The acceleration of military support to Ukraine will be the primary focus of a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels today.
The Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, arrived in Brussels today for the first NATO Defence Ministers meeting of 2023.
It is expected that the Ministers will discuss how to sustain and accelerate support for Ukraine, drive NATO’s military transformation and modernisation, and the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO.
Today, the Defence Secretary had bilateral meetings with his Romanian and French counterparts as well as a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksii Reznikov.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:
“I am very pleased to be back at NATO to continue the vital work to support Ukraine, as well as meeting with my defence counterparts. Our important work is ongoing, the UK and our Allies will stand in solidarity with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Time is of the essence to hold off this latest offensive by Russia. Can we also send picks, shovels and ovens (between 1,400- and 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit) to help them bury/cremate their dead? I’m sure Russia’s generals would be very grateful! 11,536 in total so far and counting. Russia burning bodies in Crimea ‘around the clock’ to hide losses “Dead Russian soldiers are being cremated “around the clock” in the annexed territory of Crimea, according to Ukraine’s military. A local crematorium in the village of Krazna Zorka is being used, with a “constant line of military vehicles” of up… Read more »
That’s not a crematorium, just ask Johninmoscow, it’s a special kitchen unit for providing hot meals to the brave red army warriors.
“Johninmoscow” 😂 What an absolute shower of 💩Confirmed by Ben Wallace on Sky news. He stated a whole brigade of up to 1000 men was killed or injured. February 13, 2023 Russia suffers substantial losses at Vuhledar “Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyi, a spokesman for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told Politico: «A large number of enemy forces, including the command staff, were destroyed near Vuhledar and Mariinka in Donetsk Oblast. In addition, over the past week, the enemy lost about 130 units of equipment, including 36 units of tanks.» According to him, the Russian army is losing 150 – 300 soldiers in… Read more »
War in Ukraine has wiped out half of Russia’s modern battle tanks, say experts
“The International Institute for Strategic Studies believes Moscow has lost up to 2,300 of its more advanced T72s and T80s.”
LINK
It is appalling Nigel, appalling. What a monster Putin is! I don’t like to think about how young many of these casualties will be.
Like the Confederate General said of the Battle of Cold Harbour – ‘It wasn’t war. It was murder.’
Used as cannon fodder by a butcher, but until he’s removed from power better for them to be killed than the innocent Ukrainians’ lives being lost through no fault of their own.
They aren’t casualties they are actually cardboard Russians and cardboard equipment. They get all this cardboard unpacking individual wagu steaks and all the luxury gifts from the Kremlin that the troops enjoy while Ukrainians fight cardboard.
The crematorium is to burn the cardboard that’s been damaged.
Just get on and supply the equipment they need; western tanks and ammunition, longer range strike and improved anti-drone/missile capability.
Mad Vlad is now fighting to keep himself alive. So I expect more Soviet style troops to the meat grinder. I regret the massive loss of life. But Mad Vlad must be stopped. The difference with this vs WWII is that there is a massive tech and intelligence mismatch that in some cases allows Ukraine to pick off key Russian targets at will. M270 / HIMARS has unquestionably made Russia’s awful logistics even worse by pushing supply dumps back out of range so it turns into a hub and spoke supply chain: with very long spokes. Which is a great… Read more »
If Vlad is cornered and cant see a way out this is the most worrying point, he clearly doesnt have the capability to threaten anymore of Europe in a conventional sense so whats his option?
Retreat and live out life trapped in Russia all the while any new Russian regime will be under pressure from the West to convict him for war crimes or sanctions wont be lifted.
Since this awful series of events started the exit route for Putin has and will continue to be the most frightening part of the story.
Again with the attempt to subliminally mention his nuclear option.
We all know it exists – that is for others to decide if he will either want to ,or be allowed to, use it
Lets hope its not an option for him to use it and that he doesnt have enough people bending at his will if he did want to no questions would be asked.
Are you really saying that the senior Russian establishment will allow Russia to be destroyed, along with everyone else, rather than sacrifice a leader?
Thats assuming they can get him out of power, power which hes clearly crazy (insanely crazy) about, its going to take some brave people to finally force him out.
Even I could be brave if the alternative was a nuclear exchange.
If Putin was forced from power he would be the only person to fall out of the 6th floor window of a bungalow. He knows that. A new leadership would want to get Russia out of the deep freeze but wouldn’t want the loss of face of handing Putin over to The Hague (or wherever). The problem is that the colonial powers and the US used to let despots go to a quiet island somewhere the weather was nice with most of their ill gotten gains and live out their days with tacit protection if they left quietly when the… Read more »
Absolutely. It is for the people to decide their leader.The German people decided upon Hitler at one point and that, in hindsight, was not a good decision. Hopefully in everyone’s interests Russians will make the decision to stop things getting even worse today.
Surely his exit strategy lies in getting his money overseas (which I’m sure he’s already done) and taking a trip abroad, extending indefinitely. Sure, he could try to blow up the world, but a country with nice beaches, hot women and no extradition treaties would sound a lot better to me. Somewhere safe. Like Taiwan.
