Libya (National Liberation Army) M577 Command Vehicle

A photograph has recently emerged from Libya showing a modified M577 command vehicle operated by National Liberation Army/Rebel forces.  The date and location are unstated although judging from the time of circulation it may relate to the battle for Tripoli.

 

The M577 is a [tactical] command vehicle based on the M113 APC and easily identified by the heightened crew compartment.

The presence of an M577 in Libya is somewhat of a revelation as it was never a known operator of this specific type.  However Libya was known to be a user of the base M113  APC as discussed in this earlier article: http://esotericarmour.blogspot.com/2011/05/libya-m113.html 

Analysis of the image also suggests that this is a very early M577.  This conclusion based upon the thinner headlight guard and the visible weld seams where the chassis has been modified.  This would support the idea that it was probably imported from the US at the same time as the M113s.  However it remains unknown how many examples were received or how many were still operational when the civil war broke out.

The circumstances of the capture of this vehicle are also unclear, although some M113s were known to of seized relatively early on in the conflict their serviceability was questionable and there was no evidence that they were ever put into rebel service.

This M577 has been modified by it’s new operators by adding a turret from a BMP-1, housing a 73 mm 2A28 ‘Grom’ low pressure smoothbore semi-automatic gun.   It is unknown if the turret has been simply welded in place or the turret ring fitting to allow it to be traversed (turned) manually.

The most obvious place for it to be fitted would be above the commanders hatch allowing access and operation of the gun from beneath as designed.  It should be noted that this hatch aperture is quite far forward on the vehicle roof so some further modification to accommodate the turret may be required.  However even if the turret/gun is not fully functional its visible addition to a relatively lightly armoured and armed vehicle such as the M577 could act as a valuable deterrent.

The vehicle has also received a rather unsubtle new paint scheme replicating the flag adopted by the National Transitional Council, which itself is a resurrection of the flag used by the Kingdom of Libya between 1951-1969, prior to the coup that saw Gaddafi come to power.

Any further information or photographs regarding this or other M577s in Libya would be greatly appreciated as would a translation of the Arabic text on the side of the vehicle.

Ivory Coast / Côte d'Ivoire BMP-1 & BMP-2

BMP-1 & BMP-2 in action during the second Ivory Coast Civil War (2011)

Background

Between March and April 2011 a short but bloody second civil war occurred in the Ivory Coast.  There are a number of historic underlining causes to this conflict but the much delayed and disputed November 2010 election was a key trigger.

The initial results indicated that opposition leader Alassane Outtara had won the election and he was internationally recognised as the president elect.  However Laurent Gbagbo, the incumbent president since 2000, claimed that results were invalid and went on to claim victory after the results in several northern (opposition) regions were cancelled thus giving Gbagbo a narrow victory.

Despite domestic and international pressure Gbagbo refused to step down and stayed in power through the continued support of his generals.  Following months of failed negotiations and sporadic violence the situation developed into civil war between forces loyal to Gbagbo and those loyal to Outtara.  The conflict quickly de-esculated after the arrest of Gbagbo by Outtara forces on 11 April 2011.

UN and French forces were also present, acting in self defence and in the protection of the civilian population. 

BMP-1

Analysis of available photos of BMP-1 in Ivory Coast serivce suggest they are probably BMP-1P variants or at least upgraded to a similar standard.

This conclusion is based upon the presence of extra turret armour, the six 81 mm 902V "Tucha" smoke grenade launchers on the rear of the turret and the mountings on the front for KMT-10 mine plow, although there is no suggestion that this attachment was ever delivered to the Ivory Coast.

These upgraded models were less commonly exported, often only becoming available in the post cold war era from ex-Russian or ex-Soviet republic stock.  In the case of Ivorian BMP-1s it is reported that 13 examples were imported from Belarus in 2002/2003.  Belarus apparently upgraded some of their vehicles to BMP-1P standard at a former soviet repair workshop.

