Falklands defence review after military deal between Russia and Argentina
Helicopter for rig support may be there for a while - I think they have quite a number of wells planned and Sea Lion development is underway
First of all, the history is a nonsense. The local MoD was contacted by the press and they denied the history at all.
Secondly, my bet is the history was originated INSIDE the UK. After the defense cuts, someone needed the excuse to buy more planes, improve ships and so on. And with this fantasy scenario (making the proper headlines), he has the excuse...
Finally, surely I could exchange a couple of cows for a Fencer.
Regards!
Secondly, my bet is the history was originated INSIDE the UK. After the defense cuts, someone needed the excuse to buy more planes, improve ships and so on. And with this fantasy scenario (making the proper headlines), he has the excuse...
Finally, surely I could exchange a couple of cows for a Fencer.
Regards!
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When news like this one make the headlines and discussions such as this one fire up, I wonder if the standar british reader knows that Argentina has 2/3 of UK´s population, 1/4 of its GDP and that given that GDP as a whole, it spends roughly 1/3 of what the british taxpayers commit to their armed forces.
For the FY 2010-2011, the total expenditure on the BFFI reached something like £75 million, according to this: http://www.google.com.ar/url?sa=t&rc...,d.eXY&cad=rja
Could anyone seriously think that a country that considers £2000 million to be a reasonably high figure for their Armed Forces to spend throughout a whole 12-month-year is really a threat to the islanders?
The answer, my friends, my answer at least, is not blowing in the wind, but written in the press:
Cameron: Defence Spending Could be Cut | Forces TV
To settle it straight: rumors of defense-spending cuts? Oh, well... just shake the money -maker and write a few bombastic titles on the south-atlantic islands...
Cheers.
Christian
For the FY 2010-2011, the total expenditure on the BFFI reached something like £75 million, according to this: http://www.google.com.ar/url?sa=t&rc...,d.eXY&cad=rja
Could anyone seriously think that a country that considers £2000 million to be a reasonably high figure for their Armed Forces to spend throughout a whole 12-month-year is really a threat to the islanders?
The answer, my friends, my answer at least, is not blowing in the wind, but written in the press:
Cameron: Defence Spending Could be Cut | Forces TV
To settle it straight: rumors of defense-spending cuts? Oh, well... just shake the money -maker and write a few bombastic titles on the south-atlantic islands...
Cheers.
Christian
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Quote:
This all stems from the US poking Putin in the eye with a big stick ie oil price!
Really? How so?
This all stems from the US poking Putin in the eye with a big stick ie oil price!
Really? How so?
I thought it was the Saudis that really brought the pain - though well done to the States for bustin' up the cartel with a bit of competition. I'm sure it had something to do with the decision.
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Peter we the Russians have much much more hardware and manpower that the UK so they can and will show their strengths.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
UK Bolsters Falkland Defenses to Counter Argentine Air Ambitions
LONDON — British military capability planners are eyeing a major improvement to ground-based air defenses in the Falkland Islands amid continuing signs that Argentina is looking to update its Air Force with modern strike aircraft.
Argentina and the UK fought a short but bloody war over the British territory in 1982. The dispute received new life recently by Argentinean President Cristina Kirchener's launching a diplomatic war of words in an effort to eject the British. Now it has emerged that the British have been planning to replace the aging ground-based system on the Falklands with a package including a battle management command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (BMC4I) system, a new missile and a radar.
As recently as December, unconfirmed reports emerged that Buenos Aires was in talks with the Russians over the possible lease of a squadron's worth of Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer attack jets in a move that would threaten Britain's control of the skies locally. The reports drew a response from the UK Defence Ministry that it would adjust defense capabilities to the appropriate level to address any threats to the disputed islands, which the Argentinians refer to as the Islas Malvinas. Britain has maintained forces on the island since the war. The force includes four Typhoon jets, Rapier missiles, naval assets and around 1,200 troops. Last year, the British spent £63 million (US $95 million) for defense of the Falklands.
"We are currently assessing options to meet the requirement for future [short-range air defense, ground-based air defense]," an MoD spokeswoman said. The BMC4I system will be "linked to the FLAADS(L) [future local area air defense system (land)] missile and launcher. This includes coupling to [Giraffe-Agile Multibeam] radars," she said.
The spokeswoman said it was not possible to say when the Falklands system would enter service, as the project, which is fully funded, is in only its assessment phase. However, she was able to give some other key milestones for the project. "Invitation to negotiate for the BMC4I system is forecast for summer 2015 and contract award is expected in summer 2016," she said. "Our overall military posture in the South Atlantic is based on regular assessments of the threat and the Falkland Islands remain well-defended."
A BMCI system similar to the likely Falkland's requirement entered service with the British Army last October. The system, known as Land Environment Air Picture Provision (LEAPP), was built by Lockheed Martin UK in a £100 million deal the company signed with the MoD in 2008. Industry executives said the limited number of LEAPP systems delivered may be the reason the MoD is pursuing a further procurement for the Falklands.
