The Path to War
Iraq's Forces
Coalition Forces
Weapons of War
Allied
bases
Where
Iraq's missiles can hit
The Australian Defence Force commitment to dealing with Iraq
- whether it be enforcing the current UN embargo or further
military action - is at least 2000 personnel.
This number includes an Australian Special
Air Service detachment, two Air Force Boeing 707 tanker
aircraft for air-to-air refuelling operations, a Naval Task
Group comprising the Kanimbla,
an amphibious landing and command ship, and two frigates,
which are currently blockading Iraq.
In addition 14 F/A-18
fighter aircraft and two P3
Orion maritime patrol aircraft are marked for possible
active service against Iraq.
 Teams
of Australian military specialists involved in air defence
and bomb disposal have already left for the Gulf with HMAS
Kanimbla, while the SAS troops are about to be deployed.
Details of the number of Australian personnel headed for
the Gulf - and where they are likely to be posted - are now
classified information.
The United States alone is likely to field up to 250,000
ground troops against Iraq, backed up by five aircraft carrier
battlegroups - the Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Kitty
Hawk, Constellation and Harry S. Truman - which pack incredible
strike power.
Not only will the expected 50 warships carry some 800
Tomahawk missiles between them, they will be able to launch
500 warplanes at Iraq.
These sea forces will be backed by air units from bases around
the Middle East, including a major one in Turkey.
Britain is deploying up to 40,000 troops to the Gulf region.
This includes commandos, paratroopers, tanks and armoured
vehicles.
The force - spearheaded by 4000 Commandos, 120 Challenger
tanks and 150 armoured personnel carriers - is about a quarter
of Britain's armed forces.
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