Why is it that the Defence Industry and the big bosses in the various services are always looking at more and more high tech solutions and yet the wars we end up fighting mostly don't need it?
The UK MOD are spending squillions on Typhoon, Nuc subs with ICBM and on etc when they have yet to actually fight an enemy that is significantly more technologically advanced than the Viet Cong/NVA.
An Army Officer is under DAILY ATTACK from a bunch of sandle wearing tribesmen with AK47/RPG and sod all else and all that is provided in the way of CAS is a lightweight jet with rocket pods.
I wonder what that Major would give for 3 squadrons of radial engined Skyraiders with their 8 .50 cal machine guns and the sundry tonnes of other CAS ordinance they were famous for carrying and delivering with spine chilling accuracy.
I am half joking of course...although a Skyraider would be better than a Harrier in this case...I bet the Major and his peers would actually be overjoyed.
You're fighting a desert version of the Viet Cong with cold war weapons...any wonder you are taking a kicking.
The US can be slated for much but they seem to always have the more or less right tool for the job and even when the tool aint quite perfect they make up for it by having lots of tools.
The UK/EU (Australia is no different) seem to always be planning and equiping for war against an incredible high tech foe when there just aint any high tech foes around. The high tech, pointy, stealthy things might be a shedload of fun but they rarely get used for their design purpose but more often are pressed into the breach because nothing better is available.
If I was the head occifer in charge of talking to Blair about such things I would be telling him to get on the phone to his mate and order up 5 squadrons of A10 or we pull out of Afghansitan and he can fight the Taleban himself.
The Major's primarly responsibility is to his men and mission...not to worry about the sensibilities of his senior officers or political leaders...and even less of the protocol of communications. His men are dying and he is involved in a pace of actual battle not seen since WW2.
I find it somewhat distastful to read page after page slating this chap when his leaders and their political masters need flogging.