Tanks for Afghanistan

Skybird · 05-30-07, 10:03 AM

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...nada/index.php

http://www.sfu.ca/casr/bg-leopard2-netherlands.htm

http://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/...aid_57703.html

While German media so far do not say much about the 100 tanks Canada will buy from the Netherland (20 A6 and 80 A4 the Dutch have bought before from the Germans, other sources say it will be 40 + 60), it is clear now that Germany'S approach to Afghanistan will remain to be schizophrenic at best: it will loan the Canadians 20 Leopard-2A6, maybe currently the best protected tank with the greatest firepower in the world, and call it "alliance-solidarity". A long, loud and deep "hmmmmm" from me. Not about the Canadians, but about the Germans.

Although the delivery is free for Canada, and will be supported by training of the crews in Germany, and delivery of special equipment and items for maintenance, the German approach still is schiozophrenic, for the tanks will be given back at one day, but the treaty demands the Canadians to give them back unharmed and unchanged, in the state in wich they got delivered. That may proove to become a difficult task after their deployment in Afghanistan, to put it mildly.

The A6 incarnation, according to the little I know, is even more armoured than the STRV122, the A5-variant delivered to Sweden which was beefed up with even more armour protection. It offers superior crew protection and additional protection against mines and ATGMs, it also includes probably the most modern suite of sensors and SA-increasing information systems of any tank of the present, and has even further enhanced speed and mobility. It comes with a new tank-gun, too.

I hate it to see the Geman government to sneak around like this. They should make a clear decison and statement concenring the commitmeent in Afghanistan. I personally believe it is a folly to stay there even longer. Accepting risks is okay if there is something that makes up for compensation, but I do not see how the the war can be won anymore: too many moistakes have been made in the past 5 years, and now the situation is out of control. But not to say that, while thinking it, half-heartedly making lip-confessions and try to calm allies by doing little favours like sending (useless) Tornados (no digital life processing of DTV images, what gives Taleban hours of time to react to them), or lending tanks to the Canadians who have choosen to get involved in the dirty work, simply is mean and disgusting. It shows neither backbone, nor honour.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...485289,00.html
http://www.spiegel.de/international/...485299,00.html

05-30-07, 10:03 AM	#1
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Tanks for Afghanistan http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...nada/index.php http://www.sfu.ca/casr/bg-leopard2-netherlands.htm http://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/...aid_57703.html While German media so far do not say much about the 100 tanks Canada will buy from the Netherland (20 A6 and 80 A4 the Dutch have bought before from the Germans, other sources say it will be 40 + 60), it is clear now that Germany'S approach to Afghanistan will remain to be schizophrenic at best: it will loan the Canadians 20 Leopard-2A6, maybe currently the best protected tank with the greatest firepower in the world, and call it "alliance-solidarity". A long, loud and deep "hmmmmm" from me. Not about the Canadians, but about the Germans. Although the delivery is free for Canada, and will be supported by training of the crews in Germany, and delivery of special equipment and items for maintenance, the German approach still is schiozophrenic, for the tanks will be given back at one day, but the treaty demands the Canadians to give them back unharmed and unchanged, in the state in wich they got delivered. That may proove to become a difficult task after their deployment in Afghanistan, to put it mildly. The A6 incarnation, according to the little I know, is even more armoured than the STRV122, the A5-variant delivered to Sweden which was beefed up with even more armour protection. It offers superior crew protection and additional protection against mines and ATGMs, it also includes probably the most modern suite of sensors and SA-increasing information systems of any tank of the present, and has even further enhanced speed and mobility. It comes with a new tank-gun, too. I hate it to see the Geman government to sneak around like this. They should make a clear decison and statement concenring the commitmeent in Afghanistan. I personally believe it is a folly to stay there even longer. Accepting risks is okay if there is something that makes up for compensation, but I do not see how the the war can be won anymore: too many moistakes have been made in the past 5 years, and now the situation is out of control. But not to say that, while thinking it, half-heartedly making lip-confessions and try to calm allies by doing little favours like sending (useless) Tornados (no digital life processing of DTV images, what gives Taleban hours of time to react to them), or lending tanks to the Canadians who have choosen to get involved in the dirty work, simply is mean and disgusting. It shows neither backbone, nor honour. http://www.spiegel.de/international/...485289,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/...485299,00.html __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert. Last edited by Skybird; 05-30-07 at 10:18 AM.