Definitely will have most his wealth hidden in various companies in numerous countries and hopefully a life in an isolated environment is the easy way out for everyone!
So right, but the big concern for me was a Russian guy who said we have a terrible history of replacing an evil leader with some one more evil. He’s right. As much as I hate myself for saying it an accomodation has to be made as far as Putins position is concerned. P10 and novicok is not forgotten, and I would like to see hung by the baubles, but if some way can be found to kick Russia out of Ukraine yet keep Putin in place I think that would be the best solution until his ” natural ”… Read more »
One of the saddest things about this? A complete lack of diplomacy. Biden and The Greased Piglet threw weaponry into a proxy war. Now? It seems the UK particularly, and others are short of everything. We see lots of jaw, jaw and sheer hatred of Russia, we see very little effort from any country to bring both sides to the table. Remind yourself constantly that war affects ordinary people, like you and me. War is not pretty, it is brutal. Along with Greased Piglet we have seen more posturing by Macron and others than a Punch and Judy show. If… Read more »
The Trolls are really on the offensive today, welcome comrade, what pearls of wisdom has your glorious leader to share with us today about your “special military operation”
Are you “soldiers” tired of being massacred yet?
Yes comrade just keep pushing your propaganda. How is the weather in Troll Farm, have the put the heating back on 😂
Hard being a jerk like you eh? Nothing else to do all day? Bloody tories cut your daycare to zilch?
How exactly is this a “proxy war” when one of the supposed authors began it by invading their neighbour?
It funny how people ignore the Crimea annexation in 2014 and a western backed regime change in Ukraine eh?
Correct – They shouldn’t have accepted the annexation of Crimea. They made the basic error of thinking appeasment was the correct response- -History always repeats itself.
Appeasement can work if you use the time effectively. Chamberlin did at least win a year. I hope we have not squandered the last year, nor the years before that. I am still concerned that the West has not recognised the need to move to a war footing. The Russians are moving towards a Total War (emptying prisons, certainly, cremating their dead, probably etc…).. Instead we are talking about replacing ATGWs in 2024 and later. The Ukrainians need equipment and ammunition now.
Chamberlain was also key in rearming when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer. We formed a Rearmament Committteee in 1934, and their work was very effective and we were ready for WW2 (just) some 5 years later.
The problem with that comparison was that Chamberlain bought us a year in 1938 and we used that year to rearm.
Since 2014 we have reduced our armament, if anything. The army and RAF have both shrunk.
Snipped from CNN today. The Americans are ramping up.
How many similar shells a month does the UK produce?
I don’t think we produce any ammunition larger than SAA.
I agree, we never learn from history. Just repeat the same.
Western backed regime? It’s not Afghanistan. You mean a sovereign European country with allies and ties to Europe, if they want to align with democracies rather than Russia then that’s their right, it’s not a puppet state or a replay of the ‘great game’ with Russia. John I also disagree with the ‘sheer hatred’ for Russia, that’s not true. There criminal autocratic regime is loathed but Russia as a country and its history is generally admired and respected and is a fascinating place. if it was a true democracy it would be one hell of an amazing country with massive… Read more »
Russia will never be a democracy. And check Ukraine for corruption, think it is just above Nigeria and the UK in the league table. As for the hatred, reading the posters on here with “Orc” as their favorite word? Yup, that is hatred.
I bet the tsars thought they would never lose power but they did, strange things can happen. Ukraine is corrupt and in many areas and that was part of the backlash that ended up with Zelensky being elected. Ranking UK as corrupt like Nigeria is ridiculous, that must be referring to money laundering in the city of London, which is true in reality in all financial hubs. But aside that the UK is not corrupt, try bribing a police officer or any official and it will simply not work. There are criminals in the UK like everywhere but the place… Read more »
Not corrupt? Bud, look at the Covid episode and Tory sleaze. UK actually dropped down the league table last year. Remember one T.B.Liar stopping an SFO investigation into Saudi/BaE bungs? Sorry, beg to disagree.
I think we dropped down the table to about 18 out of 160.
Still above, for example, La France.
You miss the point, most humans are prone to corruption (favours for friends, personal gain etc) and of course there are many examples here but the point is that western societies build structures to stop corruption from flourishing with laws and scrutiny etc. your examples is where the system has highlighted it, for example Boris had to resign over Covid rules being broken, would putin resign over something like that? Count all the resignations from bad behaviour over the last year, there are many because the system stops corruption from flourishing. The key word here is flourishing, not the fact… Read more »
That’s driving examiner, not instructor. Of course an instructor would be paid to pass…duh
No I disagree. Corruption is rife, it is not just measured in monetary or fiscal favour. It runs through the fabric of society at all levels. Especially the parasitic aristocracy and political classes. I am no socialist either, a diehard republican. What I see in Britain makes me sick. As for the Greased Piglet? He epitomizes a system based on outdated “rules” where favours are bought. Then Eton and Harrow excel at turning out greased piglets by the hundreds.
