That's why I don't like this type of alliances. Too many interest and too many issues.

This type of alliance is like a group of mountain climbers that tie themselves together with rope to keep safe. In some situation it is useful but if one screws up and slips down a cliff, he can potentially take everyone down with him whether they like it or not.

Looks fragile as hell. A good shot amidships with any kind of heavy weapon would snap the hull like a piece of plywood.

Also love the way they strap the ammo box with some flimsy webbing rope only. I scared the box can topple anytime the vehicle hit a pothole and drag the minigun with it.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: May 28 2015, 10:30 PM

I actually didn't know the US Navy is, by US law, required to have 11 supercarriers at all times. Funny stuff.



Although some observers are concerned that the reliance on supercarriers and their corresponding escort vessels to maintain US maritime superiority is simply costing the US government way too much money by their massive operational costs and eroding the funds available for the consruction of smaller, more utilitarian but very important warships like Frigates and OPV/Corvettes.

The issue of the exorbitant cost of a supercarrier and its air wing is also called into question how much combat effectiveness the US Navy will retain if it ever lost a number of its supercarriers in a shooting war. Because a supercarrier holds a significant amount of cost and equipment, it is arguable that the loss of even a single supercarrier (and its corresponding air wing) will deal a significant blow to the US Navy because of the great cost attached to the ship.

Some also state that the sheer size of the supercarrier and its corresponding battlefleet's electronic and radar activity make it impossible to hide its presence to any determined attacker.

In 1982 the influential US Navy Admiral Hyman Rickover was asked by the US congress on how long does he estimate America's supercarriers will survive in an actual war.
His answer was chilling: "48 hours".

I'm referring to the extremely narrow beam and draft of the hull in front of the bridge area, not any type of armor protection.

AFAIK usually minigun takes its power from a power outlet on the vehicle it is mounted on, not batteries.

Checking out FA MAS rifle, UNIFIL base Southern Lebanon



This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: May 29 2015, 01:08 PM

BAE Systems offer River-class OPV option for APMM


Royal Navy River-class OPV HMS Severn

BAE Systems is showcasing the River-class Batch 2 offshore patrol vessel (OPV) design as a suitable option for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

The move comes as the agency is looking at the expansion of its fleet. The Malaysian government told IHS Jane's in late March that it plans to increase the number of MMEA assets available for sea and air operations.

BAE Systems international business development executive Clive Marchant added that more important features for the MMEA would be the River-class design's endurance and space to accommodate additional equipment, thus improving capacity to cover Malaysia's vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The OPV can embark sea boats and a helicopter which, said Marchant, would provide the MMEA with "a better all-round capability in surveillance and search-and-rescue operations". The River-class is armed with a 30mm autocannon and multiple light machineguns. The vessel can also has a landing pad for a medium-sized helicopter up to 12 tonnes; its flight deck can accommodate up to six 20 ft containers for mission system packages and equipment and supplies.

Iraq Prime Minister: We lost 2,300 Humvees in Mosul


IS militants ride on captured Iraqi Army Humvees

Iraqi security forces lost 2,300 Humvee armoured vehicles when the Islamic State jihadist group overran the northern city of Mosul, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Sunday.

"In the collapse of Mosul, we lost a lot of weapons," Abadi said in an interview with Iraqiya state TV. "We lost 2,300 Humvees in Mosul alone."

While the exact price of the vehicles varies depending on how they are armoured and equipped, it is clearly a hugely expensive loss that has boosted IS' capabilities.

Clashes began in Mosul, Iraq's second city, late on June 9, 2014, and Iraqi forces lost it the following day to IS, which spearheaded an offensive that overran much of the country's Sunni Arab heartland.

The militants gained a heavy chache of arms, ammunition and other equipment when multiple Iraqi divisions fell apart in the country's north, abandoning gear and shedding uniforms in their haste to flee.

IS has used captured Humvees, which were provided to Iraq by the United States in subsequent fighting, sometimes rigging them with explosives for suicide bombings.

Malaysian Armed Forces buys $12 Million USD worth of Belgian-made FZ-90 rockets


Inert version of FZ-90 rockets in SANDF service

The Malaysian government has concluded with Malaysian Destini Prima a contract for the supply of FZ-90 70mm unguided rockets totaling 40 million ringgit ($ 12.3 million). These munitions were developed by the Belgian company Forges de Zeebrugge and will be manufactured in Malaysia under license.

In addition to the rocket itself Malaysian Government also ordered the rockets pods to be used with the rockets. The Malaysian Armed Forces plans to equip the new ammunition for its F/A-18 Hornet and BAE Hawk fighters.

