trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,386
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Post by trymer on Aug 29, 2023 9:43:28 GMT
The Ukes have taken Robotyne ! Apparently the Russians are moving Guards paratroops to the area to try to stop a Uke breakthrough in the direction of Tokmak. Also a Russian offensive continuing in Kharkov area. Thats all reported today but again how much of it is true I dont know. There does appear to be a lot of scrambling by the Russians in an effort to contain the Uke breakthrough. Radio 4 this morning had an interesting piece about numbers of Uke kia,theres some of it on BBC news online. They briefly mentioned the Russian offensive,but I also read elsewhere that Guards paras are being moved to Tokmak area........
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trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,386
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Post by trymer on Aug 29, 2023 10:00:53 GMT
Yes,if the Ukes are trained enough to coordinate their units that is all possible. I dont know how many combat engineers they have but clearing those minefields enough to move armour through is going to be a hard task even if they arent under artillery fire. The real unknown is the Russians AA capability and effectiveness,going to be interesting to see how the F16s fare against Russian SAM's, a bit like the tanks v AT missiles that we have seen. btw we talked earlier in the thread about the future of tanks,according to the press (ahem) Britain now has less MBTs than Switzerland or Madagascar,now I dont know if that is true but I do wonder if Challenger 3 will be cancelled, there are less than 200 to be built anyway but with what we have seen the money might be better spent on other weapons (imo). Yes, the amount of tanks the UK have is worrying. It is doubtful if the British could even deploy a single armoured division any longer. Defense spending has been woeful for far too long. The same reasons get trotted out by the politicians and Senior defense officers of 'smaller, more agile, harder hitting' and it's all bollocks. The Navy are not doing too badly, with the new Aircraft Carriers and the growth of the Royal Marines. Also the equipment provided to the RM now is outstanding. The RAF are also doing ok with the new F35's, although the heavy lifters are suffering with the insistence of using the A400 and getting rid of the Hercs. The Army however is really suffering. the Ajax programme has been a complete disaster. By the time the Ajax platforms come into service they will be obsolete, and it's doubtful if they'll even work properly. The Army does seem to be stuck in the past and urgently needs reform. I don't know how closely you follow things but just look at what the Royal Navy/Royal Marines have done with the new Littoral Response Groups. The RM have also quietly ditched the SA80. I think that a big problem is that every few years the 'threat' seems to change, Afghanistan and Iraq needed different equipment to fighting a war in Europe. I suppose its knowing where the next fighting will take place,it was said at the time that if the Argentinians had bided their time Hermes,Intrepid and Fearless would have been scrapped and that it would have been impossible to re-take the Falklands. Far more simple of you are a country like Austria or Switzerland who have defensive armed forces (not much need of a navy either...although Austria was once a naval power). British armed forces have to be able to defend Britain and its territorial waters, have a role in NATO operations plus defend other places like the Falklands,so need the equipment for lots of contingencies .
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trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,386
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Post by trymer on Aug 29, 2023 10:17:51 GMT
The army reintroduced the GPMG to the infantry section a while back meaning that 2 different calibres of ammunition now have to carried. Back in the day it was 7.62 for the SLR,LMG and GPMG,ok it was heavier so you couldnt carry as much but the GPMG was/is a fearsome weapon,take some replacing imo...
I never fired an SA80 but I have watched videos and read various accounts....I do wonder if eventually NATO will return to 7.62 as the standard round and a new rifle will be developed ?
Lots of things have changed for the infantry over the years from better/warmer/more water resistant boots and clothing,lighter rations,better AT weapons and communications and body armour. However artillery,bombs,missiles and mines make me think that in future a lot more robots will be used in battles.
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Post by Nobbygas on Aug 29, 2023 11:57:11 GMT
The army reintroduced the GPMG to the infantry section a while back meaning that 2 different calibres of ammunition now have to carried. Back in the day it was 7.62 for the SLR,LMG and GPMG,ok it was heavier so you couldnt carry as much but the GPMG was/is a fearsome weapon,take some replacing imo... I never fired an SA80 but I have watched videos and read various accounts....I do wonder if eventually NATO will return to 7.62 as the standard round and a new rifle will be developed ? Lots of things have changed for the infantry over the years from better/warmer/more water resistant boots and clothing,lighter rations,better AT weapons and communications and body armour. However artillery,bombs,missiles and mines make me think that in future a lot more robots will be used in battles. The Royal Marines now use the Colt C7, which is 5.56. I don't think NATO will return to the 7.62. I was serving during the conversion from SLR to SA80, and at that time the SA80 was totally useless. My first issued SA80 literally fell apart in my hands after firing 6 rounds zeroing it in. The connecting bolts had all sheared. My second issued SA80 fell apart in the Arctic as it had a lot of rigid green plastic bits which all cracked and broke in the cold conditions, meaning it couldn't be fired. The weapon also had a habit of blowing off the butt plate because it couldn't handle the recoil. I got through 5 SA80's in the first year! Over the years mods were made and it became a good system, but it took about 20 years to reach that point!