TBH I think you exaggerate – the UK system has shown itself to be comparatively good on checks and balances, and able to evolve time and again. If you want a blunt comparison, consider that two of the last four Presidents of France (Chirac, Sarkozy) have received jail sentences (suspended) for corruption. That is a position which combines the powers of Prime Minister and Monarch. And even then they could not be prosecuted until they stood down, as the President of France has immunity. I might argue that Chirac went for President partly to avoid prosecution, as he knew he… Read more »
To be fair John I’m not a fan of the constant ‘orc’ references either, as many killed will just be young lads who mainly will not want to be there, but it’s understandable given the appalling actions and abuses seen by the Russians at every level incl the horrendous Wagner group. Please don’t start going off about the Azov battalion when it’s Russia that has invaded.
No, the street is a two-way one imo. Azov just gave Putin an excuse. I just get sick of the glorification of war on here. If half of the commentators had actual experience of it they would not say a dickey bird. Funny that Youtube will allow films of young lads being killed by drone-dropped grenades, then is still all over any Covid criticism like a rash. Guess it is a sign of the times, I am glad to be of an age when politicians, journalists, and others showed some honour and respect in their dealings. Best wishes.
Ah so you’re a vivid conspiracy nutter too, that figures. Most of them on social media are pro-Putin too.
Would you prefer the technically more accurate description of “murdering, pillaging, rapists” to Orcs?
It’s just a bit of a mouthful.
Interesting you seem to think that hatred of war criminals is a bad thing…
Yes if we want to talk about racist hatred… We can’t really get around the fact that that is not really a great term. One would think the enlightened Western European posters would realize that.
Orc…A racist term? How so? Its definitely a metaphor and a borderline simile. Orc’s are according to JRR Tolkien ” Brutish, aggressive, ugly, and malevolent monsters” His use of the term Orc is derived from the old English epic poem Beowulf which was written in 975-1025 AD. Its a striking coincidence that those dates are also around the same time that the Kievan Rus Empire was established centred on Kiev (russia and its now capital moscow did not exist at that time and wouldn’t for many hundreds of years) Of course the term could be taken from the Orcs found in… Read more »
I’d say the contemporaneous association is clearer than that at a gross level.
Observe the stereotypes in the Lord of the Rings. The goodies are lilly-white blonde Scandinavian-types with slightly scruffy Viking type men, whilst the baddies are dark and swarthy.
I’d say that reads quite directly from the books, which are from the fag-end of the Imperial time period, and deserves to be discussed.
Yaaaaaaawn 👜
Transparency International 2022 rankings. UK 18….Nigeria 150.
Please explain……..
If Russian troops stop acting like orcs, we’ll stop calling them orcs.
I think that potentially misses the need for thinking about the future (which is happening), including whatever Russia will become (we hope).
The foundations of the post-WW2 system, which has endured until now, were being laid down amongst UK, USA and others in 1941-2, in the middle of the fight.
Western backed regime? Zelensky was elected by its people, the people went to the streets to protest the Russian backed leader in 2014 because he stopped the country from joining the EU, he then ordered police to shoot at the protesters killing hundreds ,so deaths of the Ukraine people was not by the western leaders but by Russian influence and guess what? he fled to Russian controlled territory, you Stottsky are just another individual easily manipulated by misinformation.
Yawn. Do one bud, you talk out of your back end.
I think you are couple of sails short of wind buddy, you seem to struggle with facts and reality🙄
Says another “expert”.
Impressively reasoned logical debate, not. But what we expect from a Putin supporter.
The current Ukrainian government came about due to the population uprising against the Russian imposed regime in Ukraine, remember the months and months of non stop protests?
There was no “western backed regime change” 🤷🏻♂️
There were mass protests as a result of Yanukovych ignoring Parliamentary votes. The situation was inflamed when Yanukovych ordered the murder of protestors through the use of snipers and he fled the city. Parliament then voted to remove him from office.
Since then Ukraine has functioned as a democracy, something which Russia stopped doing decades ago.
And the only foreign intervention during this period was from Moscow.
An astute observation John . Thanks for dong nothing, Barrack Obama.
Russia is not fighting a proxy war, but we in the West are – thank goodness.
Diplomacy only works if both sides are willing. One side is hell bent on throwing bodies into the meat grinder regardless of the cost as admitting failure is not an option. Who do you suggest anyone from the west engages with?
There are individuals/countries who would undertake the role. Funny how the “UN” has not played any significant role eh?
Not really surprising though is it as the country that initiated this madness holds a veto!
The UN would be vetoed by Russia. Funny that ain’t it.
And what exactly would be achieved by diplomacy with anyone other than those calling the shots in Russia? Exactly nothing is the answer! You can’t have diplomacy when only one party is involved.
Well, we can agree to disagree.
Not round here you can’t.
Here’s another one struggling with facts and reality 😅
I say what I believe to be the truth. Anywhere I damn well please.
Then complain when others disagree with you.
And then get upset when everyone points out how deranged you are 🤷🏻♂️
As long as what you say aligns with Grand Fuhrer Putin, of course!
In Putin’s Russia, anyone can say what they like. Once.
