successEuro

heT1980 - 1989Reaching fartherStriking harder

(AFP)

storypean

missile

twoas number

Europe

113112

uring the 1980s, the balance of terror between NATO and the

Warsaw Pact began to waver. This was no doubt most evident

during the Afghanistan War. On 24 December 1979, Soviet

tanks rolled into Afghanistan to support the communist regime in

place in that country, and in doing so, stirred up the East-West

tensions that had subsided. With the support of the U.S. and Europe,

the Mujahideen fought back with great ferocity. The Soviets finally

pulled out ten years later, on February 15, 1989, just before the fall of

the Berlin Wall. The two blocs had already begun the disarmament

process in 1985.

This decade saw the largest amphibious operation carried out since

World War II, and the use of missiles would be a determining factor

in the outcome. In the name of decolonisation, on 1 April 1982,

Argentine troops disembarked on the British-held Falkland Islands.

Britain's response was swift. Margaret Thatcher deployed 30 British

warships, among them two aircraft carriers. It was major challenge for

the British forces, which found themselves 15,000 kilometres from

home with only the limited capabilities of Sea Harriers as a means of

air support. The Argentines, on the other hand, had the latest French

aircraft-Mirage IIIs and Super Etendards fitted with Exocet missiles.

Losses were significant on both sides, and it did not take much for the

British to find themselves in a delicate situation. In the end, the Navy

and the SAS made up for the lack of air superiority.

In Europe, many of the programmes launched during the Cold War

were completed during the 1980s and 1990s. Some of the most ambi-

tious and costly ones did not survive the warming of East-West

relations, while others were cut back or spread out over time. In any

event, the arms race led to a surge in European industrial develop-

ment and the emergence of advanced technologies. In the 1980s, as it

reached number two worldwide with a broad range of missile

systems, the European industry began to look for new growth

segments. It did this in part by taking on the sectors held by American

or Soviet competitors, such as the Mistral very short-range ground-to-

air missile, Apache cruise missile, ANS supersonic anti-ship missile,

Alarm anti-radar missile and vertically launched surface-to-air missiles

such as the VL Sea Wolf. The industry also demonstrated a great deal

of inventiveness in opening new markets, with bold challenges such

as bringing together in a single Mica missile distant interception

and close-range combat capabilities, and by creating the first very

short-range anti-tank missile, the Eryx.

The British task force on its way to reclaim the Falkland Islands after they fell into Argentine hands. In the end, the combination ofSea Harrier fighters and Sea Dart medium-range surface-to-air missiles for distant interceptions and that of Rapier short-rangeground/surface-to-air and Sea Wolfs prevailed, the Argentine Air Force suffering losses to such an extent it could no longer be operational. The Falklands War served as a “baptism by fire” for a number of missiles, among them the Rapier, Sea Wolf, Sea Dartand Sea Skua on the British side, and the Roland and Exocet on the Argentine side. (AFP)

(AFP)

115114

he 1980s were a time of intense activity in the anti-tank sector, which kept pace with the evolving

threat posed by the generations of Soviet tanks that were developed in rapid succession. For each new

development in armour or countermeasures capabilities made to adversary

tanks, corresponding improvements had to be made to Milan and Hot

missiles in order to guarantee their effectiveness.These missiles had, in fact,

become the backbone of western anti-tank defence. Of the 300,000 Milan

missiles produced by then, 80 per cent were in service in the armies of the

six European countries that were members of NATO. From then on, the

upgrade process was pretty much permanent. The adoption by the Soviets

of more reactive so-called “exotic” multi-layered tank armour led to the

development of new dual warheads positioned “in tandem” (2T) with the

Milan 2T and Hot 2T. At the same time, a joint venture between France,

Germany and the United Kingdom was put in place to develop the Trigat

family (Third Generation Anti-Tank) to succeed the Milan and the Hot.

