Singapore produces the Unmanned Hunter IFV variant...

Some weeks back, the SAF introduced the Hunter, a fully digitalised Armoured Fighting Vehicle, produced by ST Engineering. I congratulated them for this achievement. Here’s a vid of other platforms in the pipeline, including an Unmanned Ground Vehicle and the Bronco 3. pic.twitter.com/BhvmrqA9DX

— Ng Eng Hen (@Ng_Eng_Hen) July 17, 2019

Watch the above vid carefully.  Rewatch it.  The implication is that Singapore is producing unmanned Hunter IFVs.

Need more proof?  Check this out via David Boey's Twitter Page...

From 1999 to 2004, Singapore's Defence Science & Technology Agency DSTA led Project Ulysses to test unmanned vehicle technology on an M113. This led to the unmanned Hunter AFV. More here: https://t.co/ZmCoL6ed5f pic.twitter.com/uKWy3gG3YH

— David Boey (@SenangDiri) July 18, 2019

I hope you took the time to head over to his blog to check out the awesome article he wrote.

The basic question.

What do you do with an unmanned IFV?  Scout/Mech Recon?  Casualty evacuation?  Engineer duties?

We'll get the answer soon enough.  The implication appears confirmed.  Singapore is first in the West to fielding a large, armored, and unmanned IFV.

Open Comment Post. 18 July 2018

US preparing to send hundreds of troops to Saudi Arabia amid Iran tensions

via CNN

The Trump administration is reinforcing its controversial military relationship with Saudi Arabia by preparing to send hundreds of troops to the country amid increasing tensions with Iran.

Five-hundred troops are expected to go to the Prince Sultan Air Base, located in a desert area east of the Saudi capital of Riyadh, according to US two defense officials. A small number of troops and support personnel are already on site with initial preparations being made for a Patriot missile defense battery as well as runway and airfield improvements, the officials said.
The US has wanted to base troops there for some time because security assessments have shown Iranian missiles would have a difficult time targeting the remote area.

Story here. 

I'm.

Not.

Buying.

It.

It might be the Iran threat from a big picture but if you get a bit closer to the issue I believe this is all about the Houthis hitting Riyadh and one of the GCC coalition partners pulling out.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/houthi-missile-strike-hits-saudi-airport-injuring-26/2019/06/12/55cb5032-8d0c-11e9-b162-8f6f41ec3c04_story.html

I could be wrong but this is my gut reaction.

The Future of China's Amphibious Assault Fleet via The Diplomat...

via The Diplomat.

The PLAN amphibious assault fleet is likely to enjoy further expansion between now and the mid 2020s. Key projects to watch include the 075 LHD family, whether the 071 LPD family will be further expanded or not, and whether the PLAA landing ship fleet will be further sustained and recapitalized.

Story here. 

I started with the end.  READ THIS ARTICLE!  I follow Rick Joe on Twitter and you should too.  He gives some of the best info on the Chinese military/weapon systems that I've read on the web.

How good is he?  He's on my Twitter List as a "must read" everyday.

Off topic.  I'm watching the Chinese build their Marine Corps (attempting) up to USMC standards.  What's missing?  A STOVL airplane.

Why wouldn't they pursue such a thing?

This is mere speculation on my part and a sore spot for some, but I think they've probably looked at the calculus and decided that a STOVL airplane just wasn't worth the effort.

Question.

What would the USMC look like if we did away with fast movers off our LHD/LHAs and instead teamed with the Navy and had all our planes operating off carriers?

Would we see a reduction in the utility of our MEUs?

Is this an exquisite capability that just isn't worth it historically?  I'm not sure.  Can you think of an operation where the 6 or so Harriers (looking at the past) could have made a difference?  Can you think of a time when an MEU went into even light combat without the support of a carrier?

I can't.

USMC historians step up and correct me where I'm wrong.  USMC tacticians/conceptualist step up and tell me why we're so wedded to this idea.

Just because we've had a capability since the 1960's (or around that time frame) doesn't mean that it makes sense moving forward.

The Chinese for all intents in purposes don't see the utility.  I'd like to know if they're onto something or if we're buying an EXPENSIVE capability with little practicality.

I'm just asking the question...don't shoot the messenger!

Spanish Army Armor @ Brigada 'Extremadura' XI (2019)

British Army Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (CSP)

The PLAAF's 2nd Air Brigade is now flying J-10C.

The PLAAF's 2nd Air Brigade is now flying J-10C.

(Image via Chinamil) pic.twitter.com/b1SyeBjZyy

— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) July 17, 2019

Annoyed by loud music, man uses drone to shoot fireworks at neighbors. Civilian drone warfare.

Annoyed by loud music, man uses drone to shoot fireworks at neighbors. Civilian drone warfare. @ScottAdamsSays @Cernovich
Credit u/profeta via Reddit pic.twitter.com/5nq98fDOGp

— Me (@CaptainSkyhawk1) July 15, 2019

Wow.  Kinda makes that ole' cadence come to life don't it...well sorta..."I hear the choppers hovering, they're hovering overhead...they've come to get our wounded, they've come to get our dead...we're at war ooo oh ooo, men at war....late at night when you're sleeping Charlie company comes a creepin"

Talisman Sabre 2019 Picture Thread (3 of 3)...

Talisman Sabre 2019 Picture Thread (2 of 3)...

Talisman Sabre 2019 Picture Thread (1 of 3)...

Talisman Sabre 2019 is currently going on in Australia.  Thanks to the work of the Australian Defense Combat Camera Corps, we're being provided with some stunning visuals.  This thread is broken down into 3 parts cause it's just that big...and just that good!

Talisman Sabre 2019 - Amphibious Assault

The small fishing town of Stanage Bay has been transformed into a war zone in one of the biggest battles of Exercise Talisman Sabre. @haydennelson #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/oKmdumuhx0

— 7NEWS Central Queensland (@7NewsCQ) July 16, 2019