Ah John in MK has a buddy at last, brothers in treachery.
👍
Diplomacy is ongoing, all the time, non-stop, through the sights and laser designators of the West’s superior weapons. It’s the only diplomacy Comrade Vlad understands!
Sadly that’s the kind of comment that is normal for this site. Yup, war freaks.
Well it’s a defence site and most people on here are interested in that topic. Hardly anyone on here has been shouting support of the murder, rape and general destruction of Ukraine. They support trying to stop this. Currently the only way to do that is providing weapons. If Ukraine said we won’t fight from tomorrow and want peace talks Russia would go along with that? No it would charge across the country. Had roles been reversed and it was Ukraine that invaded Russia or somewhere else and the invaded country was asking for help I would support providing help… Read more »
Well said.
seconded!
The only one on here who will not condemn this war is JohninMK! As for war freaks, been there, done that and it hasn’t warped my morals to believe that this war is not immoral and illegal and needs to be challenged by all democratic nations! It would seem, with all due respect that your dislike for the current Government and other UK establishments has coloured your view.
As you said, 99.99% of the posters on this do not want to see the Ukraine overrun by it invading neighbour and the only way to do that is to supply them weapons.
👍
What part of your damaged little brain doesn’t understand that Putin started this war? He can stop it anytime he likes.
And you call us war freaks. Pathetic!
Sadly so.
The casualties are sad but the Ukrainians have the perfect right to fight invaders.
How is the UK particularly short of everything being supplied to Ukraine compared to France or Germany for example?
Regarding bring the leaders to a table to discuss and move forward how would you propose that goes forward? I cant see giving Putin a call and inviting him to dinner in Istanbul with Zelensky is really going to be an option. The UN cant do a thing as Russia used an immediate veto on the 26th of Feb last year to remove any power the UN had.
The only leader in the world right now who impresses me is Zelensky.
Oh, shut up!
Diplomacy?! Zelensky tried, tried and tried again to speak to Putin at the beginning of the war. Putin refused to speak to him. Sent troops to personally murder Zelensky.
How do you use diplomacy when the other side won’t listen? When they’re intent on seizing your country and annexing it into their own? Hitler never listened to diplomacy; countries had two choices: capitulate or fight back. The same is true now.
It was Churchill that said “You cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth.” Truer words have seldom been spoken.
Not really related to this… but just seen on the news Nicola Sturgeon has just quit. A new beginning for 🏴!?
I would reply to Nicola Sturgeon resignation in depth but am to busy celebrating. And I am a Scotsman. 😂
Well we can only hope she is not replaced by another rabid loon🤞
Agreed, but be careful what you wish for!
Also agreed – they might get that awful Blackford fellow!
You mean the slim one who has just been hoofed out by his party in Westminster? I think he would be good, he whinges even louder than she does. Should do their cause no end of good.
He made Starmer look like a beacon of agreement and positivity, no mean feat!
She will be. The whole of the SNP is run by raving lunatics who lobby on one policy. That of a Scotland that is an entirely independent country whilst conveniently ignoring the fact they have maximum devolution already and have for many years. As long as HMG just keep saying no to another referendum then the SNP will eventually run out of steam and hopefully Scotland will return to a more moderate form of government. Least that’s my hope. I don’t think independence would be anything but a disaster both for Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom. Together… Read more »
Scotland never lost its sovereignty. It retained its crown, national emblems, church and laws. It pooled its powers with those of England Wales and (formerly) Ireland and entered on a rapid rise to significance on the world stage; Scots were at the forefront of Empire. Look at the numbers of Scots in the highest offices of state since 1707 and iterated in 1801 with the creation of the United Kingdom.
Excellent point. And Scots remain at the forefront of the UK in most fields. United we stand, divided we fall I think. A lot of SNP rage is down to the Scots themselves refusing to become totally independant when asked.
All of us could do with a far better Westminster than recent years.
Glad to hear Ben Wallace speaking for a stronger military. I hope it leads to more than just the soundbite. We need to up our game before we end up extinct or under someone else’s jackboot.
I’m a Scot who believes in the UK if it’s a strong military player. If it’s not I’m happy enough for Scotland to leave. The UK has always been a military and foreign policy alliance to me first and foremost. SDSR 2010 moved me towards independence. Having both carriers in operation moved me back to the union.
The Cameron, Clegg, Osborne Coalition government was by far the worst government in modern times. The legacy remains, most significantly in terms of deep cuts to national defence.
Well said, the Uk remains a union of nations and Scotland voted twice, once to join and one to stay in.that’s as democratic as things get.
.
The resignation statement was 40 minutes, which seems to be the longest list of excuses in history.
I don’t think I have the stomach to listen to that.
By comparison, Theresa May was 7 minutes. BoJo and Liz Truss even less.
Expect a series of Great Collapsing Scottish Government events imminently.
And some news about the missing £600k from SNP funds, for which the report was handed over to the Prosecution Authorities last week.
I wouldn’t have thought Truss would have a lot to say – she could have read every page in her diary during her tenure and still have had to wait for an egg to boil….
😅😂
Ha!!
