The 55+ tons of the Indonesian Army Leopard 2A4 tank operating well in the Indonesian tropical soil & environment.

I don't get why people are scared of heavy tanks in tropical environment. The tank's caterpillar tracks spread out its weight over a larger area. Instead of concentrating all of its weight on a few road tyres like a normal wheeled vehicle, a caterpillar track spread the vehicle's weight over a significantly larger surface area, lowering the ground pressure.

A 65+ ton M1 Abrams tank has a lower ground pressure (100 Psi) than an average 1 ton family car (190 Psi). The main problem tanks have on soft ground or off-road situations are the tracks themselves, which are made from hard metal that will do damage to driving surfaces by churning up the soft ground, but that is the inevitable effect of using tracks on soft ground, not due to the weight of the vehicles themselves. Even a 1 ton vehicle using a caterpillar track will do this type of damage, so the weight of a tank is irrelevant in this matter.

Totally agree with you. Even the Russian T-Series tanks ground pressure are much higher than the Leopard 2 tanks.

Some will argue that bridges in Indonesia could not accomodate the weight of a 55-60+ tons MBTs. FYI early this year around 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks were transported by transporters from their bases in Java through land to South Sumatera for an exercise passing several bridges without any difficulties.

I don't get why people are scared of heavy tanks in tropical environment. The tank's caterpillar tracks spread out its weight over a larger area. Instead of concentrating all of its weight on a few road tyres like a normal wheeled vehicle, a caterpillar track spread the vehicle's weight over a significantly larger surface area, lowering the ground pressure.

A 65+ ton M1 Abrams tank has a lower ground pressure (100 Psi) than an average 1 ton family car (190 Psi). The main problem tanks have on soft ground or off-road situations are the tracks themselves, which are made from hard metal that will do damage to driving surfaces by churning up the soft ground, but that is the inevitable effect of using tracks on soft ground, not due to the weight of the vehicles themselves. Even a 1 ton vehicle using a caterpillar track will do this type of damage, so the weight of a tank is irrelevant in this matter.

On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Iran “tested a liquid-fueled missile … capable of carrying a nuclear warhead” last month, citing two anonymous US officials.

The test would mark Iran’s second illicit ballistic-missile launch since the landmark nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was reached between Iran and a US-led group of six countries earlier this year.

Iran also tested a long-range, nuclear-capable Emad-class missile in October.

According to Space News, the MKV fills a gap in US missile defense capabilities. In one possible attack scenario, an adversary would launch warheads along with decoys meant to fool existing defense systems.

An MVA is supposed to be capable of destroying both the decoy and the actual warhead. It’s also possible an adversary would launch multiple missile salvos specifically meant to fool US missile defense that an MKV would still be capable of intercepting.

In his March 2015 testimony, Syring touted the benefits of the MKV, claiming it would “revolutionize” US missile defense. He also identified Iran as one country pursuing the kinds of capabilities that the MKV is almost purpose-built to counter.

“Iran … has publicly demonstrated the ability to launch simultaneous salvos of multiple rockets and missiles,” Syring said.

The terrorists gather in a small house in Sheffield to discuss their plot. Fasail pitches his first. “My plan is, right, to put a bomb on a crow and fly it into one of them towers full of Jews and slags.”

Barry, a startlingly white and fanatical recent convert, has a better plan. He wants to blow up the local mosque. “We go in dressed like kuffar,” he explains. “They think it’s the unbelievers attacking so all the Muslims rise up and fight back. Stoke things up proper big time, fast-track the final days. Total war.”

Fasail hates the plan. His dad goes to that mosque. “Has your dad ever bought a Jaffa orange?” Barry asks. Fasail admits he has one or twice.

“Right, he’s buying nukes for Israel bro. He’s a Jew,” Barry explains.

The US countered claiming that a Russian bomber—likely a Tu-22 Backfire bomber—was responsible for the attack. The Tu-22, a swing-wing strategic bomber, has been conducting attacks in Syria for the past month.

