Once again we bow to Saudi wishes...

via AP

In a stepped-up response to Iranian backing of Shiite rebels in Yemen, the Navy aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt, is steaming toward the waters off Yemen to beef up security and join other American ships that are prepared to intercept any Iranian vessels carrying weapons to the Houthi rebels.
The deployment comes after a U.N. Security Council resolution approved last week imposed an arms embargo on the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi rebels. The resolution passed in a 14-0 vote with Russia abstaining.
Navy officials said Monday that the Roosevelt was moving through the Arabian Sea. A massive ship that carries F/A-18 fighter jets, the Roosevelt is seen more of a deterrent and show of force in the region.

Our foreign policy is in disarray.

This fight was supposedly between Saudi Arabia and its coalition versus Iran.
Now the US Navy is going to pick up the lion's share of the work.

Is anyone thinking in Foggy Bottom?  This makes no sense!

Warrior Firing Trials

Another sneak preview of Russian Armor coming online...(hi rez pics)

Many thanks to S300V4 for the pics!

UPDATE:  Robert linked the below pic.  Quite honestly I can't keep up with all the new armor that is going to be displayed.  I wish the CIA or the DIA put out threat assessments like they once did.  In the future armor identification and basic knowledge of capabilities will be an essential part of every Infantryman's playbook.

L-CAT for the US Army?

via Navy Recognition.

CNIM and FMG will answer the US Army request for proposal (RFP) for the Maneuver Support Vessel Light, MSV(L), program intended to replace the LCM-8 "Mike" landing craft. As part of their agreement, FMG will act as prime contractor and CNIM will be the design agent and provider of some specific equipment.
US based FMG is already working with the US Military and Coast Guard through Marinette Marine, which currently builds the Freedom class littoral combat ship for the US Navy with Lockheed Martin.
The craft proposed to the US Army will be an enhanced and simplified variant of the L-CAT® already in service within the French Navy. In US Army service the L-CAT® derivative would be used for shore to shore and intra-island operations.

Read it all here.

SNAFU!'s take?

I hope that the Army has an 0-6 assigned to the USMC/USN at Quantico monitoring discussions about the sea base and future operating concepts.

The Army has a problem.

Its struggling to make itself relevant and in doing so is lumbering around crashing into walls of its own making.

I've talked to enough leadership at HQMC to know that they're willing to include Army aircraft, seacraft and vehicles into the mix....its up to the Army to make sure that they're procuring gear that enhances the fight rather than causing friction points that will limit their utility.  Will the L-CAT enhance interoperability with the USMC/USN?  I don't know.  The Army better figure it out before they purchase any replacement ship.

Navy V-22 graphic art...

Pantsir-S1 Air Defense Missile Gun System Combat Simulation

Is it just me or did we just see this system being re-marketed to fight only low performance threats and away from being able to take on fast jets?

Let me introduce you to your next crisis. Illegal Immigrants fleeing to Europe...

via CNN.

(CNN)It was the latest in a series of dangerous voyages as hundreds of men, women and children boarded a boat in Libya, hoping to make it safely to Europe.
But after a couple of days at sea, in the dark of night Saturday, the ship was in distress in the Mediterranean and sent out an SOS.
As rescuers approached, the migrants -- perhaps 700 people on board -- moved to one side of their boat, hoping to be saved. Their movement caused the large, multilevel boat to capsize, sending the desperate crowd plunging into the frigid water, their chance of survival slim.
While the shipwreck was an accident, human traffickers facilitate risky trips like this, risking people's lives by putting them on rickety ships in unpredictable waters.
"Gangs of criminals are putting people on a boat, sometimes even at gunpoint," Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said. "They're putting them on the road to death, really, and nothing else."
Malta is working with Italy in the rescue operations.
It's "genocide -- nothing less than genocide, really," Muscat told CNN.
"Our troops, together with the Italian navy, are literally looking through the bodies to try to find someone who's still alive," he said.

Read the whole story here.

My take?

This is going to get nasty.  Southern Europe cannot afford this massive influx of people even if they wanted them...and I'm not sure they do.  Additionally EU laws place the entire continent at risk if some of these people are actually terrorist mixed in with people trying for a better life.

Between austerity, tight govt budgets and a population that sometimes doesn't seem to want to assimilate (don't go high and to the left...just my opinion...it means nothing), we're looking at the next flashpoint.

Oh and do you want proof of this in another country?  Check out what's happening in S. Africa.   The headline...What's behind xenophobic attacks in South Africa?

