92nd Armored Division (Iran)

92nd Armored Division
Country  Iran
Branch Ground Forces of Islamic Republic of Iran Army
Type Armored
Size Division
Garrison/HQ Khuzestan province
Equipment Chieftain MBTs
T-72 tanks
M-113 APCs
Engagements Iran–Iraq War
Commanders
Current
commander		 Brig. Gen. Ali Shahbazian[1]
Notable
commanders		 Ali Monfared Niyaki

The 92nd Armored Division, also called 92nd Armored Division of Ahvaz or 92nd Armored Division of Khuzestan, is an armored division of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, first formed during the reign of the Shah.

In September 1980, among the units garrisoned along the Iraqi border, the IRIA had the 92nd Armored "Khuzestan" Division, with three armored brigades equipped with Chieftain MBTs and M-113 APCs (including the 283rd Armored Cavalry Battalion), including the 1st Brigade west of Khorramshahr and south of Ahvaz, 2nd Brigade west of Dezful, and 3rd west of Ahvaz.[2] The division fought in Operation Ramadan in 1982. The division was later used in the Battle of the Marshes in 1984,[3] mid-way through the Iran–Iraq War.

Today the 92nd Armored Division is the only Iranian division that has enough tanks to be considered a true armored division, even by regional standards.[4] Jane's Sentinel Country Risk Assessments says 'equipped with T-72 tanks, this division is seen as the premier Iranian armored division. Personnel have been involved in patrolling the border with Iraq.' Jane's says the division is part of the Army's South West Sector and is based at Ahvaz in Khuzestan Province.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://tnews.ir/news/2cd424947030.html
  2. ↑ Tom Cooper & Farzad Bishop, with additional details from N. R., I Persian Gulf War: Iraqi Invasion of Iran, September 1980, Air Combat Information Group, Sep 9, 2003
  3. ↑ http://www.iranchamber.com/history/iran_iraq_war/iran_iraq_war2.php
  4. ↑ Anthony H. Cordesman, Iran's Military Forces in Transition: Conventional Threats and Weapons of Mass Destruction, Greenwood Publishing Group, 1999, p.111
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