Iranian Soldiers: Equipment

This is the third of a 3 part post on the Training, Structure, and Equipment of Iranian soldiers on the battlefield.

Of course one of the most important parts of improving the effectiveness of Iranian infantry is by improving their equipment. Because of the low-cost conscript nature of Iranian infantry, most forces are not equipped with armoured vests, and while helmets are readily available, they are mostly of the old Iran-Iraq war type without ear protection. Rifles are either the AK-47 or the G3, with no optics or attachments.

Though helmets are available, soldiers often wear baseball caps. This may cause discipline issues, as soldiers may not wear helmets in combat areas

Professional forces, with armoured vests that have some load bearing elements, are also equipped more modern helmets and sometimes newer rifles like the AKM or Iranian copies of the Norinco CQ (itself an M-16 copy).

Special forces are relatively well equipped, modern rifles sometimes with optics, load bearing armoured vests, eye protection, and sometimes gloves and elbow/knee pads.

A lot of "sometimes" is in this post because, as in all areas of Iran's military, there is a distinct lack of standardisation. While not necessarily bad for maintenance - as rifles, vests, uniforms and helmets do not really require maintenance - it is not ideal from a professional perspective, and also means soldiers of even the same rank and unit can have different capabilities and training requirements. Procurement is also troubled, as many different suppliers are being used which can increase time and cost of modernisation.

A US Soldier's equipment

There are capabilities which even Iranian special forces lack in comparison to regular forces of modern western militaries.

How Equipment Deficiencies Affect Iranian Soldiers

The lack of modern weapons with optics and other attachments is very prominent and their impact on soldier accuracy and endurance is obvious. Body armour is another area where the Iranian military needs wide scale improvement. Many injuries and deaths be prevented by the equipping of proper armour that can prevent bullets and shrapnel alike from taking a soldier out of action. So while initially expensive, armoured vests have long term gains in soldier endurance and survivability, but also army manpower levels, the need for medevac/healthcare, and post-conflict veteran support.

A lack of regular use of backpacks and load bearing provisions and pouches/pockets on Iranian uniforms and vests are under utilising Iranian soldiers. Thus possibly putting a toll on logistics of vans and trucks in an era that demands mobile warfare, not the trenches of the Sacred Defence. Even space for mounting even basic equipment, like extra magazines, grenades, medical or radio equipment, food, etc.




Speaking of which, conscripts lack personal radios, which is a huge disadvantage in any field of combat. It is possible this is because the fireteam concept is not followed and forces are in larger formations that may have a 1 man with a radio to communicate with other units. But on an individual level, the lack of easy communication makes a significant negative impact on teamwork.

Gloves and knee/elbow pads may seem like minor or unnecessary, but are good for a conscript army that are not always the toughest. A simple scuff, scratch or cut to the knees, hands or elbow areas can limit a soldier's mobility. These minor injuries can be more common when soldiers carrying heavy equipment fall. Gloves can prevent injuries to the hands especially that can reduce ability to aim, and improve ability handle sharp/difficult to hold objects like rifles, machine guns, ammunition crates, rocks and other tasks required in an outdoor environment.

Night vision equipment and thermal sights are key to night operations, a staple of warfare. Lack of these make some many operations either impossible or very difficult, and limit opportunities for ambushes - an essential part of the asymmetric guerrilla warfare doctrine that Iran follows.

A more obscure but relevant to Iran need is that of water. Iran's obviously very hot and arid climate makes water an essential commodity. Some western militaries like that of the US use camel packs, though these may be forgone for bottles if sufficient storage capacity is added to vests and uniforms.

I will soon write a new blog post on the SARV and Sarbaz Emruz programs, as they are very relevant to this post.