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[Mike1976]

I am amazed that there are approx 186,000 roles in the German armed forces where a sidearm would be required.

Well it says that 62,000 holsters will be part of the order with (what I assume is, but not explicitly stated) an option for another 124,000. I'm assuming it's the same numbers for guns.

 

[Picanha]

I am amazed that there are approx 186,000 roles in the German armed forces where a sidearm would be required.

It's the secondary arm full kitted you should have one additional to your main weapon.

186000 is more or less one for everyone.

If they reinstate conscription they must order more.

 

[Picanha]

Gripen is full of American parts and if I remember correctly US blocked their sale to Colombia. Edit: fake news.

Saab Denies U.S. Block on Gripen Sale to Colombia Reports | TURDEF

Saab Deputy Head of Marketing Richard Smith denied the recent reports of the U.S. trying to block the sale of Gripen fighter jets to FAC.

turdef.com

For independence from the US, I think Rafale is the only option.

I think it's a bit shortsighted decision. These planes are in use for a long time with the US policies going back and forth many times.

Or Typhoons. I don't get the hype on the 6th generation yes develop it but in the meantime get some more current types and upgrade them.

Its not like Russia has vast fleets of 6th gen at the moment.

Numbers are also what counts.

6th gen whatever it will be we will see.

I was already imagining some space capable jet able to go up 100km would be imune up there.

But that's just dreams.

If they get the variable cycle engines and drone swarms to work plus stealth that would be already enough.

 

[Mike1976]

Or Typhoons. I don't get the hype on the 6th generation yes develop it but in the meantime get some more current types and upgrade them.

Its not like Russia has vast fleets of 6th gen at the moment.

Numbers are also what counts.

6th gen whatever it will be we will see.

I was already imagining some space capable jet able to go up 100km would be imune up there.

But that's just dreams.

If they get the variable cycle engines and drone swarms to work plus stealth that would be already enough.

The problem isn't a sixth gen fighter developing, it's the fact that there isn't even a single European fifth gen alternative to F-22 and F-35.

Send up non-stealth fourth gen Rafales, Gripen and Eurofighters into a dense AD network without US AWACS and Electronic Warfare coverage and those aircraft aren't coming back.

The longest range missiles those aircraft have right now to stay out of range of AD are all American too.

Developing signals intelligence and radar jamming of our own needs to be a high priority, but so should stealth aircraft. All of these aircraft are good for patrolling national airspace, but useless for deep strikes without the US.

 

[Connaught Ranger]

Four U.S. soldiers missing after military drill in Lithuania | TVP World News​

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UPDATE! Sadly it appears they drove into a bog during the exercise their armored recovery vehicle has been found 15 meters down in swampy ground that has been drained during the search period, little hope of being found alive, seems it will be a recovery effort now.
May they +Rest In Peace +

 

[TheKiwi]

....

The longest range missiles those aircraft have right now to stay out of range of AD are all American too.
...

Meteor isn't US made and it's the longest range missile system in western use anywhere. And likely to remain so until the US successor to the AMRAAM comes online.

 

[Mike1976]

Meteor isn't US made and it's the longest range missile system in western use anywhere. And likely to remain so until the US successor to the AMRAAM comes online.

Does it have an A2G mode?

"The longest range missiles those aircraft have right now to stay out of range of AD are all American too."

I should have stated explicitly "standoff munitions" to make it clearer what I meant. As in degrading "dense AD network", "deep strikes". Because when russia isn't operating it's airforce outside of it's own AD bubbles against little Ukraine I don't see them suddenly swarming out over Europe against NATO.

 

[Connaught Ranger]

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[BeNder]

This can't be good

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[TheKiwi]

There is talk about nationalising the steel mills.

 

[Connaught Ranger]

UP Date with regards the search for missing US Soldiers in Lithuania -

May they + Rest In Peace +

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[BeNder]

US-Germany jointly develop new generation of rockets/missiles launcher GMARS with 400 km range

US-Germany jointly develop new generation of rockets/missiles launcher GMARS with 400 km range

armyrecognition.com

 

[BeNder]

Germany decides to leave history in the past and prepare for war

Russian aggression and US isolationism push a once hesitant Germany to invest heavily in defence.

www.bbc.com

 

[Mike1976]

More joint purchases.

Sweden also chooses Embraer aircraft

News item | 02-04-2025 | 09:53

Sweden will also operate the C-390 Millennium. The country is joining the agreement that the Netherlands and Austria previously concluded with the Brazilian company Embraer. That contract provided room to add other countries.

The 3 countries are buying 13 military transport aircraft together. The Netherlands is buying 5, Austria and Sweden 4 each. The Netherlands is the so-called ‘lead nation’ for this project. This means that the Netherlands can and may negotiate on behalf of all participants.

The collaboration offers the countries economies of scale in the areas of training, maintenance and upkeep. This reduces the operational costs per aircraft. All C-390s will also have the same configuration. This makes operating together and exchanging personnel easier.

The Dutch industry also benefits. The aircraft are being finished by Dutch companies in Woensdrecht.

Ook Zweden kiest voor Embraer-vliegtuigen

Ook Zweden gaat vliegen met de C-390 Millennium. Het land sluit zich aan bij de overeenkomst die Nederland en Oostenrijk eerder al sloten met de Braziliaanse firma Embraer. Dat contract bood ruimte om andere landen toe te voegen.

www.defensie.nl

 

[skaw]

Thats a new one...

German Special Forces seem to get an ISR platform, probably based on the King Air 350, so most likely an MC-12W variant. Article talks about a single plane.

