Increasing evidence that Iraqs EFP devices and other weapons are home-made in Iraq

Where are Iraq's superbombs coming from, really? The Pentagon is claiming -- again -- the the Iranian government supplied the deadly "explosively formed penetrators" (EFPs). But the more you study these devices -- which use an explosive charge to a convert disc-shaped metal 'lens' into a high-velocity slug capable of smashing through thick armor at an extended range –- the more likely they seem to be home-made in Iraq.

he LA Times' Andrew Cockburn noted last week that "U.S. troops raiding a Baghdad machine shop came across a pile of copper disks, 5 inches in diameter, stamped out as part of what was clearly an ongoing order."

If that's accurate, then building EFPs in Iraq becomes a fairly easy operation. Given the appropriate design (which is the tricky bit) any machine shop can turn them out by the hundred. (Today's New York Times notes that the disks found in Hilla, Iraq "look like a thick little alms plate or even a souvenir ashtray minus the indentations for holding cigarettes.")

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The .50 cal sniper rifles also allegedly found in Iraq having been bought originally by Iran are another interesting case. Steyr-Mannlicher, accused of supplying the rifles have given an official statement saying that they have not had any serial numbers to check, so these weapons cannot be confirmed as being those supplied to Iran. Further, they observe that:

"Since the international license for these guns has already expired, these weapons can be copied any time by other producers."

More:
http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/02/where_are_iraqs.html

"Since the international license for these guns has already expired, these weapons can be copied any time by other producers."

As if that ever would have keeping people from copying the design?