Russia has likely lost the aircraft due to “Ukrainian man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS)”, Britain’s Ministry of Defence has said.

In a Defence Intelligence update, the Ministry iof Defence said that there have “been at least 23 verified losses of Russia’s Ka-52 HOKUM attack helicopter in Ukraine since the invasion”.

Russia is still failing to maintain adequate air superiority in order to reliably carry out effective fixed wing close air support near the front line, and its artillery ammunition is running low. Russian commanders are likely increasingly resorting to conducting high-risk attack helicopter missions as one of the few options available to provide close support for troops in combat.”

Oryx, a website documenting equipment losses, has photo and video evidence of 54 Russian helicopters lost in Ukraine, 53 of which were destroyed, with one captured by Ukrainian troops.

Oryx confirms that 23 of these helicopters were Ka-52s.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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David Steeper
David Steeper
1 year ago

It’s even better. Thanks to western sanctions production of all combat air systems has ground to a halt. The best example i’ve found is that they have put the T62 MBT back into production because it doesn’t contain any western tech. The Russian military is to all intents and purposes a third world military now.

Jacko
Jacko
1 year ago
Reply to  David Steeper

Yep ‘modernising’ 800 T 62s over a three year timeframe🙄

David Steeper
David Steeper
1 year ago
Reply to  Jacko

Thanks for that. That’s even better.

Gareth
Gareth
1 year ago
Reply to  Jacko

The West should be taking advantage of the degraded state of Russia’s tank inventory and start supplying Ukraine with in-storage Western tanks to increase the mismatch in capability between the two countries. Germany has been dithering over sending Leopards; surely we can source some Challenger 1s or Leclercs for example. Although the US has plenty of M1s in storage I believe they run on a turbofan engine rather than a diesel which complicates the logistics chain. Still, doable though. We have every incentive to try and bring this war to a Ukranian victory ASAP as the more drawn out it… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by Gareth
Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  Gareth

With new tanks comes a whole new logistics train. They use different ammo, every single part is new to Ukraine and spares would be needed. While not impossible it’s a big effort. The Abrams wouldn’t bring any more problems than any other western tank. What Ukraine has shown is that how you use your armour is important. With Russia constantly supplying Ukraine with vehicles it’s been a big scoop for them. The main issue for Ukraine is how do you push out a force in defensive positions without taking massive casualties yourself. How they are doing it now seems to… Read more »

IanBUK
IanBUK
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

Nukes won’t matter to China. Their mindset is you can kill 20-30 million, we have 1 billion plus anyway. The move by Xi last week to turn the clock back and rid the princelings of the young faction leaves a straight fight with his and the Jiang faction. Xi only sees a strong China as the answer. He and his faction are the sons of the former gang of originals who ran the country after the death of Mao. The public removal of a moderate and person who wants to bring the “errant island” back into the one China fold… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by IanBUK
John Hartley
John Hartley
1 year ago
Reply to  IanBUK

There is a rumour going around that China might take advantage of Russia being depleted by Ukraine. China would use its forces to take back parts of Siberia that Russia took off them in the 1850s/60s.

Liviu
Liviu
9 months ago
Reply to  IanBUK

That used to be the case. Not anymore! China is – by far – the world’s fastest ageing population. It’s really incredible what’s going on over there

Sean
Sean
1 year ago
Reply to  Gareth

Apparently the biggest supplier of tanks to Ukraine since the war began is Russia. They’ve captured so many they now have more tanks than when the war began.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

🤣😂😁

Sean
Sean
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

Not only hilarious, but true too!!!!

Gareth
Gareth
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

“Apparently the biggest supplier of tanks to Ukraine since the war began is Russia. ” Yes, I heard that too. One observation is that the average age of Ukrainian tanks is decreasing as they capture newer Russian models than their own whilst the average age of Russian tanks is increasing as they are struggling to produce newer models in the numbers needed. Hence refurbed T62s now appearing on the battlefield. As for ammo, I thought Chally 1s just used standard 120mm NATO rounds? I think we face similar challenges in any case in sourcing enough Russian standard ammo for all… Read more »

Paul T
Paul T
1 year ago
Reply to  Gareth

You are correct in that 120mm is the standard NATO Tank Round calibre – only trouble is ours (UK) are Rifled Bores while the rest use Smoothbore,this anomaly will be fixed when the C3 comes into service.

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  Gareth

Chally 1 uses the same 2-part rounds as Chally 2. BAe still make the Charm APFSDS rounds, whilst the HESH is bought from a manufacturer in Belgium.

The standard NATO 120mm round is the 1-piece round designed for the Rheinmetall 120 L44 gun. That is under licenced production in Italy, Spain, Turkey and the US.

Matt
Matt
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

Last number I saw was between one and two Tank Divisions’ worth captured.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

I’d seen that statistical analysis as well. Latest advances have added 2-3 brigades of armoured equipment to the Ukrainian army- great stuff.

