NATO vs Russia
OH, the fun we have. Back to the 70's and 80's, playing tag at high altitude, the Cold War follies have been resurrected.
US B-1B bombers face off with Russian MiG-31 over Barents Sea
Such deterring flights by the Russians are not uncommon. A notable instance happened in mid-March, triggered by Sweden's move to join NATO. The Russian Federation dispatched a Tu-22M3 bomber alongside MiG-31 fighters, equipped with Kinzhal missiles, over the Baltic Sea. On Sunday, March 24, a similar event unfolded. The deployment of the Russian MiG-31 was apparently in response to the presence of two American B-1B bombers near Russian airspace over the Barents Sea, after having traversed Norwegian airspace.
According to The Barents Observer, the US aircraft never entered Russian airspace. The dispatched MiG-31 escorted the bombers away from Russia. Accompanying the B-1B bombers over the Barents Sea were three KC-135 Stratotanker aerial tankers, which were not subjected to interception. This incident coincided with the NATO Nordic Response 2024 exercises.
According to The Barents Observer, the US aircraft never entered Russian airspace. The dispatched MiG-31 escorted the bombers away from Russia. Accompanying the B-1B bombers over the Barents Sea were three KC-135 Stratotanker aerial tankers, which were not subjected to interception. This incident coincided with the NATO Nordic Response 2024 exercises.
OH, the fun we have. Back to the 70's and 80's, playing tag at high altitude, the Cold War follies have been resurrected.
US B-1B bombers face off with Russian MiG-31 over Barents Sea
Is that because of their superb ice-hockey coverage, Dave?
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What! The whole fleet?
Here are some great videos from Drachinifel, who produces really interesting videos about ships. It's about the Russian Pacific 2nd Squadron voyage to Japan and its defeat in the battle of Tsushima. Sort of seems relevant to Moscow's current adventure in the Ukraine. Parts 1 and 2 below. Worth a watch.
Last edited by Winemaker; 29th Mar 2024 at 01:37.
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https://tvpworld.com/76702098/polish...rces-in-europe
Polish president signs law suspending the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
Polish president signs law suspending the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
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That picture is misleading. As I read down through the TwitterX thread, it appears that two ships from the Pacific Fleet are in the Red Sea.
For those interested in what ORAC posted:
For those interested in what ORAC posted:
Polish President Andrzej Duda signed a law regarding the suspension of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE). The suspension, announced by NATO countries last November, came as a response to Russia’s cessation of its treaty recognition.
The President's Chancellery reminded that the CFE Treaty’s goal was the reduction of conventional offensive armaments to then maintain them at agreed levels. This encompasses commitments across five categories of conventional armed forces: battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, artillery, combat aircraft, and attack helicopters. “The suspension of the Treaty means that the Republic of Poland, like other states that decide to do so, while formally remaining a party to this agreement, will not be obliged to fulfill its provisions,” the Chancellery stated.
The President's Chancellery reminded that the CFE Treaty’s goal was the reduction of conventional offensive armaments to then maintain them at agreed levels. This encompasses commitments across five categories of conventional armed forces: battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, artillery, combat aircraft, and attack helicopters. “The suspension of the Treaty means that the Republic of Poland, like other states that decide to do so, while formally remaining a party to this agreement, will not be obliged to fulfill its provisions,” the Chancellery stated.
This article was translated from German.
Copyright 2024 DW.COM, Deutsche Welle. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Background music is MLF Lullaby.
Copyright 2024 DW.COM, Deutsche Welle. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
NATO was created to act as a bulwark against the Soviet Union and the West German army trained for the defense against attacks from the east. Three decades later, the threat is once again from Moscow.It was early 1996 when German soldiers in combat gear stepped onto the territory of another European country for the first time since the Second World War. The Germans did not come to Bosnia-Herzegovina as UN peacekeepers, or Blue Helmets, but as part of the NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR).
