Posted on 06/10/2018 8:00:47 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
I hope your son made it back without too many issues. Given the ROE’s they operated under - at Bush’s *and* Obama’s insistence - I’m surprised that the number of GI’s killed wasn’t higher.
Agree.
I think it’s a good idea. Our Abrams are too good for those Iraqi stooges. Russian made junk is easier for them, they’re used to that stuff.
I wonder if the Russkies still store the ammo all around the turret? I’m always amazed when I watch video from Desert Storm seeing those T 55s and T72s go up like Roman Candles.
“U.S. military had begun requiring regular reports about the tanks and their whereabouts and had put unspecified restrictions on maintenance and other support of the vehicles”
That must be so annoying when you have a perfectly good tank to sell to a terrorist.
Yeah, bitchin' shot trap you got there, Ivan:
Nothing like directing incoming rounds right into the turret ring.
Because Russian tanks were so effective during Desert Storm.
Due to cultural disregard for technical skills, Arab militaries tend to do poorly at maintaining and training with sophisticated military weapons and equipment. Despite performance below that of US and West European designs, rough and ready Russian weapons and equipment are therefore often more suited to Arab military thinking and practices. In addition, Arab militaries require large contingents of foreign experts on contract to keep their kit running properly and to train their troops in its use. In choosing Russian tanks, Iraq is also expressing a preference for Russian contractors over US contractors. And it also matters that, unlike US and West European suppliers, Russia is willing and ready to pay illegal commissions and bribes to sell their military gear.
Read the white paper “Why Arabs Lose Wars” (1999). It pretty much explains it. That paper coukd never be published today.
In that era at least, a Muslim college student in the US could readily admit the profound problems of the Muslim world. In his view, the stubborn backwardness of Muslim societies was at odds with the educated strata and its desire for modernization and nationalistic reform. That simple explanation of course barely touches the deeper issues that make Islam such a perverse influence.
Dude, Learn to spell and use proper grammar.
Your typing looks and sounds like a Russian troll.
“My sons opinion of the 2003 Soviet T-72 tank was, a pile of aluminum junk.”
It also has a lot to do with US restrictions on the M1 use, disposition, maintenance, tracking, and deployment.
Thanks,. I disagree. You dont wait 12 years , run off inspectors that were finding nothing , spend 1 trillion dollars that could have rebuilt America, Lolse 5000 men, incur 50,000 wounded soldiers. Kill 300,000 Iraqis on a false pretext and then dig up a 12 year old rationalization. That does not work. You take care now.
I remember many years ago the Army decided that all tracked vehicles would have depot work performed at Anniston - good idea except for the M-1 gas turbines were getting mauled by well-meaning diesel mechanics....
Such restrictions are meant to protect the M1’s technology, to prevent diversion of M1s to our enemies or unworthy or politically contrary uses, and to make sure that they are kept in good order and not deployed foolishly and frittered away. Even our closest European allies usually have no choice but to accept similar restrictions on virtually all our weapons systems that they buy. They may grumble, but they sign anyway if they cannot negotiate exceptions to the usual terms. The Russians have less stringent requirements because, with few exceptions, their weapons are substantially less capable.
Where is Top with that mermite coffee?
Just FYI, an Abrams costs about 10X to run and maintain over what a T-90 does. Parts for an Abrams only come from one country, who left the Iraqis hanging with their arse in the breeze for 8 years courtesy of Obama; T-90s or parts are made by at least three countries in the world that I can think of off the top of my head and no matter who gets pissed off at Iraq they will still be able to get parts for them.
The Abrams is a very maintenance intensive tank and it’s actually too heavy for many bridges in that part of the world. The T-90 is better suited for them and should we elect another Obama they won’t have to beg for parts. One example - the Abrams is powered by a very expensive, very complex jet turbine system that requires highly trained techs and lots of special tools to service and overhaul. The T-90 uses a V-12 diesel not unrelated to that found in Russian heavy trucks. Any jackleg mechanic that services heavy trucks can fix a T-90.
It’s ERA. It deflects penetrator rounds down thru the hull. A TOW detonating outside turret would probably still blow the turret off.
And 40 mph is slow for a MBT. The Abrams will do >70 on hard top.
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