Ballistic Missiles in the Persian Gulf Map

[CharDee MacDennis]

http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/116907

https://player.fm/series/arms-control-wonk/the-uaes-phantom-missile-arsenal

 

I've been listening to the Arms Control Wonk podcast lately and found a curious intersection between middle east arms control and DCS. The UAE is one of the lesser known Scud operators (specifically the North Korean derivative of the Scud-B, the Hwasong-5) interestingly the only other known export customer is Iran whom has developed their own derivative of the north korean scud derivative known as the Shahab-1.

 

The UAE first bought 18 to 24 Scud B's from North Korea in 1988, they were not pleased with the missiles and are believed to have bought Scud C's in 1999. A third weapons sale is believed to have occurred under the bush administration in 2008.

 

 

The UAE's Scuds are believed to be stored in a base just outside of Minhad AB (25° 2'26.63"N 55°19'26.93"E) I'd encourage you guys to check it out for yourselves in google earth. The ACW podcast linked above describes the base in great detail. I did some amateur analysis of the base after listening to the podcast and reading about the subject.

 

The 18 small bunkers marked in red I believe to be weapon storage bunkers for the first Scud-B purchase, the dimensions of the bunkers are quite roomy and could easily fit a single missile. Some of the bunker entrances have tight corners that would make maneuvering a 37ft missile difficult but not impossible. Only one bunker (#13) has an entrance exposed to attack from the north; new construction bunkers (in purple) all face southwest presumably to enhance survivability from an Iranian attack.

 

There are what appear to be four unprotected TEL garages west of the weapon storage area. If the TEL's were loaded with missiles in the garage this would account for 22 missiles + whatever number of Scud-C's purchased in 1999 + 2008 purchase.

 

 

It's difficult to tell from Wag's Easter stream but I don't think the missile base is modeled in the current iteration of the Persian Gulf map shown below is the stream overlayed on google earth.

 

 

I think this site has great potential to structure missions around, and would no doubt be one of the focal points for a dynamic campaign. Some missions I could envision would be:

 

-Large Iranian strike package to eliminate UAE missile arsenal, F-4E's escorted by Tomcats – Intercepted by Emerati F-16's and Mirage 2000's.

-Iranian Scud hunt in the desert around Minhad

-UAE Bell 412's (played by UH-1H's) servicing TEL's in the desert from the missile base (maybe even looking for Iranian special forces) - reverse bravo two zero :)

-Players fly interception missions to defend Minhad and the missile base.

 

The base could be populated with existing assets such as the current HAS's reskinned with sand textures, TEL garages could use warehouse/garage models and the administrative buildings/shipping containers already exist. A road network and perimeter fence would also be needed. The base's proximity to Minhad and Dubai should allow it to share the high resolution terrain mesh around these areas (although the fairly flat terrain doesn't really demand this).

 

Thanks for reading, I understand a map like this is a massive undertaking and development resources are limited; I'd be happy to try my hand at modeling these shelters and buildings and donate them if they are of sufficient quality.

[VFA15-Juliet]

Hi. This is similar to my thinking and post about stationary SAM sites. It seems though we will be getting map that is close match geographically speaking but rather not detailed enough to include military infrastructure installations other than selected airbases.

I sure hope that we will get at least some static objects / units for ME that will match both Iran and UAE real life counterparts to a degree of interesting battlefield simulation that DCS World aspires to be.