In 1992, the former Yugoslavian republic had been plunged into the bloodiest war on European soil since 1945 by the country's ethnic Serb minority, with the support of the troops of the Serbian autocrat Slobodan Milosevic. In December 1995, the warring parties, the neighboring countries and the heads of state and government of the United States, Britain, France, and Germany signed the Dayton Peace Agreement.
NATO formed IFOR, which was succeeded by the Stabilization Force (SFOR), to maintain the ceasefire and stabilize peace in the small southeastern European state.
German Bundeswehr soldiers not prepared
Germany participated but the Bundeswehr was only partially prepared for the mission in the mountainous country. The soldiers of the German army had not been trained for "out of area" operations. At times, they had to widen roads because the heavy military equipment was unable to pass through.
During the Cold War, the Bundeswehr of the German Federal Republic (West Germany), which joined NATO in 1955, had primarily been responsible for defending against a possible attack by the Warsaw Pact countries, which were in the Soviet zone of influence and included the socialist German Democratic Republic (East Germany).
There were half a million Soviet soldiers stationed in East Germany. And the GDR's National People's Army (NVA) boasted over 150,000 additional soldiers.
Every year, scenarios of an attack were enacted in NATO maneuvers and exercises that took place on flat land in northern Germany, primarily with tanks.
The idea was that Leopard main battle tanks and Bundeswehr units would defend against such an attack from the east until unrestricted air sovereignty was established with the help of NATO's largest member, the US.
German army has halved in size
From 1958 to 1972, the West German army grew in strength from 249,000 to 493,000 troops.
Until the fall of the Berlin Wall, the number of troops hovered around 480,000. When the Bundeswehr integrated the National People's Army, with the primary aim of phasing out its structures, the number increased again briefly.
Some 20 years later, there were only about 200,000 soldiers left in the Bundeswehr. By 2023, it only had 181,000 members, according to the German Ministry of Defense.
Only a small proportion of these soldiers are trained to be deployed for combat as part of NATO missions.
Afghanistan deployments
The Bundeswehr's role in NATO changed again after the 9/11 attacks on the US in 2001 prompted the US to invoke the alliance's common defense clause and Germany met its treaty obligations. The German army was part of the US-led coalition that went on to invade Afghanistan and oust the Taliban.
For a long time, the Bundeswehr concentrated on training up units that could be transported quickly, even to Afghanistan. Until the Zeitenwende, or "turning point," a term coined by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a speech to the German parliament just days after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022,
many in the military had not been preparing for such a surface land attack in Europe, three decades after the end of the Cold War.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has since said that the Bundeswehr must become "war ready." Some analysts predict that Russia, which has switched to a war economy, could launch an attack on NATO territory in fewer than five years.
After three decades of "out of area" operations, the Bundeswehr would currently only have enough ammunition to defend itself against such an attack for a few days.
Therefore, the idea now is to upgrade NATO to such an extent that it can be a strong deterrent to Russia attacking NATO territory. Just as it was during the four decades of the Cold War.
In 1992, the former Yugoslavian republic had been plunged into the bloodiest war on European soil since 1945 by the country's ethnic Serb minority, with the support of the troops of the Serbian autocrat Slobodan Milosevic. In December 1995, the warring parties, the neighboring countries and the heads of state and government of the United States, Britain, France, and Germany signed the Dayton Peace Agreement.
NATO formed IFOR, which was succeeded by the Stabilization Force (SFOR), to maintain the ceasefire and stabilize peace in the small southeastern European state.
German Bundeswehr soldiers not prepared
Germany participated but the Bundeswehr was only partially prepared for the mission in the mountainous country. The soldiers of the German army had not been trained for "out of area" operations. At times, they had to widen roads because the heavy military equipment was unable to pass through.
During the Cold War, the Bundeswehr of the German Federal Republic (West Germany), which joined NATO in 1955, had primarily been responsible for defending against a possible attack by the Warsaw Pact countries, which were in the Soviet zone of influence and included the socialist German Democratic Republic (East Germany).
