Eddy

Belgium uses Alpha Jets, so transition from the Alpha Jet to the F-16 has been done on a routine basis by at least one air force off the top of my head. Also, I don't think the curriculum for fighter pilot training on an operational type is all that dependent on which platform was used for the advanced/LIFT phase... There are plenty of cases where pilots will train with another air force, especially within NATO, so I'm guessing the French are already used to training LIFT candidates going on to an operational type not in service with l'Armée de l'Air.
Or, to put it another way, a new USAF fighter pilot would currently be trained on the T-38 Talon...which was originally designed in the late 1950s as a lead-in trainer for the Century Series fighters and the F-4 Phantom II.
Fully agree on the Mirage 2000-5, it's an excellent fourth generation multirole fighter, closely comparable to the F-16A MLU in capability (Greece, Taiwan and the UAE already currently operate both the Mirage 2000 and the F-16, so Ukraine will not be alone in operating both types).

To give some background to this announcement the current training pipeline for future Ukrainian pilots is this:
1. Basic training is done in the UK on Grob Prefect T1
    (At the same time there is language training and also training in G simulators to get used to the nest step)
2. Initial fast jet training is done  in the UK on a Beechcraft Texan T1 ( a turboprop aircraft)
 
3. Advanced fast jet training is done on Armee de l'Air Alpha Jets
As neither the French or the British have F16s, there is no existing pipeline from moving from Alpha Jets to F16s.
There is, however, an existing pipeline for moving from Alpha Jets to Mirage 2000s
This, I think, indicates a longer term, more mature approach to providing capability to the Ukrainian Air Force. It's a more thought out announcement that President Macron trying to get Brownie points.
(There's a load of bollocks on socials about Mirage 2000s only being provided to launch Scalp/Storm Shadow. The Mirage 2000-5 is a lot more capable than that. It's no F35 but it's no Su 24 either) 
 

To give some background to this announcement the current training pipeline for future Ukrainian pilots is this:
1. Basic training is done in the UK on Grob Prefect T1
    (At the same time there is language training and also training in G simulators to get used to the nest step)
2. Initial fast jet training is done  in the UK on a Beechcraft Texan T1 ( a turboprop aircraft)
 
3. Advanced fast jet training is done on Armee de l'Air Alpha Jets
As neither the French or the British have F16s, there is no existing pipeline from moving from Alpha Jets to F16s.
There is, however, an existing pipeline for moving from Alpha Jets to Mirage 2000s
This, I think, indicates a longer term, more mature approach to providing capability to the Ukrainian Air Force. It's a more thought out announcement that President Macron trying to get Brownie points.
(There's a load of bollocks on socials about Mirage 2000s only being provided to launch Scalp/Storm Shadow. The Mirage 2000-5 is a lot more capable than that. It's no F35 but it's no Su 24 either) 
 

And 
https://mstdn.social/@noelreports/112571158457621894
 

To give some background to this announcement the current training pipeline for future Ukrainian pilots is this:
1. Basic training is done in the UK on Grob Prefect T1
    (At the same time there is language training and also training in G simulators to get used to the nest step)
2. Initial fast jet training is done  in the UK on a Beechcraft Texan T1 ( a turboprop aircraft)
 
3. Advanced fast jet training is done on Armee de l'Air Alpha Jets
As neither the French or the British have F16s, there is no existing pipeline from moving from Alpha Jets to F16s.
There is, however, an existing pipeline for moving from Alpha Jets to Mirage 2000s
This, I think, indicates a longer term, more mature approach to providing capability to the Ukrainian Air Force. It's a more thought out announcement that President Macron trying to get Brownie points.
(There's a load of bollocks on socials about Mirage 2000s only being provided to launch Scalp/Storm Shadow. The Mirage 2000-5 is a lot more capable than that. It's no F35 but it's no Su 24 either) 
 

To give some background to this announcement the current training pipeline for future Ukrainian pilots is this:
1. Basic training is done in the UK on Grob Prefect T1
    (At the same time there is language training and also training in G simulators to get used to the nest step)
2. Initial fast jet training is done  in the UK on a Beechcraft Texan T1 ( a turboprop aircraft)
 