With the increased effectiveness of Soviet tank armour it appeared that anti-tank rocket launchers would

eventually have to be withdrawn, due to their limited capabilities. Hence the French Army expressed the

need for a weapon with a doubled range (600 metres instead of 300 metres for the rocket launchers) that

could be fired from an enclosed space during urban combat. Aerospatiale won the competition with its pro-

posal for a very short-range anti-tank missile, the Eryx.

Armour is reinforced

A Desert Storm hero Hot 2 Production and entry in service in 1985

Weight: 23.5 kg

Range: 75 to 4,000 metres

1980The second version of the Hot features a 150-mm hollow charge, increased from

136 mm on the Hot 1, and uses a more powerful explosive. Its perforation capability

was increased to 1,250 mm of homogenous armour instead of 850 mm on the Hot 1.

With a mass identical to the Hot 1 thanks to more advanced integration of electronics,

the missile's capabilities are in fact very different from those of its predecessor.

The Hot 2 proved its worth in 1991, when it was widely used during the first Gulf War,

fired against Iraqi tanks during Operation Desert Storm.

Power of a Hot in the hands of an infantryman Eryx

Entered service in 1992

6 customer countries

Range: 600 metres

1983

The Eryx was developed as a short-range

anti-tank missile. It was created to

succeed rocket launchers, which were

limited in range (300 metres) and power.

As a missile, the Eryx's range is twice

as long and it can carry two warheads

in tandem. These can perforate up to

900 mm of tank armour, i.e. same capabi-

lity as the Hot, while remaining man-

portable. Thanks to direct-thrust vector

control, the Eryx can be fired from an

enclosed space during urban combat. A

third-generation missile, the Eryx met

with considerable success on the export

market as it has no competitors.

(AFP)

(Euromissile/Eddy Guilloux)

(MBDA/J.C Ranvier)

(MBDA/Michel Toineau)

Hot 2T operational in 1992

Weight: 33 kg

Range: 4 km

Fitted on armoured vehicles andhelicopters (Gazelle and Bo 105)

117116

Countering reactive armour

1987To maintain the effectiveness of anti-tank

missiles against new Soviet reactive

armour, a smaller charge was added in

front of the main one in order to set off

the reactive modules, hence the principle

of tandem charge weapons (2T) adopted

at the same time for the Milan and the Hot.

Milan 2T and Hot 2T

Milan 2T operational in 1991

Weight: 12 kg

Range: 2 km

Fitted on light vehicles

1985

Trigat medium-range: A system that arrived too late

AC3G-MR

Range: 2.5 km

1st guided firing in 1991

Qualification in 1996

Programme stopped in the summer of 2000

1988As the product of a five-way cooperation between

Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the

United Kingdom, the Trigat third-generation anti-tank

missile was designed as a successor to the Milan.

With a range identical to that of the Milan, the

medium-range Trigat featured additional capabilities.

It relied on laser guidance, could be fired from an

enclosed space and had an impressive military charge

(150 mm for the main warhead and 40 mm for the front

charge). Several interruptions of at least a year with

every new phase of the programme delayed its opera-

tional entry considerably. With the fall of the Berlin

Wall, quantities were cut in half, before the programme

was discontinued in 2000.

(MBDA/J.C Ranvier)

(AFP)

(EMDG)

119118

Trigat long-range:The fire-and-forget anti-tank

AC3G-LR

1988Development of the long-range version of the Trigat

was launched by Germany, France and the United

Kingdom, the goal being to replace Hot, Swingfire and

American Tow missiles. As the first European fire-and-

forget anti-tank missile to rely on infrared homing, the

programme was plagued by several problems. While it

was launched at the height of the Cold War, the needs

of armies have changed since the fall of the Berlin

Wall. As a result, in 1993, the vehicle-launched

versions were abandoned and the United Kingdom

decided to withdraw from the programme, which was

then transferred from Aerospatiale-Missiles to the

German company LFK.

