News from Ukraine Conflict

[mirth]

Keep in mind countemeasures for SAMs has improved quite a bit as well. And we're still quite good at SEAD.

True, but is the A-10 a Wild Weasel platform really?

Thats an F-16 mission IIRC.

Yes.

[mirth]

both F-111s and F-117s are retired and have been for a while.
interdiction missions are covered by F-15E Strike Eagles and SEAD is mostly covered by F-16s with some overlap.
at this point Im pretty sure that "knock the door" in missions on the first night would be covered by B-2s now.

I think you'd see some Navy aircraft and a healthy does of cruise missiles used as well, but you've covered it.

The point is that we still know how to do SEAD and still have the capability. I think the A-10 would still be able to operate and survive against modern AD, if properly supported. It was never intended to operate against high density Air Defences without support.

[mirth]

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-usafs-rationale-for-retiring-the-a-10-warthog-is-bu-1562789528

[mirth]

"Single-purpose, single-mission? My ass."

https://medium.com/war-is-boring/a-10-attack-jets-rack-up-air-to-air-kills-in-louisiana-war-game-a2299445b2a4

[MIGMaster]

A-10's back to Europe

http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/12/world/a-10-jets-to-europe/index.html

[endfire79]

Well the peace was fun, but back to business.

  http://uk.businessinsider.com/ukraine-50-russian-tanks-and-40-missile-systems-rolled-into-the-country-while-putin-talked-peace-2015-2?r=US   

According to the Ukrainians,

"About 50 tanks, 40 missile systems, and 40 armored vehicles crossed overnight into eastern Ukraine from Russia via the Izvaryne border crossing into the separatist Luhansk region, a Kiev military spokesman said on Thursday."

[JasonPratt]

Hey, the peace goes into effect Feb 14, right? RUN THOSE ASSETS OVER THE BORDER NOWWWWW!!!1!

[OJsDad]

Video on Russia's military spending in 90 seconds

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31167173

[BanzaiCat]

Video on Russia's military spending in 90 seconds

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31167173

Meh. The last few seconds are telling - that Russia spends more of its GDP percentage-wise on defense than the US, but the US spends seven times more than Russia.

Also, the T-50 isn't nearly as impressive as the BBC seems to think it is.
https://medium.com/war-is-boring/the-indians-hate-their-new-russian-made-stealth-fighter-d89b9ce721de

[Gusington]

According to CNN there were 40+ "incidents" in New Russia overnight there with about three dozen Ukrainian troops wounded or killed. Are the Russians trying to get in some shots before the 7th inning stretch?

[GDS_Starfury]

Yup

[LongBlade]

According to the article the Indians have invested $6 billion in the plane and their version only exists on paper.

Maybe they should have bought American?

[Nefaro]

According to the article the Indians have invested $6 billion in the plane and their version only exists on paper.

Maybe they should have bought American?

India is probably a better potential ally in mainland Asia to us than anyone else.  But we have this weird and mostly one-sided f'd up relationship with Pakistan that's a point of contention.  I've often wondered why we haven't been closer with India than the Russians.  They don't have much love for China and, frankly, Pakistan can suck it too.

[Centurion40]

Bingo.

[Atilla60]

Video on Russia's military spending in 90 seconds

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31167173

Combined with this:
(Putin's 15 years in power)
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30541743

I'd say there's food for thought.