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99th Missile Brigade

Coordinates: 35°21′N 69°35′E / 35.350°N 69.583°E / 35.350; 69.583
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99th Missile Brigade
Active1955-1992
CountriesKingdom of Afghanistan
Republic of Afghanistan
Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
BranchAfghan Air Force
TypeTactical ballistic missile
Air defense
Garrison/HQKabul, Afghanistan 35°21′N 69°35′E / 35.350°N 69.583°E / 35.350; 69.583
EquipmentScud missiles
EngagementsSoviet-Afghan War

Afghan Civil War (1989-1992)

The 99th Missile Brigade (Russian: 99-я ракетная бригада) was a ballistic missile brigade of the Afghan Air Force and Air Defense, formed in 1955–56 by Prime Minister Mohammad Daoud Khan.[1][2]

History

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The brigade was formed in 1955–56, after the arrival of a Soviet Army mission, led by Marshal D.D Solovski, a veteran of World War II. They assisted Minister Daoud Khan with modernizing and re-arming the Afghan Army, using missile systems of the Soviet 111th Missile Brigade.[3] The brigade participated in the Battle of Jalalabad in 1989, being under the constant protection of the Afghan Commando Forces. Operators of the brigade were awarded by President Najibullah for their actions during their defense of Khost.[4][5] After the resignation of Mohammad Najibullah in April 1992, Ahmad Shah Masoud's forces captured the 99th's Scud missile launchers, however, the 99th Missile Brigade ditched their uniforms and left, leaving Massoud’s forces with no way of operating their newly acquired Scud launchers.[6][7][8]

On October 12 1992, remnants of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan Armed Forces launched aerial bombing attack on Massoud's forces destroying multiple armed Scud launchers in Kabul. From 1989 to 1991, it is reported the 99th Missile Brigade launched 1,548 Scud Missiles.[9]

In the same year, units of the 99th Missile Brigade in western Kabul were overran by Shia mujahideen factions Hezb-e-Wahdat and Harakat-i-Islami, although the missile operators safely fled. As a result, the two factions could not launch their newly-acquired Scud missiles, only using them for show during military parades in the capital.[10]

Equipment

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The 99th Missile Brigade was armed with S-125 Neva/Pechora surface-to-air rocket systems, as well as S-75 Dvina surface-to-air rockets systems used by the Royal Afghan Air Defense.[11] They had 18 S-125 Neva/Pechora SAMs in 1992, and in the same year,[citation needed] at least 2000 missiles had been launched by the brigade. The 99th Missile Brigade's usage of Scuds was the most intensive – and less well-known – use of the weapon. The 99th Missile Brigade had a large quantity of Scud-Bs and some Scud-Cs as well.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "Afghan Authorities Move Soviet Missile San1 Editorial Stock Photo - Stock Image". Shutterstock. Retrieved 2023-06-17.[failed verification]
  2. ^ Azimi, General Nabi (2019-04-11). The Army and Politics: Afghanistan: 1963-1993. AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-7283-8701-7.
  3. ^ Azimi, General Nabi (2019-04-11). The Army and Politics: Afghanistan: 1963-1993. AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-7283-8701-7.
  4. ^ imp_navigator (2017-08-30). ""Эльбрус" за Кушкой". Юрий Лямин. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  5. ^ "Герой Афганистана". afganets.ru. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  6. ^ imp_navigator (2017-08-30). ""Эльбрус" за Кушкой". Юрий Лямин. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  7. ^ "Герой Афганистана". afganets.ru. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  8. ^ Zaloga, Steven J. (2006-02-28). Scud Ballistic Missile and Launch Systems 1955-2005: No. 120. Lee Ray, Jim Laurier (Illustrated ed.). Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-947-9.
  9. ^ "Ракетное возмездие: в Афганистане по душманам было применено 1548 "Скадов"". ВПК.name (in Russian). 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  10. ^ Wings over the Hindu Kush: Air Forces, Aircraft and Air Warfare of Afghanistan, 1989-2001 (Asia@War): Amazon.co.uk: Müller, Lukas: 9781913118662: Books. ASIN 1913118665.
  11. ^ Azimi, General Nabi (2019-04-11). The Army and Politics: Afghanistan: 1963-1993. AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-7283-8701-7.
  12. ^ "SS-1 'Scud' (R-11/8K11, R-11FM (SS-N-1B) and R-17/8K14) - Jane's Security News". 2007-12-15. Archived from the original on 2007-12-15. Retrieved 2023-06-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)