😂😂😂
🤣😅🤣😂
😂
Now that is top trolling!
😂😂 that is hilarious 👍
I think I can go one better than that!
Wednesday 15 February 2023
Jeremy Corbyn will not stand as Labour candidate in next general election, Sir Keir Starmer says
Another loss for Russia!
Brilliant!😂
And Nicola Sturgeon has resigned. There is a god!
👍😂
Yeah. That is good news, except no doubt we will see another deluded individual from the same looney party appointed to the FM position only to then fail Scotland and it’s people. Scotland is already run by the Scots for the Scots, if things aren’t going well they only have the SNP to blame. Just like we the rest of the UK only have the Tory party to blame for our current situation.
There don’t seem to be many heirs apparent, which suggests ructions incoming.
If they don’t find someone so divisive for Scotland to keep the perma-stooshie going, expect an exflux of voters from SNP to Labour.
I’d say that George Robertson is most likely to emerge, as he’s the only heavyweight.
Humza would be good for popcorn sales.
Ohh the irony of the comments I can see coming when they decide who takes over…
Lots of ” Scotlands Unelected First Minister ” and “No mandate leader” jibes
Delicious!
It’s a bit strange of her to leave at this time. I hope she’s not running from something.
Going to all the effort to get elected then ducking out half way through.
There was an article in the Telegraph yesterday where the RN is contemplating mothballing HMS Prince of Wales in order to free up cash for other equipment items and munitions.
If true, the state of our Armed Forces is even worse than thought! I doubt Uncle Sam would be too impressed either and it would lend credence to the rumblings in private from the US military. Even France has publicly stated they are concerned about the state of the British Armed Forces – yes, France!
Usually these stories are put about in the run up to a defence review in a bid to pressure for more money. The fact that the people tasked with the defence of the nation feel the need to resort to that sort of chicanery is more an indictment of the Treasury than the MOD in my judgement.
Indeed.
There were similar “private statements” to the US General “Second Tier Army” thing before each of the last two Defence Reviews.
Treasury & Tory dogma: Always plenty of money to be given away in dodgy deals to their filthy rich mates, but none for nurses, police, teachers or our military to keep us safe & secure.
Hmmm. Not picking a fight, however we have 10% more nurses than we did in 2019.
And I think the Tories have met the recommendations of the independent salary review body nearly all years since it was set up and they have been in power.
The ‘defence’ correspondent on that paper is a nob! The other day he managed to mix up CR1 CR2 & CR 3 in one article very clever bloke ain’t he? Just hasn’t a clue how to do his job though🙄
True. The defence correspondent calls Ajax ‘a tank’ and still thinks Wittering is an RAF base.
Graham mate, Wittering still is! But yes I agree on the thrust re that Journalist.
Blast! I meant Wattisham!!
Hi mate. Gotcha, that makes sense. Didn’t think a man of your knowledge genuinely thought Wittering.
Blimey when did Wattisham close as an RAF Station, 91 or 92? Journo is well out of date. RAF had a SAR flight there in the army era.
RAF Wattisham closed in Oct 1992 – it was a F-4 Phantom base – No 56(F) Sqn. Handed over to the AAC in Sep 93 and now known as Wattisham Flying Station, although Wiki call it Wattisham Airfield, so don’t know if they are wrong or if it is yet another name change.
You are right – a Flight of RAF SAR Sea King operated there until 2015 when the service was prvatised.
The DT article related to Prince Harry’s time there.
It’s due to set sail in the spring after repairs have been completed, so I’m guessing sometime in April. Interestingly, I posted this the other day and could be used by the government as an excuse to do exactly that but I doubt it will happen in the short term. Published 25 Feb 2021 RFI008 AIRCRAFT LAUNCH AND RECOVERY EQUIPMENT “The Ministry of Defence (The “Authority”) is currently seeking information in order to qualify requirements and develop our understanding of the potential for the market to provide assisted launch and arrested recovery for a range of air vehicles, which would be suitable to… Read more »
It’s due to set sail in the spring after repairs have been completed, so I’m guessing sometime in April. Interestingly, I posted this the other day and could be used by the government as an excuse to do exactly that but I doubt it will happen in the short term. Published 25 Feb 2021 RFI008 AIRCRAFT LAUNCH AND RECOVERY EQUIPMENT “The Ministry of Defence (The “Authority”) is currently seeking information in order to qualify requirements and develop our understanding of the potential for the market to provide assisted launch and arrested recovery for a range of air vehicles, which would be suitable to… Read more »
“Boeing signed a $4 billion contract with the Navy in May 2019 for 78 new-build Block III Super Hornets which should be delivered by spring 2024. Tebo says Boeing will also convert all of the service’s current Block II Super Hornets – more than 550 aeroplanes – to Block III configuration with deliveries scheduled between 2023 and the mid-2030s.”
I’d rather an F35C then an F18. The C variant carries a bigger payload in terms of weight, has a larger internal weapons bay and a longer range.
Good morning Mr Bell, I was making the point that the US would be able to launch and recover their Super Hornets/Growler from the QE carriers, but the C variant would be a better option than the current B.