Yeah.  Call me crazy but the entire world seems headed to one massive flashpoint.

Defence Technology Review Land 400 quick overview.

Note:  The image below is taken from Defense Technology Review and gives an overview of the Land 400 Project Contenders.  Good stuff.  What vehicle stands out to me?  The Singapore Technologies Kinetics/ELbit combo intrigues me.  The Raytheon Australia Nexter seems like an early favorite too.  What has me scratching my head is the teaming of BAE and Patria though.  It doesn't seem like a match made in heaven after the comp for the ACV, so I wonder whats going on behind the scenes there.

  Defence Technology Review Page 22

Sweden rearms for future fights...another unintended consequence of the Ukraine war.

Thanks to Adrian for the link!

via Defense News.

Sweden will raise defense spending by 10.2 billion kronor (US $1.18 billion) for the period 2016 to 2020, the government said Friday amid concerns over Russia's military resurgence.
"The agreement sends a signal, internationally, that Sweden is reacting to the security situation in the world, that Sweden is a guarantor for peace and stability in northern Europe and that the defense of Sweden's territory is in focus," Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist told the TT news agency.

Read the entire article but make note of the wording the Defense Minister used....

Sweden is a guarantor for peace and stability in northern Europe 

That isn't said in the singular but appears to indicate that Sweden is part of a "confederation" that is going to keep northern Europe safe.  Additionally I don't get the sense that this is being pushed by the EU but by individual Scandinavian countries that are becoming alarmed.

This should worry Russia, but should scare the EU.

While the EU might be a fickle and powerless organization, nations inside it that decide to act in their own interests is a threat to its very existence.  If a cluster of nations look to each other and not the EU for security then why have the EU?

But back to the Sweden's defense plans.  What wasn't said in the article but passed along to me is even more interesting.  Check this out...

Sweden's army will consists of 8,5 battalions and homeguard.
Conscription is sort of reintroduced in the way that soldiers that quit early get placed doing the same job but in mobilizing unit that only train a few times a year.
The island of Gotland get 1 mechanized company Cv9040 and 1 reserve Tank company. This isn't much but atleast it forces the rebuilding of support infrastructure for heavier units to operate on the island then light infantry homeguard.
Also instead of 42 Leopard tanks all existing 120 will be placed in units since it's cheaper to pay for a less personnel intensive company Tank company then a mechanized one.
But the high points is that Swedens armed forces is actually reorganized to fight high intensity warfare (which they hadn't for a while, "Sweden is best defended in Afghanistan" is shit politicians have said)
The air force will be reorganized to not be so darn vulnerable (that road base concept sweden was known for is all gone in the last 10 years) so stuff will need to be rebuilt, but i would bet we get a nato base concept instead of dispersal !
Civil defense planning will be reactivated!
The army will Finally get AMOS mortars on Cv90's it's not said in name but a new mechanized mortar system can only mean that ( the stupidest cut in the last few years and that's up against some pretty stiff competition)
We'll get new medium rang SAM's to replace half the HAWK missile batteries !

That is a SUBSTANTIAL increase in combat power if my source is right.

Consider this another of those unintended consequences of the Ukraine conflict.

Sidenote:  What remains to be seen is how much damage has been done to NATO because of its inability to prevent Ukraine from going sideways.  How much longer can the alliance remain viable if its seen as useless? 

Defense Technology Review's intel on Australia's' Land 400 Project!

Australia's Land 400 Project.

If you're like me then you've been wondering exactly what it is, who's bidding on it, what the requirements are and how the different vehicles are stacking up in the competition.

Defense Technology Review fills in the blanks nicely!

DTR has a spread that breaks everything down and has the added benefit of showing a couple of new concept vehicles that I never knew even existed, much less were being offered.

Check out the downloadable magazine here.  Its well worth a look-see.

AH-1Z Vipers on deck... photos by Sgt. Jamean Berry

NOTE:  I'm always amazed at how densely they can pack aircraft on the deck of the LPD's.  They list two landing spaces but naval aviators are able to squeeze into real tight places.  Until Army aviation demonstrates the same capability they might as well enjoy their place on the beach.

Lessons from Ukraine. Civilian survival in a combat zone.

via SHTF Blog (go there to read the whole thing).

Artillery & infantry beats survivalist hero fantasies. Every. Single. Time.Maybe the most obvious lesson to be learned is how miserably all these fantasies about forming survival groups, living in a retreat while fighting against impossible odds would ultimately fail. There’s simply no surviving against an occupation force when facing them as an individual or small group. Houses, towns and even entire cities can eventually get surrounded and overpowered. A single house or compound represents a laughable resistance to organized armed forces, let alone ones with artillery and air support at their disposal. Once shooting at your position is no longer fun, they’ll just blow you up. It’s as simple as that.