Richard Muir, the business development director at the Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill site, which leads the LEAPP work, said the system could provide air-space management and surveillance from five kilometers to significantly beyond 100 kilometers. "The range of LEAPP is only limited by the radar," he said.
Despite LEAPP coming into service only in the last few months, the MoD spokeswoman said the BMC4I element of the system would be competed rather than just tacked on to the end of the LEAPP contract. FLAADS(L) and the Saab-supplied Giraffe are mandated though. Certainly, Lockheed Martin UK will bid. Other possible contenders include MBDA and Saab.
The Giraffe radar is already part of the LEAPP capability, although at the moment the sharp end of the system is provided by MBDA's aging Rapier missile. That's due to change around the end of the decade. The MoD spokeswoman revealed the ministry had signed a demonstration and manufacture deal with MBDA in late December for a replacement of the Rapier, which is FLAADS(L). The land weapon is a derivative of the missile company's common anti-air modular missile; a naval version known as Sea Ceptor, which uses the same missile, has already been ordered for Royal Navy Type 23 frigates. Argentina's neighbor, Brazil, and New Zealand have also ordered the naval weapon system.........
LONDON — British military capability planners are eyeing a major improvement to ground-based air defenses in the Falkland Islands amid continuing signs that Argentina is looking to update its Air Force with modern strike aircraft.
Argentina and the UK fought a short but bloody war over the British territory in 1982. The dispute received new life recently by Argentinean President Cristina Kirchener's launching a diplomatic war of words in an effort to eject the British. Now it has emerged that the British have been planning to replace the aging ground-based system on the Falklands with a package including a battle management command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (BMC4I) system, a new missile and a radar.
As recently as December, unconfirmed reports emerged that Buenos Aires was in talks with the Russians over the possible lease of a squadron's worth of Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer attack jets in a move that would threaten Britain's control of the skies locally. The reports drew a response from the UK Defence Ministry that it would adjust defense capabilities to the appropriate level to address any threats to the disputed islands, which the Argentinians refer to as the Islas Malvinas. Britain has maintained forces on the island since the war. The force includes four Typhoon jets, Rapier missiles, naval assets and around 1,200 troops. Last year, the British spent £63 million (US $95 million) for defense of the Falklands.
"We are currently assessing options to meet the requirement for future [short-range air defense, ground-based air defense]," an MoD spokeswoman said. The BMC4I system will be "linked to the FLAADS(L) [future local area air defense system (land)] missile and launcher. This includes coupling to [Giraffe-Agile Multibeam] radars," she said.
The spokeswoman said it was not possible to say when the Falklands system would enter service, as the project, which is fully funded, is in only its assessment phase. However, she was able to give some other key milestones for the project. "Invitation to negotiate for the BMC4I system is forecast for summer 2015 and contract award is expected in summer 2016," she said. "Our overall military posture in the South Atlantic is based on regular assessments of the threat and the Falkland Islands remain well-defended."
A BMCI system similar to the likely Falkland's requirement entered service with the British Army last October. The system, known as Land Environment Air Picture Provision (LEAPP), was built by Lockheed Martin UK in a £100 million deal the company signed with the MoD in 2008. Industry executives said the limited number of LEAPP systems delivered may be the reason the MoD is pursuing a further procurement for the Falklands.
Richard Muir, the business development director at the Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill site, which leads the LEAPP work, said the system could provide air-space management and surveillance from five kilometers to significantly beyond 100 kilometers. "The range of LEAPP is only limited by the radar," he said.
Despite LEAPP coming into service only in the last few months, the MoD spokeswoman said the BMC4I element of the system would be competed rather than just tacked on to the end of the LEAPP contract. FLAADS(L) and the Saab-supplied Giraffe are mandated though. Certainly, Lockheed Martin UK will bid. Other possible contenders include MBDA and Saab.
The Giraffe radar is already part of the LEAPP capability, although at the moment the sharp end of the system is provided by MBDA's aging Rapier missile. That's due to change around the end of the decade. The MoD spokeswoman revealed the ministry had signed a demonstration and manufacture deal with MBDA in late December for a replacement of the Rapier, which is FLAADS(L). The land weapon is a derivative of the missile company's common anti-air modular missile; a naval version known as Sea Ceptor, which uses the same missile, has already been ordered for Royal Navy Type 23 frigates. Argentina's neighbor, Brazil, and New Zealand have also ordered the naval weapon system.........
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In simple terms, why is the price of oil per barrel declining now and so rapidly? The average man in the street (and I am he), thinks its because US and Canadian Oil fields are now well on line and in full production, aided by the now on line development of Shale Oil and Oil Tars. This is the cause of the very recent decline in price, yes?
Also full production elsewhere around the world (West Africa in particular).