At $67M a pop for the Super Hornet and lower costs in terms of maintenance and fuel compared with the B who knows what the future holds?
Let’s wait and see what comes in the next four years in relation to assisted launch and arrested recovery for a range of air vehicles requested by the MOD.
Taking off with a light(ish) load isn’t the issue.
How does it land and stop?
Good morning Supportive Bloke, As I mentioned above, “both crewed and un-crewed air vehicles” which tend to suggest something like a super Hornet. Ski Jump and Arrestor wires only were used in these tests. “According to a press release shared by Boeing, the pair of U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets, at least one of which belongs to the U.S. Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron 25 (VFA-25) based on its markings, completed multiple ski jumps, roll-in and fly-in arrestments, as well as other performance flights in a variety of air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-surface combat configurations.” “GOA, India, July 20, 2022 — Boeing’s [NYSE: BA]… Read more »
Good morning Supportive Bloke, As I mentioned above, “both crewed and un-crewed air vehicles” which tend to suggest something like a super Hornet/Growler. Ski Jump and Arrestor wires only were used in these tests. “According to a press release shared by Boeing, the pair of U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets, at least one of which belongs to the U.S. Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron 25 (VFA-25) based on its markings, completed multiple ski jumps, roll-in and fly-in arrestments, as well as other performance flights in a variety of air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-surface combat configurations.” “GOA, India, July 20, 2022 — Boeing’s [NYSE: BA] F/A-18… Read more »
If you looked at the illustrative specification they put out at the time its for aircraft half the weight of fighter jets. We are talking directly piloted and autonomous drones not Super Hornets, with initial candidates being recon drones followed by the Crowsnet airborne radar successor. Stuff in the MQ-25 Stingray and XQ-58 Valkyrie weight class.
The link is taken from the original article from this site. It clearly states Manned and unmanned. To my mind, it would be very foolish to go to great expenses not least downtime to fit a system that cannot accommodate both types. But I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised! Published 25 Feb 2021 RFI008 AIRCRAFT LAUNCH AND RECOVERY EQUIPMENT “The Ministry of Defence (The “Authority”) is currently seeking information in order to qualify requirements and develop our understanding of the potential for the market to provide assisted launch and arrested recovery for a range of air vehicles, which would be suitable… Read more »
There’s you’re mistake, reading The Telegraph 🤷🏻♂️
It’s absolutely clueless with regards to defence.
I agree. Wasn’t much better when Max Hastings was warbler in chief.
I think the Telegraph is unreliable on defence matters. Their articles are littered with factual errors.
If the rumours are true, Ben Wallace will soon be spending a lot of time in Brussels as the next Secretary General – telling Times Radio it would be a “great job. The only serious hold out against his appointment being France who don’t like him and want a French speaking EU Francophile instead. They will presumably have to be “thrown a bone”, e.g. maybe it’s indeed time that the post of Deputy Supreme Allied Command, Europe (DSACEUR) be opened up to non-British Generals. Lets hope that that Wallace successfully gets the IR update and a big increase in Defence spending over… Read more »
There is a reason DSACEUR has been a British general since NATOs inception. It’s because Britain is the linchpin that helps hold NATO together. France historically hasn’t been a reliable military partner. A French DSACEUR won’t act to unify the alliance, it will all just end up about France, for France and what can France get out of it.
Ben Wallace quoted on the BBC news page earlier saying we need to take defence seriously and need more investment.
Now the story has gone only minutes later. Rishi no doubt wetting himself at the thought of anybody supporting calls for more spending on his hated defence. Quick call to his BBC propaganda agency and the stories now buried.
There is the link if anyone wants a read.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64648159
Found it, shuffled quickly off to the politics sub page instead of the main page.
In a government of cretins Wallace seems to be a rare example of someone speaking cold hard truths.
Think you should take the tin-foil hat-off if you think that is remotely plausible. Calling the BBC a “propaganda agency” suggests you’ve been wearing that hat too long. I dislike the BBC over its right to a poll-tax style tax, it’s anti-Brexit bias, etc, but to call it a propaganda agency is laughably deranged.
When I see things like how other countries tv services operates with adverts every 5 mins I’m kind of glad for the bbc.
BBC radio is also another staple for millions everyday.
With the developments in streaming etc in the last few years media has changed.
As with any big organisation it has its faults. Most people’s issue seems to be with the news dept.
The fact people moan about it shows it still puts out news people listen to.
Sounds like this meeting was a turning point. Putin’s ordered spring Russian advances will be beaten back with significant losses. Ukraine is in process of receiving ovef 250 Bradleys/Strykers/Marders and about 150 tanks ( CR2/Leo2/PT91). The UK has sent a lot more NLAWs. The US has sent a lot more Javelin. These should be enough to enable Ukraine to defend the ground they hold and punch significant breaches in Russian defences. I read ‘accelerated support’ to mean the decision to supply large numbers of western tanks and F-16’s with the maintenance training and logistics has been taken, and these will… Read more »
Interesting little piece on submarines for Australia.