Mark franks
Mark franks
1 year ago
Reply to  Gareth

I think the Challi 1 was flogged to Jordan

steve
steve
1 year ago
Reply to  Gareth

I doubt we would have the ammo to spare for Challenger, at least until they get new machines built to make the ammo. As I understand it the old machines were scrapped some years ago.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  steve

You have to be joking?!? 😳😱. Hard to believe!

Tony
Tony
1 year ago
Reply to  Gareth

We should have kept our Chieftain tanks in storage ,they’d done a job still ,against most Russian kit .

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago
Reply to  Gareth

M1 Abrahms is a gas guzzler. Uses a gas turbine and has shocking fuel economy. Only the US army can supply enough fuel to keep the beasts running.
Challenger 1. Not sure how many, if any are in storage….who knows? Agree a Chally 1 would still ruin 99.9% of all Russian tanks. Its interesting no Aramatas have been deployed to Ukraine yet. I guess Russia doesnt want to show the world how utterly crap they are.

Paul T
Paul T
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

Apart from the CR1 examples sold ( gifted) to Jordan ,who i believe are looking to retire them currently, there are a few kicking around the UK,some as Museum exhibits,some in private ownership even,i know of one in a very unlikely place.

Last edited 1 year ago by Paul T
Simon
Simon
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul T

400 went to Jordan, which must have been pretty much all the fleet

Last edited 1 year ago by Simon
DJ
DJ
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

You can refuel 3 Leo2 for every 2 M1 (& have a 200 litre drum left over).

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago
Reply to  DJ

The newest design model M1 AX just revealed is reverting back to a turbo diesel v12 engine- to stop the crazy situation of having to supply a gas turbined tank whilst 99% of all other US army vehicles are diesel powered.

Joe16
Joe16
1 year ago
Reply to  Gareth

If I recall correctly, Ukraine has factories that manufacture T-72s and other Russian-origin vehicles, so repairs are also way easier for them to perform. There’s huge industrial knowledge of these platforms, and they do reasonably well in export; changing to western tanks would potentially kill a fairly large part of Ukraine’s industry. If they have any sense, or are in a position to make a choice that isn’t out of desperation, I would try and negotiate an armoured vehicle deal that includes some kind of re-tooling of manufacturing plants to allow domestic production of the type. Korea may be a… Read more »

JohninMK
JohninMK
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe16

Kharkov was one of the World/s biggest tank manufacturing towns back in the days of the SU but over the last few years it gradually crumbled with only a few production highlights for export and even some of those had steel quality issues. Corruption was a big problem. Once the fighting started it went from bad to worse as the Russians methodically destroyed or damaged all the armour repair plants it could find. In common with much of Ukraine’s industry it is difficult to see it surviving, both given the lack of capital and manpower given that much of the… Read more »

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Here we go again, Ukraine bad, Russia good! But as I have previously stated, of course Russia can target infrastructure, as they are the easiest targets, they don’t fight back and do t move! And delete Ukraine insert Russia! As for most of the “young man” population, in fact they haven’t gone anywhere as they were banned from leaving when your Russian Nazis invaded! If we are talking about make populations leaving, let’s look at the 300K plus who have escaped from Russia in the last 8 weeks! Yet again a single anti Ukraine narrative directed from your handler!

Shaun
Shaun
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Corruption? Men fleeing the country? Thought it was russia you were talking about there!

DJ
DJ
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Parts of your post, I agree with. Poland has decided where it belongs & is prepared to back its opinion more than most of NATO. If they go down, they intend to go down fighting.

The problem for Russia is, it appears, a good many of its population don’t agree. It is Russians whose house & Grandma aren’t on the line who are bailing.

Sad part is the West was closer under the Tsars, then now.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  DJ

Agreed Poland is the current tip of the NATO spear, and has spent much time and money, certainly over the last 5 years sorting outs its military. This has speeded up substantially due to Putins successful efforts at unifying what was previously a weak and fragmented NATO by his woeful efforts at the invasion of Ukraine.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

👍👍

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  DJ

👍

Posse Comitatus
Posse Comitatus
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Leaving aside for a moment that most of what you’ve posted there is Kremlin derived smears and deflection, a genuine question needs to be asked of you. Why does a supposed English man, in Milton Keynes, in his seventies, whose parents reportedly fought against nazi Germany have such a hatred against Ukraine and its citizens? How come you find yourself sneering at anything Ukrainian, and such boastful regard for an avowedly mafia gsngster Russian state , cheerleading the rape and murder of its people, boasting about Russian advances into regions that were never theirs?? At this stage, no one on… Read more »

JohninMK
JohninMK
1 year ago

You and I seem to have a different view of the meaning of the word ‘hate’. I first came across what was a civil war in 2014 on a now defunct US site MP.net and it was pretty horrific what went on. The various units of the Right Sektor, particularly Azov andTornado, were allowed to do what they wanted against the Russian speakers from sodomising captives in SBU jails to burying them alive in the graves they dug for themselves. Revulsion was the word, not hate. They did not hide these actions instead using them as a terror weapon. The… Read more »

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Well said, from your bunker in the basement of the Kremlin. Your handler must be very proud of you. He might even put his pistol back in its holster for a few minutes and allow you to take a break, maybe get some food and drink and go to the toilet. Maybe even see your family for a few minutes after such a great posting of utter tripe.