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trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,386
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Post by trymer on Sept 5, 2023 9:50:50 GMT
North Korean president going to Moscow,he needs food and probably oil and money, Russia needs arms and I suspect some replacements for those dispensable convicts as cannon fodder,can a deal be done ?
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trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,386
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Post by trymer on Sept 5, 2023 10:04:39 GMT
The army reintroduced the GPMG to the infantry section a while back meaning that 2 different calibres of ammunition now have to carried. Back in the day it was 7.62 for the SLR,LMG and GPMG,ok it was heavier so you couldnt carry as much but the GPMG was/is a fearsome weapon,take some replacing imo... I never fired an SA80 but I have watched videos and read various accounts....I do wonder if eventually NATO will return to 7.62 as the standard round and a new rifle will be developed ? Lots of things have changed for the infantry over the years from better/warmer/more water resistant boots and clothing,lighter rations,better AT weapons and communications and body armour. However artillery,bombs,missiles and mines make me think that in future a lot more robots will be used in battles. The Royal Marines now use the Colt C7, which is 5.56. I don't think NATO will return to the 7.62. I was serving during the conversion from SLR to SA80, and at that time the SA80 was totally useless. My first issued SA80 literally fell apart in my hands after firing 6 rounds zeroing it in. The connecting bolts had all sheared. My second issued SA80 fell apart in the Arctic as it had a lot of rigid green plastic bits which all cracked and broke in the cold conditions, meaning it couldn't be fired. The weapon also had a habit of blowing off the butt plate because it couldn't handle the recoil. I got through 5 SA80's in the first year! Over the years mods were made and it became a good system, but it took about 20 years to reach that point! I have seen pictures of the Colt C7,I think its part of the M16 family ? probably a good choice as tried and tested,maybe later something else will replace SA80 as standard weapon. I am guessing that a return to 7.62 is unlikely as weapons now have to have automatic fire capability and in 7.62 thats harder to control ? could give every section 2 GPMGs,thats been done before. Funny thing that you mention the SA80 butt plate,I occasionally watch Forgotten Weapons videos,he is very knowledgeable and he did a few videos on the SA80,I think he said something like "this is an original one and thats why the butt plate is missing". Totally wrong that it took that long to correct all the faults,H&K must have made a fortune upgrading 100,000 plus weapons, should have been tested to destruction and faults rectified before being issued.
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Post by Nobbygas on Sept 5, 2023 14:13:21 GMT
I see the first Challenger 2 has been destroyed in combat. It was always going to happen at some point.
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trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,386
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Post by trymer on Sept 5, 2023 14:55:12 GMT
I see the first Challenger 2 has been destroyed in combat. It was always going to happen at some point. I just saw pictures of one burning,maybe broke down or disabled some how and set on fire to prevent capture ? We will never know but it would be of interest to British army if it was destroyed by AT missile or a mine.
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Ukraine
Sept 5, 2023 21:34:09 GMT
via mobile
Post by lostinspace on Sept 5, 2023 21:34:09 GMT
The Home Office of GB has now declared that the Wagner mercenary group is a terrorist organisation ,this means that it is now illegal to be part of or a member of the organisation
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Post by Nobbygas on Sept 6, 2023 9:30:57 GMT
I see the first Challenger 2 has been destroyed in combat. It was always going to happen at some point. I just saw pictures of one burning,maybe broke down or disabled some how and set on fire to prevent capture ? We will never know but it would be of interest to British army if it was destroyed by AT missile or a mine. Apparently hit by a mine which disabled it and caused a fire in the rear fuel tank, and then hit from a drone.
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Post by Nobbygas on Sept 7, 2023 6:38:44 GMT
This may interest you trymer. How the Royal Marines are modernizing and moving ahead of the Army New kit for the RM
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trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,386
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Post by trymer on Sept 7, 2023 11:50:28 GMT
I just saw pictures of one burning,maybe broke down or disabled some how and set on fire to prevent capture ? We will never know but it would be of interest to British army if it was destroyed by AT missile or a mine. Apparently hit by a mine which disabled it and caused a fire in the rear fuel tank, and then hit from a drone. Saw part of Grant Shapps interview,when asked what killed the Challenger he said "um um artillery" but that the SIX crew members were ok, according to him the tank was disabled by artillery the crew bailed then further artillery strikes destroyed it. However.....I saw a (Russian) video today which apparently showed the tank disabled by artillery, then a hit from Kornet caused a catastrophic explosion (popped the turret too !). Some saying that the tank had external fuel tanks mounted, I dont think thats clever (or necessary) in those conditions, not a big fan of them tying lots of kit to the hull/turret either. Again the combination of mines,drones,artillery and shoulder fired AT missiles is making life difficult for armoured vehicles......there were at least half a dozen other destroyed AFVs near to that Challenger.
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trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,386
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Post by trymer on Sept 7, 2023 11:54:33 GMT
This may interest you trymer. How the Royal Marines are modernizing and moving ahead of the Army New kit for the RMCheers,that is interesting, the Royal Marines seem to have more of a plan for the future than the army,since BAOR the army seems to struggle defining its role (imo).
