Is Ukraine about to have a war?
The US military's response to Ukraine's need for armor remains incomprehensible to me. Why would the US, which has given or pledged over 100 billion dollars to Ukraine, be so chintzy about giving armor to Ukraine? It defies logic. This stuff has no reason to be rusting in the California outback, everything that is salvageable should be given to Ukraine, Poland and the Baltics etc.
I don't believe this 'secret armor' line, we know that much of it includes a layer of DU, and a layer or layers of the British Chobham or Dorchester pottery (or its US equivalent). Big deal, maybe they have arranged it so it's 3% or 7% more effective than the Challengers or the Leopards, but that's a big nothing when you compare even an Abraham's M1, rev 1 to a T-72 or whatever the Russians are scraping up for their army. The 'secret armor' argument is pure hokum.
Why aren't we giving Ukraine all our old Stryker vehicles? We're parking over 4,000 of them; why aren't they being shipped to Eastern Europe where they're needed? Why are we only sending 60 Bradleys to Ukraine, we should be sending 600 of them.
None of this makes any sense at all.
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Says it all really.
Approach to Bahkmut
Approach to Bahkmut
The US military's response to Ukraine's need for armor remains incomprehensible to me. Why would the US, which has given or pledged over 100 billion dollars to Ukraine, be so chintzy about giving armor to Ukraine? It defies logic. This stuff has no reason to be rusting in the California outback, everything that is salvageable should be given to Ukraine, Poland and the Baltics etc.
.
EDIT: Since January 2021, the United States has invested more than $33.2 billion in security assistance to demonstrate our enduring and steadfast commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
https://www.state.gov/u-s-security-c...al%20integrity.
Since the war began, the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress have directed more than $75 billion
https://www.cfr.org/article/how-much...are-six-charts
https://www.cfr.org/article/how-much...are-six-charts
This is just quibbling about numbers and misses the point of my post.
The point is that the US has invested a huge sum in Ukraine but is being chintzy about donating what is essentially scrap iron.
Slovak Minister of defence J. Naď announced that first 4 Migs were safely delivered to Ukraine.
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Well Boris… that nobody, and Zelensky may be closet gays according to the latest propogansh*t, talk about scrapping the bottom…..erm, of the barrel…
Tabs please !
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Interesting that Solovyov is talking about hoping China as part of the Russian Chinese “strategic partnership" will get US Nukes removed from the likes of Turkey. That is tantamount to admitting Russia is now subservient to China in this new relationship and Russia has lost its standing it had pre war.
Ukrainian pilots took over our Migs (probably the only serviceable) at AFB Sliač and headed home. Good hunting, brothers.
Footage provided by our DoD.
Footage provided by our DoD.
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Ukrainian pilots took over our Migs (probably the only serviceable) at AFB Sliač and headed home. Good hunting, brothers.
Footage provided by our DoD.
https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/...69512568696833
Footage provided by our DoD.
https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/...69512568696833
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Wow….
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Interesting focus on some things that Ukraine needs to address.
To counter evolving tactics used by Russia and Wagner, troops require resources such as drones, radios and internet, night sights, 60mm mortars, grenades and grenade launchers for platoons, a full 81/82mm mortar company for each battalion, short-range missiles, AFAKs, uniform and safety equipment for every soldier. It is essential to prioritize discussions about these "enablers" in Ramstein meetings, not just larger equipment.
- Policy changes are necessary to modernize the military system, which still relies on outdated Soviet-style rules, and regulations. For example, drones purchased abroad needed a signature for release from MOD to the unit that purchased them. This was not done for 4 weeks. This delay means that soldiers die from a lack of drones. Activities like this should have a turnaround time of 12 hours maximum
- A new policy of creating mobile training teams near the front to update units out of battle with the latest lessons learned should be considered. It's wise to use those who have been injured in the war and cannot fight.
- Policy changes are necessary to modernize the military system, which still relies on outdated Soviet-style rules, and regulations. For example, drones purchased abroad needed a signature for release from MOD to the unit that purchased them. This was not done for 4 weeks. This delay means that soldiers die from a lack of drones. Activities like this should have a turnaround time of 12 hours maximum
- A new policy of creating mobile training teams near the front to update units out of battle with the latest lessons learned should be considered. It's wise to use those who have been injured in the war and cannot fight.
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Anyone doubt that I am telling the truth that the US want to prolong the conflict?
Right, TOGA button pushed, trying for a stabilized approach.
Notice to all: play the ball not the man, or the FOD sweeper will come again.
How about all of you put the first P back into PPRuNe: Professional.
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Brave woman, those still resisting.. one hope she is freed.
It was a brave decision by minister Naď because in January government lost vote of confidence and new election will be held in September. It is quite likely that pro-Russian coalition will win and they threat him already now with criminal indictment for "misusing power" when sending Migs to Ukraine. I hate to say that but Slovakia will possibly join Orbán in anti Ukraine stance which will be very shameful. The years of hybrid war and massive Russian propaganda will take the toll.
If they will be able to acquire over 66% votes we may expect some form of semi-fascist regime. Horrible.
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An unusual sight today on FR24 is an ATR c-72-600 mpa maritime surveillance aircraft, from Turkiye of all places, paroling the water offshore of Romania and headed toward the Ukrainian border (but it turned back at the latitude of Constanta).
This must be a NATO mission. This is the first time I've seen the Turks get involved.
This must be a NATO mission. This is the first time I've seen the Turks get involved.