Posse Comitatus
Posse Comitatus
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Yeah, whatever. I’m not buying that drivel. Your handlers must have been up a while concocting that. That (conveniently) now defunct website is no doubt similar to the other websites and blogs that you’ve referenced in previous posts, all of them spouting anti Western, pro Russian, lies, deflections and myths. What you have described being carried out against Russian speakers in Ukraine by the Ukrainian military has been shown to be a lie and blatant Russian propaganda, file it in the same bin as bio labs, nuclear weapons being developed by Ukraine, dirty bombs, nazis and any other crap Putin… Read more »

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago

Love the final line 👍

Posse Comitatus
Posse Comitatus
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

😉👍

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Yes of course, as you “don’t hate Ukrainians as you have one as a friend”! Like I’ve said before that’s what racist wankers say just prior to being a racist wanker! You throbber! So, while we are taking, any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine?

Posse Comitatus
Posse Comitatus
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

” Very sad really, it was downhill all the way from 1991 as the oligarchs extracted the wealth for their own, not the countries, ends. The comparison with Poland is pretty stark”

What you’ve described there is Russia.

JohninMK
JohninMK
1 year ago

Indeed, but are you disputing that it happened in Ukraine as well?

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

But will you first state that that is what happened and is currently happening in Russia? No of course you won’t!

Posse Comitatus
Posse Comitatus
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

One of the major reasons that Ukraine wanted to align itself with Western values of democracy and freedom and to shake off Russian influence was because of the stagnation and corruption that Russian interference brought to their politics and economic development. In Russia a very small cabal of corrupt oligarchs control the industrial and commercial wealth of the nation extracting the wealth for their own, not the country’s end. All with Putins say so.

The Ukrainian people did not want that future. They still don’t.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Please provide evidence for the utter drivel you sprout… and I don’t mean from Russia Today.
thanks

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago
Reply to  Jacko

Russia really took a wrong turn with their MBT tank designs in the 1950s- they should have stayed with the super heavy stuff they had coming online after WW2- the IS7 for example was a superlative piece of kit and was probably 15-20 years ahead of Western designs. Instead they went for lighter MBTs with autoloaders and result is a “cruiser tank” with all the inherent weaknesses of a cruiser tank design. T62 through to T90s all have glass jaws.

Levi Goldsteinberg
Levi Goldsteinberg
1 year ago
Reply to  David Steeper

There is a cautionary tale for us here too, with how many electronic components are made in the increasingly belligerent China

David Steeper
David Steeper
1 year ago

Agreed. It’s way beyond my knowledge of the subject but that seems a very good reason why we shouldn’t allow China to take Taiwan. However I don’t think we’ll ever find ourselves in as deep shit as Russia currently is.

grizzler
grizzler
1 year ago
Reply to  David Steeper

Or we could stop selling off our high tech chip manufacturers to Chinese firms…you really couldnt make it up.

David Steeper
David Steeper
1 year ago
Reply to  grizzler

Yeah that would help !

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  grizzler

You don’t actually need terribly high end chips for most defence stuff.

It is more the graphic processors and CPU’s.

The clever bit is in the software/firmware these days.

But I do agree that ensuring sovereign supply is essential. It used to be Mullard -> bespoke chips -> RISC -> general CPU/graphics based stuff

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago

👍

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago

Agree. You only need 4,5,6nm micro processor sets for the very latest radar, c3, AI super computer technology.
The future however is quantium sub atomic chip sets. Unfortunately China is pushing research hard in this area.
No massive breakthroughs yet but if they can get down to micro processors of <1nm then the processing power of say a smart phone sized PC will be phenomenal.

Coll
Coll
1 year ago
Reply to  grizzler

Yep. The government was happy to block the sale of ARM to NVIDIA on the bases of security and competition, but we are more than happy to let a Fab plant in Wales be sold.

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
1 year ago
Reply to  Coll

I don’t think it was our Govt that blocked Arm it was the US. Which just shows how little control we now have, nearly everything uses some US IP. One of the reasons better cooperation with Japan is a bonus not that SoftBank proved an asset there.

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Coll

The plant in wales makes chips for primarily automotive use, whilst high tech yes its not military linked. Plus it was sold a to a Dutch front for a Chinese company.

Matt
Matt
1 year ago
Reply to  Coll

That was a fab plant with tech many years old aiui.

