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vic said:
www.cnn.com

Russia accuses Ukraine of helicopter strikes on fuel depot in Russian territory | CNN

Russia accused Ukraine of mounting a helicopter attack on a fuel depot inside Russian territory Friday, as footage surfaced of the facility engulfed in flames.
www.cnn.com www.cnn.com

Russia blames Ukraine. Ukraine won't confirm or deny it.
Click to expand...
Ukraine is now denying it though it would be completely illogical for Russia to strike one of the main fuel depots used to support the invasion as a false flag. So far Russian false flags have been confined to meaningless targets, so I suspect this was indeed Ukraine as strategically it makes sense for them.

Also this is the second (or possibly 3rd Ukrainian strike in Russian territory)

They struck the Millerovo airbase in Rostov on Feb 25th, and possibly a munitions depot in the Belegorod region the other day though there are conflicting reports as to whether it was an attack or a human error at the depot.
 
Admiral Beez said:
@kEiThZ at what point will Canada deploy its Leopard IIs to Europe? They’re doing us no good here in Canada and surely the circumstances in Europe justify their deployment.
Click to expand...

When we find a host country that wants them and are ready to keep them there a while. Right now there's no real need for them. And there's capable platforms, from allies, in theatre already.

Also, going forward, we'll need a whole discussion on the value of heavy armour for Canada. Very hard to deploy them. A much more limited use case, due to increasing vulnerability to anti-tank weapons. There's a reason the US Marine Corps is ditching tanks entirely. We'll need to have a lot of doctrinal review after this conflict. And also a new foreign and defence policy before plonking down billions in new spending.
 
kEiThZ said:
When we find a host country that wants them and are ready to keep them there a while. Right now there's no real need for them. And there's capable platforms, from allies, in theatre already.

Also, going forward, we'll need a whole discussion on the value of heavy armour for Canada. Very hard to deploy them. A much more limited use case, due to increasing vulnerability to anti-tank weapons. There's a reason the US Marine Corps is ditching tanks entirely. We'll need to have a lot of doctrinal review after this conflict. And also a new foreign and defence policy before plonking down billions in new spending.
Click to expand...
Good point. Donate the Leo 2s to Ukraine. Focus the CAF on what we need.
 
kEiThZ said:
When we find a host country that wants them and are ready to keep them there a while. Right now there's no real need for them. And there's capable platforms, from allies, in theatre already.

Also, going forward, we'll need a whole discussion on the value of heavy armour for Canada. Very hard to deploy them. A much more limited use case, due to increasing vulnerability to anti-tank weapons. There's a reason the US Marine Corps is ditching tanks entirely. We'll need to have a lot of doctrinal review after this conflict. And also a new foreign and defence policy before plonking down billions in new spending.
Click to expand...
Yup. Canada is a geographic fortress with abundant natural resources for in hour production of many vital materials. Our focus should be on further fortifying the country based on our existing geographic advantage and shoring up critical resources and infrastructure.

Better air defense systems, air force, and navy/coast gaurd should be the Canadian priorities imo.
 
Admiral Beez said:
Good point. Donate the Leo 2s to Ukraine. Focus the CAF on what we need.
Click to expand...

A Leopard 2 is not like a Honda Civic you can just loan out. Tanks require training and support to operate. This is hard to do in the middle of a war (a lesson for those who think defence spending can be put off till a war). The Ukrainians are better off using captured Russian and donated Eastern Bloc kit that they are familiar with and have parts for.
 
kEiThZ said:
When we find a host country that wants them and are ready to keep them there a while. Right now there's no real need for them. And there's capable platforms, from allies, in theatre already.

Also, going forward, we'll need a whole discussion on the value of heavy armour for Canada. Very hard to deploy them. A much more limited use case, due to increasing vulnerability to anti-tank weapons. There's a reason the US Marine Corps is ditching tanks entirely. We'll need to have a lot of doctrinal review after this conflict. And also a new foreign and defence policy before plonking down billions in new spending.
Click to expand...
First and foremost, I would welcome a Foreign and Defence Policy-led review of required force structures any day of the week. Normally it is Treasury led (how much money do have left over from bribing the taxpayer...).

But a reminder that Canada currently has a battlegroup as part of Operation REASSURANCE in Latvia as part of NATO's Enhance Forward Presence in the Baltic states and Poland. If Canada wishes to play a role in operations like this then perhaps re-examining our armoured capability to two battlegroups with MBTs, IFVs and armoured SP guns may be the way forward. It may be a posture of committing forces in the context of high intensity armoured/mechanised warfare, or it may not. And the utility of armoured vehicles and MBTs were found also in Bosnia, 1992-95. The Canadian 1950s era M113 were shockingly poor in comparison to the British Warrior (1980s era). And UK Warriors, US Bradleys and other IFVs (e.g. CV9030s) were also deployed in context of Afghanistan. Conventional war, hostile peacekeeping and COIN. Three for the price of one.

We've been going around this buoy since 1991, and the discussion goes on but the utility of the main battle tank, as part of an all arms capability, remains.

The tank is dead. Long live the tank.
 
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