Syrian AA missiles
If we assume IS/ISIS/ISIL are the group formerly known as Syrian Rebels, then a few sources suggest that they may have MANPADS from their "friends" in KSA.
Saudi Arabia to supply Syrian rebels with anti-aircraft missiles ? report ? RT News
Syrian rebels have stockpile of anti-aircraft weapons - SWI swissinfo.ch
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Saudi Arabia to supply Syrian rebels with anti-aircraft missiles ? report ? RT News
Syrian rebels have stockpile of anti-aircraft weapons - SWI swissinfo.ch
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I haven't read the two links although I was told they stole a load of Stingers from the Iraqi National Guard, which were given to them by the Americans on their withdrawal from Op Iraqi Freedom
Some of the rebels in Syria have taken over Syrian air defence bases. Unlikely that they have the capability to operate the larger systems but they have used SA-8s.
SA-8 Gecko
SA-2 Guideline
Advanced MANPADs such as SA-24 Grinch have been seen in rebel hands.
Syrian Rebels Have Shoulder-Fired Missiles, and That's Not Good - Popular Mechanics
Strategic SAM Deployment in Syria
SA-8 Gecko
SA-2 Guideline
Advanced MANPADs such as SA-24 Grinch have been seen in rebel hands.
Syrian Rebels Have Shoulder-Fired Missiles, and That's Not Good - Popular Mechanics
Strategic SAM Deployment in Syria
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Yep, there's a high probability of a few airliners being taken out in the near future. It may well be in ISIS's tool box of ratcheting up depending on intervention by the west..
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Just a spotter - you assume inaccurately.
ISIL/ISIS is only ONE of MANY groups that are referred to as "Syrian Rebels" - and part of the reluctance of the US and many other nations in "arming the rebels" is controlling just which group or groups get the weapons and which don't.
Is it possible that some AA missiles were provided to a group(s) which passed them on to ISIL/ISIS (or which were attacked by ISIL/ISIS and the missiles were stolen*)?
Yes.
Is it possible that some AA missiles were captured from Syrian government forces by ISIL/ISIS or by a group(s) which passed them on to ISIL/ISIS?
Yes.
Is it possible that some ISIL/ISIS fighters used to be AA missile operators/technicians in Syrian government forces or another nation - or were trained by such former personnel?
Yes.
* Part of the loss of effectiveness of the "Syrian Rebels" has been the increase in infighting between the various groups.
ISIL/ISIS is only ONE of MANY groups that are referred to as "Syrian Rebels" - and part of the reluctance of the US and many other nations in "arming the rebels" is controlling just which group or groups get the weapons and which don't.
Is it possible that some AA missiles were provided to a group(s) which passed them on to ISIL/ISIS (or which were attacked by ISIL/ISIS and the missiles were stolen*)?
Yes.
Is it possible that some AA missiles were captured from Syrian government forces by ISIL/ISIS or by a group(s) which passed them on to ISIL/ISIS?
Yes.
Is it possible that some ISIL/ISIS fighters used to be AA missile operators/technicians in Syrian government forces or another nation - or were trained by such former personnel?
Yes.
* Part of the loss of effectiveness of the "Syrian Rebels" has been the increase in infighting between the various groups.
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I think we can broadly group the Syrian rebels into two groups now, the ineffectual small ones, and the large successful one, ISIS.
They seem to be fighting on three fronts, Iraqi ( Kurds, Government, US), Syrian government and Syrian "good guy rebels". I think the best thing the Syrian Good guy rebels could do would be beg forgiveness from Assad and and rejoin.
They seem to be fighting on three fronts, Iraqi ( Kurds, Government, US), Syrian government and Syrian "good guy rebels". I think the best thing the Syrian Good guy rebels could do would be beg forgiveness from Assad and and rejoin.
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As much as big AA missiles look good, the fact is, as soon as they turn on the radars they are extremely vulnerable.
Manpads like Stinger, even with the protection helos have nowadays
are still a big threat to everyone.
Manpads like Stinger, even with the protection helos have nowadays
are still a big threat to everyone.
If they turn on the radars they are extremely vulnerable, but only if you have SEAD assets in place! There will be some capability from USN ships in the gulf but the area IS operate in is huge and the minimal SEAD in theatre will only cover a tiny percentage of it.
If they have Grinch, let's not forget that if you add it's near 20,000' capability onto the height of some of the mountains in Northern Iraq, then you have a pretty potent threat.
If they have Grinch, let's not forget that if you add it's near 20,000' capability onto the height of some of the mountains in Northern Iraq, then you have a pretty potent threat.
Last edited by Flap62; 21st Aug 2014 at 06:31. Reason: Manpad addition
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
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The 'trigger' for the question was the recent FAA banning of overflights and why...and is there intelligence that should be shared following the apparent breakdown of intelligence dissemination in Ukraine leading to MH17.
500N,
I think UAV will form the future of SEAD but, as I'm sure you know, it's vastly more complicated than just strapping a HARM to a Reaper. They need specialised unmanned platforms to complete the full RF spectrum analysis that proper SEAD requires.
BOAC,
You are of course right, they know something but they ain't telling us.
I think UAV will form the future of SEAD but, as I'm sure you know, it's vastly more complicated than just strapping a HARM to a Reaper. They need specialised unmanned platforms to complete the full RF spectrum analysis that proper SEAD requires.
BOAC,
You are of course right, they know something but they ain't telling us.
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Originally Posted by Flap62
If they turn on the radars they are extremely vulnerable, but only if you have SEAD assets in place! There will be some capability from USN ships in the gulf but the area IS operate in is huge and the minimal SEAD in theatre will only cover a tiny percentage of it.
That will provide 100% coverage where it is actually needed.
GreenK,
Until recently it wasn't only strike packages flying over the area, there were also a large number of commercial airliners. Several of the posters (including myself and the OP) were considering not just the threat to strike packages.
If you are going to come across in your posts as aggressive (bloody!) at least try to understand the bigger picture before you engage fingers.
Until recently it wasn't only strike packages flying over the area, there were also a large number of commercial airliners. Several of the posters (including myself and the OP) were considering not just the threat to strike packages.
If you are going to come across in your posts as aggressive (bloody!) at least try to understand the bigger picture before you engage fingers.
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"As soon as they turn on the radars they are vulnerable..." Only if it's pointed at a tooled-up warplane, 500n; you're rather missing the point that the victim, if there is one, is likely to be a civilian airliner.
and is there intelligence that should be shared following the apparent breakdown of intelligence dissemination in Ukraine leading to MH17