Setting for Some Interesting "What-If" Scenarios?

UAE Leclerc MBT

I was reading Janes Defence Review magazine the other day, and it had an article on AFV modernisation programmes in the Persian Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen, Jordan). I was quite surprised and fascinated by the diversity of the equipment these countries possess between them. There is an interesting range of equipment, both old and new, and from many different countries. And most of it in fairly decent quantities.

Given there are well known tensions between various nations in this region, it struck me that the Gulf region could be an interesting setting for hypothetical scenarios, pitting armies against each other with a dazzling array of equipment, organisations and qualities. Also plenty of hypothetical scope for various alliances. And all this is even without any sort of western intervention forces involved!

The other interesting thing is that given the heavy predominance of 'western' equipment in many of the armies, this provides a possible setting for clashes between western equipment types which is somewhat unique. M1s vs Challenger II / Leclerc / Leopard 2A7 would be pretty interesting stuff for a modern micro wargamer, I think?!

Below is an indicative list of what various countries field (in no way comprehensive, but it gives a flavour):

 

Qatar Leopard 2A7

MBTs:

·        M1A1 and M1A2 (Export models - Saudi, Iraq & Kuwait)

·        Leopard 2A7 (Qatar - on order, Saudi - in negotiations)

·        Leclerc (UAE)

·        AMX-30 (various)

·        Challenger I (Jordan)

·        Challenger II (Oman)

·        Chieftan (Jordan & Iran, in reserve)

·        M60A1 & M60A3 (various)

·        T-72 (various)

·        T-62 (various)

·        T-55 & Type 59 (various)

·        M-84 (Kuwait)



UAE BMP-3s

IFVs / APCs:

·        M2 Bradley (Saudi, Iraq)

·        Desert Warrior (Kuwait)

·        Stryker (Iraq)

·        LAV / Piranha-II (various)

·        LAV-III (Saudi)

·        AIFV / YPR-765 (various)

·        Ratel (various)

·        AMX-10 (various)

·        M113 (various)

·        BTR-60 & BTR-80 (various)

·        BTR-3 & BTR-4

·        BTR-94

·        BMP-1 & BMP-2 (various)

·        BMP-3 (UAE, Kuwait)

·        Centauro

·        VBL & VAB

·        WZ-551

·        AMV

Other:

·        Scorpion

·        Scimitar

·        M109

·        M110

·        M198

·        HIMARS

·        MLRS

·        M901

·        YPR-765 PRAT

·        Caesar

·        PzH-2000

·        G-6

·        FH-70

·        Urutu

·        Panhard AML

·        Fuchs

·        Ferret

·        Saracen

·        BM-21

·        BM-30

·        TOS-1