Range: up to 8 km

Qualification firings between 1997 and 2002

Destined to equip GermanTiger helicopters

he entry in service among Soviet and American armies of advanced medium-range and short-range ground-to-air

systems made it no longer possible to penetrate an air space defended by such means except with very low-altitude

air attacks. Short-range ground-to-air systems were costly, as they combined surveillance radars and fire control systems. A

less expensive system was therefore appealing, both for coverage of “blind” areas not scanned by radars and to serve as

back-up in case of radar jamming. The development of very short-range ground-to-air systems

was launched by the Soviets in the 1960s with the Strela SA 7 and by the Americans with the

equivalent Stinger. Both were very light and could therefore be transported by a single man and

shoulder fired (suitable for commando use). However their capabilities were consistent with

their smaller weight. Attacks could only be carried out on the rear of the target and the missile's strike probability was

relatively low. To be truly effective, it was necessary to be attacked first then respond with a salvo of several missiles and

thus be more certain of striking the target.

In France, the Air Force and the Army expressed a need for this kind of system, but with greater capabilities. This led to

the Mistral programme in 1980. As well, the short-range ground-to-air Roland system was upgraded. The missile's capability

to engage targets on short notice was improved with the Roland 3 in 1988.

The low-altitudethreat

1980

Bad news for enemy aircraft Matra decided to correct the various

shortcomings of very short-range ground-

to-air missiles and came up with a system

featuring a better seeker, capable of

attacking the front of the target aircraft

(impossible for the SA 7 and the Stinger)

by using a bigger charge. The result was

a slightly heavier system that had to be

carried by two men and fired from a tripod.

However, since it was more effective, the

system reduced the number of firing

posts required compared with its Russian

or American counterparts, resulting in far

greater reliability.

Mistral

The Mistral system can be installed on

- A tripod

- Light vehicles (Albi, Atlas, Aspic)

- Naval platforms (Simbad, Sadral, Tetral)

- Helicopters (AATCP, ATAM)

1st firing in 1986

Entered service in 1990

Speed: Mach 3

Range: 6 km

(DGA/CEV)

121120

Dealing with low-flying threats

1988

The Roland 3 was designed to respond to

the threat of armoured and highly

manoeuvrable modern combat helicopters

flying close to the ground. The missile's

range was increased (8 km instead of 6 km),

its speed and manoeuvrability were

improved and its warhead was made

more powerful.

Roland 3

Warhead: 10 kg

Speed: Mach 1.6

Range: 8 km

Roland missile in service in 11 countries

625 firing posts and25,370 missiles ordered

aunched at the beginning of the 1980s by Lockheed Martin in response to an invitation to tender on

the part of the U.S. Army, the multiple rocket launcher (MRL) was capable of deploying rockets or

missiles, significantly increasing the depth of artillery strikes. With no competitor, its fire power and mobility

drew the interest of many countries, notably in Europe. In 1986, Germany, France, Italy and the United

Kingdom created a consortium to produce the MRL under American licence. The

increased range of this system, as well as those of France's tactical nuclear missiles,

required more effective means of in-depth observation, which artillery units did not

have. Moreover, getting closer to the enemy's means required greater speed in order to improve chances of

survival. Use of the CL89, then the CL289 in these roles stirred up interest in drones. In France, this interest

was confirmed with the Brevel, a slow and long-endurance drone designed to both serve the needs of artillery

and gather intelligence for the division so that its move could be well planned.

Reaching farther

Steel rain

1986In Europe, 284 artillery multiple rocket

launchers (Multiple Launch Rocket

System) were produced for Germany,

France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Integration was entrusted to Aerospatiale-

Missiles, which produced 134 units at its

Bourges factory. The most notable combat

use of this system was during the first

Gulf War. The Americans used them

aggressively to support their troops and

break down Iraqi defences. Thanks to

their range, these systems were never hit

by enemy artillery.

