I’ll have to get back to this and other posts later.
Meanwhile, it is up to the CinC of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to say how many tanks are needed by Spring and up to others to DELIVER.
He said 300 needed by spring and he has competent advisors regularly exchanging views with Western suppliers concerning Ukraine’s absorption capacity so he is better informed than anyone else about the risks of choking on genorisity.
Others decided not to deliver in time. Don’t assume they know better.
I know I don’t know better than he does and I don’t believe you know better than he does either.
The floating Turkish power plants are not a done deal.
A memorandum of understanding was recently signed between Karpowership and JSC Energy, a Ukraine state owned company.
The initial thinking reportedly was to connect through Odessa, but it was impossible to get insurance.
Further south Moldova ( with a Port on the Danube) and Romania have been canvassed, involving connections to the UA energy system
Moldova and Romania are reportedly considering feasibility ( no doubt also their own vulnerability, although NATO has boosted Romania coastal protection ).
It would be fantastic for Ukraine to have 300 MBTs shipped tomorrow. That doesn’t mean the west has the training pipeline to prepare 300 tank crews and mechanics concurrently. There is a difference between a tank and a tank capability.
As it stands, most of NATO’s training grounds will be very busy right now trying to crunch 200 IFV crews, 70 MBT crews, 1000+ mobile infantry and dozens of artillery crews into a combined arms force that can work together.
It would be great if this started earlier, but it didn’t. Personally I’m looking for what the donation package will be in Feb. If a similar volume of IFVs and tanks are pushed into the pipeline, that’s going to be a very potent force in April.
Don’t you get it Benny, it’s exactly like a game of Command & Conquer. You press the button, pay the resources and the tanks pop out of the factory good to go and ready to be right-clicked into battle
I don’t think it is. The arseholes were ejected from the venue.
It does drag Djokovic into the picture. Sure he’s not responsible for his father, but we know that blood runs thick, so there’s a pretty fair chance he’s just as bad.
In response to Qs at the Bushmaster plant at Bendigo, the PM said he had agreed with Zelensky to deliver 90, that’s been done. He also referred to the ADF training assistance.
Journos didn’t suggest what else should be supplied.
Also said Australia would continue to support UA and had delivered more assistance than some NATO countries.
Marles and Wong are off to Europe to talk matters Ukraine
Dad has issued a statement. No apology, but will watch the match on TV, won’t attend in person .
His participation next to the Russians was outside the arena.
Journos should have asked if we had any plans to send any more Bushmasters as we still have something like 1100 with plenty sitting around gathering cobwebs in boneyards or being used as toys by the RAAF.
I don’t know how much it would cost to get these surplus ones up to scratch but surely they are better use in Ukrainian hands than rotting in a scrap heap
I think they were brazen, used the place and the crowd to take the opportunity to get their message out and they got away with it. Well, it couldn’t be helped I suppose. It’s just unfortunate. “We send you our greetings from Melbourne, Australia to our brothers in Moscow.” Good PR for Vatniks and bad optics for us. Needed some yelling Ukrainian supporters or equestrian police to get in frame there at the end to balance out the message.
They recently requested more Bushmasters but I think we should have been repairing or readying them a long time ago. Just seems pointless having them lying around the place
We have committed some for SE Asia and Pacific.
A recent request from UA Ambassador for more doesn’t give much lead time to refurbish retired vehicles and to allocate funds/personnel.
We are giving a small amount only to Asia and Pacific nations. We literally have hundreds upon hundreds doing absolutely nothing and are going to be left to rot.
We should have been repairing and readying them months ago. With a bit of work these things would be like Gold to Ukraine