Gareth
Gareth
1 year ago
Reply to  grizzler

Absolutely. Could scarcely believe even the supposedly patriotic Tories would allow £ before national security like that.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago
Reply to  David Steeper

Taiwan produces the worlds best micro processor chips using 5nm and less technology. After that USA chip makers are close behind. Most Chinese chips are in the 7-10nm technology bracket so not as advanced. If they captured Taiwan though that would be a big problem. The West would rapidly need to bring microprocessor production back in house. Fortunately the tooling for micro processor production at 5-6nm technology band is solely supplied by a manufacturer in Holland. They are the sole producer of equipment that can build the worlds best chips. So. In summary. If Holland doesnt supply china and Rusdia… Read more »

David Steeper
David Steeper
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

Then let’s all keep our fingers crossed that the Dutch intelligence services are on the ball for all our sakes.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  David Steeper

🤞🤞

DJ
DJ
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

Problem is these factories already exist in Taiwan. Yes we can stop Netherlands from exporting new machinery, but we can’t stop what’s already there if it’s captured intact. Really the high end is Taiwan, S.Korea, Japan & USA (as far as commercial, operating factories go). There are a number of smaller players, but they lack scale. These aren’t spring washers. China is somewhat behind, but it’s not just the Dutch lithography that in play. Globalisation has a few very obvious problems that too many decided to ignore. They thought is was the Grandchildren’s Grandchildren that had to worry about it,… Read more »

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  DJ

NATO, welcome to the concept of Future Shock. Believe someone wrote a book… approximately 40-50 yrs. ago…🤔😳😱

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

The Dutch are still on our side, hopefully. Haven’t checked this week…🤔🤞

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  David Steeper

🤞

Steve
Steve
1 year ago

A lot is the answer. The US had to pause production of the f35 because it found Chinese chips in them. There was also a report by Congress (I think) which highlighted the overreliance of Chinese parts in us miltiary gear and the lack of capability to onshore it. If the US has that problem, you can bet our shoe string mod has way bigger issues.

DMJ
DMJ
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve

The recent incident involved an alloy originating from China not a chip

Steve
Steve
1 year ago
Reply to  DMJ

Ah ok. Same effect though. Luckily realistically we won’t go to war with China, as it would literally break all economies globally, no western country could survive the economic impact.

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve

Read only yesterday China could almost instantly close down US hi tech production (Western generally) because it has up to 90% control over a number of mined raw materials vital to electronic systems that would cost billions to replace even where possible.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  DMJ

Remember reading article(s?) re a joint Aussie/US effort to develop additional indigenous mines, processing and production capability (drawing blank on program title). In any event, effort presumably subsumed under AUKUS. Believe you’re covered, in any event. Pays to choose the right allies. 😁

DJ
DJ
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

Australia already has a number of mines & miners (US not so many). Rare Earths are actually not that rare. Finding them in enough concentration to make mining worthwhile is the problem (especially if you want to be environmentally responsible). The bigger problem is processing (also an environmental problem – unless you are in China). The Australian company at the forefront of allied efforts (Lynas) has 1 high tech processing plant in Malaysia & a preprocessing plant planned for Australia (near one of its mines). A number of other countries also have reasonable mining resources (but no processing). US no… Read more »

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  DJ

Thanks then due to Aussies, in general, and Lynas (PLC? Inc.? Corp.? LLC?) in particular. Scum-sucking, slimeball ChiComs may have been fouled in attempt to corner market, w/ attendant leverage created and issues engendered. 🤞

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

…foiled…🙄

Bob
Bob
1 year ago
Reply to  DMJ

There is a significant issue with Chinese counterfeit chips finding their way into equipment though.

DJ
DJ
1 year ago
Reply to  Bob

Only if your stupid. Any military connected organisation that goes in that direction knows that that is the end of the road (in more ways than one). The problem tends to be more the commercial world. How sure are you that the high end Dutch machinery doing the lithography doesn’t already include such a chip?

Bob
Bob
1 year ago
Reply to  DJ

The word is “Counterfeit”; chips purporting to be the real thing and it IS a concern even in the defence industry.

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve

Task and purpose you tube channel did a video on global supply chains and used the NLAW as one of the examples. Bits from Sweden, Japan, Switzerland and a few more places and that’s just for a anti tank missile.
All this shows is having enough stuff at the start is important as without a supplier countries backing you up it will go pear shape at some point.
We need world peace and stability to prosper (even survive)

Steve
Steve
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

Yeah, luckily it’s a two way thing, China is heavily reliant on other countries also. It’s effectively a modern version of MAD. A major war these days would need an alliance of nations on both sides, any one country just couldn’t survive on its own, as it would rapidly find itself without the basics as sanctions hit.

David Steeper
David Steeper
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve

Hopefully China is following what is happening to Russia and learning from it.

DJ
DJ
1 year ago
Reply to  David Steeper

Problem is only reliable allie to China is Russia. These are both very big countries. A lot of resources & large populations. Dictatorships tend to have a restricted view & don’t always react as expected. China is easy to blockade from the sea (Australia & Singapore can just about do it on their own). How do you do that on land without massive troops on the ground? Something I was told as a child – if every person in China lined up to March past you in single file, the line would never end – the number born every minute… Read more »

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago

Its a concern thats for sure. You’d hope someone from MOD would be tasked with an urgent programme called “check the chips”. Check them all and make sure we have plenty of spares. Especially for advanced munitions and consumable spare parts.