3. Advanced fast jet training is done on Armee de l'Air Alpha Jets
As neither the French or the British have F16s, there is no existing pipeline from moving from Alpha Jets to F16s.
There is, however, an existing pipeline for moving from Alpha Jets to Mirage 2000s
This, I think, indicates a longer term, more mature approach to providing capability to the Ukrainian Air Force. It's a more thought out announcement that President Macron trying to get Brownie points.
(There's a load of bollocks on socials about Mirage 2000s only being provided to launch Scalp/Storm Shadow. The Mirage 2000-5 is a lot more capable than that. It's no F35 but it's no Su 24 either) 
 

To give some background to this announcement the current training pipeline for future Ukrainian pilots is this:
1. Basic training is done in the UK on Grob Prefect T1
    (At the same time there is language training and also training in G simulators to get used to the nest step)
2. Initial fast jet training is done  in the UK on a Beechcraft Texan T1 ( a turboprop aircraft)
 
3. Advanced fast jet training is done on Armee de l'Air Alpha Jets
As neither the French or the British have F16s, there is no existing pipeline from moving from Alpha Jets to F16s.
There is, however, an existing pipeline for moving from Alpha Jets to Mirage 2000s
This, I think, indicates a longer term, more mature approach to providing capability to the Ukrainian Air Force. It's a more thought out announcement that President Macron trying to get Brownie points.
(There's a load of bollocks on socials about Mirage 2000s only being provided to launch Scalp/Storm Shadow. The Mirage 2000-5 is a lot more capable than that. It's no F35 but it's no Su 24 either) 
 

And 
https://mstdn.social/@noelreports/112571158457621894
 

Because they are not -making- hundreds of new tanks every year. 90% of 'new production' builds are them literally taking existing tanks and upgrading them. The only new tank the Russians make from scratch are T-90Ms, which have a monthly production rate in the low double digits at best despite the factory working 24/7. Everything else is reactivated or refurbished which is why we see such a disparity in tank types. Half the reason we are two years into this war is because we all genuinely underestimated how much corruption in the Russian system has compromised its ability to wage war and this was evident from the very start. You dont enjoy overwhelming advantages in more or less every category (in 2022 anyway) yet fail dismally at your surprise invasion without something being dreadfully wrong.

It is only because of the unique position that Russia has in that they had a large stock of cold war frames to work with that they have been somewhat able to keep up with loss rate. Its an increasingly finite supply and has its own problems that have to be taken into account. There is some excellent work from CovertCabal on this subject that makes for a great watch. Russian vehicle storage areas are being emptied at an alarming rate:
 
 

https://archive.is/2024.06.02-202639/https://www.ft.com/content/f7a34e3e-bce9-4db9-ac49-a092f382c526
Readable version 

Galliotti checks in on the very things we are discussing.

Russian milbloggers report about some counter-attacks of Ukrainian side in Vovchansk and in Lukyantsi areas and about UKR armored troops concentration for countr-strike there. No clear information about this. Kostianntyn Mashovets assumes Russians just try to expain own dead end in "Kharkiv offensive" thay they now will "heroically repell Ukrainian counter-attacks" after that will be claimed "we didn't want to seize Kharkiv at all"
But some limited advances of UKR troops really take place - they turned back some quarters in northern part, approaching to town hospital and meat factory

On other hand, as Mashovets predicted two days ago Russians started attack on western flank of Vovchansk toward Starytsia village. This is western bank of Siverskyi Donets river water reservoir and Russians try to unite two bridgeheads in nortehrn part of Kharkiv oblast. 
42nd mech.brigade repelled Russians attack there. Enemy used old T-62 tanks
Vovchansk view from UKR drone of National police assault brigade "Liut' "
 

https://mstdn.social/@noelreports/112543036586695607
https://mastodon.social/@MAKS23/112543012060483908
HIMARS being used inside russia apparently
 

Getting the distinct impression that in true Russian fashion, nobody bothered to prepare staging areas across the border to effectively minimize the damage should the rules of engagement imposed by the US and other nations change. Plus ca change plus c'est la meme chose.