Aufklärungs- und Spionageflugzeug für die deutschen Spezialkräfte

Die Spezialkräfte der Bundeswehr sollen ein Aufklärungs- und Spionageflugzeug erhalten, wie CPM Defence Network aus militärischen Kreisen erfahren

defence-network.com

 

[Mike1976]

Luchtmacht boekt succes met live uitwisseling van gevechtsgegevens

De luchtmacht heeft een belangrijke test gedaan. F-35 gevechtsvliegtuigen en het Nederlandse commandosysteem Keystone wisselden gisteren voor het eerst buiten de Verenigde Staten live gegevens uit. Deze belangrijke stap in het multi domein-optreden werd gezet tijdens Ramstein Flag, de grote...

www.defensie.nl

"Dutch Air Force achieves success with live exchange of combat data

The Air Force has conducted an important test. F-35 fighter jets and the Dutch command system Keystone exchanged live data for the first time outside the United States yesterday. This important step in the multi-domain operation was taken during Ramstein Flag, the major NATO exercise from Leeuwarden Air Base.

An F-35 fighter jet found and identified a target on the ground. The aircraft then sent the information to the Keystone system. This automatically forwarded it to an army unit, which then eliminated the target via the PULS rocket artillery system.

This process took just a few minutes, from finding the target to firing the missiles. The test was carried out with the help of the US Air Force, F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin and TNO (Dutch equivalent of DARPA). It is the first time that this has been done in Europe with F-35 aircraft.

The Air Force has been using the Keystone program since last year. This program shows how quickly concrete results can be achieved from an operational concept. The collaboration with military and civilian partners has led to this successful test."

 

[Fluff]

Luchtmacht boekt succes met live uitwisseling van gevechtsgegevens

De luchtmacht heeft een belangrijke test gedaan. F-35 gevechtsvliegtuigen en het Nederlandse commandosysteem Keystone wisselden gisteren voor het eerst buiten de Verenigde Staten live gegevens uit. Deze belangrijke stap in het multi domein-optreden werd gezet tijdens Ramstein Flag, de grote...

www.defensie.nl

"Dutch Air Force achieves success with live exchange of combat data

The Air Force has conducted an important test. F-35 fighter jets and the Dutch command system Keystone exchanged live data for the first time outside the United States yesterday. This important step in the multi-domain operation was taken during Ramstein Flag, the major NATO exercise from Leeuwarden Air Base.

An F-35 fighter jet found and identified a target on the ground. The aircraft then sent the information to the Keystone system. This automatically forwarded it to an army unit, which then eliminated the target via the PULS rocket artillery system.

This process took just a few minutes, from finding the target to firing the missiles. The test was carried out with the help of the US Air Force, F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin and TNO (Dutch equivalent of DARPA). It is the first time that this has been done in Europe with F-35 aircraft.

The Air Force has been using the Keystone program since last year. This program shows how quickly concrete results can be achieved from an operational concept. The collaboration with military and civilian partners has led to this successful test."

Dutch F25, and dutch Puls? So double dutch then?

 

[Mike1976]

Dutch F25, and dutch Puls? So double dutch then?

Yes, all elements were Dutch.

 

[muck]

The new German government wants to set up its own foreign military sales programme. International customers will be able to buy weapons directly from Berlin, or join current and upcoming domestic German procurement programmes. Unlike in e.g. the United States, parliamentary approval will not be needed to conclude a deal. Furthermore, Berlin plans to boost the defence industry sector through a bundle of measures: Germany will buy shares in domestic companies; ease their access to the capital market; reduce bureaucratic hurdles for new investment and infrastructure projects; outlaw the practice of many public universities to ban weapons resarch; and issue standing orders for certain goods with a guarantee of purchase to create long-term business prospects. (Source)

 

[Mike1976]

"New tank battalion to be based in Germany

The tank battalion to be established will be stationed in Bergen-Hohne, Germany. The Dutch and German Ministries of Defence have reached an agreement on this. Minister Ruben Brekelmans and his German colleague Boris Pistorius signed a declaration of intent to this effect in Brussels today.

There are several advantages to stationing the tank battalion at the Niedersachsen barracks. The most important one is that Bergen-Hohne offers enough space to train realistically with a tank battalion. In the Netherlands, this training and shooting space is not available. This means that Dutch soldiers train together with the Germans and are also trained together.

The Dutch tank battalion consists of 46 Leopard 2A8 battle tanks. Each squadron, consisting of 14 battle tanks, will also receive unmanned systems. Depending on this innovation, the number of tanks may increase from 46 to 52.

Brekelmans emphasises the unique form of cooperation with Germany. “As a result, the Netherlands has retained important knowledge in fighting with and against tanks in recent years.” He calls such international cooperation essential to effectively guarantee our security against the increased threats in Europe.

Infrastructure
The Netherlands and Germany will now make detailed agreements. For example, it still needs to be clarified which infrastructure is needed at the Niedersachsen barracks. Think of roads and accommodations for barracks or sheds.

The entire tank battalion consists of around 500 soldiers. The intention is that the first soldiers of the new battalion will be able to work at the German barracks from 2027. The battalion must be ready in 2030.

Own tank capacity
With the purchase of at least 46 Leopard tanks, the armed forces will have their own tank capacity again in a few years. Defence said goodbye to this in 2011 due to budget cuts. Thanks to German-Dutch military cooperation, Dutch soldiers still use tanks. This ensures that knowledge of tank operations is retained. This is done via 414 Tank Battalion. This unit is currently also stationed in Bergen-Hohne."

Nieuw tankbataljon krijgt thuisbasis in Duitsland

Het op te richten tankbataljon wordt in het Duitse Bergen-Hohne gestationeerd. Het Nederlandse en Duitse ministerie van Defensie zijn het hierover eens geworden. Minister Ruben Brekelmans en zijn Duitse collega Boris Pistorius hebben daartoe vandaag in Brussel een intentieverklaring ondertekend.

www.defensie.nl