Yep.
An airmobile Marine Corps will work out just fine in the highly mechanized Pacific.
Why is beyond the notice of many that this region is home to some of the most numerous and advanced anti-air systems...an increasingly high tech armored force and network integration across the board that is beginning to rival those found in American/European countries.
Unless we're going to become raiders and only raiders (with an expensive air force) this "Amos" Marine Corps is setting itself up for slaughter.
Notice that the M-1 isn't in real sales competitions because it isn't competitive.
ReplyDeleteGiven away to luckless "allies" yes.
A big problem, especially in the PacRim.
how do you mean competitive? As in it isnt competitive on the battlefield or in sales because of its price?
DeleteHere we go again.
DeleteThe M1A2 is between 6-7 million a pop. Maybe $8 if you want the M1A2 Sep v2.
This Oplot is 4.5 million a pop, and it is lighter, so it's easier on Thai roads. Plus, Thailand DID NOT do an open competition for this tank, it was purely a government run programs for 1 tank model. Also, the Oplot's sights/ main gun stabilizers aren't as good as an M1's and is still have the ammo sitting RIGHT under the crew. The Oplot is a good tank, the M1 is a GREAT tank. In fact, PERU, a rather poor S. American nation, is looking at the M1 to replace it's T-55s. the ONLY reason the Leo 2 is everywhere is because the Germans build a shitload and then sold them for less than $1 million a tank in the 1990s up tot he present. Hell, Canada bought their Leo 2A4s for $1,000,000 a TANK. NO ONE, not even the Chinese, can compete with prices like that.
If Germans were a bit less restrictive about their tank sales (they again rafused to sell a bunch to Saudis and the rest of the gulf states) M1 would only be where it given for free.
ReplyDelete"Unless we're going to become raiders and only raiders (with an expensive air force) this "Amos" Marine Corps is setting itself up for slaughter."
ReplyDeleteIn the back of my mind, I can see a force that can land, punch, and retreat to the sea before heavy units arrive, and repeat that process until break downs mean that heavy units stop arriving. But I'm not sure that works on US scales
read the book, not the movie but the book "we were soldier once, and young".
Deleteit will chill your bones about the vulnerability of using helicopters in an assault. that's the problem with the US way of war. we're repeating the same mistakes. AirCav, Air Assault, Heliborne assault, its all the same.
you fly in and once you're on the ground the enemy has your LZ's indexed and suddenly reinforcements aren't available. one mechanized infantry unit can destroy a battalion that flies in on helos if they're deployed and engage the enemy properly.
Ok, we know helis are rather fragile. "one mechanized infantry unit can destroy a battalion that flies in on helos if they're deployed and engage the enemy properly." - Very few non-US ally nation train their armies well. The Russians still have issues, and the Chinese have almost no combat experienced officers. Everyone else has militaries rotted with corruption, nepotism, and/or politicization. The competent ones out our friends. Regarding middle eastern forces, I highly suggest you take a gander at the book "Arabs at War".
DeleteHowever, tanks and heavy armor are just that, heavy. They are loud, prone to breakdown, and impossible to get anywhere fast. A fast tank is an oxymoron, as a fast tank is so light that a 20mm shell can penetrate it.
Oh, and Thailand is out freind.
Malaysia has only 48 PT-91s, and Indonesia will eventually get about 100 Leo 2s, which are only useful in certain areas of Indonesia. I believe a Hellfire can easily take out a PT-91, and will kill a Leo 2 if it hits the turret roof or engine deck.
How to take out an entire M1 regiment: hit the fuel trucks.
DeleteI think it'll be hard to hit Leo 2 engine deck due to the long bustle.