THE PALESTINIAN LIBERATION ORGANIZATION

Infantry:

The Palestinian Guerrilla was well equipped.  Soviet small arms found its way into the hands of the PLO from neighboring Arab countries such as IRAQ along with camouflage, light and heavy machine-guns, mortars, RPGs and anti-tank rifle grenades.  In addition, Palestinian workshops in Lebanon produced their own distinct patterned camouflage clothing.
 
  
 
 


Assault Rifles, SMGs and Sniper Rifles:

  • AK-47 Assault Rifle
  • AKM Assault Rifle
  • AMD-65 (Hungarian version of the AK-47)
  • PMK-DGN-60 Assault Rifle (Polish)
  • Drugenov 7.62mm Sniper Rifle
  • M-16 Assault Rifle
  • Chech CZ 52 7.62mm Pistol

Light Machine Guns

  • RPD 7.62mm LMG

Heavy Machine Guns:

  • Dshk 12.7mm HMG

Grenade Launchers:

  • LON-1 Grenade Launcher
  • Rifle Grenade

Anti-Tank Weapons:

  • RPG-7
  • BM-11 107mm Recoilless Rifle
  • SAGGER ATGW


Mortars:

  • 82mm Mortar
  • 120mm Mortar

 
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Armor:

    To my knowledge, the PLO did not have armored formations above Platoon size (three tanks).  Most PLO tanks encountered by the IDF were used as static pillboxes.  Due to lack of proper training, quantity, quality and experience the PLO tank crews stood little if no chance against the seasoned IDF armored formations.  The three types encountered were the T-34, T-54 and the T-55 MBTs.

 

T34/85

 

Armament:  1 x 85mm MG, 2 x 7.62mm MGs

Crew:  2+11

Maximum Speed:  55 Km/h

Maximum Range:  186 Km

Combat Weight:

Armor:  60mm (maximum)

 


Palestinian T-55

T-54/55 MBT

 

Armament:  1 x 100mm,1 x 12.7mm MG, 2 x 7.62mm MGs

Crew:  4

Maximum Speed:  50 Km/h

Maximum Range:  510 Km

Combat Weight:  36,000 kg

Armor:  203mm (maximum)

 

 
 

BTR-40 APC

 

Armament:  1 x 7.62mm MG

Crew:  2 + 8

Maximum Speed:  80 Km/h

Maximum Range:  285 Km

Combat Weight:  5,300 kg

Armor:  8mm (maximum)

 

Probably a former Syrian BTR-152 in PLO service

BTR-152 APC

 

Armament:  1 x 7.62mm MG

Crew:  2 + 17

Maximum Speed:  75 Km/h

Maximum Range:  600 Km

Combat Weight:  8,950 kg

Armor:  4 to 13.5mm (maximum)


 

BTR-60 APC

 

Armament:  1 x 14.5mm MG, 1 x 7.62mm MG

Crew:  2 + 14

Maximum Speed:  80 Km/h

Maximum Range:  500 Km

Combat Weight:  10,300 kg

Armor:  7 to 9 mm(maximum)


 

PLO Technical with Recoilless Rifle


Artillery:

    The PLO did have an abundance of artillery.  The favorite was the BM-11, BM-24 and the BM-21 Katyusha rocket launchers.    In addition, the PLO fielded 130mm and 155mm Artillery.


Abandoned BM-11 Rocket Artillery


PLO Combat Formations:

    Your guess is as good as mine. 

 

Orders of Battle

Kastel brigade

  • Deployed along the southern Mediterranean coast

Yarmuk brigade

  • Deployed in the Arnoun heights north of Nabatiye and the northern coast

Karameh brigade

  • Deployed in the Hasbaiya-Rashaiya area a.k.a. the Fatahland


Deployed Troop Strengths

Beirut, Ba'abda and Damour:    6000 men

Sidon:    1500 men

Between Sidon on Tyre:    1000 men

Tyre:    1500 men

Nabatiyeh to Beaufort Castle:    1000 men

Fatahland:    2000 men

UNIFIL Zone in southern Lebanon:    1000 men

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