Mounted on the chassis of a Bradley

Weight: 25 tonnes

Range: 32 km

MLRS

(MBDA/Alain Gortais)

(LTV)

123122

To go where others do not

CL-289 Piver

Four batteries delivered since 1992

Autonomy: 30 min

Range: 400 km

Speed: 740 km/h

1987The Piver system (Programmation et Interprétation des Vols

d'Engins de Reconnaissance) consists of a land battery for

preparing missions, setting up, deploying and recovering a CL-289

reconnaissance drone (developed in cooperation by Canada,

Germany and France) then exploiting the images gathered. The

system was effectively used in Kosovo in 2000.

Very discreet eyes Brevel

1989

Unlike the CL289, the Brevel system flies at high altitude, slowly and for

a long time. Destined to spy on the enemy, it is difficult to detect (visual,

IR, radar and sound) and highly resistant to jamming. The project brought

together Matra and MBB (Germany) in 1983, which led to the

creation of GIE Eurodrone in 1989. Budget problems delayed

the awarding of the development contract in late 1992, and

France did not participate in the industrialisation phase.

Weight: 150 kg

Autonomy: 4 hours

Altitude: 2,000 metres

125124

1987

he arrival of multifunction radars (electronic scanning)

aboard modern fighter jets paved the way for a new generation

of air-to-air missiles suited for multi-target engagements, in other

words, the simultaneous firing of several missiles on different

targets. At the beginning of the 1980s, the United States proposed

a transatlantic cooperation consisting of splitting up missile

development and then matching the purchases of two types of air-

to-air missiles. The U.S. proposed that Europe

study the ASRAAM (advanced short-range

air-to-air missile) to replace the famous

Sidewinder while it would look after develop-

ment of an AMRAAM (advanced medium-range air-to-air

missile) to succeed the Sparrow.This “two-way street” proposition

was greeted with a lukewarm response in Europe. France refused

to depend on the United States for the exportation of its future

combat aircraft (upgraded Mirage 2000s and Rafales) by even-

tually fitting them with AMRAAMs. To withdraw from this

transatlantic cooperation as gracefully as possible, France decided

to design a single missile capable of two missions through the use

of interchangeable seekers: Mica EM, with a pulse doppler seeker,

to replace the Super 530 as a long-range interceptor missile, and

Mica IR, with an IR seeker and CCD to succeed the Magic 2 as a

close-up combat missile. The dated notion of close range combat

was gradually phased out, as modern IR seekers now offer a range

of 10 to 15 km.

One missile, two missions

A challenge met Mica

Replacing the Super 530D and Magic 2 duo with a

single missile was an ambitious undertaking. It had to

offer capabilities that were greater than those of the

former within a mass no bigger than that of the latter,

the smaller Magic 2. This technological challenge was

met. Its availability in two versions (active homing for

interception and IR for close-up combat) makes the

Mica a unique missile. Moreover, the Mica is highly

manoeuvrable thanks to a jet interaction control system.

It also features anti-jamming capabilities, effective

against even very sophisticated countermeasures.

As it benefits from low resistance, the Mirage 2000-5

can carry up to four of the missiles, and the Rafale, no

less than eight.

1st firing in 1992

Entered service in 1996

3,000 missiles ordered byfive countries

(ECPAD)

(ECPAD)

127126

1980

he first generation of Martel anti-radar missiles was destined to destroy air surveillance radars as

well as medium-range land or naval ground-to-air systems in order to carry out in-depth strikes (notably

for the French Mirage IV). For this reason, it could only be exported to

NATO member countries. For exports to the Middle East, Matra began,

without British participation, modernising the Martel in 1980 by improving

the seeker. The new missile was named Armat. For its part, in 1983

British Aerospace Dynamics began studying the replacement of the Martel with the Alarm, a missile based

on a new concept. In fact, it featured different attack modes. Direct mode made it possible to fire in salvo

towards an area where enemy radar waves were detected by the launch aircraft. Standby enabled the missile,

in complete autonomy, to reach a cruising altitude and then deploy a parachute to seek out enemy radar

waves. Alarm was designed to open up corridors for fighter-bombers in areas of dense air defence by

eliminating any fire control radars in their paths, up to a range of 45 km.

