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Germany gave problems to the Tornado partners early on, causing expensive delays to UK and Italy. After the Soviet Union disintegrated, Germany wanted to reassess its requirement. I think there was a one year delay before Germany returned to accepting the original proposed design. Germany has...

I just heard on BBC news that antisemitic offences in London policing area have risen 1,350%. I am not aware what is being compared with what (Oct v Sep or Oct 2023 v Oct 2022 or Jan-Nov 2023 v Jan-Nov 2022 etc). It seems that Israel's actions are having a very damaging effect on attitudes...

Many years ago a lot of people were killed at Saabra and Chatilla as the Israeli army stood by. If that was to be condemned and Israel held responsible for that massacre, so is Hamas responsible for the 7 October massacre. PS Hamas either allowed a massacre to take place or encouraged others to...

The pessimist in me agrees. The realist in me says probably that is what will happen. The optimist in me says that the Israeli response to the Hamas attack is so inhuman that the countries that have accommodated Israel's military occupation of the West Bank and colonisation thereof will...

Deplorable to delight in the suffering of others, is it not? Did you point out reactions to the victims of the October 7 attack on Israel, too?

If Turkiye does not approve Sweden joining NATO, it will not get an F-16 deal. If it does, a deal may still not get approved by the US Congress. However, I remember reading that if Congress blocks a proposal by the president, that can be challenged. If I remember correctly, 2/3 of the members...

In international law a state attacked is allowed to defend itself with force but under international law there are rules applying to how you use force. Israel is not following those rules. It may be that a lot of people in Gaza would sympathise with any group prepared to use force to resist...

The apologists on both sides ignore the evil their side does, don't they? Ignore or deny or attribute the evil deeds of the side they support to their enemies. They are both opponents of fact. What weight do opinions or judgements have if not based on facts?

I think that the hospital was hit by a Hamas rocket that fell short. When I first heard reports of hundreds being killed outside the hospital I thought there must have been multiple bombs dropped by the Israeli air force to injure so many. Then I saw the one small crater a few centimetres deep...

When do these 'sensible groups' estimate this will happen?

The possibility for greater safety has been available for decades: Israel's withdrawal from areas occupied in 1967 and 1973 and the creation of two states. How much has Israel been troubled by Egypt since Israel withdrew from Sinai? While the Hamas attack in early October generated great...

One way to avoid al Quds being attacked would be for an independent force to inspect it to check that there is no Hamas bunker under it. A ceasefire while UN inspectors check it out? I suggest - inspect it - if there is no bunker, leave UN personnel there to ensure Hamas does not sneak in -...

That question should be put to both Hamas and Israeli government supporters. To what extend either of the two parties is responsible for the evil of the last three weeks is debatable. What is not debatable is that they are both responsible for evil actions in the last three weeks.

Many European countries voiced their support for Israel after the appalling acts committed in southern Israel by Hamas militants. In the UK popular pressure is rising against and inside political parties supporting Israel's blockade oo, bombing of and actions involving the Gaza strip because...

Even if the defence budget includes police costs, the 2024 budget is still planned to increase massively. Could some of the increase be so that Turkey's MOD can buy dollars to secure the currency risk regarding the F-16 deal? Any other large procurements that need to be paid in US dollars? I...

I think you need to have the engineering expertise to build aviation standard components to be invited to build components for F-35. What countries in the market for KAAN have the engineering expertise to build components for aircraft?

Usually if you want a weapons system your country does not produce, you buy it. Why should countries wishing to buy KAAN invest in the programme? Agreed, countries denied F-35 should be interested in the alternatives: KF-21, KAAN, AMCA (excluding Russian and Chinese types). I think that KAAN...

I read that the defence budget for next year will be increased enormously, to around 4% of GDP. No shortage of funding, it would seem. More, I wonder what it can all be spent on. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-allocate-150-more-defense-budget-2024-minister-2023-10-17/

Thanks to all for all the info. Back to KAAN development, I heard that a different undercarriage was being developed. If that is correct, how far has that progressed? I have the impression that once that is sorted, the prototype will be ready for flight. How many days are usually needed for...

Agreed. I should have said the value of the funds will be eaten into by inflation. Let us say that in year 1 you budget a billion lira to buy x, y and z in year 2. In year 2 x, y and z have risen 60% in price so they cannot be bought for a billion lira. Inflation has eaten into the value of...