Open Comment Post. 11 June 23

 

Open Comment Post - Ukraine War Discussion - 11 June 23

 

M10 Booker. The USMC should buy 4 Tank Bns worth.

The USMC should immediately look to buying 4 Tank Bns worth. It would rebalance the GCE and make it capable of ground combat again. Its not much heavier than the ACV. Can provide shock action that Marine Infantry will need and would probably serve as a better platform for Combat Engineers (can we modify one specifically for them...like a mini ABV), could probably act as a much more stable launcher for Tomahawk missiles than rogue fires and other tasks I can't remember right now. Lastly it would be ideal for protracted ground combat in the Middle East and more probably (IMO) Africa.

The Marine Corps might want to get to its naval roots (never left it and I hate that talking point) but people live on land, not water (unless we find Atlanteans) so that is where the decisive battles will occur.

Sidenote.  One company of mobile armored recon per division ain't gonna cut it on the modern battlefield.  That might be another role for this vehicle.  If not actual recon then escort.

Russian kamikaze drone strikes on 3 x Ukrainian Leopard 2A4 tanks.

Russian kamikaze drone strikes on 3 x Ukrainian Leopard 2A4 tanks. pic.twitter.com/Wp1Qgy4agP

— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 10, 2023

Indian Aircraft Carriers (2) on exercise

 Thanks to Gessler for the pics!

Ukrainians got it together and are making major advances

Rybar reporting major Ukrainian advances in the Velyka Novosilka area, with Ukrainian forces capturing Neskuchne and Blahodatne "almost without a fight", and moving on Urozhaine and Novodonets'ke. pic.twitter.com/4Xu2Z5YFEw

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 10, 2023

Russian military blogger "Rybar" (I think that's his name) confirmed this. Propaganda is so heavy that unless pics/vids or confirmation its hard to tell whats what. Has been talk of Russians simply leaving positions. Wonder what gives? The Russians should be careful if they think this is a diversionary attack. A diversionary attack could turn into the main effort if its successful enough and recon shows no reinforcement.

Russian SSO sniper head shot Ukrainian (I consider it mild compared to what we've seen but some my consider it NSFW)

Russian SSO sniper head shot Ukranian pic.twitter.com/7875tOgjqM

— ZOKA (@200_zoka) June 10, 2023

Geez. Even police snipers shoot from within buildings now. POLICE! What sniper school is still teaching this? Grunts don't even do this. Lack of discipline, training or both? The only good is that it was a quick death.

Now its a total of 5 Bradleys that were caught in the Russian ambush.

 

I would love to know the real story behind this. I believe there are survivors so it should be a real interesting read.

Feedback still "very positive" - Rheinmetall boss admits losses of German weapons in Ukraine

 via N-TV.DE

Russia recently celebrated the destruction of a Leopard 2 tank in Ukraine. Losses of German weapons in Ukraine come as no surprise to the head of the Rheinmetall armaments group. Nevertheless, the quality of the systems has proven itself - and sometimes even surprises the manufacturers themselves.

The head of Germany's largest armaments group, Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, has admitted losses in weapons systems that Germany supplied to Ukraine. At the same time, however, he praised their basic quality. "There are always losses in life," said Papperger in an interview with the editorial network Germany (RND), but one does not talk about it. In principle, the weapons systems developed and produced in Germany have proven themselves in the Ukraine, emphasized the armaments manager.

&

The EU's promise to supply Ukraine with one million rounds of artillery ammunition for its defense against Russia within a year can only be fulfilled if governments fall back on their arsenals, said the Rheinmetall boss: "In the short term, Ukraine will have one million rounds of artillery ammunition only get if European armies make stocks available."

The industry is working flat out to increase production capacities, but Rheinmetall itself wants to increase its artillery ammunition capacity from the current 450,000 rounds to 600,000 rounds per year in the next few months, Papperger explained. "However, it will take six to ten years before all European ammunition depots are filled."

Here 

Two things.

1.  For some reason its apparent to me at least, that the Leopard 2 losses that the Turks suffered were ignored.  The losses in Ukraine can't be.  The Leopard has always had the reputation of being under armored when compared to the Abrams & Challenger and PERHAPS this proves this out.  Tactics count too and its certain that the Ukrainians used bad tactics.  We'' have to see what this war does to the tanks reputation.

2.  The issue with supplying Ukraine with weapons and ammo is shown for all to see.  The only people paying attention to this are people on the blog and defense chiefs.  This war is headed to the point where one will have to decide between Ukraine continuing the war and protecting your homeland.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out.  One thing is certain.  If the Middle East turns hot and Western action is needed there we will be strained to the max.  If China acts against Taiwan it will break our weapon supply.

US Army's M10 Booker combat vehicle.

 

As part of the 248th #ArmyBirthday it was my honor to unveil the name of our Mobile Protective Firepower vehicle: the M10 Booker. pic.twitter.com/hsLaQ8fn50

— SMA Michael Grinston (@USArmySMA) June 10, 2023