There were half a million Soviet soldiers stationed in East Germany. And the GDR's National People's Army (NVA) boasted over 150,000 additional soldiers.
Every year, scenarios of an attack were enacted in NATO maneuvers and exercises that took place on flat land in northern Germany, primarily with tanks.
The idea was that Leopard main battle tanks and Bundeswehr units would defend against such an attack from the east until unrestricted air sovereignty was established with the help of NATO's largest member, the US.
German army has halved in size
From 1958 to 1972, the West German army grew in strength from 249,000 to 493,000 troops.
Until the fall of the Berlin Wall, the number of troops hovered around 480,000. When the Bundeswehr integrated the National People's Army, with the primary aim of phasing out its structures, the number increased again briefly.
Some 20 years later, there were only about 200,000 soldiers left in the Bundeswehr. By 2023, it only had 181,000 members, according to the German Ministry of Defense.
Only a small proportion of these soldiers are trained to be deployed for combat as part of NATO missions.
Afghanistan deployments
The Bundeswehr's role in NATO changed again after the 9/11 attacks on the US in 2001 prompted the US to invoke the alliance's common defense clause and Germany met its treaty obligations. The German army was part of the US-led coalition that went on to invade Afghanistan and oust the Taliban.
For a long time, the Bundeswehr concentrated on training up units that could be transported quickly, even to Afghanistan. Until the Zeitenwende, or "turning point," a term coined by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a speech to the German parliament just days after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022,
many in the military had not been preparing for such a surface land attack in Europe, three decades after the end of the Cold War.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has since said that the Bundeswehr must become "war ready." Some analysts predict that Russia, which has switched to a war economy, could launch an attack on NATO territory in fewer than five years.
After three decades of "out of area" operations, the Bundeswehr would currently only have enough ammunition to defend itself against such an attack for a few days.
Therefore, the idea now is to upgrade NATO to such an extent that it can be a strong deterrent to Russia attacking NATO territory. Just as it was during the four decades of the Cold War.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
Bit does it mean they can place troops in Ukraine as part of a NSTO mission rather than a national mission - with whatever protective measures that might permit?
NATO countries decided to create an alliance mission in Ukraine
This was stated by the head of the Polish Foreign Ministry. According to him, the creation of the mission does not mean direct entry into the conflict.
"But it does mean that we will now be able to use #NATO's coordination, training, planning capabilities to support #Ukraine in a more coordinated way."
He explained, in particular, that more Ukrainian military personnel would be trained in Poland.
Britain, France and Northern European countries are preparing to send troops to Ukraine, - US State Department consultant Edward Luttwak said in a column for the UnHerd portal
In his opinion, NATO countries will soon have to send troops to Ukraine anyway, otherwise the alliance will be forced to accept a "catastrophic defeat."
https://unherd.com/2024/04/its-time-...ps-to-ukraine/
NATO countries decided to create an alliance mission in Ukraine
This was stated by the head of the Polish Foreign Ministry. According to him, the creation of the mission does not mean direct entry into the conflict.
"But it does mean that we will now be able to use #NATO's coordination, training, planning capabilities to support #Ukraine in a more coordinated way."
He explained, in particular, that more Ukrainian military personnel would be trained in Poland.
Britain, France and Northern European countries are preparing to send troops to Ukraine, - US State Department consultant Edward Luttwak said in a column for the UnHerd portal
In his opinion, NATO countries will soon have to send troops to Ukraine anyway, otherwise the alliance will be forced to accept a "catastrophic defeat."
https://unherd.com/2024/04/its-time-...ps-to-ukraine/
https://x.com/gerashchenko_en/status...HhlFHGKbTPQr_A
Last edited by ORAC; 4th Apr 2024 at 18:42.
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Turkey suspends its adherence to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE)
There will no longer be any limits on the number of soldiers and where they can be stationed….
There will no longer be any limits on the number of soldiers and where they can be stationed….
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REFORGER (or REFORPOL) may have a few snags in it. The frigates to escort reinforcing forces are three years late ... and counting.