AlbertStarburst
AlbertStarburst
1 year ago

Complete lack of strategic thought process by the UK. Complete naivety. e.g. Like letting ARM go too.

Ditto many other strategic industries and resources. When will we get a Government that understands the concept of nurturing and protecting UK assets and capabilities?

DJ
DJ
1 year ago

Welcome to globalism & that every friendly global club where everyone is a friendly member. Check your coat at the door.

Sean
Sean
1 year ago

Good, looking forward to it reaching 100% lost.

Arun Philip
Arun Philip
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

Exactly my thoughts, Sean, exactly my thoughts.

rgj74
rgj74
1 year ago

So tired of the confirmation bias with regards to ukraine on here. and wtf is defence intelligence doing just regurgitating information from selective twitter accounts!!??dig a little deeper into Telegram/twitter and you’ll find “ORYX” is far from the most credible of sources. Where’s the objectivity gone?

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  rgj74

Yes, it is hard to conform either way. But Instagram has videos of at least 20 shoot downs of Mil 28s and Ka50/52s by MANPADS. Which is still a huge chunk of Russia’s purported to be very “modern” attack helicopters.

AlbertStarburst
AlbertStarburst
1 year ago

Funny that some have Ukrainian engines, and the head of the Ukrainian engine company has recently been arrested for back-door deals to keep supplying the Rooskies. i.e Treason.

DJ
DJ
1 year ago

I take it, at the moment at least,this is a capital offence?

AlbertStarburst
AlbertStarburst
1 year ago
Reply to  DJ

…don’t think they are going that far – just long prison sente nces when it is all over.

There are a quite a few peeps in the UK you could also argue that their actions are “treasonus.” ….we still have the Tower 😉

JohninMK
JohninMK
1 year ago

Motor Sich severed its ties with Russia in 2014 and since then Russia has worked hard to develop replacement engines for its helicopter fleet, its main use of their products in new aircraft. They don’t have much plant left either after Russian attacks. Given that its curious as to why this guy was arrested.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine yet? It’s not hard, your a British citizen, age 76 living in MK, what’s to be scared of?

Levi Goldsteinberg
Levi Goldsteinberg
1 year ago

Alligator, meet Starstreak

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago

😆😅🤣😅😆👍

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago

These numbers are an absolute minimum. It’s most likely single digits that are still available to fly over Ukraine. Putins new wonder weapon is the biggest issue to counter just now. What can provide an effective defence against them will need to be worked out. While anti air missiles work there is such a massive area around Ukraine they can be launched from and missiles are expensive and need resupplied. Lasers could work but weather can cause issues and being in the correct place also. Fighters also work but again can’t cover the whole country 24/7. Even striking back at… Read more »

Levi Goldsteinberg
Levi Goldsteinberg
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

Are you referring to the Shahed drones as the wonder weapon?

Jon
Jon
1 year ago

I worry a little about how they are paying Iran. Iran won’t want petro- and nobody wants Rubles.

David Steeper
David Steeper
1 year ago
Reply to  Jon

I think you’re right to be worried and you’re not alone.

David A
David A
1 year ago
Reply to  Jon

Putin has been walking a little funny lately!

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  David A

Rumour has it he likes that type of stuff, probably does it for free!

David A
David A
1 year ago
Reply to  James

I remember the video Putin doing the gym thing with the then PM of Russia. I was expecting YMCA as the background music.

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Jon

Yup that is a valid point, Iran has a lot of internal issues currently but it will be looking for any easy route to expand its ability to produce certain items to gain it strength in the region.

Joe16
Joe16
1 year ago
Reply to  Jon

They’ve promised SU-35s from what I understand. Iran’s airforce is not in the best of shape, so they’d be likely interested in getting them- even if they’ll have to wait a while to get them all.

JohninMK
JohninMK
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe16

There is a batch of 24 Su-35S under manufacture for the Egyptian Air Force, 21 of which are currently parked around the factory. The order seems to have come to a grinding halt under the influence of US CAATSA rules. These are the aircraft that many regard as likely to be destined for Iran as a customer, replacing the F-14s etc. They will be available ex-stock.

Whilst, given its range, it would be a good fit for Iran the possibility of Iran manufacturing from part or CKD Mig-29/35 seems to be a on the cards.

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Iran will struggle to produce such aircraft as they are also under heavy sanctions from the west and have been for some time.

Unless they sign a new nuclear treaty and the sanctions lift, then we could find Iran producing Russian weapons to resupply Russia, not in the short term though.

JohninMK
JohninMK
1 year ago
Reply to  James

Sanctions can be a death knell unless you have something the World needs, like oil and gas. Then the main result seems to be increased self sufficiency and a developed smuggling network.

Iran has a well developed high technology and manufacturing base well capable of what I suggest especially if there is good backup support from Russia. The nuclear treaty is probably irrelevant to them.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

I see some highly modern D-1s being dragged into action by your rape squads! Things going well then…..

