Fire for effect. Not sure if vid is cut up but appears one shot lands in trench, next two close enough that craters connect trench and last which I think is an airburst should have taken care of any previously lucky orcs.

https://funker530.com/video/nsfw-wagner-mercenaries-pummeled-by-accurate-strikes/

Nice update on the northern and eastern fronts.

US and Ukrainian top military chiefs meet for first time. POLAND

Waffledynamics said:

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Ignorant question: how much of a PITA would it be to manufacture new Bradleys, Strykers, etc?

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waffle: 700 of the new M2A4 Bradleys through 2029 are being built. my company works on part of them

the latest M2A4 became officially adopted by a battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. BGen Glenn Dean, US Army Program Executive Officer Ground Combat Systems, stated:

"the M2A4 Bradley will ensure that the platform maintains combat relevance now and for decades to come… because it has enhanced mobility and power generation, we'll be able to integrate new technologies".

The M2A4 development was initiated in 2018 with a US$347 million contract to BAE Systems the original designer. Operational testing began in June 2020. The A4 includes upgrades previously provided in two earlier ECPs (Engineering Change Proposals) that improved the suspension and upgraded the generator and power distribution system.

In addition, the A4 goes from a 600 hp engine to 675 hp which is linked to a new transmission with integrated power management.

To adjust for the additional weight of other upgrades BAE has introduced a lighter track, new shock absorbers, a new suspension support system, and higher capacity torsion bars.

More on Waffle's discussion. Since I have a personal vested financial interest in this

The US Army's OMFV Program is intended to replace nearly 3,800 M-2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), which have been in service since 1981.

As part of a five-phase acquisition approach, the US Army awarded contracts to five teams last year to proceed to the programme's second stage of concept design.

The five teams are led by American Rheinmetall, BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Oshkosh, and PBE.

In September this year, Anduril Industries joined the American Rheinmetall Vehicles-led industry team that includes Textron Systems, Raytheon Technologies, L3Harris Technologies, and Allison Transmission.

Welp, Swiss banks sure aren't neutral. They'll do anything to keep Russian oligarch's corrupt money coming.

"Despite Switzerland's longstanding commitment to military neutrality, the country is actually a significant exporter of military hardware. Bern attempts to thread this needle by prohibiting arms exports to countries at war, but it has at times loosened these guidelines, mainly out of a desire to support the Swiss defense industry."

ROADBLOCK

I've been reading posts talking about the increase in Russian forces resulting in a Russian offensive in the spring or summer, and I have to say that I'm skeptical that Russia will actually generate the kind of numbers that folks are thinking about. From the WSJ:

Quote:

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On Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu provided a timetable for the troop increase the Kremlin outlined in December following a string of setbacks on the battlefield and criticism from Russian nationalists. The country's army will increase to 1.5 million military personnel between 2023 and 2026compared with its current level of 1.15 million and one million at the start of 2022, Mr. Shoigu said, according to state newswire TASS.

Russia will create new military districts in the regions around Moscow and St. Petersburg as well as an army corps in Karelia on the border with Finland, Mr. Shoigu said. The country will also set up "self-sufficient" units in Russian-held territories of Ukraine, he said.

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Link (paywall)

So, if they are going to add personnel around Moscow and St. Petersburg, then add a corps on the border with Finland, that's not going to leave a whole lot of extra personnel (out of a 350,000 net increase) for some kind of human wave offensive in Ukraine.

twk said:

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I've been reading posts talking about the increase in Russian forces resulting in a Russian offensive in the spring or summer, and I have to say that I'm skeptical that Russia will actually generate the kind of numbers that folks are thinking about. From the WSJ:

Quote:

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On Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu provided a timetable for the troop increase the Kremlin outlined in December following a string of setbacks on the battlefield and criticism from Russian nationalists. The country's army will increase to 1.5 million military personnel between 2023 and 2026compared with its current level of 1.15 million and one million at the start of 2022, Mr. Shoigu said, according to state newswire TASS.

Russia will create new military districts in the regions around Moscow and St. Petersburg as well as an army corps in Karelia on the border with Finland, Mr. Shoigu said. The country will also set up "self-sufficient" units in Russian-held territories of Ukraine, he said.

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Link (paywall)

So, if they are going to add personnel around Moscow and St. Petersburg, then add a corps on the border with Finland, that's not going to leave a whole lot of extra personnel (out of a 350,000 net increase) for some kind of human wave offensive in Ukraine.

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Zero chance the new units being deployed around Moscow and St Pete are going to have 60-70 year old equipment. Sounds like another drain on what little high quality equipment they will have to outfit those units, while the ones headed to Ukraine will be driving T-62s.

If I was Ukraine I would up my attacks on Russian targets so I can't blame them for upping security. During the winter when movement is limited I would going behind enemy lines and doing a lot of sabotage operations

Russia about to start a new front again?

Russia doesn't have a chance in hell against the combined economic output of NATO and other Allie's backing Ukraine. They will be spent into economic collapse in a couple of years if they attempt to sustain the necessary dedication to military production in the face of all the sanctions. What a stupid idea. It would become all or nothing with nothing being inevitable.

