The Middle East War of 1973 and modern weaponry

The outbreak of the Middle East War took most nations by surprise. It had been generally assumed that the reconnaissance satellites of the United States and the Soviet Union would provide early warning of conflict between states in any region of the world. But the fact that the combined Syrian-Egyptian offensive on the Suez Canal and the Golan Heights was so unexpected indicates how intentions can be concealed, even though capabilities are known. . .

The Middle East War involved a both qualitatively and quantitatively unprecedented use of modern weapons. Uniquely fierce battles took place on land and in the air, into which both sides poured a total of about 5 000 tanks and 2 000 aircraft. Losses in men and matériel on both sides were heavy. Over the three-week period of hostilities, aircraft were destroyed at the rate of more than one per hour and tanks were lost at a rate of more than one every 15 minutes. But most dramatic of all was the use of large numbers of a variety of types of missiles. The Viet-Nam War had already established air-to-air missiles as standard munitions in air combat operations and air-to-surface missiles as standard tactical weapons against troops and armour. In the Middle East War there was, in addition, a massive and effective use of anti-tank missiles and surface-to-air missiles and some use of surface-to-surface long-range missiles, ship-to-ship missiles, standoff bombs and 'smart' bombs. This war was, therefore, unprecedently technological in character. Some types of missiles and tanks were used in combat for the first time. . . .

UN troops observe an overflight by Israeli Defence Force phantoms on Mount Hermon

Events during the Middle East War will undoubtedly greatly stimulate further developments in a number of areas of military technology. For example, efforts under way to develop more advanced electronic counter-measures, improved stand-off weapons and remotely piloted aircraft will be seen as ways of overcoming missile air defences. There will be demands for more highly specialized air-superiority fi ghters and strike aircraft, for more refi ned air-launched stand-off anti-tank missiles and 'smart'  bombs and for ground-launched anti-tank missiles. Commanders will demand more highly developed sensors and computer equipment to command and control air and ground forces in the swift-moving three-dimensional milieu of the modern battlefi eld. Unifi ed command of ground and air forces in airborne control centres will be called for. And the need has been perceived for greater intercontinental heavy airlift capabilities to replace the heavy and rapid expenditure of missiles and other munitions in modern warfare. But perhaps the most disturbing lesson of the Middle East War is that there are situations in which an advantage is to be gained in some circumstances from a massive surprise attack using the most sophisticated weapons.

Previous Table of Content Next