DJ
DJ
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

War time make any such situation mute. You transfer & worry about the after effects later. Such as WW1 & battleships destined for Turkey. The Turkish crew was even in UK for the transfer of their first Dreadnought, to find it transferred to the RN. Germany responded by offering to transfer German ships to Turkey. Hundreds of thousands of people died due to these handful of actions. Newton was onto something.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

“A good fit for Iran”? Oh dear trolls with no military knowledge can be quite dangerous! Iran, massive sanctions, Iran, airforce all reverse engineered 80s kit, Iran, airforce shit just falls from the sky! And Iran, airforce, no platform trained ground crew,, spares, logistics (yes logistics I know it’s not important for Russia but all real military organisations live and breathe it), anyway I digress, unless of course you agree with the continued of breaking sanctions and Russian “cough, training teams” going to Iran to train their people in situ?

JohninMK
JohninMK
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

I wish that you’d rise above some of the trite comments you make on subjects you clearly know nothing about, which can also be dangerous as people reading them might think that you know what you are talking about on this subject. Sanctions, many lifted under JCPOA and last year the defence sales/purchases sanctions expired whilst much of the World ignore US sanctions as they are not UN. Airforce, very little actually reverse engineered but a lot, even most, of it 80’s vintage and, like any airforce, some “falls from the sky” a couple a year on average. They seem… Read more »

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Oh dear, troll getting angry! Easily done when troll nonsense is challenged. I wish you would rise above some of the trite propaganda comments you make on untrue subjects and subjects you know nothing about as people reading them (small children and those maybe Corbyn type supporters) may think you know what you are talking about! Anyway I see you don’t really answer anyones posts or replies to you, as it will force you to answer direct questions with a direct answer! You don’t, your not allowed and your a coward! I will prove it right now, do you condemn… Read more »

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

As for Al Asad in 2020, not much to crow about, reports vary between 16-23 missiles fired at very large, static targets, which don’t move, with a 30% failure rate (don’t forget Erbil airbase, 2 x missiles targeted there, one failed to explode the other missed, I know Erbil well)! But I suppose to a Russian or a Russian stooge/troll that is quite an illustrious victory in comparison to the incompetence in their invasion of Ukraine.

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago

Yes. I don’t think they are wonderful just they are coming in thick at civilian targets.

John Hartley
John Hartley
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

Iranian suicide drones are said to use civilian electronics to keep the cost down. So they should be vulnerable to directed electronic warfare.

Mike
Mike
1 year ago

Given the high rate of attrition, what are the implications for any future friendly use of Apache etc?

Are tactics or defensive mechanisms being sufficiently upgraded?

Mark franks
Mark franks
1 year ago
Reply to  Mike

Yes and the way we use them is completely different to the Russians.

Sean the real Sean
Sean the real Sean
1 year ago
Reply to  Mike

Israel answered that way back in 1982 and then there was the fiasco of the 11th Attack regiment deep raid on Karbala losing a third of its Apache’s for further operations. Irrespective of the machine you don’t fly Helicopters over upswept ground, we knew that as early as Vietnam with peace for Galilee on cementing it. The best Attack helicopter for the Army would have been an A-10 and yeah it is not a chopper .

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  Mike

See my comment above.

Sean
Sean
1 year ago

More bad news for Putin – Ben Wallace remains at Defence.

David M
David M
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

Ben Wallace may not be SoS for that long if Rishi won’t match the previous PM’s pledge for 3%. He said he would resign. Rishi has previously stated that 3% is arbitrary and not a plan.

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  David M

I think the wording was if liz truss doesn’t stick to the commitment she has made. Gives him a get out clause. Hopefully he will stick it the election. Then maybe we will get a new commitment. Labour have said it needs to go up to match the threats so I would think the torys will have to at least match what ever they say in campaign. Rishi has a decision to make. Does he call an election straight away so he doesn’t have any bad news stories or policy disasters against him as PM or does he stick it… Read more »

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

Or to throw a spanner in the works maybe the Lib Dems will win it

David Steeper
David Steeper
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

😯😂

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

No,the ship needs to settle after the Boris cavalier era and Truss madness.
GE 2025 please.

James
James
1 year ago

And who exactly will solve the issues in 2025?

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 year ago
Reply to  James

No idea, but given we have GEs every few years of late rather than every 5 I want things to settle down rather than Labour to get in effectively for free when a fee short years ago Starmer was trying to sabotage, stonewall and delay everything that moved

John Hartley
John Hartley
1 year ago

This Winter is going to be tough, so no point having an election now. It would just be a distraction. There might be a case for having a General election , next May or June, depending on the situation then.

