Posted on 10/05/2018 12:20:34 PM PDT by SleeperCatcher
The Russians continue to deny they are in violation of the INF Treaty, but if they’re indeed upgrading Tu-22s with in-flight refueling, this is another way they’re doing it in addition to building and deploying intermediate-range nukes on Russian soil.
As part of the original treaty, the U.S. insisted that Russia remove the in-flight refueling capability from Tu-22s, making them less of a strategic asset. Adding it again means that they will have to be counted as such, under the INF and the New START Treaty, which expires in 2021.
On many fronts, the U.S. and Russia are increasingly at loggerheads. In Europe, of course, but also in the Arctic, North Atlantic, and even in the Middle East, both are engaged in competition not seen since the Cold War.
(Excerpt) Read more at greatpowerwar.com ...
I’d ignore the treaty too.
I think that they had already broken the treaty before we could even get around to confirming it.
In their eyes a treaty is little more than a way to slow us down. Typical commies.
Russia is at increasing military sales at any cost because oil is not enough to support them in the style they wish to have.
Gun control for yah. It builds up international law enforcement world war III predatorial bull sht and helps the thugs cheat
Ask traitor Rino Dick Lugar who got us in this global gun control con of “nuke free zones”
The author poses as a strategic analyst, well versed in military affairs.
Refueling probes on the TU-22m were removed under the original SALT treaties, and reaffirmed in the START treaty.
The TU-22M is not even mentioned in the INF treaty.
And while technically a violation, it’s really not that big of a deal. It poses only a minor threat to USA.
The backfire is a pretty good mid-sized bomber (50,000lb of ordnance/supersonic) but the refueling requirement to get here makes the proposition nearly laughable.
China and India, even southern Europe are more at risk.
And did I forget to say the author is a dimwit ignoramus?
Per the Jamestown Foundation’s Eurasia Monitor (4 Sept.):
“The semiofficial news agency Interfax recently reported, quoting ‘an informed source,’ that Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire bombers will be re-equipped with in-flight refueling capabilities. *The Backfire was a major sticking point in previous arms control negotiations between Moscow and Washington.* The US insisted they are strategic assets and must be included in limitation levels, while Moscow refused. *A compromise was eventually reached to remove the Backfire’s in-flight refueling capability to limit their range; hence, they are presently not included in START limitations.* But with their aerial refueling equipment reinstalled, the renovated Backfire will have a range ‘the same as strategic bombers.’”
So there’s that.
Nobody refuels below 5,000 feet, usually higher.
So, without total control of the air, refueling above 5,000 feet with a big tanker and 2-3 other aircraft waiting their turn...and at 300-500 knots, it’s just a GIANT target awaiting destruction.
What may have been a “strategic” asset in 1984 is no longer.
That’s likely why the Trump admin is silent on the matter. We simply don’t care.
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