The BMP-1 above is reportedly operated by forces loyal to President Gbagbo, presumably the national army.  Note the crocodile head artwork and the hand written wording on the side, the meaning of which is unclear.  The presence of apparent foreign personnel with their faces blacked out is also interested, these may be mercenaries hired by Gbagbo.

Another BMP-1 again pressumably of the national Army.  This is possibly the same example as in the previous photograph based upon similar stowage at the rear of the turret, indications of similiar writing on the side and a similiarly censored individual!

 

A further BMP-1 belonging to forces loyal to Gbagbo.  This is example however belongs to the Gendarmerie (National Police) as indicated by the white writing on the front.  The Ivorian Gendarmerie is similar in size to the army and in times of national crisis would be used to reinforce it.  It features an unusual overall black paint scheme and the vehicle is named “le Buffle” which translates as “the Buffalo”.  Crocodile head artwork also features on this BMP-1 although the design is different to the previous army example.

  

A destroyed BMP-1 in the capital Abidjan.  Some captions of this photograph have stated it was knocked out by French Gazelle attack helicopters.

BMP-2

Open source research  suggests that total of three BMP-2s reportedly delivered to the Ivory Coast.  The first delivery was for two units from Angola in 2002.  Angolan BMP-2s were received second or even third hand and came from a variety of former soviet republics.  This was followed by a single unit from Ukraine in 2003.

Judging from photographic evidence, at least one BMP-2 was destroyed between 2002/2003 during the first Ivory Coast civil war.  The single Ukrainian example could therefore be a direct replacement.

"Forces loyal to presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara rest on an armoured vehicle in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 02 April 2011."

(Corbis)

 

 “Pro-Ouattara fighters of the Republican Force of Ivory Coast ride an armoured vehicle BMP-2 as they prepare for an assault on the residence of Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan, on April 6, 2011.”

There are a number of interesting elements present in this picture.  The BMP-2 itself clearly shows the presence of additional [appliqué] turret armour.  Similarly to the BMP-1 it is unusual to see exported up-armoured examples exported unless from ex soviet republic stock.  Secondly is the two visible pieces of white material tied onto the vehicle, one at the end of the barrel and one next to the rear door.  This could be interpreted as flag(s) of surrender, suggesting the vehicle has been recently captured and/or the crew defected over to forces loyal to Outtara.  No markings are visible, although if they are present, such as the crocodile head artwork, they may only be present on one side, the left side, as visible in the earlier BMP-1 photographs.

 “A picture released by the French spokesman for Laurent Gbagbo on April 7, 2011 shows a burnt out tank reportedly in the gardens of the residence of Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan." (AFP image)

If the captions for the above BMP-2 photographs are accurate it could indicate that they are photographs of the same individual vehicle, just a day apart.

"Scenes in Abidjan following the capture of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo - A photograph made available 16 April 2011 shows armoured vehicles destroyed by French and United Nations forces sit at the entrance to former President Laurent Gbagbo's residence in Abidjan, Ivory Coast 15 April 2011."

(Corbis)

The BMP-2 on the left is the same one as the previous photograph although comparison of the two images indicates this was taken some time later, supporting the dates provided.  The BMP-2 on the right however may well have taken part in the actions leading to the arrest of Gbagbo.  The damage shown for the vehicle on the right is consistant with an impact from a dedicated anti-tank missile.

The information above is slightly conflicting because if there were only three BMP-2 delivered, one of which was destroyed in 2002/2003 then there should of only been two units potentially active in the second civil war.   If one was already in Ouattara service on 02/04/2011 (as per caption) and another on 05/04/2011 (as per caption and indication of white surrender flags) then it does not explain why the French/UN forces would knock out knocking out a third [Gbagbo] example.  So either a) more than three were delivered b) some of the indicated dates are inaccurate c) both BMP-2 destroyed at the Gbagbo's residence were infact loyal to Ouattara.