False M777 howitzers

And one of these already done it work

I wonder how much of such stuff mistakingly counted by Orix team as real losses.

A bit more clarity if the reports from Politico and CNN are true.
https://mastodon.social/@MAKS23/112536428128919769
Looks like they can sort of go after the VKS.

A bit more clarity if the reports from Politico and CNN are true.
https://mastodon.social/@MAKS23/112536428128919769
Looks like they can sort of go after the VKS.

I can understand why the US went nuts over this if the Ukrainians used Patriots inside russia against US wishes. However, I'd argue the facts on the ground have changed now.
Firstly, Ukrainian forces have been killed and territory has been lost because of the VKS's use of glide bombs. There is a need to use long range AA that hit targets in russia that didn't exist back in summer 2023.
Secondly, it's very difficult to argue it would be escalatory when it has already been done and didn't result in an escalation. Unless one wants to go down the rabbit hole of 'ah but this time it may be escalatory'.
Thirdly if the ban is in place as punishment for that incident, the Ukrainians have been punished enough (IMHO)
I really feel for the Ukrainian operation planning guys. There are some countries saying yeah you can use our stuff in russia. Some are saying you can use some of our stuff in russia. And others saying no you can't. Take F16s, the Dutch are saying whatevs and the the Belgians are saying 'don't use our stuff in russia'. Mission planning is hard enough without that added crap.
I can imagine a scene where a M777 crew are having to work out who provided a particular shell before they can decide whether it can be fired or not.
Anyway, rant mode off!

A bit more clarity if the reports from Politico and CNN are true.
https://mastodon.social/@MAKS23/112536428128919769
Looks like they can sort of go after the VKS.

You misspelled Vladivostok.

Yeah, this is first video allowed to publishing. Reportedly there were several successfull interceptions of Orlan-10 and ZALA. UKR UAV community already have some developments of fast FPV interceptors, but by known reasons information about this doesn't issue. Now works are directed to get at least "beta-version" of interception complex (detection, guidance, drone-interceptor) to unload SHORAD from most tasks of drone hunting.  

I can understand why the US went nuts over this if the Ukrainians used Patriots inside russia against US wishes. However, I'd argue the facts on the ground have changed now.
Firstly, Ukrainian forces have been killed and territory has been lost because of the VKS's use of glide bombs. There is a need to use long range AA that hit targets in russia that didn't exist back in summer 2023.
Secondly, it's very difficult to argue it would be escalatory when it has already been done and didn't result in an escalation. Unless one wants to go down the rabbit hole of 'ah but this time it may be escalatory'.
Thirdly if the ban is in place as punishment for that incident, the Ukrainians have been punished enough (IMHO)
I really feel for the Ukrainian operation planning guys. There are some countries saying yeah you can use our stuff in russia. Some are saying you can use some of our stuff in russia. And others saying no you can't. Take F16s, the Dutch are saying whatevs and the the Belgians are saying 'don't use our stuff in russia'. Mission planning is hard enough without that added crap.
I can imagine a scene where a M777 crew are having to work out who provided a particular shell before they can decide whether it can be fired or not.
Anyway, rant mode off!

I can understand why the US went nuts over this if the Ukrainians used Patriots inside russia against US wishes. However, I'd argue the facts on the ground have changed now.
Firstly, Ukrainian forces have been killed and territory has been lost because of the VKS's use of glide bombs. There is a need to use long range AA that hit targets in russia that didn't exist back in summer 2023.
Secondly, it's very difficult to argue it would be escalatory when it has already been done and didn't result in an escalation. Unless one wants to go down the rabbit hole of 'ah but this time it may be escalatory'.
Thirdly if the ban is in place as punishment for that incident, the Ukrainians have been punished enough (IMHO)
I really feel for the Ukrainian operation planning guys. There are some countries saying yeah you can use our stuff in russia. Some are saying you can use some of our stuff in russia. And others saying no you can't. Take F16s, the Dutch are saying whatevs and the the Belgians are saying 'don't use our stuff in russia'. Mission planning is hard enough without that added crap.
I can imagine a scene where a M777 crew are having to work out who provided a particular shell before they can decide whether it can be fired or not.
Anyway, rant mode off!