Recent content by Spitfire9

I'm not sure that propaganda was needed for the world to see the Russian army as very formidable. On paper it was when it invaded Ukraine but it quickly emerged that it was a paper tiger, didn't it? That massive armoured column broken down and stuck. Stories of corruption - low grade tyres...

So how do things stand after 4 years of war? At Russia's rate of progress over the last 3 years a child born in Russia today - or anywhere else - would die of old age long before Russia occupied all of Ukraine...

According to the BBC, the Kremlin today says it will continue the war until it has achieved its objectives.

This year has seen Russia's position deteriorate further - loss of use of Starlink - EU making 100+ billion USD available to Ukraine - new Japanese government to provide funds to PURL - after falling for several months, the fall in inflation has been reversed From the Economist 'AS RUSSIA’S...

I don't see GCAP dying soon, assuming it gets launched. Around 50 billion USD development funds are agreed and should already be guaranteed to allow development to proceed. The hold up is the UK needing to define its long term investment plans for military equipment before it will confirm its...

The problem with that idea is that there will not be a local engine by mid-2029.

If FCAS fails, I see 2 projects that could interest Germany - KAAN and AMCA. AMCA looks to offer more to Germany than KAAN, I think. However, the prospect of trying to get anything done in conjunction with India may render cooperation with India a non-starter.

It is too late for Germany to join as a full partner. It would delay the project and disrupt Japan's re-equipment plans. Even if that were not the case, I think the GCAP partners tried to ensure in their agreement that no partner could block exports, given Japan's long record of refusing...

Regarding the possible 114 Rafale 'Make in India' deal at a cost mentioned' of 36 billion USD, I wonder if negotiations have been completed. President Macron is visiting India soon. Might a Rafale deal be announced?

Are things about to get much more difficult financially for Russia? I guess Putin will be selling more gold soon. Perhaps not a bad time to sell - if buyers do not squeeze enormous discounts out of him.

When I read about FCAS problems I read only of the France-Germany problems regarding their interests. No mention of Spain's interests. In Spain's shoes I would be thinking of getting away from the other partners if I could see a way out. Some involvement in KAAN is a possible way out. I guess...

1 x Su-34 and 1 x Su-30 Russian aircraft reported to be lost yesterday.

Expensive... but to put it into context, the Russian government spends that amount on the war in less than 3 days. Possibly Russia as a whole spends that amount on the war in less than 2 days if off-book costs are included (forced loans from banks, war costs imposed on regional rather than...

BBC's man in Russia reports that proposed new law will give the FSB control over internet access: The internet is used for commercial activity. Switching it off for 'security reasons' will be damaging for the Russian economy.