Exactly. Joint military exercises then Kazakhstan will find itself held hostage within its own borders. I don't know much about Kazakhstan but I don’t think they have a clue about democracy so the people aren't likely to cause too much of a problem, unlike those in Belarus who get democracy filtering over the borders with Ukraine, Poland and the three Baltic republics.
Nato have had planes around Kalingrad a few times. I'd guess that since the Russian fighters entered Swedish airspace they've stepped up their patrols leaving transponders on so the Russians know they're there
To be fair though, Belarus had to fall in behind Russia because their army couldn’t take ****ing Fellgate by itself. I hate these cock waving puny bastards
So Putin wanted to de- Nazify Ukraine and told his armed forces that is what they were sent to do. We then see civilians shot dead in the street and left where they fell as their forces retreated. Does that remind you of anyone?
Considering the brutal killings that Putin's liberators have done elsewhere then I hope the Ukrainians have given their troops geiger counters and dosimetry badges
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/russia-ukraine-soldiers-izium-kharkiv-poison-pie-b992193.html Made me chuckle
Putin and Russia are ****ed for the foreseeable, the mighty nation have been shown up for the bully’s (and **** ones at that) that they are. Ukraine are doing the democratic world a massive favour the way they’re defending their land against scum. And the rumour is(from a trusted guardsman) the Ukrainian lads point the anti tank weapon get the range pull the trigger and shout ‘God save the Queen’ when they set the ****er off at the bastard invaders. Because British lads have been training them for the last 2 years in situations like they’re in. GTFI.
Problem with giving them Marders is the same as for any piece of kit - they aren't trained to operate it or maintain it plus they don't have any stocks of spare parts. Also, they would have to strip out anything security sensitive to Germany and to NATO - which could render them useless. However, Germany have approved the transfer of about 350 BMP-1'S to Ukraine. These come from a batch of East German BMP-1 vehicles they inherited at unification and that they subsequently sold to Sweden. Sweden received about 420, but they broke up about 60 for spare part stocks. They sent the remaining vehicles to the Czech Republic to have stripped of asbestos, given lights, etc to make them road legal plus making them safer inside (whatever that means). Some were also converted to command vehicles. Sweden hardly used these (about 160 of them had only 120 km on the clock) and subsequently sold the whole lot to the Czech company that did all the work on them previously. It is the transfer of vehicles from this company to Ukraine that Germany have just approved. I don't know when Sweden sold the BMPs to the Czech firm - as far as I know the sale to the Czech firm could have been done this week as a massive administrative con-trick to fool Russia. I also don't know who is footing the bill for their sale to Ukraine - could be Germany, could be USA or could be Ukraine using money donated by another country.
Some aircraft have unique capabilities depending on the kit they're using. Many years ago now, but my lot had an American made sensor onboard that was supposed to be for the U2 that didn't work because it wasn't stable enough in the air. It did work when we used it.
Sorry, just seen this now. there is definitely coverage across that area - I tracked the same E3 across that area previously and in the area later on that day.
There's every chance there's a bit of jiggery pokery going on. The only way to know for sure is to see the primary radar feed. Old school
I can get that some aircraft have unique capabilities but what could it have that was lacking among the constellation of US E-8C Joint STARS airborne battle management, RC-135 Rivet Joint Elint, Beechcraft RC-12 Guardrail Sig-int and E3 Sentry AWACS planes? Personally I like the idea that they are doing it to give a massive two-fingers to Putin.
Interesting news in the attached video re extra Growler Electronic Warfare aircraft arriving in theatre, together with a good appraisal of their capabilities
