The Iraqi-British Negotiations Regarding the Maintenance of The Chieftain Tanks 1980-1981

Abstract

The repair and renewal of captured Iranian Chieftain tanks, by The Iraqi army during the start of the 1980-1981 Iraq-Iran war was the focus of negotiations between the Iraqi government and the British Ministry of Defense. These discussions showed the British administrative and professional competence and the strong focus of the British military and diplomatic establishment on how to achieve its goal. On the other hand, the Iraqi government and the Ministry of Defense did not have the amount of knowledge and understanding to achieve its goal in communicating with the British government. In addition, these negotiations clarified what factors control British policy in concluding military deals and how the deal-making process is conducted, especially during wartime conditions. Also, the British declared position on the war in most cases is not the actual government position. Rather, there are hidden intentions in the communication and discussion of these great countries and several economic, political and international factors control the formulation of its real policy. Moreover, it is not necessary that all institutional views within British government departments and ministries agree to take a single approach. However, all institutions will work with a high focus on achieving the general institutional goal set by the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. The writing of this research made it clear that the British Ministry of Defense and the British government in general, worked carefully to achieve all its stated and hidden goals. Thus, it did not accomplish a goal if it harmed the other side or had negative repercussions on other aspects of its goal.