Plus full unlimited production in Saudi and MENA.
Plus Russia.
plus a relatively mild winter in the northern hemisphere? Is it simply now supply is at maximum capacity and in healthy competition for best price for the consumer?
Any industry experts, is that it?
Also full production elsewhere around the world (West Africa in particular).
Plus full unlimited production in Saudi and MENA.
Plus Russia.
plus a relatively mild winter in the northern hemisphere? Is it simply now supply is at maximum capacity and in healthy competition for best price for the consumer?
Any industry experts, is that it?
The Su-24s-for-Argentina story is lacking three elements.
Peter Cushing, a stake and a mallet.
Argentina is not going to get strike-fighter aircraft that can mount an increased threat to the Falklands because (1) they can't afford to buy them, (2) they can't afford to maintain them and (3) most people won't provide them.
In any event, FLAADS-L + Giraffe-AMB + BMC4I is much too far out to respond to any immediate crisis. But could it possibly be that the system's advocates would like to get it solidly funded in order to catch up with IRIS-T SLM and the various Israeli offerings?
Peter Cushing, a stake and a mallet.
Argentina is not going to get strike-fighter aircraft that can mount an increased threat to the Falklands because (1) they can't afford to buy them, (2) they can't afford to maintain them and (3) most people won't provide them.
In any event, FLAADS-L + Giraffe-AMB + BMC4I is much too far out to respond to any immediate crisis. But could it possibly be that the system's advocates would like to get it solidly funded in order to catch up with IRIS-T SLM and the various Israeli offerings?
Argentina is not going to get strike-fighter aircraft that can mount an increased threat to the Falklands because (1) they can't afford to buy them, (2) they can't afford to maintain them and (3) most people won't provide them.
2. They wouldn't have to maintain them - I'd imagine that support would be included in any leasing arrangement.
3. Most people won't have to provide them, only Russia.
Having said that, I do agree that a strike aircraft such as the Su-24 does not really fit in with Argentina's requirements for an air defence fighter.
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In simple terms, why is the price of oil per barrel declining now and so rapidly? The average man in the street (and I am he), thinks its because US and Canadian Oil fields are now well on line and in full production, aided by the now on line development of Shale Oil and Oil Tars. This is the cause of the very recent decline in price, yes?
Also full production elsewhere around the world (West Africa in particular).
Plus full unlimited production in Saudi and MENA.
Plus Russia.
plus a relatively mild winter in the northern hemisphere? Is it simply now supply is at maximum capacity and in healthy competition for best price for the consumer?
Any industry experts, is that it
Also full production elsewhere around the world (West Africa in particular).
Plus full unlimited production in Saudi and MENA.
Plus Russia.
plus a relatively mild winter in the northern hemisphere? Is it simply now supply is at maximum capacity and in healthy competition for best price for the consumer?
Any industry experts, is that it
Let's just imagine for a moment that the story is true:
Counter-trade for aircraft isn't new. Hawker-Siddeley sold 748s to Aerolineas Argentinas for corned beef long before most people could point to the Falklands on a map.
Most of Russia's wheat used to come from the Ukraine. The yellow in the Ukraine flag represents wheat. Vlad is probably looking for an alternative source. Their beef generally comes from the US and Australia, neither of whom are best friends with Mother Russia at the moment, so they will be looking for an alternative supply for that, too.
The Argies would welcome a (slightly) more modern addition to their geriatric air force from whatever source and they aren't going to get it from any of the usual suspects. (It might also give the western manufacturers an opportunity to sell some new(er) aircraft to their neighbours on the other side of the Andes).
If I were Vladimir Putin, I would see this as a perfect way of extracting some revenge against the UK. Give the bullets (as it were) for someone else to fire and throw up your hands if they're used in the wrong way. Even if they were never used in anger, they would provide a nuisance factor - rather like the Bears which seem to enjoy flying around the edges of NATO airspace...
Counter-trade for aircraft isn't new. Hawker-Siddeley sold 748s to Aerolineas Argentinas for corned beef long before most people could point to the Falklands on a map.
Most of Russia's wheat used to come from the Ukraine. The yellow in the Ukraine flag represents wheat. Vlad is probably looking for an alternative source. Their beef generally comes from the US and Australia, neither of whom are best friends with Mother Russia at the moment, so they will be looking for an alternative supply for that, too.
The Argies would welcome a (slightly) more modern addition to their geriatric air force from whatever source and they aren't going to get it from any of the usual suspects. (It might also give the western manufacturers an opportunity to sell some new(er) aircraft to their neighbours on the other side of the Andes).
If I were Vladimir Putin, I would see this as a perfect way of extracting some revenge against the UK. Give the bullets (as it were) for someone else to fire and throw up your hands if they're used in the wrong way. Even if they were never used in anger, they would provide a nuisance factor - rather like the Bears which seem to enjoy flying around the edges of NATO airspace...