IRAQ-THE CHEMICAL POWER IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Filename:0148pgv.90d
IRAQ-THE CHEMICAL POWER IN THE MIDDLE EAST
KEY JUDGMENTS 17 AUGUST 90
Iraq has developed and used some of the most sophisticated
chemical ordnance of any country. Iraq has accelerated its
efforts to produce chemical agents and key precursor chemicals
since the end of the war with Iran.
At least two biological warfare agents, anthrax & botulinum toxin
are available.
Iraq has developed one of the Third World's most sophisticated
chemical (CW) programs. Spurred by their success with
chemicals in the terminal offensives of the war with Iran, Iraq
has continued to move toward total self-sufficiency for chemical
precursor production, and could- become an exporter of chemicals
to other proliferating countries faced with embargoes. Iraq has
learned from its past errors in using chemicals to become the
country with the battlefield experience in using CW. The only
country ever to have used nerve agent weapons in war, Iraq has
made nerve agents tabun (GA), sarin (GB), and GF, as well as
liquid & dusty mustard. Iraq has a range of artillery ammunition,
aerial bombs and air-to-surface rockets. A limited number of
chemical missile warheads are believed available.
Iraq is continuing to develop its extensive CW capability. New
agents and weapons systems for CW use are being investigated. For
example, when Iraq was unable to get the key precursor for the
nerve agent soman, a capability to make the analogous chemical GF
was developed. GF is slightly less desirable because of its
lower lethality, but is made from chemicals that are easy to
obtain, and has about the same persistency as soman.
Iraq is expanding its chemical production capabilities to allow
production of all precursor chemicals required for nerve and
blister agent production without relying on foreign suppliers.
Local supplies of phosphates, chlorine and other chemicals will
allow Iraq to use its own natural recources to make chemical
agents. Developing an indigenous capability to make chemical
agent could also lead to Iraq's export of chemicals to other
proliferating countries subject to trade restrictions.
The largest chemical agent production complex on earth is located
at Samarra, near Baghdad. Separate lines for production of
the nerve agents tabun, sarin, and GF and blister agent mustard,
as well as riot control agent production capabilities, give
Iraq the greatest CW capacity in the region. Monthly production
capacities have been estimated at 150 tons for mustard, 5 to
10 tons of tabun and 20 tons of sarin. Production capacity for
nerve agent GF is unknown but may be similar to sarin.
Iraq has developed at least two unique types of chemical weapons.
Multiple rocket launcher (MRL) ammunition has been modified to
accept up to three plastic containers in each warhead filled with
chemical agent. The Iraqi munition has as much as 10-12 kilograms
of agent in each warhead, while Soviet MRL ammunition has only
about 3 kilograms. Helicopter rockets with chemical warheads have
also been developed by Iraq.
Iraq has established a biological warfare (BW) program which is
supported at the the highest level of the Iraqi government. The
current Iraqi capability consists of at least anthrax and
botulinum toxin.
Iraqi possess that technical capability to support a BW program.
The Salman Pak complex is a leading BW research and development
and probably production facility.
[ (b)(2) ]
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