Constellation Frigate Delivery Delayed 3 Years, Says Navy - USNI News
Constellation Frigate Delivery Delayed 3 Years, Says Navy - USNI News
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Romania-led NATO naval exercise begins in Black Sea
A multi-national NATO naval exercise in the Black Sea and Danube River delta, consisting of contributing maritime forces from 12 different alliance members and other partners, began on April 8, Romanian media reported.
The exercise, named Sea Shield 24, is the second time the naval drill has been held, with the first occurring in 2015. The Black Sea has been a crucial theater of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, and the Danube River has emerged as an important alternative transit route in response to the Russian naval presence in the sea.
Hundreds of mines have been spread throughout the Black Sea since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Several civilian ships and navy ships belonging to countries not party to the war have struck sea mines since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
According to a press release by the Romanian navy, the exercise will involve more than 2,000 soldiers, 27 ships, 17 planes, and other military-technical equipment.
It will be "the most complex event conducted by the Romanian Naval Forces," the press release said.
Among the participants will be Romania, the U.S., the U.K., Bulgaria, France, Turkey, and Poland, as well as non-NATO members Georgia and Moldova.
The goal of the exercise is to combat "illegal sea and river operations, maritime and river control, search and rescue at sea, assisting a vessel in distress, and securing critical infrastructure."
It will extend until April 21.
NATO members Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria announced in January 2024 that they had signed a memorandum of understanding on a joint mine-clearing task force in the Black Sea, but it was not clear when it would begin.
A multi-national NATO naval exercise in the Black Sea and Danube River delta, consisting of contributing maritime forces from 12 different alliance members and other partners, began on April 8, Romanian media reported.
The exercise, named Sea Shield 24, is the second time the naval drill has been held, with the first occurring in 2015. The Black Sea has been a crucial theater of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, and the Danube River has emerged as an important alternative transit route in response to the Russian naval presence in the sea.
Hundreds of mines have been spread throughout the Black Sea since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Several civilian ships and navy ships belonging to countries not party to the war have struck sea mines since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
According to a press release by the Romanian navy, the exercise will involve more than 2,000 soldiers, 27 ships, 17 planes, and other military-technical equipment.
It will be "the most complex event conducted by the Romanian Naval Forces," the press release said.
Among the participants will be Romania, the U.S., the U.K., Bulgaria, France, Turkey, and Poland, as well as non-NATO members Georgia and Moldova.
The goal of the exercise is to combat "illegal sea and river operations, maritime and river control, search and rescue at sea, assisting a vessel in distress, and securing critical infrastructure."
It will extend until April 21.
NATO members Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria announced in January 2024 that they had signed a memorandum of understanding on a joint mine-clearing task force in the Black Sea, but it was not clear when it would begin.
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Thread Starter
Germany plans a massive expansion of its artillery forces from the current 4 to 13 battalions. This is paired with the doubling of the country's artillery park. From 120 SPG and 40 MLRS to 300 SPG and 80 MLRS.
Contracts for both a wheeled SPG and wheeled MLRS system are expected to be awarded before the end of the year.
https://t.co/vtLNnOlPHW
Contracts for both a wheeled SPG and wheeled MLRS system are expected to be awarded before the end of the year.
https://t.co/vtLNnOlPHW
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Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK has signed a joint declaration on protecting critical underwater North Sea energy and communications infrastructure.
This initiative will complement work done under the NATO umbrella.
https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuel...tur/id3033122/
https://www.politico.eu/article/6-eu...a-from-russia/
6 countries move to protect the North Sea from Russians
Potential foreign sabotage and attacks on critical infrastructure set off alarms.
This initiative will complement work done under the NATO umbrella.
https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuel...tur/id3033122/
https://www.politico.eu/article/6-eu...a-from-russia/
6 countries move to protect the North Sea from Russians
Potential foreign sabotage and attacks on critical infrastructure set off alarms.
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The flooding n Russia has shut down one of their missile tracking stations, meaning they are having problems tracking ICBM’s