MBT's

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Unlike AJAX (Though it has improved some.), CHALLENGER 3 is moving along as planned.

However, as I've already posted Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) and the MOD's plan doesn't coincide with our Plan 2030 (As borrowed from the USMC.) though there is a chance we'll see in 2030. From the ref. exactly as quoted in my past posts out here...
"The first deliveries are scheduled for 2027, and full operational capability is expected by 2030."
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news...y-field-trials

Lithuania: Yes, I know but the point is history being made and another now confirmed "win" for Germany. The other point here there is "no timeline" not unusual in that the more foreign contracts signed the cheaper the overall cost will be to the BUNDESWEHR for their LEOPARD A2B.

Same as for the F-35A/B and South Korea selling all those K2 tanks to Poland to lower the cost of their own now that K2 PIP is DOA for almost 2 yrs. now.

Higher volume results in lower production costs across the board.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news...h-knds-germany

Vietnam: Well they're getting some tanks always a good thing with China across the border. The only real limitation I see compared to just about all Western tanks (60-degree side slope capability.) is that this model can only handle a 30–40-degree side slope capability not much of tactical advantage in the mountainous sections of Vietnam.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news...ion-in-defense

Well, I need to get some sleep before getting behind the wheel. Going to spend Christmas week at the daughters in the Tampa area and FINISH MY ANTI-BIOTICS SAFELY AWAY FROM WORK!?! my Lt. after Sat. night already feels safer!!

Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year-however you celebrate it.

To everyone !!

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

Related to the above

Those units are already in the game ( Unit 33 )

https://defence-blog.com/vietnam-rec...e-t-90s-tanks/

Vietnam receives first Russian-made T-90S tanks----Jan 2, 2019

I have adjusted the start date to June from October........not that it really matters much

What is interesting is a sidebar to that link is.........

China places massive order for kamikaze drones - Dec 22, 2024

https://defence-blog.com/china-place...mikaze-drones/

A Chinese drone manufacturer has disclosed a massive government order for almost a million lightweight kamikaze drones, to be delivered by 2026.

[Dion]

A million in only one year? Sounds like their preparing for war. With the extreme population they have, they might be capable of making a billion in a fraction of time it would take most other countries. Woe to anyone that pisses them off.

Or as Conan would say "crom"!

[MarkSheppard]

https://x.com/ColbyBadhwar/status/1871235289051742268

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt, of M1A1 Abrams Tank Refurbishment, Support, and Equipment for the conversion of 555 M1A1s into M1A1SA configuration, for an estimated cost of $4.69 billion.

"Egypt is the only country in the world, other than the United States, that produces the M1A1 Abrams. The Egyptian Refurbishment Program will significantly contribute to the flow of M1A1 components and parts from the United States, creating economies of scale and reducing overall unit price of scarce M1A1 parts for the Department of Defense and other US security partners."

The prime contractor would be
@GD_LandSystems
. "Refurbishment and upgrade will take place at the Egyptian Tank Plant, Cairo, Egypt."

[DRG]

Drones are the "New Normal" for combat operations.
The Genie is out of the bottle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4uaKynSRx4

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

About Egypt our spec built export M1A1 as I remember was as good or a little better than “SA” minus the DU armor. If they just got the approval to go ahead that means these tanks are about 1.5yrs. down the road as I posted a couple of plus years ago or longer on the U.S. RESET production timeline.

A million drones for Taiwan and fair number for Russia for humanitarian purposes!?!

China is on the clock 2025-2027 he doesn’t care who’s sitting the Whitehouse.

He wants the “chips” though Taiwan suppositly has rigged their production facilities for destruction if he tries to invade. Also Taiwan is building facilities outside of the country should the worst case scenario happen, might be here don’t remember at this time where I read it. Taiwan is the worlds leading producer of chips certainly of the high end ones.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I have a “sense” that maybe my last on the importance of Taiwan as the dominate chip maker in the world was sounding like “There he goes again about “economics” and the military and or war.

Simply put the U.S. sees the above issue as having a direct impact on our strategic interests.

Arizona is where the new plant is being built as we speak. Also Intel is also building a plant now which should start full production within the year.

Some thought really should be given to the fact where our DOD is getting our advanced chips from and how China getting their hands on it would affect not only our defense but most of Europes as well.

Here’s the reality check…
https://researchcentre.trtworld.com/...versification/
There are plenty more on the web about this. The above from Oct. 2024.

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

Everything is interconnected and everything is important and computer chips are critical

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I think some of us realized this day would come and I knew when it was captured where it was going much like we know (Or should.) that 2 of the captured T-90M are being "scrutinized" in the U.S. and the other somewhere near the Polish border for NATO to have a look.

Our loss will have much less to no impact for us, as much as the T-90M has much more serious impact on Russia.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/focu...red-in-ukraine

As I've stated several times on the matter no country is going to send another country any piece of combat equipment "with all the bells and whistles" unless they are directly involved in the conflict themselves such as Russia is now.

Regards,
Pat

[Blazing 88's]

Interesting....
Ukrainian forces craft 'Frankenstein' tank from Russian wrecks
The Ukrainian armed forces have ingeniously assembled a tank from parts of destroyed Russian machines, aptly naming it "Frankenstein." The first images of this creation have surfaced online. In the face of the aggressor's superior equipment, such initiatives become invaluable. Despite these efforts, Russia continues to hold the initiative on the front lines.

The Ukrainian armed forces have demonstrated outstanding creativity by assembling a tank from components salvaged from destroyed Russian machines. The vehicle, known as "Frankenstein," exemplifies the innovation and adaptability of Ukrainians confronting enemy superiority.

This tank, commanded by the 12th Azov Special Purpose Brigade, is made up of various components. The turret and gun are sourced from a Russian T-90M, while the hull is fortified with dynamic armour and side shields resembling those of the T-80BVM....
Read more
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world...45ae3e59&ei=57