Seems to suggest an evolved Astute with some Usonian stuff inside.
https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/bae-systems-could-be-in-the-box-seat-to-build-australian-n-subs
Good to see the UK potentially expanding its submarine manufacturing base and getting a share of the Australian sub deal. Hope that this can lead into SSNR coming on line sooner for the RN and maybe build up the sub fleet to 8-10.
I’d love the RN SSN fleet to get back upto 10+ units. Moving too simultaneous construction of an Aussie Astute alongside Dreadnought programme would be a good start to build capacity.
Mr Bell, let’s 🍷🍷to that! Hope you like red!
👍Cheers! 🍾
Better save the 🍾🍾🍾 for all those extra subs we want!
😂
Stupid Western leaders led by senile old Joe isn’t giving Ukraine the weapons it really needs to defeat the orcs. They’re holding back on the weapons that will really turn the tide. Until that happens it will continue to be a stalemate and go on for years. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised since Biden was part of the Obama gang that gave Putin a pass when he first invaded Ukraine in 2014 and then said a month before Putin invaded that he was “Ok with a limited invasion of Ukraine.” lol
Really difficult balancing act playing out on the battlefields of Ukraine.
The west needs to keep Ukraine alive and in the fight whilst not getting embroiled in a war with Russia directly.
Ukraine’s fight for democracy is our fight for democracy.
Ever Russian tank, APC, helicopter, jet or ship destroyed in the Ukraine war is one NATO units won’t have to fight should Putin be reckless enough to provoke NATO into a direct conflict.
So this morning the BBC news questioned Ben Wallace regards Germany asking NATO for them to remain in charge of the NATO Rapid reaction force as the British military isnt fit for purpose.
Here is his reply
And this is Germany, pot calling the kettle black if they did. German Tornadoes anyone? Least UK equipment works when asked, UK may not have much of it though
Article from RUSNI indicating Germany has the war material and ammunition for only 2-3 days combat.
That’s bad.
At last, someone accurately describing the unsubstantiated rumours that journalists love to throw around.
Ben is a non-nonsense guy, and has played a blinder during the Ukraine War. He’d be perfect as NATO Secretary General, hope he gets it.
😂can a minister actually get away with “bollocks” on tv?😂
Johnny Mercer gets away with far worse and as for his missus …She is a Twitter legend and takes no prisoners.
Yes he can! Loved it! Well said Mr Wallace. Best of British 🇬🇧 “bollocks”! 😂
Brilliant! Did he actually say that! 😂👍
He did! 😁
Take that! The only man in this pathetic excuse for a government.
If a certain lady was still alive and in politics, God help you putin you would be up shit creek THE IRON LADY ,she would have given the Ukrainian people the weapons ie planes etc but alas she is gone thank almighty god and Mr angry putin gone to hell soon
Blimey reading some of the comments about differences of opinion is hard going. OK so 2 folks do not agree with the majority and get slated for their opinions, I say that is a good thing and we should actually celebrate the fact we can disagree. In Russia a young Lass got 10 years house arrest for arguing against the war online. A woman got anaethetised in public for daring to tell a Russian Admiral that the Bearing sea wasn’t 500m deep so could someone rescue her husband from the Kursk. My local Navy veterans put up a monument to… Read more »
The UK has nothing more to send. It is horrifically under strength at the moment and there is no ammunition reserve. And no one in the government seems to really be interested in increasing any sort of defense spending so there is that.
Ah US fanboy still giving it big licks! Green card and Brit squaddie socks in your laundry, the two issues which make you froth and get soooooo 👜
Were you always a complete tool or is that some sort of special British training you get in the army. Any sort of independent thought in your brain at all or just mush?
And tonight’s winner of crybaby 👜 goes to US fanboy Esteban! Well done, without fail you are top throbber, congratulations lad!
Analysing your use of language, to keep this brief (mainly for you) you try to use a casual American dialect, to give the impression of being from the US (albeit claiming to be from the UK when desperate to justify a chuff post) but you also use UK common slang terminology, which does not match your efforts at location status. Therefore every time you post you make mistakes and confirm your status as a sad troll. Job done, keep trying to troll, my little saddo and if you are lucky, fly over here to the UK, you may get leave… Read more »
You need to expound on that statement. The Army still has a lot of kit it can send but does it need to send all of it? CH2, Warrior, Mastiff, Bulldog, trucks, engineering kit, explosives …Still plenty of those knocking around. You can add to that the training, infantry clothing, body armour and kit being supplied to troops undertaking training at the hands of UK Army mentors. The RN not so much as Maritime is not really a thing yet…But 2 x MCMVs are being trained up and no doubt the RM will have some input to riverene forces and… Read more »
We have sent barely 5% of the CR2s on the active list.
And you know that how? Got access to all the lists of stores in your comics have you? Which country are you from again?
Still a dick head
So has the UK actually expanded its defense budget since there’s a goddamn European land war going on…? No. The UK is good at press releases. Artillery production been ramped up how about ammunition? Get your head out of your asses and look what’s really going on in the real world. This s*** is so tiresome but we still stick to the fanboy site here and can’t see anything from outside our rose-colored glasses.