I hate the Swiss

MouthBQ98 said:

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Russia doesn't have a chance in hell against the combined economic output of NATO and other Allie's backing Ukraine. They will be spent into economic collapse in a couple of years if they attempt to sustain the necessary dedication to military production in the face of all the sanctions. What a stupid idea. It would become all or nothing with nothing being inevitable.

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This is exactly what I'm thinking, the US and NATO countries are slowly draining Russia of all its war equipment, sure we could give Ukraine weapons to take Russia out faster but
That doesn't seem to be our end game, we give Ukraine just enough weapons to keep Russia at bay or push them back then let Russia bring more equipment to the theater.. slowly draining the Rooskies of all their old and new equipment .. additionally we are monitoring what items keep them from replenishing tanks and air planes while they are being sactioned, we basically are figuring out what electrical equipment and chips cause them not to be able to increase production…. The long slow game of slaying the dragon

I tend to agree with this theory….

This seems newsworthy. Terrible tragedy.

"KYIV (Reuters) -Eighteen people including Ukraine's interior minister, other senior ministry officials and three children were killed on Wednesday morning when a helicopter crashed near a nursery outside Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said."https://t.co/FdMjUwlskK

— Defense Politics Asia (@DefensePolitics) January 18, 2023

Awful. It sounds like it was probably mechanical failure.

RebelE Infantry said:

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This seems newsworthy. Terrible tragedy.

"KYIV (Reuters) -Eighteen people including Ukraine's interior minister, other senior ministry officials and three children were killed on Wednesday morning when a helicopter crashed near a nursery outside Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said."https://t.co/FdMjUwlskK

— Defense Politics Asia (@DefensePolitics) January 18, 2023

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MORE

Today's SITREP.

Master strategist Putin's invasion has reenergized the West on many levels and this wakeup call is among the most important: SUPPLY

There are several cities that have been levelled by this war, several of them in the east may not even be worth rebuilding. Russia bombs any structure in the city that can be used as cover then uses mass amounts of conscripts or artillery to take out the Ukraine troops.

RebelE Infantry said:

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This seems newsworthy. Terrible tragedy.

"KYIV (Reuters) -Eighteen people including Ukraine's interior minister, other senior ministry officials and three children were killed on Wednesday morning when a helicopter crashed near a nursery outside Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said."https://t.co/FdMjUwlskK

— Defense Politics Asia (@DefensePolitics) January 18, 2023

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Letting Russia bleed out is definitely a strategic goal and
Realistically how much weapons could be delivered and absorbed by Ukraine Forces, the slow and steady deliveries works for several reasons

Sq 17 said:

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Letting Russia bleed out is definitely a strategic goal and
Realistically how much weapons could be delivered and absorbed by Ukraine Forces, the slow and steady deliveries works for several reasons

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yep, and unfortunately at the cost of Ukrainian lives.. sucks but they are fighting for their home land.

fullback44 said:

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yep, and unfortunately at the cost of Ukrainian lives.. sucks but they are fighting for their home land.

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Bleeding out is certainly the correct strategic approach for the safety of Europe. You would never hear a senior officer say as such to the press, but that fact isn't lost on them.

I believe if this war ended tomorrow with Russia keeping its currently held land, the Russian threat has been answered for the rest of Eastern Europe for the next 15 to 20 years. Unfortunately it wouldn't be resolved for Ukraine.

Germany won't allow transfer of leopards unless US gives abrams.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/berlin-wont-allow-exports-of-german-tanks-to-ukraine-unless-u-s-sends-own-tanks-officials-say-11674069352?mod=mhp

.@USAID intends to provide additional $125 million in energy support for Ukraine, for equipment like "additional gas turbines, high voltage autotransformers, distribution substation repair equipment, and backup power for Kyiv’s water supply and district heating services"

— Jennifer Hansler (@jmhansler) January 18, 2023

lb sand said:

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Germany won't allow transfer of leopards unless US gives abrams.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/berlin-wont-allow-exports-of-german-tanks-to-ukraine-unless-u-s-sends-own-tanks-officials-say-11674069352?mod=mhp

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So frustrating. We don't need Germany to send its own tanks, just get out of the way of other Leo operators donating.

What if we give some Abrams and they use them to face off with the quiet Belarus border to relieve other tanks to head east. Then Germany would follow suit?

lb sand said:

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Germany won't allow transfer of leopards unless US gives abrams.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/berlin-wont-allow-exports-of-german-tanks-to-ukraine-unless-u-s-sends-own-tanks-officials-say-11674069352?mod=mhp

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So I have a tank question, does the US still have the M60 tanks in storage and / or use today ?

If so couldn't we give. Them these .. old school but better than nothing?

MouthBQ98 said:

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What if we give some Abrams and they use them to face off with the quiet Belarus border to relieve other tanks to head east. Then Germany would follow suit?

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That was my thought as well. I'm willing to bet they could figure out the logistics.

fullback44 said:

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lb sand said:

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Germany won't allow transfer of leopards unless US gives abrams.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/berlin-wont-allow-exports-of-german-tanks-to-ukraine-unless-u-s-sends-own-tanks-officials-say-11674069352?mod=mhp

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So I have a tank question, does the US still have the M60 tanks in storage and / or use today ?

If so couldn't we give. Them these .. old school but better than nothing?

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No. They were converted to target hulks on training ranges decades ago or sold through the Foreign Military Sales progrsm