Kim Sengupta, The Independent: War in Syria: Russia’s 'rustbucket' military delivers a hi-tech shock to West and Israel
As the Kremlin showcases its military capabilities in Syria, Kim Sengupta says Nato leaders are having to reassess.
Their army’s equipment and strategy was “outmoded”; their air force’s bombs and missiles were “more dumb than smart”; their navy was “more rust than ready”. For decades, this was Western military leaders’ view, steeped in condescension, of their Russian counterparts. What they have seen in Syria and Ukraine has come as a shock.
Russian military jets have, at times, been carrying out more sorties in a day in Syria than the US-led coalition has done in a month. The Russian navy has launched ballistic missiles from the Caspian Sea 900 miles way, and kept supply lines going to Syria. The air defences installed by the Russians in Syria and eastern Ukraine would make it extremely hazardous for the West to carry out strikes against the Assad regime or Ukrainian separatists.
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WNU Editor: Russia's capabilities have been known for a long time. The difference is that Russia is focused on the Syrian war .... NATO, the U.S., our Arab allies, Turkey .... they are all focused elsewhere with different agendas and priorities. In short .... there is no leadership.
The problem has been that large-scale land warfare has become outmoded in Europe since the demise of the USSR and Nazi Germany, thus leading to a severe decrease in support for land armies.
ReplyDeleteBut in answer to this crisis there seems to be a savior in the new "Russian threat." Thank heavens for that. It has given the West a (concocted) cause to increase army budgets and sustain important corporate interests.
Now comes the "reassessment" by dependable think-tanks which will recommend an increase in useless army units and their expensive equipment, tanks howitzers etc. There is a similar concern in the warmongering defense press regarding changes in China. Russia and China -- be afraid, very afraid.
it was empty chest-beating all along. it's European armies which have melted away since the wall fell down and ultimately since WWII.
ReplyDeleteNever EVER under-estimate your enemy (nazi Germany vs Russia anyone?), I really thought the Pentagon knew that......
ReplyDeleteTrue. Never underestimate your enemy. No one who was actually paying attention would be surprised about this. The Russian military forces are the most powerful forces on earth. I've been patiently pointing this out since 1998. The disparity between Russia and America has expanded significantly since then.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I've suggested Russian operations in places like Georgia are legendary and should be studied by the military academies. They might learn something. You want to be the best, study the best!!