Every major country that has ditched its tanks has since regretted it The Dutch thought that 'flying tanks' would be good enough; now they have organised to be part of the 1st Panzer... to have real tanks in support! - while the Finns have been smiling all the way to the bank; to deposit the cheque...

the Indian one also of Israeli origin: "The Entire System based on the Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 Plane and Custom Modified in Israel" - as was their previous (upgrade to a) 707 - in which one of the (today's) Raytheon divisions had supplied the original 'furniture' - as are the u...

As per the comments to that article "British Astute-class submarines take the UK about 10 years a piece from time laid down to commissioning. French ballistic missile submarines took about 8-11 years from being laid down to commissioning" so it is just about overambition (or should I say, ...

Ares variant has been shown with Pearson's Engineering bridge fitted. Could be something the British Army procure? Before the further order batches were cut, and the main worry was to get the numbers of Ajax match the 5 rgmnts' needs, there were 30-36 Warrior conversions in plans to provide gap cro...

one "Formation Reconnaissance and Overwatch", with fewer "dismounts" (39 ordered). + it also says the 4 seater version ARES is fitted for Command and Control. ... Command and control of a UAV that is (agreed: inaccurate use of a std term) Interesting that the split in the overal...

they look similar, but the MC-55A Peregrine are, as far as I'm aware, Electronic Warfare not radar reconaissance like Sentinel. Didn't Italy acquire both varieties but of Israeli make (using the same airframe)? Back to the UK: Shadow fleet for next "Operation Mudhut" and Sentinels likely ...

Still to be worked out. Leonardo was onboard already when the UK announcement was made. Let's think about it this way: - the prgrm will deliver systems, but these can be used in many ways (e.g. to upgrade planes already in service) - anyone who wants to be a supplier of the above will have to take ...

Some may point to the P-8 order as evidence the Politicians keeping their word, but the size of the order is probably the absolute minimum to restore the capability and far short of what is needed to conduct the actual mission they will be tasked with. One should always ask what is threshold level ...

if there were a perfect model then everyone would be using it. :lol: But folks with a constitution (we did set up our Supreme Court, at a high cost) at least have a mechanism for dispute resolution, instead of newspaper headlines on the lines: "Oh no; don't bring the Queen in" Err, that d...

the 2-vehicle approach was abandoned because it led to much increased radio traffic between the vehicles, with obvious correlate issues. The prototype fit eventually trialed was for a single vehicle solution. - yes, the approach was abandoned; hence I was surprised to see that designation reappear ...

The best way to up-arm a RB2 would have been to build it with a hanger in the first place.... Esp.as there is already a mag in place for that ... I would imagine it is for re-arming helos that have dropped their torp load, and will need to be quick about getting back to stn/ to continue the chase -...

Rather off topic but I can't see the Waves being replaced in RN service. I agree (they are on the "sales" list). The singletons will be serviced from frwrd bases. The frwrd bases will be serviced by a dedicated tanker that can deliver all the "57 varieties" in one go (and top up...

The Guardian has obtained a copy of a resolution coming up for vote in the Europarliament next week, and - aside from all the things that are in the headlines here... "[But] the strongest criticism of Johnson’s approach is reserved for the prime minister’s treatment of EU citizens living in the...

could have only been made better if Japan had anoucement saying Also coming onboard By the time of the next DSEI that is likely to be the case... first they will have to get F-35s to sea as that will be seen as an extension of prgrms already running. - F-35 "assembly" brought stealth manu...

As I try to frame most things in terms of weighing relative risks (before taking any action), I will be combing the book reviews for "cavalier attitude to risk taking" or any paraphrasing of the same "offhand and often disdainful dismissal of important matters" - does that defini...

not very good for a FLSS but good enough for a wave replacement. Agreed, but 1000 LIMs, 250 troops... or a hospital! Configurable between these, and when we are not doing anything From The Sea, then they won't be idle but can be working at sea (supply) - two of these for one (the option) of the &qu...

" at the DSEI 2019 defense exhibition in London. In signing-up for the Tempest program, Italy joins Sweden as the first two international partners on the project after the Scandinavian nation signed a memorandum of understanding in June to work alongside Team Tempest to develop the future techn...

My favourite read: fiction! Must be my first quote from newstatesman.com, but here goes " as Britain is convulsed by the Brexit turmoil that he triggered, David Cameron is about to emerge from three years of purdah in order to promote his long-delayed memoirs, For The Record. [...] Much of the...

Early on this thread the participating companies in the Anglo-French MCM prgrm were listed by SB, but the ongoing naval exhibition might raise some thoughts about the thinking having evolved as for the elements of: 1. surface lightly manned/ unmanned mothership, and 2. how the UAV will be brought on...

be heard by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. ... next week and as its deliberations are televised and live-streamed online. - who will bet on multi-day entertainment? Was it 4 hrs to hear the case (but evidence must be mounting and overturning a judgement won't be done lightly, so everything will be l...

Mr Johnson will visit a ship in the Thames today to announce the preferred bidder Which one have they taken to the exhibition this year (assuming HMS Belfast won't be used as a 'prop')? Type 26 frigates, which have already been sold to Australia and Canada. They are built at BAE Systems’ Govan ship...

Are you sure you don't mean Sweden? Their 6.5? Universal caliber - the holy grail - that was done away with, a while back? thought you meant the Ksp 58 DF, about half way down this link, they shortened the FN MAG. http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/utv_ksp58/ksp58/ksp58.htm Sorry, I did not know...

Talking about transformation monies: put a few of these onboard https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/09/09/special-ops-may-buy-army-future-vertical-lift-helo-replace-mh-6-little-bird.html?spMailingID=4038864&spUserID=NDc4MDI2MDIyNzIS1&spJobID=860480779&spReportId=ODYwNDgwNzc5S0 - Mer...

And on that: Parliament sent "away" , Why did Scotland's judges get involved? This case was brought in a Scottish court because at the time the High Court in England was on holiday . If the High Court does not reverse the ruling, Boris better stuff his trousers with a double Beano... on th...

One of such knife-edge decisions is bound to 'blow up' Foreign Affairs (bulletin of today) seems to be saying the same in different words: "Bolton was perhaps substantively and temperamentally the most suited to help Trump pursue his “America first” foreign policy. But even he found himself on...