JohninMK
JohninMK
1 year ago
Reply to  John Hartley

With the increase in our debt due to Covid on top of which could be added the same again this winter from energy support, our Government is going to need all the time until the next GE. They are going to have to take some really unpopular but pragmatic decisions. They have maxed out the UK’s credit card and 5% a month will no longer cut the mustard. Our prosperity has been built on the foundation of low cost energy. That has now gone. The cost base of all the basic building blocks of industry is shot. Our financial services… Read more »

John Hartley
John Hartley
1 year ago
Reply to  JohninMK

Liz Truss was right about low growth. Giving tax breaks to rich bankers was not the way to fix it. 3 things Britain needs to do. Energy, build the Severn & Wash barriers & a fleet of new nuclear power plants. 2 build infrastructure. Just in time production does not work with Britain’s clogged roads. Those single carriageway A roads need to be dualled. Lastly, reshore industry to the UK. All the lockdowns in China show the folly of relying on China for critical components.
Please stop pretending to be British, when we know sad Vlad is your boss.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  David M

Answer:. Build a plan requiring 3%. QED. 😁

Sean
Sean
1 year ago
Reply to  David M

Well Rishi from his Cabinet selection obviously wants both continuity and representation from across the party. So it would’ve been a disaster on first day if a Minister as popular as Wallace had resigned today.

I suspect Wallace has already rung some concessions from him.

Steve
Steve
1 year ago
Reply to  David M

Not sure he will actually resign, after all his a polictican on the gravy train. His been the best defense minister for decades but still his surely a realist and knows resigning will just hit him and have no impact on the funds for the mod. He just stated that during the power struggle to keep himself meaniful.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

Believe Ben Wallace has demonstrably been best SoS for Defense since (fill in the blank, could remain blank since his performance deemed nonpareil). Hell, I would be willing to swap majority of current US Cabinet, plus future draft choices! 😁

Sean
Sean
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

Agreed, he’s been solid in that role.
What a novelty, putting someone in a cabinet post that has personal experience of the subject.
Hopefully he remains unsackable from the post until the war is over at a minimum.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

👍

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

Agreed!

Gunbuster
Gunbuster
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

And for Veterans we get a dedicated Minister for Veterans Affairs back at the table. Truss promised to retain the post but reneged on that promise from day 1. Good move to see it reinstated especially as Veterans currently number around 2 mil people. Thats a good number of people you would want to keep happy in the hope of them voting for you.

John Stott
John Stott
1 year ago

Such a shame. Teach them to stay within their own borders.

700 Glengarried men
700 Glengarried men
1 year ago

Ukraine was a major supplier of soviet era gear, it sold 320 T80ud to Pakistan and 33 T72 to Kenya , it also sold over 270 btr4 to iraq, the powers should use of some of the money raised to purchase this equipment and supply to ukraine. I would like to see the UK supply a rapier battery or 2 to protect cities from Iranian drones if we don’t need this kit we should provide it at very least it may generate sales of surplus kit if it performs well

Quentin D63
Quentin D63
1 year ago

We might need keep some of the Rapier for the UK too. Any further further news on CAMM/CAMM-ER for UK GBAD? How many Sky Sabre batteries/firing units actually exist now? I remember seeing a photo of at least one…

John Hartley
John Hartley
1 year ago
Reply to  Quentin D63

Daily Mail is reporting that Britain destroyed its retired Rapier, last year, so that is why they have not gone to Ukraine.

Quentin D63
Quentin D63
1 year ago
Reply to  John Hartley

Hi John, yes i read that too. What really bad timing and bad luck. Likely these could have been mightily useful in Ukraine and very mobile too. No further news on Sky Sabre numbers for the UK yet either.

John Hartley
John Hartley
1 year ago
Reply to  Quentin D63

If you can put up a wall of fire to incoming Russian Aircraft, drones & missiles, then it does not matter if some of your SAM are a bit old. I believe the USA & some other nations are sending their old Hawk batteries to Ukraine.

Posse Comitatus
Posse Comitatus
1 year ago

Russia is learning the hard way Von Moltke’s maxim about no battle plan surviving contact with the enemy. They thought that they’d have Kyiv wrapped up within days. Instead, it’s Putin who’s looking increasingly uncertain about remaining in power.

Phil C
Phil C
1 year ago

I really struggle to see how Putin loses power. The Kim’s have retained power despite ruining the entire populations’ lives for generations. And on top of that, if there is any small chance of Putin being overthrown, it won’t be by anti-war liberals, it’ll be by some of his circles most bloodthirsty members who think he’s gone soft.

Posse Comitatus
Posse Comitatus
1 year ago
Reply to  Phil C

True. It won’t be easy for anyone to overthrow him, saying that though , I’m fairly sure that as the consequences of his war become more apparent to Russians discontent will spread throughout the Kremlin. You’re probably right in your view that if he is replaced it will be by one of his more pro war people. That said, because the decision to go to war wasn’t theirs, a de-escalation and potential ceasefire/off ramp is more possible.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago

Is the Hokum the most modern version of the Havoc? If so it is Russia’s apache longbow E equivalent. Thats going to hurt them losing so many. Expensive bits of kit to lose vs cheap MANPADS. Wonder how many were shot down by Starstreaks?

Paul T
Paul T
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

The Mil-mi 28 Havoc is another Helicopter altogether,they have the luxury of two types of modern attack helo’s.

