I remember that. I also remember that the supposed Roland 3s were later identified as Roland 2s supplied in the 1980s.
IIRC the ‘2002’ marking on some found by Polish troops in 2003 was accompanied by codes apparently relating to an Iraqi arms factory. May have been an expiry or refurbishment date. Poland apologised to France.
Correct. The 2002 and 2003 stencils found on the Roland containers was deemed to have been applied by the Iraqis themselves.
http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Missiles-And-Rockets-2003/Iraq-tested-Roland-systems-in-war-preparation.html
Prior to the US-led invasion of Iraq, the Al Kindi Establishment north of Mosul seems to have conducted large-scale inspections and tests of various missiles delivered to Iraq during the 1980s by Aerospatiale, writes Grzegorz Holdanowicz. Sources have suggested that missiles were checked immediately prior to being delivered to Iraqi combat units before the start of hostilities.
Markings found on Roland-2 missile canisters recovered by the occupation forces suggest these inspections were carried out during 2002 and early 2003, dates which led to speculation that France had been supplying Iraq with Roland missiles manufactured in those years.
The Polish demolition team snipped off the tags from the ROLANDS before they were destroyed by controlled explosion. From the video footage:
“.. SOCIETE NATIONAL INDUSTRIELLE
CONSTRUCTION DE TARBES
REFERENCE SNIAS No 969446
DESIGNATION GIAT ATS F5316
NO DE SERIE B + V 176
MASSE 960
DATE 11.7.83
CONTROLE MA12″
During 2003 the French Ministry released the following in reference to the 2002 stencils found on the first batch of Rolands.
“We confirm in particular that there was no export of Roland missiles or parts to Iraq after 1990. The marking cited by Newsweek (05/11 KND 2002) does not correspond to markings used by the French MBDA company on these missiles.”
TJ
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