The War In Ukraine: General Sir Richard Barrons

 

 

Picture: Unknown photographer,Crown Copyright

 

One could be forgiven for thinking that the former Commander Joint Forces Command,General Sir Richard Barrons,had never been a British Army officer as his article in today's Sunday Times newspaper about the current unpleasantness in Ukraine not only lacks the acronyms and buzzwords which make so many sound like teenage management trainees but also appears to have been written by a man who understands the bloody business of land warfare,however,this otherwise very sensible piece must be challenged on the claim that tanks need to be "made lighter".

 

 

Picture: Sergeant Gustavo Olgiati,United States' Army photograph

 

Protection against modern infantry weapons weighs hundreds of pounds per square foot,protection against tank fire is even heavier,and a modern armoured vehicle is further burdened by the increasing volume and weight demands of weapons,sensors,communications,countermeasures,battle management systems and their associated power and cooling requirements,a problem which would be exacerbated by the adoption of electric propulsion.

 

 

Picture: Unknown photographer,Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine photograph,Mvs.gov.ua

 

Unless the laws of physics change,the trend for ever bigger and heavier tanks is likely to continue and heavy losses of medium tanks in Kuwait,Chechnya,Iraq and Ukraine demonstrate the consequences of ignoring the reality of armoured vehicle design.

 

Nobody's Perfect

 

 

Picture: Ben Shread,Crown Copyright

 

Budget increases,industrial strategies and,in particular,a National Shipbuilding Strategy,Boris Johnson has done some very good things for the United Kingdom's armed forces,but wasting tax payers money on one hundred more,militarily useless,German made,Boxer vehicles is not one of them.

 

How To Tell If You Are A British General: Part Sixteen

 

 

Picture: Park Heung-bae,Republic of Korea Armed Forces photograph

 

You know that the British Army already operates too many vehicle types,but you want to add another one.

 

How To Tell If You Are A British General: Part Fifteen

 

 

Picture: Jack Eckersley,Crown Copyright

 

You know that Boxer vehicles lack protection against man portable weapons,but you want to use them as Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

 

The War In Ukraine: Is This Why Russian Soldiers Shoot Civilian Cars?

 

 

Picture: Unknown photographer,Уиппи и Ко 226 (Whippy & Co. 226) video

 

There have been reports of Russian soldiers shooting at civilian vehicles in Ukraine and this may be why,combat operations have repeatedly demonstrated that vehicles should have protection commensurate with their role,which is why An Independent Army For An Independent Nation has trucks such as the Pony,Horse and Elephant which shall be protected against fire from small arms and Rocket Propelled Grenades.

 

How To Tell If You Are A British General: Part Eight

 

 

Picture: Unknown photographer,Estonian Defence Forces photograph

 

You know that infantry operate on foot in confined spaces such as buildings,alleys,trenches,mountains and forests,or move around the battlefield in manned vehicles,but you think you could provide them with transformational "last mile" logistical support with an Unmanned Ground Vehicle,which at nearly seven feet wide cannot operate in confined spaces,or fit inside vehicles,and being capable of only twelve miles per hour cannot keep up with manned vehicles.