Have you been watching the little dust up between Saudi Arabia and Canada? A quick rundown goes like this. Saudi Arabia arrested some women's rights activists and Canada's diplomat (don't know who) made a tweet admonishing them over it.
Saudi Arabia went ape shit, withdrew student scholarships to Canada and made a couple of other punitive measures against them to show their displeasure.
Canada in the meanwhile has been chest thumping about supporting human rights while having their people contact their counterparts in the Kingdom to try and calm the situation.
In relation to this conversation they've "reached out to allies" for help on the issue.
I ask why?
Why should we be involved in a dust up between Saudi Arabia and Canada? Is it in our national interests? There is no article 5 violation just measures taken by Saudi Arabia that adversely affect some Canadian industries.
I believe it'll all blow over but some comments on the blog seem to indicate that this is AGAIN another issue where the US should lead.
WHY!
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Is the era of "multi" turret (or at least weapon system) tanks returning?
We all remember the pre-war land battleship tank that sported multi-turrets. Below are a few examples...
While the Russian, German and Italian versions are the most "known" the most successful was the US M3 Lee.
And while "success" is a relative term it appears that the boys over at Valhalla are trying to bring it back in a more practical design. Imagine if you could retain the main gun shock of 120mm caliber weapon (bigger than many warships use today) and then supplement that firepower with a 30mm cannon...the equivalent of an IFV main gun, a common anti-aircraft/small boat weapon on warships and capable (according to some) of killing even a few of the modern MBTs roaming the field?
Well Valhalla has cracked the code. Check out the pic below.
Did you look at the pic carefully? That's a 30mm cannon behind the Commander's hatch. From what I gather on the website it could even be a multiple weapon mount and ALSO support an anti-tank missile setup!
Above you see a clearer graphic of their proposal.
What do I like? You can dispose of enemy soft vehicles without expending main gun rounds. You can decimate enemy infantry with ease. In short you've increased the firepower per tank dramatically!
The limiting factor?
Of course its cost.
Don't sleep on the boys over at Valhalla. They're coming out with some VERY innovative products. Check them out here.
Saudi Arabia is punishing Canada...
via Business.Financial Post.com
The sudden deterioration in the Saudi-Canadian relationship is likely grabbing the attention of people in the city of London, Ont., more than anywhere else in the country.Story here.
The city’s General Dynamics Land Systems plant has been supplying light armoured vehicles to Saudi security forces, thanks to a huge, $15-billion contract signed by the federal government in 2014.
The 14-year arms deal, which directly employs 2,000 people, was described at the time by the previous federal Conservative government as the largest advanced manufacturing export contract in Canadian history.
Many are now wondering if Canada’s contract with Saudi Arabia — which is also highly controversial — could be at risk.
Over the weekend, a diplomatic dispute prompted Saudi Arabia to freeze new trade and investment deals with Canada, expel Ottawa’s ambassador and recall its own envoy. It’s also cancelling scholarships for more than 15,000 Saudi students attending Canadian universities, which will yank away big economic benefits Canada reaps from international tuition fees.
The moves came in retaliation to a Canadian government tweet that said it was “gravely concerned” about the arrests of civil society and women’s activists in the Saudi kingdom.
In London, there are worries about the potential economic fallout from the conflict.
“It’s definitely concerning,” said Jim Reid, a union leader who represents nearly 500 workers at the General Dynamics facility in London — an area that’s seen major factory closures over the years.
“It is now the largest employer in the London region…. It’s basically the last big show we’ve got.”
Reid, president of Unifor’s Local 27, said the operation supports up to 7,000 spin-off jobs and he hopes the Saudi government will continue to live up to its existing contract.
Reid said there are several factors playing in the agreement’s favour: the Saudis would have to pay penalties if they walk away from the deal, a pullout could hurt the country’s reputation with other international trading partners and, perhaps most importantly, Riyadh wants the model of armoured vehicle that’s produced in London.
“Hopefully, this thing blows over,” said Reid, who noted his union fully supports Ottawa’s decision to call out human rights abuses and abuses against women in Saudi Arabia.
Canada’s arms trade to Saudi Arabia, which is led by what is widely viewed as a deeply repressive regime, has raised numerous complaints from human rights and arms-control groups.
Since the diplomatic feud erupted on Sunday, the federal Liberal government has said it stands by its decision to communicate its human-rights concerns with Saudi Arabia.
“We’re going to stand with the values that we know are important for Canadians, and Saudi Arabia will take the decisions that they will take,” Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Tuesday when asked whether the spat could imperil the General Dynamics agreement.
The fear in Canada is palpable. I didn't think that Saudi Arabia could so spook a Western nation the way they've done Canada but its obvious and a bit obscene.
The Canadian govt has been emasculated on the world stage.
Trudeau's only hope is that Canadians aren't paying attention...but we know they are. I can't wait to see the reaction of the public if the Saudis cancel that arms deal....
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Friday, August 10, 2018
The "New" Bronco is gonna be trash....
via Jalopnik
A few months back the Blue Oval brand let us know a small off-roader was on the way in addition to the new Ford Bronco, all to better contend with Jeep. The teaser image Ford released didn’t tell us much, but recent remarks from an investor presentation appear to point towards something that is more like the Jeep Renegade and less like the Wrangler.Read the rest here and weep for Ford.
How can some many so called smart people in so many areas be fucking it all up at the same time?
Do they not know their audience?
No one wants the new Bronco to be a Jeep Renegade clone! I was once jazzed about the Bronco's reintroduction but this is pure trash.
I'm done with the "new" way of doing things. I'm done with shit being "reimagined". This will end badly for Ford and many other institutions (some I cherish). Chest thump now. Tell me I'm wrong now, but when the bill comes for your idiocy I'll be waiting. There won't be any "I told ya so" but there will be quiet satisfaction in knowing that you can't do shit easy and expect it to be good.
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