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[skaw]

Wow, didn't have that on my radar, at least not so deep in detail. Yes, i knew there was a disagreement about the Gepard ammo but the part about the use of Swiss-made weapons in defence leaves me speechles.

 

[muck]

Wow, didn't have that on my radar, at least not so deep in detail. Yes, i knew there was a disagreement about the Gepard ammo but the part about the use of Swiss-made weapons in defence leaves me speechles.

I understand the Swiss believe their neutrality is what's maintained their freedom and peaceful existence throughout the 20th century. It's still weird. Same with the Austrians, who recently pulled the bulk of their contingent from a Greek air war exercise only because Israel is also participating. Their reasoning being that since Israel is a nation at war, they can't take part without breaching their neutrality. Colossal nonsense. I'm not sure what's more annoying—backstabbers like Orban, Erdogan and Trump, or the ultra-orthodox neutralists in Bern, Vienna and Dublin.

 

[skaw]

...
I'm not sure what's more annoying—backstabbers like Orban, Erdogan and Trump, or the ultra-orthodox neutralists in Bern, Vienna and Dublin.

And inbetween the states with more backstabbing factions lurking and waiting for their first term. Hard to be optimistic for the future.

 

[Mike1976]

Fully agreed, although your price comparison isn't taking inflation into account. For example, Helge Ingstad's price tag of $453 million in 2003 would be about $790 million in today's money. And it wasn't a particularly capable design.

I do think they'll team up with Britain and buy Type 26 frigates.

I was comparing 2003 prices for both the Norwegian and Dutch ships. Considering the Dutch replacements will cost more than €1,5b each the Norwegians aren't going to get a replacement (really -upgrade-) for much less

The Type 26 seems like a more suitable replacement for them in terms of size and cost unlike the Dutch and German plans for a destroyer "Shut up you muppet! We're calling it a "frigate" ".

 

[Mike1976]

We've decided to decline Mercedes and are now buying Volkswagen. Nothing wrong with a Volkswagen, but it's nowhere near a Merc ...

Portugal approaches Saab to purchase Gripen fighter jets following withdrawal from US F-35 program

Portugal approaches Saab to purchase Gripen fighter jets following withdrawal from US F-35 program

armyrecognition.com

 

[av405]

We've decided to decline Mercedes and are now buying Volkswagen. Nothing wrong with a Volkswagen, but it's nowhere near a Merc ...

Portugal approaches Saab to purchase Gripen fighter jets following withdrawal from US F-35 program

Portugal approaches Saab to purchase Gripen fighter jets following withdrawal from US F-35 program

armyrecognition.com

Goodness, I really hate all of the headlines surrounding Portugal and the F-35, especially in light of Trump's policies. Portugal can't withdraw from a program it was never a part of. They basically window shopped and said "nah, let's go to the dollar store instead." Nothing against you, Mike.

 

[Nathyl]

Two more military observation and reconnaissance satellites for Spain.

The Spanish government has approved 1 billion €uros to finance the second series of Hisdesat's 'Paz' military satellites.

This second series will complement and eventually replace the 'Paz 1' satellite currently in orbit, just like the SpainSat NG series of military communications satellites (the first one was launched last January) will replace the older SpainSat and XtarEur...

Industria adelantará más de 1.000 millones de euros a Hisdesat para los nuevos satélites Paz 2

El Gobierno ha dado luz verde en el Consejo de Ministros a un préstamo de 1.011 millones de euros del Ministerio de Industria a Hisdesat para financiar el programa Paz 2 que incluye la const ...

www.infodefensa.com

 

[haze99]

UK (not per say defense news)

Restoration of RAF West Raynham will support veterans

A group of volunteers is working to restore a listed former RAF headquarters building for veterans.

www.bbc.com

But significant news!

 

[Mike1976]

Breaking News: Germany Modernizes Military Arsenal with Mass Procurement of Loitering Munitions

Breaking News: Germany Modernizes Military Arsenal with Mass Procurement of Loitering Munitions

armyrecognition.com

 

[santana]

Blocked Eurofighter Deal Impacts Turkey’s Plans To Diversify Air Force​

Germany has again vetoed any Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet export to Turkey. If Berlin persists in denying Turkey the Typhoon, Ankara’s efforts to at least partially diversify its air force, especially its fighter jet fleet, will hit a major stumbling block.

The outgoing German coalition government led by caretaker Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reportedly blocked the sale in response to the Turkish government’s arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in March, the German Handelsblattbusiness newspaper reported Thursday.

Blocked Eurofighter Deal Impacts Turkey’s Plans To Diversify Air Force

Germany’s latest blocking of a Eurofighter deal is another striking reminder of how dependent Turkey remains on the U.S. for its air force.

www.forbes.com

 

[Nathyl]

After years of dragging his feet on defence spending and after enormous pressure from the EU, NATO and Trump... Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announces that Spain will reach 2% of GDP in defence spending this year instead of 2029.

That means raising spending by 10.5 billion €uros (12.03 billion US$) over what was planned for 2025.

Spain vows to meet NATO spending goal of 2% GDP in 2025 - NewsBreak

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain will meet NATO's target of spending 2% of gross domestic product on defence this year, much earlier than its previous self-imposed

www.newsbreak.com

 

[muck]

The government of Denmark has announced a new fleet-building programme with support from both the opposition as well as the regional governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands. As a first step, the Danish Navy means to acquire a new class of seafloor surveillance ships to guard critical infrastructure; four multi-purpose offshore patrol vessels with a minelaying-capacity: and 21 inshore patrol boats. The second phase of the programme (the details of which yet need finalising) is to include arctic patrol vessels, maritime patrol aircraft and a number of new frigates. (Source)

Germany is seeing some improvements in terms of military recruitment. The public interest in joining the homeland defence service is growing particularly fast, with as many as 18 applications for each vacancy reported. (Source)

Germany has again vetoed any Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet export to Turkey. If Berlin persists in denying Turkey the Typhoon, Ankara’s efforts to at least partially diversify its air force, especially its fighter jet fleet, will hit a major stumbling block.

The outgoing German coalition government led by caretaker Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reportedly blocked the sale in response to the Turkish government’s arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in March, the German Handelsblattbusiness newspaper reported Thursday.

What the hell, I thought we'd moved beyond that point already? Besides, what a waste of everybody's time. Ankara knows they only have to wait for the new administration to be sworn in.

 

[Redav]

We've decided to decline Mercedes and are now buying Volkswagen. Nothing wrong with a Volkswagen, but it's nowhere near a Merc ...

Portugal approaches Saab to purchase Gripen fighter jets following withdrawal from US F-35 program

Portugal approaches Saab to purchase Gripen fighter jets following withdrawal from US F-35 program

armyrecognition.com

That's BS

Even beggining of the week the Air Force commander stated there is no alternative to the F35 in Europe