"The 1980's are calling to ask for their foreign policy back."

This seems like a good time to point out that Sweden and Finland joining NATO would be the largest increase in military strength in half a century.

Not only are they modern, competently led militaries but Sweden is almost completely plug and play with NATO and Finland is partially there.

Almost nearly all of Sweden’s hardware is STANAG as they started moving that way beginning in 1994. Their latest planes the Gripen E/Fs were built from the beginning to be fully NATO integrated (IFF/Comms/etc). And the C/Ds already have conversion packs (used on the ones in the Czech and Hungarian AFs).

Just scroll through and look at the countries of origin:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_equipment_of_the_Swedish_Armed_Forces

Finland unfortunately has a mix of Warsaw and NATO equipment but they are moving in the right direction. And even their Warsaw equipment is as up to date and maintained is they can be.

The post-CW expansion was led by the Central and Eastern European nations. They were a net liability. Which is why Clinton and other NATO leaders were initially opposed. This would most definitely not be.

Accident?

Sweden punches above its weight.

Someone pointed out that it looks like it was abandoned because they couldn’t figure out how to switch out some vacuum tubes.

Interesting thread.

Those Russians sure are accident prone....

Good read.

I know we are mostly only getting one side but it feels like things are continuing to just get worse and worse for Russia. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kherson is in Ukrainian hands and/or Izyum fully encircled by May 9th.

Interesting info about the NATO + 14 meeting tomorrow.

The sheer amount of lost military equipment by Russia, is staggering.

Germany reverses position on supplying heavy weaponry to Ukraine, sending 50 AA tanks:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/wor...67f27177811a20d37c9bf3&pinned_post_type=share

Looking at this video and I am reminded of someone pointing out how against (US/NATO/etc) doctrine these movements are. These poor bastards seriously only know ducks-in-row, nut-to-butt, eyes (and weapons) locked forward parade ground movement.

"But Igor... is called Armoured Column! How else can we arrange tanks into Column?!"

Given the Moskva I wouldn't be surprised to see Russian warships in line astern next.

I think the Moldova thing rattled a few cages - unlike Ukraine, Moldova is most decidedly NOT likely to fare well given the assets Russia and their own separatists in Transnistra have, let alone if Russian assets punch through from Ukraine. And then THAT puts more pressure on Ukraine's defences with a land bridge for Russian resupply.

Every A-10 pilot right now: