Word: exocets
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...been hit, it would have taken no more than 30 minutes for the tugboat to reach us. Tankers are usually hit in the engine area, but because the Exocet missiles used by Iraq do not have a powerful explosive force, a ship is not likely to explode or sink rapidly. The big fear is that the oil will catch fire and trap everyone on a burning...
...first word that Iraq had used the Super Etendards came in a military communiqué boasting that the planes had attacked "two naval targets" near Kharg Island. In fact, a low-flying missile fitting the description of a radar-controlled Exocet reportedly hit a 41,000-ton Greek tanker, Filikon L., that was more than 70 miles away from Kharg Island. The ship, under contract to the Kuwait Petroleum Corp., had just loaded up with fuel at the Kuwaiti port of Mina al Ahmadi. Damage proved relatively minor, but a second ship hit in the same attack...
...submarine H.M.S. Conqueror sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano; at least 300 men were lost in a crew of some 1,000. Two days later, an Argentine Exocet missile struck the British destroyer Sheffield, which was abandoned with the loss of 20 men. British troops stormed the Falklands on May 21, and the badly overmatched Argentine force surrendered 3½ weeks later...
...Kharg. Saddam Hussein probably could not destroy the facility, since it is well protected, but he could bomb the tankers at the loading docks and disrupt Iran's oil exports. In October Iraq received from France five sophisticated Super Etendard fighter-bombers, which can be equipped with lethal Exocet missiles...
Western diplomats believe Iraq can carry out its threat. In October, the country received from France five highly sophisticated Super Etendard fighter-bombers, which can be equipped with lethal Exocet missiles. The Iraqis increased the pressure earlier this month with air strikes that, they claim, sank nine "enemy naval targets" in the gulf. In response, Iran has hardened its position. Only an end to the rule of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Iranian officials insist, will bring a settlement. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping if Iraq launches attacks on its oil facilities...