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The Gazelle's service in Iraq.

Unkown number of Gazelle serve in Iraqi Air force and play a vital role in IRAN - IRAQ War 1980 - 1988 ordered from france in late seventies and eighties

iraq should have bought about 78 gazelles from france.

the list is below from SIPRI:

40 SA-342 Gazelle Light helicopter 1975 1976-1977 (40)
20 SA-342 Gazelle Light helicopter (1978) 1980-1981 (20)
18 SA-342 Gazelle Light helicopter 1985 1986-1988 (18) Delivered via and assembled in Egypt

With some 40 examples in service, the SA.342 Gazelle was the main type of attack helicopter with the Iraqi Army Aviation early during the war. While well armed, the type proved too vulnerable to any kind of anti-aircraft fire, and losses were heavy.
ACIG.org

It is clear that the reason lies in the design of the plane itself. The aircraft SA342 Gazelle was designed to meet the requirements of the French Army to be a multi-role scout/light transport/light support/anti-tank helicopter. Perhaps as a result of the French/European military doctrine for anti-tank fight or role which make up the speed and agility maneuver Alternatively shielding and protection required. Or perhaps for another reason were not there the idea for the production of aircraft armored enough this was the work of arming light aircraft equipped with glass cabin and light weapons can be shot down it. This is the opposite of what is available from the U.S. aircraft type Cobra designed specifically for this role and serves with Iranin Armiy Aviation, as well as ex-Soviet aircraft armored and heavy Mi-24/25 with Iraqi AA. As a result, because Iraq could not get more than 25 aircrafts of Mi -25 and the growing need and urgency of aircraft against tanks during the Iraq - Iran war has forced Iraq to rely on these aircraft and formed over 3 squadrons with a total of about of 60 aircrafts. Clear that the doctrine of anti tanks fight, , which was adopted by the parties in the Iraq - Iran war was to fly within the scope of the edge of the front in the region within the friendly destination and to fire guidance missile to enemy targets of high value at a distance of over 1000 meters on average. But inevitably some were much closer from the enemy to be easy prey for light weapons. Also in the Falklands conflict the several British Gazelles were shot down by ground-based small arms fire.

Sources:

http://www.guncopter.com/gazelle/
http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft ... raft_id=93

What you think about that:
http://www.almuheeb.net/new/news.php?action=view&id=124
http://www.almuheeb.net/new/news.php?action=view&id=164
http://www.almuheeb.net/new/news.php?action=view&id=177
Real story?

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السرب22،السرب84 والسرب 88 علما أن هناك سرب رابع غير معروف ترقيمه -على الاقل لدي - وكانت أسراب الهليوكبتر العراقية تصل في بعض الاحيان عدد طائراتها الى نحو من 40 طائرة وترسل مفارز منها الى قواطع العمليات حسب الاهمية والحاجة.

السرب 84 لطائرات الهيوز 500
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