A second generation of anti-radar missiles

An upgraded Martel To develop the Armat, a medium-range anti-radar mis-

sile, Matra resumed the development of British-made

equipment. The capabilities of the seeker as well as the

electronic components were significantly improved,

benefiting from the latest technological advances, such

as total band coverage of enemy radar frequencies.

The Armat was used in combat by Iraqi Mirage F1s,

which destroyed numerous Iranian radars.

Entered service in 1984

Range: 100 km

160 missiles produced

Weapons for Mirage F1and Mirage 2000

Armat

1st firing in late 1986

Entered service in 1991

Weight: 200 kg

The “loitering” missile Alarm

1983The Alarm (air-launched anti-radar missile)

is a short-range aircraft-launched anti-radar

missile whose purpose is to open up

penetration corridors for fighter-bombers.

It can be deployed in two modes: direct

attack or “loiter” mode with an ascent to

cruise altitude followed by a parachute

descent to seek out and identify enemy

radars. And even if the target shuts down

before being destroyed by the missile,

Alarm is programmed to remember the

location. The radar seeker's electronics

can be reprogrammed to adapt to changing

threats. The Alarm is fitted on Tornado

GR1s, which can carry up to seven missiles

beneath their wings. Alarm missiles were

used by the British during the Gulf War

in 1991.

(D.R.)

129128128

The beginnings of a great family

1989

Following the failure of a transatlantic cooperation project, France plunged

itself into the study of a cargo missile that could scatter anti-runway

sub-munitions. This required mastering technologies that were new in

Europe: mission preparation, contour-hugging flight with radar correction,

stealth, etc. Meanwhile, the lessons learned during the Gulf War in 1991

spawned the need for a longer-range single-warhead cruise missile to

attack hardened infrastructures (command centres, telecommunications,

bunkers, etc.), resulting in the Scalp-EG and the Storm Shadow.

Apache

s the anti-aircraft defences of Warsaw Pact countries were reinforced, flying over air

bases became too dangerous. Yet in the event of war, neutralising them during the first

hours of a conflict was vital in order to re-establish a balance of numbers between the air forces

of the West and those of the East. At the beginning of the 1980s, advances in inertial navigation

as well as the possibility of correcting the path of a long-range missile using cartography (thanks

to the development of observation satellites), made it possible to aim for a strike precision of

50 to 100 metres following a trajectory of several hundred kilometres. Such a missile could

therefore be launched from a safe distance, without having to fly over the

target or even enemy territory.

In 1986, the United States proposed the development of a missile of this

type, within the framework of NATO, to seven countries. Called the

MSOW (Medium Stand-Off Weapon), the project was nonetheless withdrawn in 1989.

Meanwhile, France preferred to act alone in 1987 by having Matra and Aerospatiale team up to

develop an air-to-ground anti-runway missile, the Apache, thus creating the technological basis

for a cruise missile.

Stand-off firingcapabilities

Tests carried out from 1993 to 2001

Entered service late 2002

Weight: 1,280 kg

Range: 140 km

1980

iding on the success of anti-ship missiles during the previous period, the 1980s were marked by

improvements to these weapons, notably regarding their anti-jamming capabilities.

Nonetheless, several new programmes were launched.

In 1988, the reinforcement of cooperation between

Italy and France translated into the launch of the

Milas torpedo-carrier anti-submarine missile project.

In France, replacement of the light anti-ship AS12 was not planned, due to lack of funds. While the Royal

Navy put the Sea Skua in service aboard Lynx helicopters in 1982, Aerospatiale decided in 1981 to develop

a competing missile, the AS15TT, for use on the naval version of its Dauphin helicopters. These two missiles

had an identical range of 15 km, allowing the helicopter to remain beyond the reach of the enemy's naval air

defences. They also both had a 30-kg warhead to destroy smaller-size vessels such as rapid patrol ships.