Unlike other Russian bombers, the Tu-22 is unable to drop so-called "smart" ordnance, which uses various types of tech to guide itself in air towards the target. Instead, the Tu-22 deploys regular "dumb" bombs, World-War II style.

Start flying around the United Kingdom without telling anyone where you're going, and you'll get a stern talking-to. Ignore the stern talking-to, and you'll see some fighter jets off your wing. Ignore them, and this might be the last thing you'll hear before you get blown out of the sky.

Local denizens of Kent, in eastern England, heard a spine-rattling bang yesterday from two Eurofighter Typhoons racing over the British landscape. They were headed to intercept a Latvian An-26 cargo plane which had stopped responding to British air traffic controllers, according to the BBC:

China was none too happy with the agreement. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters that “the overall situation in the South China Sea is peaceful and stable,” just as regional countries want. “Against a backdrop as such, is military deployment and regional militarization by the U.S. in line with the aspiration shared by countries in the region?” Hua asked. She immediately answered the question on China’s behalf: “In our point of view, it goes against the common and long-term interests of countries in the region.”

It’s interesting that Hua takes the United States to task for “regional militarization” without laying any blame on Singapore, which agreed to host the U.S. deployment of a P-8 surveillance aircraft (and already hosts U.S. littoral combat ships). After all, Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Singapore for a state visit just a month ago. Chinese officials, hoping to smooth relationships damaged by the South China Sea disputes, cited the friendly China-Singapore relationship as a potential model for China-ASEAN ties. That adds an extra twist to the announcement made this week, during Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen’s visit to Washington, D.C.

generally disappointed getting MD530G ....
so for next 10 year, basically dead chance getting Attack Helicopter already..

Two Afghan trainees reported missing from Georgia Air Force base

(Reuters) - Two men from Afghanistan being trained by the U.S. military have disappeared from an Air Force base in Georgia and were being sought by federal authorities, officials said on Tuesday.

The two Afghan air force students failed to show up for duty on Monday at their regular maintenance training at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia, an Air Force spokesman said in a statement.

The two men have been at the base since February, and were screened prior to their arrival in the United States more than a year ago, he said.

The students do not pose any apparent threat, the spokesman added.

The reason the men might have left the base was not known.

Federal agencies were trying to locate the individuals and return them to the proper authorities, the spokesman said.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2015/...air-force-base/

I think what the article means is that Tu-22/22M doesn't have laser targeting pods...? its perfectly capable of launching guided weapons.

Most steel or concrete bridge can accommodate a 50-60 ton tank crossing quite well due to the fact the tank is constantly moving, so its weight doesn't remain in place for too long. As long as you don't stop, the bridge should do fine.

Although due to avoid overstressing the bridge structure, the crossing may involve only one tank crossing at a time, which can be tactically dangerous due to the bottleneck this may produce.

If no suitable bridge can be found you could either deploy an assault bridge or if the riverbanks are climbable just have the tanks swim it.

Well the British had to develop the Scorpion specifically for Malaysian terrain, and they actually fought using armoured cars here. They must know something we don't.

Armour is too vulnerable these days to precision guided weapons. I still think light antitank vehicles are better suited, even gun armed tanks. The Europeans believe in it, US and Russia don't. Incidentally the only US effort in this area was picked up by Thailand IIRC - the Textron Stingray.

generally disappointed getting MD530G ....
so for next 10 year, basically dead chance getting Attack Helicopter already..

Still captain by Captain James Kirk?
no I am not kidding
Because the attack heli is in the short term list of the PUTD instead of the Gunship that falls under long term plan after heavy transport utillity heli

heavy transport utillity heli is new procurement plan or existing Nuri  ?

heavy transport utillity heli  not much in market. AW101, Chinook only

Super Stallion 

heavy transport utillity heli is new procurement plan or existing Nuri  ?

heavy transport utillity heli  not much in market. AW101, Chinook only

Super Stallion