John Fedup
The Bunker Group
You are likely right but it is possible ISIS has captured some Syrian SAMs and are keeping them hidden until they figure out how they work and then wait for an opportunity.
War Against ISIS
- Thread starter spikehades
- Start date
A couple more updates. Some more Russian gear has turned up in Syria, namely first grainy photos of the BM-30 Smerch MLRS. It's been suspected for some time that the system is in Syria, and remains of the rockets it uses were found. Now we have photographic confirmation. Also the very rare SPR-1 mobile jammer. It's used for defeating proximity fuses on mortar and arty shells, causing them to explode before reaching the target. These very rare and fairly sophisticated systems show that Russia is far more involved in the Syrian war then what we can see from here. It's unlikely the Syrians asked for and received these systems on their own initiative. It's far more likely that Russian military advisers suggested them, and probably participated in training the operators.
Oryx Blog: Syria's BM-30 Smerchs, emerging from the shadows
Oryx Blog: Syria's SPR-1 mobile jammers, staying in the shadows
Oryx Blog: Syria's BM-30 Smerchs, emerging from the shadows
Oryx Blog: Syria's SPR-1 mobile jammers, staying in the shadows
what is the range on that jammer? Just wondering if it could be counter productive and wind up causing munitions to airburst at a more lethal distance? anyways thanks for the info fennor tho i wouldnt put it all at russian involvement yet (tho i agree its most likely) as i would not at all be surprised to find iran has these systems as-well and there in the hands of there elite forces not the syrian forces
Good question. Russian wikipedia claims at least 20 hectares. However it's not reliable, and I can't find a good source.
That would imply a range of only 500m. Not enough for battlefield use, but it could be effective defending a base. Probably take several to defend an airfield.
Russians tend to have the GBAD set as an array with fallback redundancy between the attack and sensor nodes
eg a progression of the Star of David construct
Would you mind explaining this in laymen terms?
What he said??
A very significant development and one that was hardly surprising.
Despite centuries of ties between what would later become Iran and Iraq and the fact that Iraq is in Iran's backyard; American policy in the past was to keep Iran out of Iraq and also further isolate it. Today, America has no choice but to accept that Iran has a positive role to play; not only as part of a long term solution to defeat ISIS and groups like it but also towards overall stability in the region. In fact I would argue that Iran can be a far more important and useful ally for America to have; rather than its traditional allies, the various Gulf Sunni states.
al-Araby al-Jadeed English - Iran, Iraq sign defence cooperation pact
Iran and Iraq Deepen Defense Ties, Sign Pact
Despite centuries of ties between what would later become Iran and Iraq and the fact that Iraq is in Iran's backyard; American policy in the past was to keep Iran out of Iraq and also further isolate it. Today, America has no choice but to accept that Iran has a positive role to play; not only as part of a long term solution to defeat ISIS and groups like it but also towards overall stability in the region. In fact I would argue that Iran can be a far more important and useful ally for America to have; rather than its traditional allies, the various Gulf Sunni states.
al-Araby al-Jadeed English - Iran, Iraq sign defence cooperation pact
Iran and Iraq Deepen Defense Ties, Sign Pact
Nick underscore
Member
You're not wrong and wouldn't have to argue that hard as history agrees with you, inlight of US/ Iranian relations prior 1978/79.
We (collectively) will come full circle.
The biggest challenge IMO for an American/Iran rapprochement is how to deal with allies who disapprove, who insist that the biggest threat facing the region is Iran and who will/might do things to derail improved U.S/Iran relations - the ones that comes to mind off course are Saudi Arabia, the Sunni Gulf states and Israel. Seen in this light, it's hardly surprising why Bahrain would agree and welcome a larger RN presence.
Another great article on the subject.
Mousavian: Time for a Mideast Grand Bargain
It's stuff like this that has got the Saudis so rattled. Not to mention the Pasdaran in Iraq fighting ISIS and the recent signing of an agreement which will see Iran helping to train the Iraqi army.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30680099
Israel has been quietly providing medical aid for anti-Assad fighters who make it across the border.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItykyRdBTHE
Another great article on the subject.