Naval: between modernisation and innovation

A Sawari anti-ship missile Otomat Mk2

The Otomat Mk2 was the modernised version selected by Saudi

Arabia to equip its four Sawari 1 frigates ordered from France. The

missile features foldable wings to allow it to fit more compactly

into its launch container.

1st complete firing in 1983

Deliveries began in 1984

131130

The Marte benefits from the Otomat Marte Mk2

1980The upgrading of the Marte was characterised by the

adoption of the Otomat's seeker, giving the missile its

bulbous nose. Responsibility for the development and

production was transferred from SISTEL to Otobreda.

Tests on an Mk2/A version of the anti-ship missile, launched

from an aircraft (without a booster), were carried out in 1995.

Range: 25 to 35 km

Delivered starting in 1987

An all-weather anti-ship missile AS15TT

1981The AS15TT was developed as part of the Saudi Sawari 1 programme to arm

20 Panther (Dauphin) helicopters. The missile was developed in response to

the need for an all-weather system featuring Agrion radar guidance and a 15 km

sea-skimming range. It was also ordered by the United Arab Emirates in 1995

for its Panther helicopters.

Entered servicein 1985

(EUROCOPTER)

1331321983

A very reactive system British Aerospace achieved a breakthrough in the

European naval sector by finalising the VL (Vertical

Launch) Sea Wolf in 1983. It was the first vertically

launched surface-to-air missile in Europe. This type of

launch considerably shortens response time by elimi-

nating the targeting delay required by a traditional

rotary launcher. It also eliminates the blind angles of a

moveable launcher, ensuring 360-degree coverage

regardless of the position of the vertical launcher. The

missile entered production in 1989 and eventually

equipped Duke-class frigates (Type 23) within the

GWS 26 Mod 1 system (launch containers in groups

of eight).

Testing of the VL Sea Wolf between 1987 and mid-1990

Exported to Malaysia in SeaWolf XL (Extra Light)

VL Sea Wolf

A torpedo-carrier missile Milas

1988The Milas was the first joint venture between the

governments of France and Italy. It aimed at developing

a derivative of the Otomat/TESEO capable of carrying

a light anti-submarine torpedo. It was destined to

equip anti-submarine frigates. The vehicle carries a

light torpedo, the MU90, also jointly produced by

France and Italy. MILAS was intended to extend the

range and speed up the reaction time during anti-

submarine combat faced with rapid and stealthy

nuclear attack submarines. It makes it possible to fire

a torpedo in the water from a great distance as soon

as contact with an enemy submarine is established.

It was produced as part of the GIE Milas carried out

by Matra and Alenia Difesa (a 50:50 joint venture)

following Alenia's takeover of OTO Melara's missile

activities. The programme's duration was extended

due to major delays with the torpedo following the

merging of the French Murine project with the Italian

A290. Due to budget problems, France was unable to

participate in the industrialisation and series phase.

The Milas is destined to equip Italy's future FREMM

frigates.

Weight: 815 kg withtorpedo

Range: up to 35 km

135134

n the research and technology sector, the 1980s saw

the launch of many projects involving ramjet propulsion

in order keep up with very advanced Soviet ground-to-air,

anti-radar and anti-ship ramjet

missiles already in service. This

explained the launch in 1981 of

French MPSR studies on a “rustic”

ramjet and of the supersonic anti-ship ANS in 1983.

A technology whosetime had not yet come

The rustic ramjet

1981

The exploratory MPSR 1 programme

(Modèle Probatoire de Stato-fusée

Rustique) was carried out from 1981 to

1985 by Matra, ONERA and SNPE. The

missile was fitted with a solid-fuel ramjet.

The aim was to reduce its size and cost.

