Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
"The narrative was wrong. UK defence spending in Mali and north Africa is not so great that it requires a rewriting of the defence budget either now or in the foreseeable future."
Not too sure, Tom.
Al Qaeda has issued some very severe threats against France and other countries.
British nationals have also been told by the Foreign Office to leave several African countries, including Libya and Somalia, for their own safety.
We have to be very vigilant, because these terrorists are warming themselves up with threats, and they are currently operating in Iraq and Syria where they carry out their suicide bombing campaigns. They are active, and are threatening us.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
On the one hand alexander you say pull out
on the other you say fight them all
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Keith, we have to be very much on the alert, as these Al Qaeda terrorists have already launched a campaign:
Algerian gas-field the other week, Istanbul today, apart from Iraq and Syria, where they constantly blow people up.
We have to be very careful what goes on in our Country, and hopefully our Security Services are on full alert with eyes and ears.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
over your head again alexander??
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
That is an interesting report Howard.
We do need to question the role of tanks on a modern battlefield. In the past we have suffered through fighting a new war the old way. Nothing new or confined to Britain, the USA's failure to adopt repeating rifles contributed to the loss of the 7th Cavalry.
I am not suggesting tanks are obsolete yet when it comes to taking over and holding ground but attack helicopters such as the Apache have devalued the tank turning them into mere targets. It may be better to have lighter more mobile armour with helicopters taking over the heavy firepower role once occupied by the tank. For once we may be ahead of the curve in reducing reliance on large numbers of heavy tanks.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i know very little about defence and military matters barry but when i read the article it seemed more about losing a part of our history rather than weakening our armed forces.
the days of soviet and nato tanks engaging across the north german plain are over, better to equip our troops with the equipment needed for modern warfare.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Agreed Howard. Paying more attention to historical tradition rather than the needs of modern war fighting would leave our forces armed with the English Longbow!!!!
I am all for tradition and it must be honoured and preserved as much as possible within the forces, but it must not compromise them in their role.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
howard,i see it as a loss on both acounts.but there are lighter and faster tanks in operation at the moment,will they be next to go.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i'm no expert on these matters brian, do i take it you are saying the army has lighter and faster tanks already or that they are around to procure if they had the money?
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
they have them allready howard,have so for the last 10/15 years.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
howard,try this website.
https://www.army.mod.uk/armourd/23446.aspx. have fun if it works.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
page not found brian, thanks anyway.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
ok howard try this one,
royal armoured corps..you may have to google one of them from your google bar,type this one in first then scrol down to the first one.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
The rifle and bayonet has always been the standard piece of battle-field equipment since its introduction in the Highlands in the 18th century. Together with the spare bayonet at the hip.
Mess cans on back, and hobnailed boots, iron-shod to boot.
The Union Jack flying High!
