"All of Vlad's forces and all of Vlad's men, are out to put Humpty together again." (13 Viewers)

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''...After listening to President Zelensky, we urge the Biden Administration to lift restrictions on weapons provided by the United States so they can strike the Russian invaders more effectively.

"Additionally, President Zelensky told us both that he would be looking to supplement his Air Force by establishing a program to enlist retired NATO F-16 fighter pilots. We support this effort. Ukraine is already fielding units of freedom fighters on the ground, and this volunteer force should be replicated in the air
...''

 
The second to last paragraph perfectly illustrates the Putin mindset.
He is accusing Ukraine of doing to Russia, which Russia has actually been doing to Ukraine.

Regarding Lukashenko:
He is between a rock and a hard place. Putin wants him to engage but he knows that if he does, Belorussian forces would get their asses kicked, which in turn would open the door for the Opposition.
 
I am more surprised that more countries aren't doing this.

Israel has pulled old anti-aircraft weapons out of storage and modernised them. The renewed Machbet systems respond to the threat posed by mass-produced drones.

The story comes full circle, as Israel decided to delve into its warehouses and retrieve weapons that had been preserved for over 20 years – the Machbet anti-aircraft system. After a quick modernisation that took just three months, Machbet now addresses modern threats, including various types of drones.

Machbet is the Israeli version of the American M163 PIVADS anti-aircraft system. This system was originally developed in the 1960s (M163 VADS) and improved in the 1980s under M163 PIVADS (Product Improved VADS).

The American weapon uses the chassis of the M113 armoured personnel carrier, on which the M61 Vulcan cannon (General Dynamics M168) is mounted. This 6-barrel Gatling gun system fires 2 cm calibre rounds at up to 6,600 rounds per minute.
1988 the system was supplemented with a quadruple FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missile launcher. These sets were used in Israel under the name Hovet.

The Israeli developmental variant of this weapon, named Machbet (Hebrew for bat), was developed in the late 20th century. It received a thermal imaging camera and a radar for targeting (but not detecting) detected targets, as well as a data link that allows target information to be acquired from external radars.

These systems were withdrawn from service and stored in 2006. After being taken out of storage, it modernised within just three months.

The outdated radar was removed and replaced with a modern electro-optical head during the modernisation. Thanks to this upgrade, the set now includes the function of automatic target tracking and aiming, with the optional involvement of a human decision to open fire.


These systems were withdrawn from service and stored in 2006. After being taken out of storage, it modernised within just three months.


The outdated radar was removed and replaced with a modern electro-optical head during the modernisation. Thanks to this upgrade, the set now includes the function of automatic target tracking and aiming, with the optional involvement of a human decision to open fire.
 
"This system was originally developed in the 1960s (M163 VADS)"
We were building these at GE when I worked there in 69-70. We received one returned from Vietnam with a stitch of .50 caliber holes right through it and out the other side. Trashed the ammo drum, engine, fuel tank, and gun laying mechanism.
 
One should pay attention to who owns the WSJ.
Reuters just posted a hit-piece claiming Russians have destroyed 35 Ukrainian tanks in the Kursk area.

Considering that the Ukrainians are operating Challengers in the Kursk offensive and they only have 13...

Next up, Russia has destroyed 100 Ukrainian F-16s.
 

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