Mil News Western Europe Military News

[PEMM]

If anyone keeps wondering why I always insist the German armed forces don't need more money, they just need to spend their money more wisely, check this out … Someone (a high-ranking officer behind a big mahogany desk, no doubt) realised the type certificate of the Airbus H145M the Luftwaffe has been flying since 2015 is actually made out to the MBB BK-117 (as which it began it long and storied career).

So, that someone moved heaven and hell to erase the new designation from living memory and replace it with the outdated one. Just think of the costs and the work hours associated with replacing the name … from pilot's licences to logistical documentation forms all the way down to recruitment leaflets … MBB ceased operations in 1989. For all intents and purposes the H145M is an entirely new helicopter!

Good God, the stupidity.

Sorry, I don't quite understand. Why did they do it?

 

[muck]

Sorry, I don't quite understand. Why did they do it?

Airbus sells the helicopter as the H145M. But it wasn't designed by Airbus. It was designed by MBB, namely under the designation of BK-117. Under that name it was certified by FAA and EASA back in the day.

The German Air Force has been operating the helicopter as the H145M for years.

However, earlier this year someone – probably someone hell-bent on proving the stereotype that Germans indeed are sticklers for rules – realised the type certificate of the helicopter shows a different name. So they embarked on a crusade to replace "H145M" in official lingo with "BK-117".

Which requires an awful lot of replacing, obviously. Each item of equipment, each printed form, each code of software somehow including or displaying the term "H145M" will have needed changing.

And this insane sea of red tape is why the German armed forces aren't the seventh-most potent military in the world despite receiving the seventh-largest military budget. The bureaucracy is insane. Insane sums of money and insane amounts of work hours are squandered away.

The worst part is that the Luftwaffe does not even use the designations entered into the certificates anyway. For instance, they call it the "Eurofighter" – not the "Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon".

 

[Fluff]

Airbus sells the helicopter as the H145M. But it wasn't designed by Airbus. It was designed by MBB, namely under the designation of BK-117. Under that name it was certified by FAA and EASA back in the day.

The German Air Force has been operating the helicopter as the H145M for years.

However, earlier this year someone – probably someone hell-bent on proving the stereotype that Germans indeed are sticklers for rules – realised the type certificate of the helicopter shows a different name. So they embarked on a crusade to replace "H145M" in official lingo with "BK-117".

Which requires an awful lot of replacing, obviously. Each item of equipment, each printed form, each code of software somehow including or displaying the term "H145M" will have needed changing.

And this insane sea of red tape is why the German armed forces aren't the seventh-most potent military in the world despite receiving the seventh-largest military budget. The bureaucracy is insane. Insane sums of money and insane amounts of work hours are squandered away.

The worst part is that the Luftwaffe does not even use the designations entered into the certificates anyway. For instance, they call it the "Eurofighter" – not the "Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon".

Germany isnt the only country. I once spent six months resolving a spare part on a harrier, because the part it came of was a harrier(T4) trainer, but it was being used now on a sea harrier, and the RAF had got rid of all harriers. But the T4 had been transferred to the navy, where it was now known as a Sea Harrier......

 

[BCNTM]

The worst part is that the Luftwaffe does not even use the designations entered into the certificates anyway. For instance, they call it the "Eurofighter" – not the "Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon".

I am pretty sure that is because they don't want to be reminded of the Typhoon Mk1

 

[Fluff]

I am pretty sure that is because they don't want to be reminded on the Typhoon Mk1

Achtung Typhoooonnnnn!!!!!!!

 

[muck]

Ha! The fact is, considering how the German mind operates "Typhoon" should've been an obvious candidate then to remind us how incredibly naughty we used to be. Also, all aircraft the Luftwaffe bought in Britain or the States used to retain their original designations – even in the case of world war veterans given a new lease on life with the former enemy.

 

[morris]

Five European allies sign on to build NATO’s next medium-lift helicopter

France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Greece each signed letters of intent to participate in the program, dubbed “Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability,” or NGRC.

www.defensenews.com

Over the coming years, these partners will work together to develop “an entirely new helicopter capability” that would replace a variety of medium multi-role rotorcraft fleets that are expected to retire between 2035 and 2040. The program was launched on the margins of the virtually held defense ministerial meeting in October, the alliance said.

