Search found 330 matches

by TheLoneRanger
26 Feb 2024, 19:23
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)
Replies: 4029
Views: 947338
United Kingdom

Re: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)

The Saudia's are looking to diversify and also see some of their defence procurements programmes being fed back into their local industry and economy. They have the leverage, and the market is becoming more open with the Turkish Kaan, J-31's, Su-75's and the KF-21 programmes. So - i dont see Saudia ...
by TheLoneRanger
25 Feb 2024, 10:24
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: Turkish Armed Forces
Replies: 333
Views: 32204
United Kingdom

Re: Turkish Armed Forces

Congratulations Turkey for being the 3rd country in the world after the USA, and China, to fly a 5th Generation Stealth Platform!!!! Fantastic achievement!!!!

( The Su-57 does not count(its a joke re:stealth ) and South Koreas has said their platform is 4.75 Gen and not a stealth platform )
by TheLoneRanger
17 Feb 2024, 10:20
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)
Replies: 2803
Views: 762643
United Kingdom

Re: Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)

Would UK supply the same radar to KSA as for the RAF? Is a wide screen available? A wide screen was made available for the Finnish proposal, so i dont see why it would not become available for Saudia Arabia. Same for the radar. "Also linked to the proposal, Helsinki was last November offered i...
by TheLoneRanger
30 Dec 2023, 12:46
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: Indian Armed Forces
Replies: 342
Views: 21599
United Kingdom

Re: Indian Armed Forces

India to send P8 aircraft and 3 destroyers to patrol against supposed Houthi attacks in Indian Ocean / Gulf of Aden. Not clear exactly what area they will be covering and whether working alone or as part of a multinational Maritime Task Force. But it is a start in getting one of the main non-aligne...
by TheLoneRanger
30 Dec 2023, 12:33
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)
Replies: 4029
Views: 947338
United Kingdom

Re: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)

I would have thought it was a capability that would make both Israel and the US rather nervous to be honest. The QME is legally binding. Either Americans provide Israel with their own latest and greatest or they prevent the Saudi procurement if they/Israelis perceive GCAP to be superior. Hey - What...
by TheLoneRanger
29 Dec 2023, 12:23
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: Ukrainian Forces
Replies: 91
Views: 5417
United Kingdom

Re: Ukrainian Forces

Implies they have done basic training, aswell as advanced jet training on the Hawks ?
by TheLoneRanger
29 Dec 2023, 12:20
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: Indian Armed Forces
Replies: 342
Views: 21599
United Kingdom

Re: Indian Armed Forces

Unlikey Saudia Arabia, or Egypt will join any task force whose sole purpose is to protect shipping to Israel. The Houthi have been clear in that they will only target vessels going to Israel only. While there is a side effect of an economic cost to Egypt of transit fees for non-Israel bound ships sk...
by TheLoneRanger
11 Nov 2023, 11:10
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)
Replies: 2803
Views: 762643
United Kingdom

Re: Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)

The future german Typhoon ECR order will most likely only consist of the ECR pods by Saab/Helsing. They will be integrated into 15 already existing airframes. The German AF however still insists on getting 30 ECR Typhoons. A larger T5 order (about maybe 60-80) Aircraft becomes more likely imo. Lets...
by TheLoneRanger
30 Sep 2023, 10:29
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)
Replies: 4029
Views: 947338
United Kingdom

Re: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)

I am not sure that Japan's constitution prevents it exporting defence equipment - IIRC it has offered the C2 airlifter for export. If the constitution bans export of kit with lethal capabilities (eg a fighter aircraft) then GCAP faces a big problem. The Japanese have already given assurances around...
by TheLoneRanger
30 Sep 2023, 10:06
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)
Replies: 2803
Views: 762643
United Kingdom

Re: Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)

Has the PM suddenly grown a pair? But the Civil service are still pathetic though "risk poisoning Anglo German relations" sheesh that's a great negotiating position I daresay nothing will piss the Germans off as much as Brexit. You've also got to consider just how effective "privatel...
by TheLoneRanger
30 Sep 2023, 09:25
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: German Armed Forces
Replies: 592
Views: 42099
United Kingdom

Re: German Armed Forces

About bloody time !!!!!!
by TheLoneRanger
17 Sep 2023, 10:36
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: U.K. UAV's/Drones
Replies: 325
Views: 127528
United Kingdom

Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Timmymagic wrote: 16 Sep 2023, 19:39 Overwatch Pholos

https://www.overwatch-group.uk/

Cool - lets make some and send to Ukraine to see how they get on - perfect opportunity to battle test new concepts on the russian army.
by TheLoneRanger
17 Sep 2023, 10:33
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)
Replies: 4029
Views: 947338
United Kingdom

Re: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)

