Posted on 06/20/2015 5:25:58 AM PDT by McGruff
But this seems as different circumstances from rather long time ago.
http://www.thelocal.se/20110314/32586
“But in all probability it is a model that was manufactured in the UK through a licencing agreement,” she said.
She explained that arms trade regulations in place at the time the weapon in question was likely produced are very different than rules currently in place.
Between the mid-1960s and mid-1980s, ISP’s predecessor agency had an agreement with the British War Office allowing for the Carl Gustaf to be made in the UK.
Under the agreement, the UK also had the right to sell the weapons to British colonies. In addition, purchasing countries had 10 years to do what they wanted with the weapons, including re-exporting them to third countries.
According to Malm, Sweden’s current arms export laws “look totally different” than those in place at the time the Carl Gustaf seen in images from the fighting in Libya was likely manufactured.
Among other things, purchasing countries must agree not to re-export weapons purchased from Sweden, she explained.
... to add. It seems modern ATGM-s are produced in the USA, Israel, Sweden, India and Germany. Out of those Israel sometimes threatens Russia that it will sell their wonderful Spike-s to Ukraine, but in the end we know they won’t. Sweden is too scared. Germany is absolutely useless and India won’t sell.
Yet the question is often discussed in a wrong way. Sweden, Germany and other EU countries are willing to PAY for these missiles (indirectly by giving money to Ukraine as they already have) so the question is not USA making a decision to give Javelins for free, but rather to sell them for money. USA has no comparable reason to be afraid of Russia’s retribution like Sweden or Israel have.
Russia itself has the well regarded Kornet ATGM. Surely these would be available on the various "arms bazaars" of the world.
I think it has been all thought through and sadly it is more likely that Ukrainians get Gustavs or maybe even BILL any tank missiles from Sweden as Obama cabinet is determined not to sell them effective American weapons.
Yet the moral position is fudged by the Russian apologists who say that Ukrainians want free missiles when in fact they would be happy to pay for Javelins (apologists make a big deal about money, event though Ukraine wants to pay for missiles), but checks and balances show it is only the presidents administration who blocks it.
I think it is for America to show themselves as a leader of the free world. I even go as far as saying Sweden cowering is understandable, but if US continues to cower along them then Sweden might arise as the braver country.
Maybe armour fellows can confirm or deny, but I have gotten the idea that old Gustav missiles won’t hinder T-72 and above.
I do find it odd Ukr. forces cannot seem to find any ( a few) RPG-29. Long range. Fire and forget. Very, very devastating, as the IDF found out in Gaza Strip.
Back in Feb. when Russian forces captured Donetsk airfield several videos displayed M-16s captured by Russians. So someone is supplying Ukr. forces with modern equipment. But of course, getting hold of ATGMs is another story entirely.
Europe doesn't want to see Ukraine turned into a bloodbath and a humanitarian disaster that they'll be the ones dealing with.
The United States has no such concerns.
Methinks Ukraine already is a bloodbath. Of course things can always get worse...
Which is why Europe isn't so keen on arming Kiev, which will do nothing but turn a regional separatist conflict into a full-blown conflagration. Instead of thousands dead, there'll be hundreds of thousands dead, and millions of refugees fleeing westward.
If in a fact it is a “regional separatist conflict.” That designation is subject to interpretation.
I'm just connecting the dots and raising objections to FReepers siding with Putin.
I can remain focused on pursuing strategies to defeat Putin, even when we have a terrible US President. I can also agree with a US Senator who happens to be right every once in a while.
Putin is a war criminal and should be put down like a dog.
And who puts Putin down like a dog? The CIC issuing ‘Don’t shoot the enemy till our lawyers OK the use of lead ammo’ ROEs or the Senator that took down more US aircraft than most communist pilots?
Put competent leadership at the head of the Armed forces and I’m right there with you. Until that happens, not a chance. I have no desire to send our people to die on a fools errand with fools leading them. Obviously you disagree with that view.
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