 

[Deleted member 11302]

Neue Gewehre für Streitkräfte: Vergabestopp des Ministeriums wird kritisiert

FDP-Bundestagsabgeordneter macht neben AKK auch Vorgängerin von der Leyen verantwortlich. Kommt H&K zum Zug?

www.schwarzwaelder-bote.de

TLDR of the article; basically politicians and MEPs from H&Ks region salivating over the prospect of government money flowing into jobs for their constituents.

BUT
There is a very interesting peace of info at the end of the article that I didn't know: If the elimination of a competitor from a tender leaves only one competitor in the race (H&K in this case), the tender has to be cancelled and renewed for a new round of proposals.
Now I am hoping that the joint programm of Rheinmetall and Steyr-Mannlicher gets another chance, I mean look at it

Look at it you HEATHENS!

Modulares Sturmgewehrsystem RS556 - erste Eindrücke

Unterlüß (ww) Anfang der Woche hat Rheinmetall der Fachpresse in Unterlüß das System Infanterie vorgestellt. Boxer mit LANCE-Turm, IdZ-...

strategie-technik.blogspot.com

 

[PEMM]

Nordics:

Swedish airplane violated Finnish Airspace near Vaasa 20.11.2020. Border guard is investigating.

Epäilty ilmatilaloukkaus Vaasan edustalla

Puolustusministeriö.

www.defmin.fi

Absolutely reprehensible behavior. WWIII is imminent.

EDIT: It was a rescue helicopter.

Sweden suspected of Finnish airspace violation

A Swedish helicopter ventured into Finnish airspace last week.

yle.fi

 

[Chris O`Crooh]

Nordics:

Swedish airplane violated Finnish Airspace near Vaasa 20.11.2020. Border guard is investigating.

Epäilty ilmatilaloukkaus Vaasan edustalla

Puolustusministeriö.

www.defmin.fi

Absolutely reprehensible behavior. WWIII is imminent.

EDIT: It was a rescue helicopter.

Sweden suspected of Finnish airspace violation

A Swedish helicopter ventured into Finnish airspace last week.

yle.fi

Would be very interesting, though. Two experts of the winter war...

 

[Fluff]

Would be very interesting, though. Two experts of the winter war...

If we give it a few minutes, one of our russian stooges will be along, to tell them it would all be better if they had a stronk leader, and had adopted the peaceloving ways of the soviet union,when they were offered.

 

[BCNTM]

If we give it a few minutes, one of our russian stooges will be along, to tell them it would all be better if they had a stronk leader, and had adopted the peaceloving ways of the soviet union,when they were offered.

is that 'Stroke' leader

 

[PEMM]

Would be very interesting, though. Two experts of the winter war...

Our 0.7 million sleeper cells in Sweden would finally have use.

 

[Chris O`Crooh]

If we give it a few minutes, one of our russian stooges will be along, to tell them it would all be better if they had a stronk leader, and had adopted the peaceloving ways of the soviet union,when they were offered.

Do you know how they call the most beutiful agent of FSB?

Miss Polonium

 

[Picanha]

New German Air Force A350 Operates Epic Round The World Flight

New German Air Force A350 Operates Epic Round The World Flight

Germany's "Air Force One" had a record-breaking journey this weekend, as it flew from Cologne to Australia to Tahiti and back. Here's why.

onemileatatime.com

• On Friday, November 20, the A350 flew from Cologne to Canberra, which took over 19 hours
• On Sunday, November 22, the A350 flew from Canberra to Papeete, which took about 6.5 hours
• On Monday, November 23, the A350 flew from Papeete to Cologne, which took nearly 18 hours

 

[muck]

The German defence budget continues to rise and will grow to $56.12 billion in 2021. Not included in that figure are some $3.83 billion in further funding allocated to the military from an anti-pandemic stimulus package. The funds are reserved for ad-hoc purchases fulfilling immediate requirements – such as the 1,000 armoured logistical trucks and 48 tank transporters acquired last week. (Source, German)

Little by little, the bird builds its nest.

