SW1 wrote: ↑23 Feb 2023, 20:56 Do any of the Chinese ships actually work or have actual weapons on them that work?

Don't mistake Russia for China.

China has money, industrial and technological powers that should not be underestimated.

I would prefer the Chinese destroyer over 40 year old Burkes.

The answer is the Boxer. Most of the artillery game is not being spotted. If you're spotted by a drone, the difference in armor isn't that useful. Add on a fortune in logistical savings and it's a pretty good deal. Spotted by a drone armed with what? Artillery fire or a kamikaze drone. The biggest ...

The answer is the Boxer.

Most of the artillery game is not being spotted. If you're spotted by a drone, the difference in armor isn't that useful. Add on a fortune in logistical savings and it's a pretty good deal.

dmereifield wrote: ↑09 Feb 2023, 17:34 And in future would we need Gernman authorisation to donate or sell our Spike to a 3rd country being invaded by a hostile aggressor?

You'd need the Israeli's who have done a total weapons embargo.

Germany's getting a HIMARS and Patriot production line.

Pretty good.

I agree but for a liberal democracy with personal freedom, enabling govts of other countries to undermine those values is somewhat inappropriate/unethical/completely unacceptable. But BAE and Rolls are already there helping them with their next gen fighter.no one blocked that Turkey are alot closer...

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/ ... e-00078771

America in Decline? World Thinks Again.

All depends on 2024 I guess.

Tempest414 wrote: ↑18 Jan 2023, 22:32

sunstersun wrote: ↑18 Jan 2023, 22:22 Russia started the war short on manpower large on equipment, they're gonna end the war short on equipment, large on manpower.

As long as they get the number of tanks, IFVs, artillery and long range fires, they'll be fine.

Who will be fine?

Ukraine sorry.

Russia started the war short on manpower large on equipment, they're gonna end the war short on equipment, large on manpower.

As long as they get the number of tanks, IFVs, artillery and long range fires, they'll be fine.

There's going to be two new land superpower in Europe after the war, Poland and Ukraine would each add up to 3000 tanks on the border with Russia. Germany should recover by then.

I must admit, it's a nice thought of UK dumping the Challengers and buying the K2/K9.

Well you've got to think with UK such small numbers of equipment and ammunition and people ,and government and mod being so useless ordering equipment loosing billions , plus government already admitted it can't supply to NATO UK army forces it's committed to ,is it just time to admit that UK can't...

But 180-190 just not enough, nevermind increasing numbers deployed,just having enough in the wings when as sure as eggs there would be a high attention rate , depths in numbers of tanks in reserve and trained troops in reserve and spares and ammunition to last more than a week would be the order of...

Not many people are interested in a happy future of World Government in books though eh? I suspect you are thinking of novels. Not all books are novels. Correct. Maybe it's not bad. I'll take it those odds over where we lose to Russia/China/Iran/NK. This feels 1938 times to me with how many conflic...

Caribbean wrote: ↑06 Jan 2023, 08:45 I have read sufficient dystopian visions of the future under a World Government to say "Be careful what you might wish for"

Not many people are interested in a happy future of World Government in books though eh?

Anyways, this year is probably going to suck economically.

The West owes Ukraine a debt that can't be repaid. They single handily flipped the narrative against the autocratic momentum.

In my life time I do believe we'll see a global world government and it will be in large part thanks to Ukraine.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/f ... initiative

APG-85.

My biggest concern in the air war is the Iranian ballistic missiles. The only defense Ukraine has is a rare S-300 version and wait for it... Hawks...

IRIS-T apparently is doing fantastic in Ukraine. Not a huge surprise given it's literally brand new technology, but it's still good to see Western tech work in war time conditions.

Hopefully NASAMS is as effective.

The US for example goes Stinger ? ? ? > Patriot > THAAD.

SHORAD has been criminally underrated in Western defense.

I'd like to see 100 NASAMS and 100 IRIS-T.

Ukraine alone could use 20 of each.

Western ground based AA is a joke, way too much reliance on airpower, which has proven to be a bit overrated with HIMARS and drones.

It is a bit scary how much screwball Russia causes while China lurks in the background.

Ukraine is a huge country with a lot of places that need protecting. They have four IRIS-T systems on the way (including the one that is apparently imminent) with all to be delivered by the end of the year. They also have eight NASAMS on the way with two expected in the next month or so and the oth...

I think it's going to be a hot fight winter. Also Kherson looks like it's going to fall by next month or earlier.

Carriers are sexy, but I'd rather have more subs. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/09/02/ben-wallace-submarines-rather-ships-could-royal-navys-future/ Ben Wallace: Submarines rather than ships could be the Royal Navy's future Defence Secretary has asked naval chiefs to assess the 'balance' ...