoing combat training in firing at targets and taking up positions, preparing for the “inevitable” battle in Dabik. It has a fleet of assorted combat vehicles, including the 2 tank T-55, 1 tank Type-59, 2 MT-LB, 2 armored car Badger ILAV, 1 combat fortress and 1 BTR-80UP.
On the photo below is the mark of the al-Farouq XNUM th armored brigade, which says: ولا-N UM ан ан ن ن ن ن ن ن ن ن ن Ва Ва Ва Ва Ва Сол Сол Сол Сол Сол Сол Сол Сол Сол Сол Сол ا The second part of the shahids: محمد رسول الله - “Muhammad is the prophet of Allah” is visible on the right. This inscription can be seen on the machines of the Islamic state and it is believed that it is drawn only for decoration.
Like its predecessor, the BTS-5B was seriously modified for its new role as a combat vehicle. The crane, air intake pipe and various tool containers, usually mounted on top of the machine, were removed. Although a dozer blade was left, which is unlikely to be used.
While in the previous version simple armor plates were installed around the newly constructed platform, lattice screens were installed around the hull and around the raised platform on the new car. The platform as well as the door in the stern is well armored. Although the appearance is impressive, the durability of the lattice protection and the reliability of its fasteners look insufficient, there are questions of reliability against RPGs. No side rubber screens that were installed on the first combat "bus".
The “raised” platform on the hull, apparently, does not block the driver’s hatch, which was a serious problem in the previous version, in which the driver got into his place through the hatch in the bottom. The driver also had to stick his head out as much as possible while driving, since the support legs blocked the driver's viewing device. On this machine, the view is slightly degraded due to the lattice screens installed in the front. To replace the removed headlamps, the light rays of which are interfered with by the same lattice screens, two new searchlights were installed on the front mudguards. The crew of the car gets inside, most likely through the aft door.
The armament was enhanced in comparison with the previous version, on which only the 12,7-mm DShK machine gun was installed, and there were also several embrasures for light machine guns. The new combat chariot carries the same DShK, this time mounted on the commander's turret, and the 14,5-mm KPV machine gun in an armored turret removed from the Hammer MX1114 armored car and mounted on the raised platform. Although such a high position of the KPV machine gun significantly increases the machine gunner’s vulnerability, in this case it has better visibility and can fire at almost any target that is in direct line of sight. In the photo above at the back of the “combat fortress” you can see a fighter for the PKN 7,62-mm machine gun, which, apparently, is attached to the car for amplification.
Unlike the previous version, which was rather a heavily armored ram carrying infantry, this vehicle looks more like a combat armored vehicle in its purest form. The high silhouette of the raised platform is both an advantage and a disadvantage because it makes this machine an ideal target for an ATGM and RPG.
Although this car was being prepared for possible confrontation in Dabik, it may also be directed to the positions of the Peshmergi (Kurdish paramilitary forces in Iraqi Kurdistan) in the vicinity of Mosul. Such an attack usually starts with one mined vehicle, followed by M-1114, Badger ILAV, M1117 ASV and infantry. Since the Peshmerga fighters had dug around Mosul since its capture of the IG in June 2014, these positions with anti-tank guided missiles have been strengthened to such an extent that their capture is almost impossible. Militants of the Islamic state are still often trying to storm these positions, however, each time losing precious machines, weapons and manpower.
While the new fighting fortress most likely awaits the same fate as the older brother (when storming the Peshmerga positions got stuck in the mud and was destroyed), it is a demonstration of the efforts being made by the Islamic state to improve its fleet. Despite the activities of the IG in this area, the future will show whether this machine will have at least some significant impact on the battlefield or it will end its existence as a practical target. The deliveries of the BTS-5B vehicles captured in Iraq, apparently, have completely dried up and all eyes are now focused on the only BREM-1 captured in Tadmur, which may serve as the basis for the next combat fortress.
Materials used:
www.spioenkop.blogspot.ru
www.ru.wikipedia.org
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