Iran military shoots down U.S. drone: state TV

[Skybird]

However, right now this is still unconfirmed news. It cannot be ruled out that it is a staged event by Iran trying to intimidate the West or to divide it, by now claiming that it will retaliate outside Iranian borders, internationally. This wpould serve as a reminder that Europe would not be safe from Iranian retaliation in case of an Israeli-Amerian attack.

Not that I would change my min d due to that.

The German general state attorney recently launched investigations into intel clues that Iran plans to strike American facilities on German soil. Amongst the targets suspected is the American hospital in Landstuhl. They claim to not have found anything so far. But that means nothing, since it should not be taken for granted that they would publish such clueas or evidence right now.

The german chan celor also has finally willed to deliver anothe rdolphin submarine to Israel, after having blocked the deal for one year while demanding the Israelis to make concessions to the Palestinians. It was a blockade move by Merkel herself. The unfreezing by Israel of 100 million in tax funds for the Palestinians, and the growing threat of war in the region may have changed Merkels mind. However, as was written by German commentators, it is a serious breaking of a taboo in German policy, because never before has Germany ever linked security policies on behalf of Israeli interest with Israel'S status in diplomatic relations or inner political events. With Germany being Israel'S only supplier of submarines (which are assumed to be potent to carry Israel'S nuclear deterrant weapons in form of seal-klaucnhed medium range ballisric missiles, the Germany blocking of the deal no bdoubt has rang the alarm bells in Jeruslem. I expect them to try to form new military ties with somebody else so that their nuclear retaliation capacity is not at risk if Germany does refuse to update the aging fleet of already existing Dolphins.

[MH]

Originally Posted by Skybird

However, right now this is still unconfirmed news. It cannot be ruled out that it is a staged event by Iran trying to intimidate the West or to divide it, by now claiming that it will retaliate outside Iranian borders, internationally. This wpould serve as a reminder that Europe would not be safe from Iranian retaliation in case of an Israeli-Amerian attack.

I would say that its should be more for domestic purposes.
With all the misfortunes they need to show some success and initiative.

The german chan celor also has finally willed to deliver anothe rdolphin submarine to Israel, after having blocked the deal for one year while demanding the Israelis to make concessions to the Palestinians. It was a blockade move by Merkel herself. The unfreezing by Israel of 100 million in tax funds for the Palestinians

I don't believe so.


.......

[Skybird]

NATO gets quoted with saying that it could be a drone that got lost over Western Afghanistan last week.

The loss of a drone in general now can be seen as "confirmed", I guess.

It's some extremely sensible piece of hightech the Iranians got their hands on. A present from heaven, so to speak. China, Russia will be willing to pay a lot to get a glance at it. The Iranians also will love to examine it themselves.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by MH

I don't believe so.

It became clear that Israel would not change its' settlement policy in Jerusalem (even less so when considering that the new blocks that Germany complained about are located in a part of Jerusalem that would fall to Israel anyway if that controversial deal the Europeans expect Israel to accept, would become a valid treaty), which was the major object of German criticism. Building that boat, with over a third of the price payed by the German state/tax payer, means plenty of jobs being maintained, and so that "symbolic" act by the Israelis may have served as an opportunity to escape a deadlock.

Also, this year saw German arms sales going booming. The government has silently eased many former restrictions for military goods. This year's arms sales by Germany hit an all-time record. It is seen as a fundamental, drastic change in Germany's arms and military platforms sales policies.

[MH]

Originally Posted by Skybird

It became clear that Israel would not change its' settlement policy in Jerusalem (even less so when considering that the new blocks that Germany complained about are located in a part of Jerusalem that would fall to Israel anyway if that controversial deal the Europeans expect Israel to accept, would become a valid treaty), which was the major object of German criticism. Building that boat, with over a third of the price payed by the German state/tax payer, means plenty of jobs being maintained, and so that "symbolic" act by the Israelis may have served as an opportunity to escape a deadlock.

Also, this year saw German arms sales going booming. The government has silently eased many former restrictions for military goods. This year's arms sales by Germany hit an all-time record. It is seen as a fundamental, drastic change in Germany's arms and military platforms sales policies.

I believe that this money would go to PA anyway.
Netanyahu got a lot of criticism over this move domestically as well....
This was more of a warning of things to come if PA keeps on climbing the tree but at this stage it still makes no sense.
Netanyahu is not stupid even though he has a lot of morons in his coalition.
For Merkel it might be just an opportunity....or whatever.

Anyway...

[Skybird]

Damn, that drone the Iranians presented, looks almost intact.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16098562

So much for keeping secret high technology.

[Jimbuna]

'Cyber Warfare' eh?

Payback for the computerised attack on their nuclear progamme?

You always run the risk of losses when flying over enemy/hostile territory.

TBH I'm not so sure I believe them...could be a model

[Ducimus]

Obligatory.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Damn, that drone the Iranians presented, looks almost intact.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16098562

So much for keeping secret high technology.

The PRC and Pakistan will already have men on the way. Well...it was a nice secret while it lasted...

[Agiel7]

If it's that "intact," I'm more inclined to believe that the real drone was more totaled than the Iranians had hoped, and then built a 1:1 scale model of it using Wikipedia as their reference to save face.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Oberon

The PRC and Pakistan will already have men on the way. Well...it was a nice secret while it lasted...

According to what I've read, it was specifically made without using unique technology. This is owing to the fact that it was designed to operate over hostile territory and one was almost certainly going to be downed eventually.