Iraqi Army to replace AKs with M16s

[Braith-Wafer]

Although a few months old news, The Iraqi army are to be issued M16s and M4 carbines to replace the 'Saddam era' AK47s. The M16 series weigh lighter and are more accurate but Iraqi soldiers claim it is harder to maintain and clean due to the dusty landscape of Iraq. The new Iraqi army got told 'winners use M16s, Losers use AKs'.

Original source:
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/articles/20070517.aspx

But if 'losers use AKs', How come North Vietnam beat US/SVA troops?, Why is it still produced?, How come some US troops in Vietnam/Iraq switched from M16s over to the AKs?. Just becouse its a cheap russian design it doesnt mean its crap.

http://www.defensetech.org/archives/002892_comments.html

[Bombardier]

When I was in the Gulf in 91. I was issued with an SLR (not SA80) which at the time I was suprisingly chuft about, that said it still required a lot of cleaning to keep it in a good operational state.

As we moved through '1UK div' Traget areas "Copper" "Bronze" etc we found lots of AK's stuck in the sand and covered in all kinds of ****, but guess what? pick them up, make ready and they feckin fire perfectly.

The AK is in my opinion a truly robust and soldier friendly assault rifle. (Y)
but I have made that assessment in my findings from limited contact with it so im sure the experts amongst us will put me right if im talking boll**ks.

[03Fox2/1]

I believe any replacement of weapons in Iraq is probably based on either political considerations or on military contracts, i.e., buy from us, not Russia. As far as your comments about the M-16 versus the AK-47 and its modern versions, this has been discussed for many years. Both have their advantages and both are available in large quantities, all over the world. Sometimes it is the availability of ammo and spare parts that determines which weapon in most used, especially in unconventional wars. I would use either weapon with similar results and have no complaints.
I and those with me, did not lose the VietNam War. What weapon I carried and what weapon my enemy carried was not the most important factor. Those that only read about war seem to never realize, it is the human factor that is the most important. It is the man behind the weapon that determines the ultimate victory or defeat with his determination and bravery, not the equitment issued to him. Winners versus losers ?
Bombardier, I believe you probably found weapons that had been discarded by the Iraqi forces as they fled the field of battle. Many weapons, along with boots and uniforms were found. It seems that back in '91 the Iraqi military decided to quit their army and quit fighting by mass desertion.
Semper Fi

[Bombardier]

I and those with me, did not lose the VietNam War. What weapon I carried and what weapon my enemy carried was not the most important factor. Those that only read about war seem to never realize, it is the human factor that is the most important. It is the man behind the weapon that determines the ultimate victory or defeat with his determination and bravery, not the equitment issued to him. Winners versus losers ?

Bombardier, I believe you probably found weapons that had been discarded by the Iraqi forces as they fled the field of battle. Many weapons, along with boots and uniforms were found. It seems that back in '91 the Iraqi military decided to quit their army and quit fighting by mass desertion.
Semper Fi

Firstly your cmment about the bravery of the men behind the weapons is very true and I support that view 100%

It is interesting how some people think that to win a war the only thing you need is the "best weapon" and that the people using them do not come into the equation.

Secondly , you are right about the weapons I found, they were deserted by the iraqis and they did indeed adopt the doctorine of mass desertion.


sal;

[Braith-Wafer]

If the Iraqis have problems with the M16s, they should be issued AK type rifles but in 5.56 NATO such as the Zastava's or the IMI Galils or a completley new rifle of thier own origin. At least they would be familiar with the Galil as its an AK derivative and would still function well in dirty conditions.

Im sure some 'Pro Saddam' Iraqi soldiers would vandalise the M16s/US kit issued to them as an act of resistance.

Besides, There is another simple and effective rifle made in Russia that would have beat the AK series but got the knock, Its called the TKB-517.

[SuperSLime]

If the Iraqis have problems with the M16s, they should be issued AK type rifles but in 5.56 NATO

Why? WHY?????!

or a completley new rifle of thier own origin.

Yes, I have a great deal of respect for the products of the world-renowned Iraqi small-arms industry.

Besides, There is another simple and effective rifle made in Russia that would have beat the AK series but got the knock, Its called the TKB-517.

YOU may think it's better than the AK, but it looks as if the Soviet Army, who were free of many of the commercial factors that trouble procurement in the West, had a somewhat different opinion.

Admit it: You saw it in a book and thought it looked cool.