Syrian Army T-72 Destroys al-Qaeda T-90 in northern Hama Governorate, Syria
 

According to military sources, the jihadist T-90 was engaged by a Syrian Army T-72 near Ma’an. In the ensuing tank battle, the Syrian Army T-72 landed a armor-piercing sabot round to the left side of the T-90, effecting a penetration and causing the tank’s ammunition to cook off.

Source: (Illingworth, Andrew, https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/arti...72-north-hama/)

Additional comments here from UK's Channel 4: http://boards.4chan.org/k/thread/35224465/t90-rekt.

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Re: Syrian Army T-72 Destroys al-Qaeda T-90 in northern Hama Governorate, Syria
 

Well the verdict from that is that modern MBTs are vulnerable to older tanks that manage to hit them from the sides or rear.

Nothing we don't know already.

Kudos to the T72 crew for outmaneuvering their on paper more formidable opponent, though I would surprised if AQ had competent tankers in the first place.

Re: Syrian Army T-72 Destroys al-Qaeda T-90 in northern Hama Governorate, Syria
 

Russia and Israel are most alarmed by this report in my opinion, with the IDF having the most concern.

In Syria and Iraq, we have witnessed the Syrians, Hezbollah, Iran, and Palestinian factions gain six years of combat experience. Whislt, the IDF has nearly a generation of senior NCOs and battalion level commanders with little combat experience apart from Operation Cast Lead and the Second Lebanon War.

Clearly, not matching the sustained fighting experience of her adversaries.

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Re: Syrian Army T-72 Destroys al-Qaeda T-90 in northern Hama Governorate, Syria
 

On a similar vein & surprising just how bad some military training is had a conversation with a hairdresser today, ex T-55 commander in Iraq.
Appears the way they crewed them was simple, firstly they found someone that could drive it then they assigned other crew men to it so he went from commanding a squad to commanding a tank.
Once it was obvious the coalition was serious they got told to drive to a range & fire 3 shells as practice. No instruction was given & these were the only 3 shots they ever fired.
Became pretty obvious that unless someone parked directly in front of them they could not hit them so as commander he suggested run & 2 days later they had all fled the country.

Re: Syrian Army T-72 Destroys al-Qaeda T-90 in northern Hama Governorate, Syria
 

I bet I'm the only one who finds that incredibly amusing. :D

Re: Syrian Army T-72 Destroys al-Qaeda T-90 in northern Hama Governorate, Syria
 

Hilarious....lol!

Re: Syrian Army T-72 Destroys al-Qaeda T-90 in northern Hama Governorate, Syria
 

Well it is an amusing story, but I've heard so many stories like that regarding Saddam's army (at least the regular army, Republican guard were slightly better) that I'm not surprised anymore.

Re: Syrian Army T-72 Destroys al-Qaeda T-90 in northern Hama Governorate, Syria
 

I remember most of the conscripts we captured in 1991 had AKs so old and used (presumably the AKs were vets of the Iran/Iraq war) they were literally smoothbores. Also maintenance wasn't much of a priority, tho they generally managed to keep the sand out of them I don't recall that any were lubed.

Re: Syrian Army T-72 Destroys al-Qaeda T-90 in northern Hama Governorate, Syria
 

well........if you lube it that only attracts sand........

In line with old weapons this photo says a lot..."well used" comes to mind

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/attac...1&d=1507418898