Why can't it? If a weapon can fit the pylon and the electronic connections are compatible, I imagine the Hornet can mount any type of munitions it wants.

Malaysia, South Africa ink deal on Radar and Elctronic sensor deal


South African Tuthlwa Air Defense Radar

Scientists from South Africa and Malaysia will collaborate on the research and development (R&D) of advanced radar and sensor technologies, and electronic and network-centric warfare systems, over 10 years starting in 2016. The South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM) signed a memorandum of agreement that paves the way for the establishment in Malaysia of a joint Centre of Excellence for Advanced Defence Technologies, specializing in radar and sensor technologies.

The signing of the agreement represents a deepening of bilateral defense business and diplomatic relations between South Africa and Malaysia.This is the second major deal between the two countries this year; it follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Denel Aerostructures and Strand Aerospace Malaysia to pave the way for collaboration in defense aerospace systems. Speaking after the signing ceremony in Malaysia, NDUM’s vice chancellor and Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces , Gen. Tan Sri Dato Seri Panglima Haji Zulkifli bin Haji Zainal Abidin, said collaborating with the South African institution will help Malaysia develop the capacity to produce defense gear and meet its own demand for modern electronic warfare systems.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Jun 1 2015, 05:10 PM

Unguided rockets basic enough to put on any type of aircraft capable of mounting a weapon.

Mobile 14.5mm heavy machinegun, Libya-style



Major LOL

Wonder how much of these rockets $12 Million USD can buy? These things are relatively cheap, weapons-wise.
Although part of the deal is for Malaysia license-producing the rockets.

Maybe for basic small truck-mounted MLRS or small multiple rocket battery?

Sorta like the Grad rocket launchers. Cheap and easier to deploy. Also saturation fire, baby!

IS militants and its allies drive towards Northern Syria, threatens to sever FSA supply route from Turkey


Islamic State fighters holding a makeshift checkpoint on a road near Sawran, northern Syria

Islamic extremists overran three towns in northern Syria this weekend, capturing them from Western-backed Free Syrian Army rebels and Islamist brigades as Syrian warplanes struck widely across the north of the country, dropping barrel bombs on towns controlled by both competing insurgent groups.

It was a quick and unexpected offensive north of Aleppo deep into FSA territory that triggered panic among rebel commanders and and their Islamist allies. IS is threatening to do what Assad’s forces have failed to pull off — namely severing the rebels’ crucial supply lines to Turkey.

IS fighters stormed the town of Sawran and later captured the villages of Umm Hawash and Al-Hasiyah after intense clashes on Sunday morning before launching assaults on the towns of Marea and Azaz, which FSA fighters and Islamist militias managed to repel.

Rebel commanders said they had asked the United States to launch airstrikes on the attacking IS forces to help them to defend Marea and Azaz, which control the roads leading to the Turkish border crossing at Kilis. U.S. officials have been wary of being drawn into the conflict around Aleppo and have been focusing their airstrikes on IS targets in western Iraq and eastern Syria.

Thailand receives five new T-85 Oplot MBT from Ukraine

Why so few at once? I don't believe this particular batch has only 5 tanks in it. Waste shipping cost only....

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Jun 2 2015, 11:36 AM

US Army officially announces combat uniform change to Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) Uniform



The U.S. Army announced Monday that it has updated its camouflage uniforms once more in an ongoing effort to provide better protection for its soldiers, according to a news release by the Army News Service. The Army had previously released a new version of its uniform last summer.

All current Army personnel should use military funds allotted to each of them to buy the new uniforms, which are scheduled to be made available by July 1, said Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Dailey. “All enlisted Soldiers receive an annual stipend for the purchase of uniforms and accessories. I myself will wait until I am issued my clothing allowance before purchasing a uniform with the Operational Camouflage Pattern,” Dailey said. “I encourage all Soldiers and leaders to do the same by budgeting for a new uniform, belt, boots, and T-shirts as you receive your clothing allowance over the next 2-3 years.”

It was unclear how much the new uniforms would cost soldiers, but it will be comparable to previous uniforms, according to the press release. New enlistees will be presented with the Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms and will not be required to pay for them. There will be a two-year transition period to allow all Army enlistees a chance to buy the uniforms.

However, the latest incarnation of Army uniforms will not compromise the most important aspect of its new look, Dailey said. “Presenting a professional appearance is very important to Soldiers. But, we will not inconvenience or burden our troops. We will still be the most lethal fighting force the world has even known even if our belts don't match for the next few years.”

Well, technically not 100% correct bcoz main Ukraine tank producing plant is in Karkhiv. But steel producing plants needed for tank production is mostly in Donetsk though.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Jun 2 2015, 04:08 PM