 

[Junglejim]

France and Poland right now....

 

[PEMM]

Finland;

Tuomas Gerdt, who was the last living Mannerheim cross knight, was laid to rest today.

Mannerheim cross was the highest military honor in Finnish military during continuation war (and right after the war). In total 191 soldiers received the honour.

Tuomas Gerdt saatettiin viimeiselle matkalle Narvan marssin soidessa – lue kaikki viimeisen Mannerheim-ristin ritarin hautajaisista

Mannerheim-ristin ritari Tuomas Gerdt on siunattu viimeiselle matkalleLappeenrannassa.

www.is.fi

From Wiki:

When the attack phase of the Continuation War started, Gerdt was serving as the runner of the chief of the machine gun unit. Gerdt had to maintain contact with the chief of his company in severe artillery fire during the Pääsiäisvaara battle on 1 July 1941. He was wounded in the head on the same day, but returned to his unit as a junior envoy officer in August.

During the Mensuvaara battles in August 1941, Gerdt had to maintain contact with the chief of the machine gun unit and the chief of the rifle company in severe conditions and repeatedly had to act independently. Gerdt's exemplary action allowed the rifle company to proceed across a plain that was being heavily bombarded by the enemy. When the enemy made a surprise attack, Gerdt voluntarily went to seek help from the artillery. During the trip, Gerdt was forced to cross a difficult spot of terrain, which was under enemy fire from 10 machine guns, over 10 light machine guns and a submachine gun, while at the same time being bombarded by heavy mortars. With this action, Gerdt saved his company from heavy losses.

During the "Sevastopol" base battles on Karelian isthmus in July 1942, Gerdt served as the runner of the chief of the 12th company of the infantry regiment 7, but also voluntarily participated in the counter-attack. Armed with a submachine gun, he opened a route at the front of the attack, killing several enemies. Gerdt again proceeded at the front when the platoon received a new direction of action. His actions influenced the conquest of the tip of the base. During the battle, Gerdt also took five prisoners.

Gerdt participated in reclaiming the "Sevastopol" base from the enemy. During the third conflict on 21 July, Gerdt found his superior officer, Captain Caj Toffer, lying severely wounded on a spot of terrain that had been bombarded with grenades. Gerdt carried the mortally wounded Toffer to safety, ignoring the severe and continuous artillery fire. Finnish Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim appointed Gerdt as one of his knights on the same day. Gerdt returned to battle, but was wounded in the face by a bullet the size of a fingertip. In military hospital, Gerdt received news that he had been promoted to Sergeant and awarded the Mannerheim Cross.

Gerdt was sent to Reserve Officer School in Niinisalo after lying in hospital for four months. Gerdt participated in heavy battles in Siiranmäki in June 1944, where he was wounded for a third time. Before being wounded, Gerdt, now having the rank of a Second Lieutenant, commanded a stub-sized platoon, which made successful counter-attacks to drive off the enemy. Gerdt became well in hospital and could return to his regiment after the Äyräpää-Vuosalmi battles. He was sent home on 13 November 1944.

A proposal to award Gerdt the Mannerheim Cross, signed by the chief of the Kannas Group, Lieutenant General Harald Öhquist on 24 July 1942, was sent to the military headquarters as a Creed message. A written proposal, signed by the chief of the 2nd Division, Major General Armas-Eino Martola and confirmed by the chief of the division staff, Lieutenant Colonel Adolf Ehrnrooth, was registered at the military headquarters on 27 July 1942. During the presentation given by the chief of staff, Öhquist's proposal to award Gerdt the Mannerheim Cross was supported. Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim awarded Gerdt the Mannerheim Cross, appointing him as Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #95, on 8 September 1942.

During the Continuation War, Gerdt was promoted from Junior Sergeant to Second Lieutenant. He was finally promoted to Captain in 1968, serving in the reserve.

RIP

Aside this, it's weird to think that my grandfathers generation is almost gone.

 

[muck]

France and Poland right now....

View attachment 264208

Well, with that trigger discipline they're not going to stop us, that's for sure …

 

[Junglejim]

Well, with that trigger discipline they're not going to stop us, that's for sure …

Thats why I mentioned France and Poland... they never did.