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Cheshiregas
Global Moderator
Joined: May 2014
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Post by Cheshiregas on Sept 7, 2023 13:53:38 GMT
Nobbygas - interested in your viewpoint on the [political rather than experienced based] appointment of Grant Shapps.
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Post by Nobbygas on Sept 8, 2023 7:22:55 GMT
Nobbygas - interested in your viewpoint on the [political rather than experienced based] appointment of Grant Shapps. A complete joke Terry. Who, in their right minds, would ever consider this bloke to be a SoS, yet alone Defence Minister.
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trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,386
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Post by trymer on Sept 8, 2023 8:13:13 GMT
This may interest you trymer. How the Royal Marines are modernizing and moving ahead of the Army New kit for the RMDid a bit of research on this rifle of course i cant say if the figures mentioned are correct. Britain has ordered 10,000 rifles.....so Royal Marines and some for the army ?....basic KS-1 is $7000 + $2000 for optics and suppressor ,apparently US army pays $700 for an M4 of course they order by hundreds of thousands ? Got me wondering the cost of a fully kitted out infantry section with AT weapons,MGs,communications eqpt,maybe a drone, rifles,pistols,helmets,boots,uniforms and other kit...not cheap but hopefully the best available.
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trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,386
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Post by trymer on Sept 8, 2023 8:21:53 GMT
Nobbygas - interested in your viewpoint on the [political rather than experienced based] appointment of Grant Shapps. A complete joke Terry. Who, in their right minds, would ever consider this bloke to be a SoS, yet alone Defence Minister. The fact that he was a leading remainiac and prepared to give away the country to a foreign power should disqualify Shapps from any government department especially defence. However I remember a worse one,Communist party member Denis Healey, made the decision to scrap FOUR aircraft carriers including Victorious and Ark Royal....scrapped the TSR 2 which was ahead of its time and stopped numerous other projects. I remember rumours that when he died a medal had been placed in his coffin, 'the order of the red banner' apparently. Vile old hypocrite that he was,he once physically attacked a journalist for asking him why he thought that the NHS was good enough for everyone else but he had his wife in a private hospital.
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Cheshiregas
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Post by Cheshiregas on Sept 8, 2023 10:20:35 GMT
A complete joke Terry. Who, in their right minds, would ever consider this bloke to be a SoS, yet alone Defence Minister. The fact that he was a leading remainiac and prepared to give away the country to a foreign power should disqualify Shapps from any government department especially defence. If you mean the EU; there was never, ever a chance that the British Army would be part of a European force, apart from NATO and UN actions. Or do you mean Russia, where the current Tory Party has taken £millions from Russia and people connected to Russia. Where the current PM's wife's family own Infosys which, in spite of sanctions, continues to make $millions in profits from Russia? Or a former PM who went to parties where former KGB and current FSB members were present, got tanked up whilst taking UK classified documents? The same PM promoting a Russian to the House of Lords. We used to call them traitors, who took back handers from a foreign enemy power, today we call them Tory MPs and the Conservative Party ....
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Post by Nobbygas on Sept 8, 2023 14:12:40 GMT
The fact that he was a leading remainiac and prepared to give away the country to a foreign power should disqualify Shapps from any government department especially defence. If you mean the EU; there was never, ever a chance that the British Army would be part of a European force, apart from NATO and UN actions. Or do you mean Russia, where the current Tory Party has taken £millions from Russia and people connected to Russia. Where the current PM's wife's family own Infosys which, in spite of sanctions, continues to make $millions in profits from Russia? Or a former PM who went to parties where former KGB and current FSB members were present, got tanked up whilst taking UK classified documents? The same PM promoting a Russian to the House of Lords. We used to call them traitors, who took back handers from a foreign enemy power, today we call them Tory MPs and the Conservative Party .... Steady on Terry, the Labour Party are not shy about taking Russian money, and they are not shy about taking Chinese money either ! We have even had corrupt EU politicians taking Arab money by the suitcase, quite literally !
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Cheshiregas
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Post by Cheshiregas on Sept 8, 2023 16:27:15 GMT
If you mean the EU; there was never, ever a chance that the British Army would be part of a European force, apart from NATO and UN actions. Or do you mean Russia, where the current Tory Party has taken £millions from Russia and people connected to Russia. Where the current PM's wife's family own Infosys which, in spite of sanctions, continues to make $millions in profits from Russia? Or a former PM who went to parties where former KGB and current FSB members were present, got tanked up whilst taking UK classified documents? The same PM promoting a Russian to the House of Lords. We used to call them traitors, who took back handers from a foreign enemy power, today we call them Tory MPs and the Conservative Party .... Steady on Terry, the Labour Party are not shy about taking Russian money, and they are not shy about taking Chinese money either ! We have even had corrupt EU politicians taking Arab money by the suitcase, quite literally ! So that makes it alright then does it Nobby, let's all go on the take. If we want to get all inclusive then I suppose let's include the person our armed forces swear loyalty to who took £millions in cash via his various charities.
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