I think that was the role of Sweden, giving equal grounds as the FCAS to EU funds. So their lacking of partecipation even just nominally is bad. I'm still holding out hope for Swedish participation, especially since the Gvmt has announced a 28%!!! increase in defence spending for next year to 2.1% ...
by TheLoneRanger
09 Sep 2023, 10:08
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1030639
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

So I have seen the video it looks bad but do we know that it was destroyed or was it just put out of action could it be dragged back worked on and sent out again Unlikely it can be repaired - but the area is under Ukranian control - so Ukraine should be able to tow it back. Good to see the C2 do wh...
by TheLoneRanger
19 Aug 2023, 15:05
Forum: UK Defence & Aerospace Industry
Topic: Hill Helicopters
Replies: 12
Views: 3063
United Kingdom

Re: Hill Helicopters

Thought I'd posted a thread on this ages ago... Hill Helicopters, a UK start up, who appear to be making serious progress. They're developing a 5 seat turbine powered helicopter, the HX-50, but also, unusually, developing their own GT to power it, the GT50. https://imgur.com/WCOF19P https://www.hil...
by TheLoneRanger
12 Aug 2023, 09:49
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)
Replies: 4029
Views: 947338
United Kingdom

Re: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)

this news has been around for quite a few months. It pisses me off when the media respieles it a few months later trying to make it seem like news. IMO, unlikely to happen. They could definitely be an end buyer though. Saudia Arabia has options now in Ka'an from Turkey and the J-35 series from Chin...
by TheLoneRanger
06 Aug 2023, 09:54
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)
Replies: 4029
Views: 947338
United Kingdom

Re: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)

Given that we are a few years away from the prototype in 2027 !!!!!!!!!! - we are not far from the first phase of the programme and therefore there is a decision point once the prototype has flown ( since all that is already sunk cost ) If costs( or more liikely goverment sillyness ) become an issue...
by TheLoneRanger
01 Aug 2023, 19:19
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1030639
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

Plus to say something has to much Chieftain in it is funny as the Chieftain was one the best tank ever built and would probably still hold its own against a T-72 and maybe with some active armorer a T-90 Maybe about to find out: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/07/19/ukraine-could-get-60-...
by TheLoneRanger
01 Aug 2023, 19:17
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: MBDA Brimstone Missile (RAF)
Replies: 175
Views: 82675
United Kingdom

Re: MBDA Brimstone Missile (RAF)

Little J wrote: 30 Jul 2023, 21:22 Now, can we put them on Apaches, Boxers, etc please...

would loved to have seen what they hit!!
by TheLoneRanger
29 Jul 2023, 09:00
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1030639
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

There will be no increase of number of CR3 tanks, plan is still to upgrade just 148 tanks https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/no-change-in-rollout-for-challenger-3-tanks-says-mod/ Honestly - the UK should stop this sillyness with the C3 - and just the latest Abrahams tanks in bulk. The C3 just feels li...
by TheLoneRanger
29 Jul 2023, 08:57
Forum: UK Defence & Aerospace Industry
Topic: MBDA (UK)
Replies: 310
Views: 26357
United Kingdom

Re: MBDA (UK)

Timmymagic wrote: 24 Jul 2023, 19:47 Allegedly problems with Thales and the French part of MBDA have played a part...
The French are the cause of problems in military defence projects ... go figure!!!
by TheLoneRanger
22 Jul 2023, 12:48
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: UK Politics - General News & Discussion
Replies: 412
Views: 18930
United Kingdom

Re: UK Politics - General News & Discussion

EU signs deal to call the Falklands the Islas malvinas https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jul/20/islas-malvinas-brexit-cited-as-eu-endorses-falklands-argentine-name The question is what can the UK do diplomatically that isn't too significant that is enough to change the EU's decision. A metho...
by TheLoneRanger
22 Jul 2023, 12:45
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: Australian Defence Force
Replies: 2616
Views: 479406
United Kingdom

Re: Australian Defence Force

Hope the Oz gov buy GCAP as a replacement..... It is perfectly suited to their requirement - both Japan and Australia will have similar requirements. They may want to buy Tempest/GCAP off the shel versus be a development partner? Could we see the UK integrate the Ghost Bat ( etc ) as a core compone...
by TheLoneRanger
22 Jul 2023, 12:41
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: Indian Armed Forces
Replies: 342
Views: 21599
United Kingdom

Re: Indian Armed Forces

2HeadsBetter wrote: 19 Jul 2023, 17:03 Can't wait to see those Rafales launching off a ski ramp.
Would be interesting to see if they can - and with what load. Will the IAF Rafales be getting more powerful engines?
by TheLoneRanger
15 Jul 2023, 09:41
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)
Replies: 2803
Views: 762643
United Kingdom

Re: Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/scholz-germany-wont-deliver-eurofighters-saudi-arabia-near-future-2023-07-12/ VILNIUS, July 12 (Reuters) - Germany will not deliver Eurofighter combat aircraft to Saudi Arabia in the near future, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday, aft...