Mousavian: Time for a Mideast Grand Bargain
It's stuff like this that has got the Saudis so rattled. Not to mention the Pasdaran in Iraq fighting ISIS and the recent signing of an agreement which will see Iran helping to train the Iraqi army.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30680099
Israel has been quietly providing medical aid for anti-Assad fighters who make it across the border.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItykyRdBTHE
Nick underscore
Member
Clever play if Rouhani actually goes through with a referendum threat. The hardliners would need to concede that a Nuclear deal vs complete elimination of imposed sanctions, are not one in the same. Personally, I quite like Rouhani and his moderate and open style approach.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/019b4436-9405-11e4-82c7-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3NxKXX03I
Interesting that Iran has now publicly changed it's stance somewhat, in acknowledging the current and ongoing drop in oil price benchmarks, are not 'entirely' down to the Saudi's..
2015 could be an interesting year w.r.t 'Western /Iranian' relations.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/019b4436-9405-11e4-82c7-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3NxKXX03I
Interesting that Iran has now publicly changed it's stance somewhat, in acknowledging the current and ongoing drop in oil price benchmarks, are not 'entirely' down to the Saudi's..
2015 could be an interesting year w.r.t 'Western /Iranian' relations.
As has been posted elsewhere, the French are deploying Charles de Gaulle and it is expected to participate in air strikes against IS targets in Iraq.
The CSG is known to include
When I said the French weren't screwing around with getting involved, it still holds. So while CdG is on station they'll have 21 Rafale (12 + 9 Air Force), 9 SEM and 6 Mirage 2000's.
The CSG is known to include
- FS Charles de Gaulle CVN
- Embedded Air Group
- 12 x Rafale M
- 9 x Super Etendard Modernises
- 1 x E-2C
- 4 x helicopters
- FS Chevalier Paul (+NH90) DDG
- FS Meuse AOR
- Rubis class SSN
- HMS Kent FFG to join them in the Red Sea
When I said the French weren't screwing around with getting involved, it still holds. So while CdG is on station they'll have 21 Rafale (12 + 9 Air Force), 9 SEM and 6 Mirage 2000's.
Nick underscore
Member
US posting 400 troops as training advisors to Syrian Rebels. Pentagon to deploy 400 troops to train Syrian rebels | Reuters
Honestly didn't think would go through, as there was hesitation over who's who in the zoo.
Is this training be provided to the FSA?
Honestly didn't think would go through, as there was hesitation over who's who in the zoo.
Is this training be provided to the FSA?
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
France has even more reasons to deploy after last week's events.
Absolutely, although it's not a deployment *only* to strike IS, there will be other things involved including a naval exercise with India.
In other news,
UAE is reportedly offering Iraq 'up to 10' Mirage 2000 aircraft from their own stocks.
UAE Offers Mirage Fighters to Iraq
Wouldn't be surprised to see Iraq take them off their hands, they keep emphasising how critical air support is for their forces and those F-16s are still over the horizon.
In other news,
UAE is reportedly offering Iraq 'up to 10' Mirage 2000 aircraft from their own stocks.
UAE Offers Mirage Fighters to Iraq
Wouldn't be surprised to see Iraq take them off their hands, they keep emphasising how critical air support is for their forces and those F-16s are still over the horizon.
Looks like ISIS has been routed from Kobane finally, having suffered heavy losses in men, equipment and morale. From media reports the town is largely destroyed. Perhaps a preview of Mosul's fate?
The newly reconstituted Iraqi army seems itching for a fight but the US is urging restraint to allow more preparation.
Celebrations on Turkish border after Kurdish troops raise their flag in Kobane after driving out the Islamic State following four months of heavy fighting | Daily Mail Online
The newly reconstituted Iraqi army seems itching for a fight but the US is urging restraint to allow more preparation.
Celebrations on Turkish border after Kurdish troops raise their flag in Kobane after driving out the Islamic State following four months of heavy fighting | Daily Mail Online
Japan hostage Goto 'killed' - video BBC News - Kenji Goto: Video 'shows IS beheading Japan hostage'
There's something I don't understand. IS is basically aggravating the most hawkish Japanese premier in a while. What were they thinking? Desperate financially?
There's something I don't understand. IS is basically aggravating the most hawkish Japanese premier in a while. What were they thinking? Desperate financially?
As Japan has not expeditionary capability, they probably consider him a 'free-bee'. It also probably means that Mr Kasasbeh, the Jordanian pilot, is no longer alive as negotiations to exchange the 2 of them for Sajida al-Rishawi fell through because ISIS refused to supply proof he was still alive.