Ah US fanboy whining again! Take it no green card yet, hence your sad anger! It’s ok, you can still work illegally at the chicken shop! Just don’t ever get home early when the Brit squaddies are on tour. Good lad.
We will send more equipment, of that I am sure. As our forces have downsized there is still a fair bit of kit sitting in the sheds.
Australia completed its Defence Review on Tuesday with the completed document being publicly handed over. Its remaining classified until the announcement is made on the submarine strategy which is expected mid to late March in a visit to the US along with Sunak (with the sub review itself completing as soon as next week). After the sub announcement they will then publish a redacted version of the defence review for public consumption. Not much is known about the contents of the Australian defence review but its expected to recommend a switch to an offensive strike posture with more long range… Read more »
Let’s hope the UK gets the Australian gig for 2 while subs and maybe can add to the RN fleet by bringing forward the SSNR or Astute v2.0. God, let’s get greedy, with the 6 ASW Corvette and 3 AAW Destroyers, maybe good for T31 and AAW T26 respectively?
*whole
Abrams was a strange purchase for Oz – apparently there was a kickback involved.
Well if an invasion force gets as far as your coastline it’s a tad late to do much about it😳
I love a quote from Australian media. “The earlier defence reviews this century in 2003 and 2016 anticipated that Australia would have 10 years to prepare for an attack by a belligerent nation in the Pacific, the 2020 defence review warned that assumption was unsustainable and Australia may be called on to fight at shorter notice requiring thought now be given to preparing critical supplies such as specialised munitions, logistic capacity and fuel, though it didnt indicate timescales or offer solutions. The current defence review is expected to conclude that 10 year window is now dead and Australia might at… Read more »
We had exactly the same 10 year rule operating post WW1, until 1934.
Indeed but for Australia this is now 1940.
Totally OT. Just had a British Gas repairman round. He was obviously Nepalese….And had some thing about him.
So I asked, and he was, ex Gurkhas.
I’m honoured to have had one of those men who have served the British Army for so long in my home.
And I made sure he knew this, and of the esteem so many Brits hold them.
Respect.
Hi Daniele, can relate to that. I remember dad, who was a Captain in the 10th Gurkha rifles during the war fur the last five years saying how much admiration he had for them. Not just their fighting prowess, loyalty to officers and fellow soldiers but that they also saved his life coming out of the Burmese Jungles. Simply put he wouldn’t have been around if not for them and I and my brothers wouldn’t exist. Even here in mum’s aged care in Sydney we have a lot of Nepalese as well as Indian, Filipina, Tibetan nurses. They are so… Read more »
I know mate.
Mate the Gurkha lads still think it’s an honour to serve in the British Army! Yes it’s a way out of poverty in Nepal, yes it can be seen as a hard and harsh way of recruiting, but the 200 or so lads required per year are dwindled down from the 4-5000 who show up every year to the Gurkha recruitment team in Nepal. The team in Nepal are so bloody professional and fair, it’s an example to all of us how I operate! The young Gurkha lads in training are so obviously proud to be there it shines through… Read more »
Possibly there are a few things NATO and the UN could do to help the Ukraine and cause some real headaches for Russia. Both of the things I am thinking about could be seen as risky but possibly not as risky as sending modern NATO aircraft to the Ukraine. As much as I would like to see NATO aircraft in the hands of the Ukraine its just not possible for some time. I suppose we could form a Flying Tigers Unit call it the self defence acrobatic team. Russia uses rifles for hire, so why not. The first would be… Read more »
Russia’s invasion makes my blood boil! The impact on poor civilians turns my stomach. I interviewed a Ukrainian woman yesterday for a job where I work and she ended up in tears halfway through.
Makes me angry as well that even though we’ve given a lot to Ukraine, we have little more to give.
If we hadn’t have retired the Tornado GR4s six years early they’d still be operational now and we could donate them to Ukraine, and done so 6-8 months ago. Ukrainian pilots in Tornado GR4s could be lobbing Storm Shadows at the Kerch Bridge right now!
Steve, hopefully soon the Russian leadership and forces will will get their day of reckoning. Mayn’t be a knock out blow, just a push and shove back to their side of the fence after sinking more of their fleet and blowing up that Kerch Bridge!
The GR4s were in service 2003 – 2019, a pretty good innings? Were they really meant to soldier on until 2025?
Treasury doesn’t like the RAF having three types of fast combat jets. Main reason the Harrier was dropped over a decade ago.
Possible good news? General Dynamics expects Ajax payments to resume soon17 FEBRUARY 2023 General Dynamics believes it has resolved noise and vibration problems with its Ajax armoured fighting vehicle and that the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) will resume making payments for the programme by the end of March, according to officials at the US-based defence contractor. “We anticipate, given the maturity of the vehicle and where it is in its test programme, that payments will begin to flow again,” General Dynamics chairman and CEO Phebe Novakovic told the Cowen 44th Annual Aerospace/Defense & Industrials Conference on 15 February near… Read more »