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

The Mil 28 Havoc, is a rough equivalent to the Apache, its primary role is a tank hunter. However, it more like a very early version of Apache, as its missiles are either semi-active command line of sight (SACLOS) radio guided, or laser guided. It does not have the fire and forget function. The Ka50/52 Night shark/Alligator. Was primarily designed for armed reconnaissance, but its other roles include close air support and helicopter hunting. As per the Havoc, it can also do tank hunting. But again, it uses the same missile as the Havoc, so does not have fire and… Read more »

AlexS
AlexS
1 year ago

I found strange no one comments on attack helicopter vulnerability and how US Army is adding 30-50km range Spike missile to its AH64 fleet with capability to fire from non line of sight.

Armchair Admiral
Armchair Admiral
1 year ago
Reply to  AlexS

You tube Binkovs battlegrounds has an interesting video asking if the attack copter is obsolete now with the proliferation of manpads.
Whereas I would not take this as gospel, it certainly asks the questions….
AA

Steve
Steve
1 year ago

I don’t think obsolete, but I think it’s role will have to be more cautious and limited. The whole strike consent of lighter vehicles operating on the ground with Apache providing the fire power from directly above, would need to be relooked at.

I can see their roles being limited to high speed scout and runs or pop up style attacks.

Saying that the most realistic war the west will fight will still be counter insurgency, where they are still king.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve

The key thing about attack helicopters is that they now probably have to have exceptionally good decoys and ECM/ ECCMs as well as laser dazzle turrets/ sensors in order to survive the inevitable MANPAD/ SAM attacks- this seems to be what is lacking with current Russian kit- they don’t seem to have the submunitions to survive. Reactive armour- filled with sand and fake, attack helicopters with none of the defensive aids NATO attack helicopters fly with eg Apache AH64 D-E, AH1 Cobra, Eurocopter Tiger, A129-Mangusta Russia’s armed forces looked impressive on paper pre war with everyone wondering how the Russians… Read more »

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago

Given that the Ka50/52 is the premier attack helicopter, even more so than the MIl 28. You would expect it to fare better. But when you delve into the images of downed Russian helicopters, from the humble Mil 8/17 to Mil 25s, 28s and the Ka50/52. What you see is a lack of defensive aids and countermeasures. On the tail booms of and on the rear undercarriage, especially the MIl 8/17s and 25s you can see chaff/fare dispensers, but you don’t see radar warning receiver (RWR) antennas, nor missile approach warning systems (MAWS). Which means to activate the decoys an… Read more »

AlexS
AlexS
1 year ago
Reply to  DaveyB

That implies available time to react, you go up you might have but then you are going to have to deal with a lot more missiles including radar guided from long distance etc.

I think only a sort of APS for combat helicopters can save them.

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  AlexS

Correct, Starstreak in particular was designed to counter attack helicopters, doing pop up then hide attacks. As the helicopter would only be in view for a short amount of time. Though using SACLOS guided missiles means they have to stay in view of their target for longer. Nap of the Earth flying still has its place. As it makes it harder to visually or aurally cue a helicopter. You know it’s out there but can zero in on it. For protection the standard DAS used on the majority of NATO helicopters, the MAWS and countermeasures are fully integrated. It’s detection,… Read more »

AlexS
AlexS
1 year ago
Reply to  DaveyB

Thanks DaveyB

DJ
DJ
1 year ago

Positive. Reality though, who else?

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago

Raises a relevant question in regards to these platforms in ever nation! However, the aircraft kit which is fitted, to include RWR and other tech such as MWR, crew training and experience and up to date TTPs, would ensure that while western nations would lose platforms, not as much as the flying Nazis! What hasn’t helped is the Nazi Russian lack of air dominance, which is part of their doctrine, to cover attack Helios when supporting ground troops! The Russians are currently using their Ka fleet in high risk support missions against the ever increasing capability of the Ukrainians. And,… Read more »

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

Agree- fortunately the aircraft isn’t up to the job of close air support. The Ukrainians can simply pop up fire a Starstreak at the thing and it is toast. Easy. It seems the tactical doctrine is all wrong. China will no doubt be examining the lessons of the Ukraine war very closely as they must be surprised by the poor performance of the Russian armed forces and crucially their high-end kit. Sadly most of China’s hardware is based on Russian technology and now they can see its ineffectiveness they will need to develop more and more of their own untested… Read more »

Jay kerby
Jay kerby
1 year ago

The question that arises from all of this is, how are they still going on than, and how is it that the Ukrainians have still not managed to recapture kherson?

John Hartley
John Hartley
1 year ago

Todays Daily mail, page 25, claims Britain destroyed its retired Rapier batteries last year. So that is why they have not been given to Ukraine.

Douglas Newell
Douglas Newell
1 year ago

Enjoyed the caveat: “likely” in the very first sentence.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  Douglas Newell

The caveat likely refers to the means of destruction, but no matter the means, they are burnt out scraps of Nazi aluminium polluting Ukraine soil. Who cares how they go down, the good news story is they are down! 😃👍