At Memeorandum:
Coming:
Russia announces rearmament plan
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said Moscow will begin a comprehensive military rearmament from 2011.
Mr Medvedev said the primary task would be to “increase the combat readiness of [Russia’s] forces, first of all our strategic nuclear forces“.
Going:
Gates readies big cuts in weapons
Now, as the only Bush Cabinet member to remain under President Obama, Gates is preparing the most far-reaching changes in the Pentagon’s weapons portfolio since the end of the Cold War, according to aides.
Two defense officials who were not authorized to speak publicly said Gates will announce up to a half-dozen major weapons cancellations later this month. Candidates include a new Navy destroyer, the Air Force’s F-22 fighter jet, and Army ground-combat vehicles, the offi cials said.
More cuts are planned for later this year after a review that could lead to reductions in programs such as aircraft carriers and nuclear arms, the officials said.
No further comment… for now.
After looking over the plans I was struck be how similar, actually identical, they were to the rearmament plan Pres Putin submitted to the Duma in 2002 and then confirmed in 2006 for full implementation on the major changes, fleet readiness, bids and contracts and an end to conscription by 2010. Now it appears that this last date is the starting date on changes that probably never occur or so slowly that the strategic situation Russia finds itself in now will be markedly different.
There still are no keels laid for the new six aircraft carriers, only two new missile cruisers have been started but work appears, via Google satellite, at a pause, no new planes and are still drafting and then brutally hazing sixteen year olds which has continued to destroy the morale of the army and navy.
The Israelis have upgraded several planes for the Indians that are sometimes the equal of the USAF and superior to anything the Russians or the Chinese have. The Indians have the Sukhoi 30-MKI with advanced radar, lidar and all kinds of wonderful toys that light up the day and night. Creating a lot of debris in the process. are still drafting and hazing sixteen year olds that contribute mightly to the general unreliability of the army and other services. The Chinese are trying to keep pace with the Indians and Americans but currently don’t have the equipment or pilots to be much of a threat except to the Russians.
Maybe next month the Russians will announce that they are launching a campaign to retrieve Lushunkou from the Chinese and restore its original name of Port Arthur. Or maybe next year or the year after that.
Stoopid hasn’t the foggiest idea how the real world works. He probably thinks that if he sends an invite to Putin that Putin and the politburo will come over, toast marshmallows and sing a rousing chorus of Kumbayah! What an incompetent fool he is.