The 1991 Persian Gulf War

Morocco, Oman, Qatar, and UAE

by David Nilsen and Greg Novak

MOROCCO

The Moroccan contribution to the Coalition consisted of a reinforced mechanized battalion from the Moroccan 6th Mechanized Regiment. The organization below is notional. Treat Moroccan troops as Experienced, Morale 8.

Moroccan Infantry Battalion (Reinforced), with:

Headquarters, with:

    1 command stand
    1 jeep
    1 M113A1 TOC
    1 recon AML-20
    M125 SP 81 mortar
    1 maintenance van
    2 5-ton supply trucks

3 Infantry Companies, each with:

    1 command infantry stand
    2 infantry stands
    3 M113A1 APCs

1 Armored Company, with:

    1 command AMX-13
    2 AMX-13

Artillery Battery, with:

    1 command stand
    1 FO stand
    2 jeeps
    1 M109A1B SP 155 howitzer
    1 M548 ammunition tractor

OMAN

Oman was considered to be the best trained and most experienced force of the Gulf Arab States. Its small army had been fighting an on-and-off rebellion in north Oman for several years. The force sent to take part in the Liberation of Kuwait was a small task force, and not a full brigade as thought at the time.

Omani troops should be rated as Veteran, Morale 9.

Oman Infantry Battalion (Reinforced), with:

Headquarters, with:

    1 command stand
    1 Land Rover
    1 TOC
    1 recon Scorpion
    1 medium supply truck

Weapons Company, with:

    1 jeep with Milan
    1 MMG stand
    1 engineer stand
    1 gun crew stand
    1 towed ZU-23-2
    3 Land Rover light trucks

3 Infantry Companies, each with:

    1 command infantry stand
    2 infantry stands
    3 Land Rover light trucks

Artillery Battery, with:

    1 command stand
    1 FO stand
    2 Land Rovers
    1 gun crew stand (ds)
    1 L118 105 howitzer
    1 medium truck

Armored Battalion, with:

    Headquarters, with:
      1 command AMX-30
      1 5-ton supply truck
      1 AMX-30D ARV

    2 Tank Companies, each with:

      1 command AMX 30
      3 AMX 30

Notes

1. Omani infantry stands use the Carl Gustav as their medium antitank weapon.

2. One stand in each infantry company is equipped with the Blowpipe for air defense.

QATAR

Qatar was another of the oil-rich states which had raised, equipped, and trained a small armed force. There was some question on their lack of experience in the field, but at the Battle of Khafji on January 29-30 the Task Force listed below earned a nickname of Panzer Group Qatar for its role in driving back the Iraqi invaders.

Qatari troops should be rated as Regular, Morale 8.

Qatar Mechanized Battalion (Reinforced), with:

Headquarters, with:

    1 command stand
    1 AMX-10P
    1 AMX-l0PC TOC
    1 medium supply truck

Weapons Company, with:

    1 VAB 81 mortar
    2 VAB with HOT
    1 jeep with Milan

2 Infantry Companies, each with:

    1 command infantry stand
    2 infantry stands
    3 AMX-10P

Infantry Company, with:

    1 command infantry stand
    2 infantry stands
    3 VAB

Artillery Battery, with:

    1 command stand
    1 FO stand
    2 Land Rovers
    1 gun crew stand (ds)
    1 M56 105 howitzer
    1 medium truck

Armored Battalion, with:

    Headquarters, with:
      1 command AMX-30S
      1 5-ton supply truck
      1 AMX-30D ARV

    2 Tank Companies, each with:

      1 command AMX 30S
      2 AMX 30S

Notes

1. Qatari infantry stands use the Carl Gustav as their MAW.

2. One stand in each infantry company is equipped with the Blowpipe for air defense.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The United Arab Emirates are the countries of Abu Dhabi, Dubai Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah. Their armed forces are well trained and equipped, though experience was lacking. The artillery battalion listed below may have been attached directly to JFC-East.

UAE troops are rated as Regular, Morale 8.

UAE Mechanized Battalion (reinforced), with:

    Headquarters, with:
      1 command stand
      1 Land Rover
      1 VAB TDC

    Weapons Company, with:

      1 VAB 81 mortar
      2 VAB with Milan

    3 Infantry Companies, each with:

      1 command infantry stand
      2 infantry stands
      3 VAB APCs

    Artillery Battery, with:

      1 command stand
      1 FO stand
      2 Land Rovers
      1 gun crew stand (ds)
      1 M56 105 howitzer
      1 medium truck

    Armored Battalion, with:

      Headquarters, with:
        1 command AMX-30
        1 5-ton supply truck
        1 AMX-30D ARV

      3 Tank Companies, each with:

        1 command AMX 30
        1 AMX 30

    Self-Propelled Field Artillery Battalion, with:

      Battalion Headquarters, with:
        1 command stand
        1 Land Rover
        1 VAB TDC
        1 ARV
        2 heavy trucks

      3 Firing Batteries, each with:

        1 command stand
        1 FO stand
        2 Land Rovers
        1 Mk F3 SP 155 howitzer
        1 medium truck

    Notes

    1. UAE infantry stands use the Carl Gustav as their light antitank weapon.

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© Copyright 1994 by Greg Novak.
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