&

Attitude, clothes, and gear can get you killed or arrested.Here is where the gray man approach comes into play. Be as neutral as possible not only regarding your actions and behavior, but also when it comes to insignias, clothes, and gear. Even beards or unusual or characteristic hair styles can get you in trouble. According to George1980 “There was very unpleasant situation on the Ukrainian check-point, when one soldier wanted to arrest me as separatist)) Fortunately, my wife and daughters were with me and this soldier did not stopped me. Problem was that I have a beard and, may be, my face was very “suspicious” ))) Soldier told me that)”.
Checkpoints in Ukraine are there for a reason: finding enemies. Having a weapon can get you into trouble, but also things such as maps, GPS, political propaganda, radios, this can all be consider espionage material. Adventurers traveling around the world have often mentioned how they get arrested in war zones because of their cameras and laptops. You’re not local, you have electronics capable of being used for communication, then you’re a suspect until proven otherwise. Lots of people have GPS, radios and maps in their Bug Out Bags. Just make sure to be smart about it and understand that in some cases, when dealing with factions fighting over power, it can get you in trouble and its better to get rid of some of it before reaching a checkpoint.

This whole article is worth a read.

Do I believe that "combat" is coming to the shores of the US?  No.  I do however think that we will see civil unrest...maybe widespread civil unrest in many areas of the country.

Much of the stuff outlined in the article is common sense prepper stuff.  Much of it is a warning to simply keep your head down, don't bring attention to yourself and don't go spoiling for a fight...especially with authorities.

Some of you will think it cowardly.

I think its brilliant.  Walk around during times of crisis with an AR slung over your shoulder, with a plate carrier and 240 rounds of 5.56 on your chest is gonna get you noticed, stopped and investigated.

Put away Red Dawn fantasies and simply do whats required...protect yourself and your family...provide for their sustenance and don't be a burden to society.

Afloat Forward Staging Bases. A quick solution to the "lack of amphibs" problem?

via Stars and Stripes.

Experiments with the supply ships will continue for several more years, Strock said, as the Marines explore the possibilities. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford has already called for planning on how task forces in Spain and Australia could employ the ships.
Questions remain, including how Marines will work alongside civilian mariners, who are part of the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. The ships also don’t solve the problem of amphibious assault, some naval analysts say, even if they help ease the burden on the current fleet.
“I think the Marines are very happy with the direction the (mobile-landing platform) is going,” said Bryan McGrath, a naval consultant with the FerryBridge Group. “And I think they would tell you, and with iron-clad justification, that they are not amphibs.”

The Mobile Landing Platform.  A great solution for the Marine Corps of the past (I think) but one we need to question going into the future.  The ability to serve as a sea base enabler is an essential capability but if the force is moving toward Company Landing Teams, Independent Ship Deployments, and seeking to get SPMAGTF-CRs aboard ship then they're not the answer we're looking for.

Which brings me to a modest proposal.

Change it up a bit and make all the projected MLP's into AFSB's instead!  I've never inquired but if AFSB's can maintain the ability to "semi submerge" and if you added fast landing craft like the Watercat M12 to those LCAC spaces, slightly increased the aviation facilities then you'd be looking at ready made mini-amphibs that could get the SPMAGTF-CR's feet wet, give them the ability to conduct surface raids AND function as vanguards in low threat areas.

The pieces are in place.

Sidenote:  The original concept for the AFSB had enclosed hangar spaces below deck AND increased space for vehicles and berthing.  Shouldn't we consider reverting back to the original plans?

Weird Iranian Armor...the vids!

Thanks to Kyle for the link!

The Death Star conspiracy - was it an Inside Job?

Hey, its raining buckets so I'm playing on the internet.  Sue me.  But you have to admit this vid is funny in a sly kind of way....at least for Star Wars Fans.

Saturday Funny...

You can tell it's going to live off him and bleed him dry until he's no longer able to provide...but enough about her... dude you have an octopus on your back 

Independent Amphibious Ship operations require smaller amphibs..

Major Hat Tip to ELP Blog for finding the vid!



The USMC/USN Team is pumping out a whole slew of new operating concepts, but one in particular will have implications for ship building though.

Independent amphibious ship operations.

