92nd Armored Division (Iran)

The 92nd Armored Division, also called 92nd Armored Division of Ahvaz or 92nd Armored Division of Khuzestan (Persian: لشکر ۹۲ زرهی اهواز), is an armored division of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, first formed during the reign of the Shah.

92nd Armored Division
Country Iran
BranchGround Forces of Islamic Republic of Iran Army
TypeArmored
SizeDivision
Garrison/HQKhuzestan province
EquipmentM60A1 tanks
T-72 tanks

M113 APCS

Zulfiqar (tank)

Karrar (tank)
EngagementsIran–Iraq War
Commanders
Current
commander		Brig. Gen. Ali Shahbazian[1]
Notable
commanders		Masoud Monfared Niyaki

Hasan Aghareb Parast

Valiollah Fallahi

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 M60A1 MBTs and M113 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 the Battle of Dezful in 1981 and 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.

After the tank battle at Susangerd, captured British Chieftains of the 92nd Armoured Division were taken back to Baghdad for trials. According to retired General Aladdin Hussein Makki Khamas, attached to the 3rd Corps headquarters at the time, Iraqi tank sabot rounds "went through the front armour of the Chieftain and came out the backside".[4]

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.[5] Jane's Sentinel Country Risk Assessments says 'equipped with T-72 tanks, this division is seen as the premier Iranian armored division. It is considered one of the best units in the Iranian Army , both in equipment and in combat capability. 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. Appointment of the new commander of 92nd Armored Division of ahwaz tnews.ir
  2. Tom Cooper & Farzad Bishop, with additional details from N. R., I Persian Gulf War: Iraqi Invasion of Iran, September 1980 Archived 2014-02-21 at the Wayback Machine, Air Combat Information Group, Sep 9, 2003
  3. "Iran Chamber Society: History of Iran: Iran-Iraq War 1980-1988".
  4. Kevin M. Woods; Williamson Murray; Elizabeth A. Nathan; Laila Sabara; Ana M. Venegas. Saddam's Generals: Perspectives of the Iran-Iraq War. Institute for Defense Analysis. p. 133.
  5. 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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