The MPSR 2 followed with the association

of Matra and Aerospatiale from 1990 to

1995. This demonstrator had an extended

flight range for air-to-ground or air-to-air

anti-radar applications (START project),

neither of which were finalised despite

four successful test flights.

MPSR

Too fast, too soon ANS

1983In 1974, NATO studied the concept of

a supersonic anti-ship (ANS) missile to

match the Soviet SS-N-22 Sunburn. The

project led to exploratory developments

with the French MPAN (1974-1979)

and SIMS (1979-1982). In 1983, pre-

development was jointly launched by

Aerospatiale and MBB (Germany), resul-

ting in three successful flight tests in 1987.

However, beginning in 1988, France and

Germany were never in step to launch the

full development of the project, now

known as ANNG. As a result, France

restructured the programme, using a

common launcher with the ASMPA called

ANF (future anti-ship). The defining

contract was modified in 1998 but frozen

in 1999 due to budget restrictions.

137136

Falklands War, 1982. British troops had little artillery and Air Force fire support. They therefore relied to a great extent on direct firingsof the Milan anti-tank missile to destroy all manner of Argentine resistance encountered: bunkers, machine gun hideouts, trenches. AtGoose Green, use of the Milan in this role saved the 2 Para from certain destruction. (Béchennec)

On 4 May 1982, an Exocet AM39fired by an Argentine SuperEtendard struck the HMS Sheffield(pictured here), which due to thefire that followed the impact, sankthree days later. This incidentshowed the world how powerfuland effective modern missileswere. The Argentines improviseda coastal battery with someExocet MM38s removed fromone of their ships. An MM38seriously damaged the frigateHMS Glamorgan. (AFP)

In January 1987, Chadian National Armed Forces (FANT) carried out an offensive against the Libyan presence in the north of the country.Milan anti-tank missiles played a key role in combating Libyan tanks and armoured vehicles during the recapture of the Fada Oasis,on 2 January, as well as in the ambush of a Libyan column in the Bir Kora Pass, during which 40 T-55 tanks were destroyed. (AFP)

During the Afghanistan War in 1989, several Milan firing stations were strategically placed, effectively preventing columns of Sovietarmoured tanks from accessing the valleys held by the Afghan resistance. Pictured here are Soviet troops retreating, ten years afterthey arrived. (AFP)

139138

On 6 January 1987, French Air Force Jaguars carried out a raid against the Ouadi Doum airport, held by the Libyans. An AS37 Martelanti-tank missile destroyed the base's “Flat Face” target acquisition radar.

To divert Iran from urban warfare, which involved the two opponents exchanging Frog and Scud ground-to-ground missiles, Iraq launched a “war on tankers” by attacking Iranian vessels near Kharg Island (pictured) using five Super Etendards loaned by France.For its part, starting in August 1985, the Iranian Navy launched its first helicopter attacks on ships. It lined up armed AB212s, AS12sand Sea King SH-3Ds fitted with Marte missiles. (AFP)

The American USS Stark, seriously damaged by an Iranian Exocet during the Iran-Iraq War. This incident revealed the need to provide escort ships with the means of protecting themselves against all types of air threats. (AFP)

In April 1988 Iraq launched a major offensive to recapture Fao. From the start of the battle, Iranian losses were three to four timesgreater than those of the Iraqi Army, which had a greater arsenal of much more sophisticated weapons. Iraq learned a lesson fromFrance: “missiles spare enemy blood.” On the ground, Milan and Hot missiles used for fire support destroyed all types of resistanceencountered. In the sky, salvos of Armat anti-radar missiles cleared the way for aircraft fire support. The Iranian Air Force, exhausted,could no longer penetrate the ground-to-air wall of defence, which notably included a number of Roland missiles, nor could it holdout against Iraqi fighters, greater in number, and Iraqi Super 530Fs or R550 Magics. Overwhelmed, Iran agreed to a cease-fire. (AFP)