I'm not entirely sure where they're going with this concept.  Are we looking at individual ships leaving for patrol on their own?  Are we talking about maintaining the MEU structure and having the ships dispersed under the direction of different Combatant Commanders?  I just don't know.

If this thing evolves to individual amphibs going out solo with a Company Landing Team aboard then we're going to need a totally different class of amphibs.  The America, San Antonio and LX(R) will hardly make sense if that is where we're going in the future.  Sidenote, its also another indication of a bias toward COIN instead of conventional combat.

If we're going to send these amphibs out solo then we're going to need many more of them...they're going to need to be smaller, the attached air wing will be utilitarian at best and landing craft and armored/logistics/utility vehicles will be at a  premium.

That means that the ship above might be closer to the future than what we're using today.

Romanian Armored Forces training with the US Army's 2nd Cav...

Note:  Check out the pics and compare the height of the Stryker with the BMPs variants.  That is a concern that is never talked about.  Wheeled IFVs are great against IEDs, but are incredibly easy to spot and difficult to conceal.  Is this another indication of a bias toward the COIN fight instead of conventional warfare (which I believe is right around the corner)?

Canada's Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle (TAPV). What the hell is going on?

The TAPV program was completely off my radar.  Last I heard was that the first full rate production vehicle was coming off the assembly line via this Textron tweet...

First full-rate production TAPV now on production line http://t.co/hR6EZ2X6cV

Now this morning I'm reading this from Defense News...

The Canadian military's newest armored vehicle faces significant technical problems, with US company Textron being given a final chance to show its system can meet the promised levels of protection and mobility.
Textron's tactical armored patrol vehicle (TAPV) failed a series of tests in 2014, forcing the company to make design changes to the wheeled system it is offering Canada. A number of redesigned preproduction vehicles will be tested over the next several months and into the summer, a company official said.
But an internal Canadian Department of National Defence briefing paper pointed out that because of ongoing problems this will be Textron's last chance to produce a preproduction vehicle for the CAN $1.2 billion (US $1 billion) project.

Interesting.

I'll bang on a company in a heartbeat if I think they're lacking when it comes to getting the job done, but this time I'm not so sure.

Canada is the gang that can't shoot straight when it comes to armored vehicle procurement and this is just the latest example.

I'll be following the TAPV program a lot more closely now...I'm also going to make a few calls to the Defense Ministry and Textron...are we seeing requirements creep after contract award?  I suspect so but we shall see.

War at sea? Royal Saudi Navy vs. the Iranian Navy?

Thanks to William for the link!

via The Hill.

U.S. military officials are concerned that Iran's support for Houthi rebels in Yemen could spark a confrontation with Saudi Arabia and plunge the region into sectarian war.

Iran is sending an armada of seven to nine ships — some with weapons — toward Yemen in a potential attempt to resupply the Shia Houthi rebels, according to two U.S. defense officials.

Officials fear the move could lead to a showdown with the U.S. or other members of a Saudi-led coalition, which is enforcing a naval blockade of Yemen and is conducting its fourth week of airstrikes against the Houthis.

Iran sent a destroyer and another vessel to waters near Yemen last week but said it was part of a routine counter-piracy mission.

What's unusual about the new deployment, which set out this week, is that the Iranians are not trying to conceal it, officials said. Instead, they appear to be trying to "communicate it" to the U.S. and its allies in the Gulf.


It is not clear what will happen as the convoy comes closer to Yemen. Saudi Arabia has deployed ships around Yemen to enforce the blockade, as has Egypt. An official said the ship convoy could try to land at a port in Aden, which the Houthis have taken over.

Although the U.S. is assisting with the Saudi-led air campaign, it is not participating in the naval blockade of Yemen, said U.S. Central Command spokesman Col. Pat Ryder.

However, the U.S. Navy is in the region and has already "consensually boarded" one Panamanian-flagged ship in the Red Sea on April 1 on the suspicion it was illegally carrying arms for the Houthis.

None were found, but the move raised alarm bells in Washington over an increasingly active U.S. military role in the conflict. The Pentagon indicated this week that more boardings could occur.

"We will continue to vigilantly defend freedom of navigation and to conduct consensual searches in an effort to ensure that drugs, human trafficking, weapons trafficking and other contraband are limited," Army Col. Steve Warren said on Monday.

Officials fear a naval confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia could escalate what has become a proxy war between the two countries.

Just plain wow.  Pass the popcorn.

The more world leaders try and contain events the more they appear to be spiraling out of control.

Is it too soon or can I say that you can stick a fork in the nuke negotiations?