Withdrawing to the 2013 border ends the war.
Russia’s army is estimated to have lost nearly 40% of its prewar fleet of tanks after nine months of fighting in Ukraine, according to a count by the specialist thinktank the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS).
That rises to as much as 50% for some of the key tanks used in combat, forcing Russia to reach into its still sizeable cold war-era stocks. Ukraine’s tank numbers are estimated to have increased because of the number it has captured and supplies of Soviet-era tanks from its western allies.
John Chipman, the thinktank’s chair, said the war had been “a political and military failure for Russia” highlighting shortcomings in leadership and deficiencies in its munitions, despite Kremlin modernisation efforts.
“Russia’s actions over the past year have raised questions not only over the competence of its military and senior military leadership, but also over command cohesion,” he said, launching the IISS’s annual Military Balance audit of the world’s armed forces.
The thinktank’s figures are based largely on open source images from drones, satellites and on the battlefield, running from the beginning of the war to the end of November, although the conflict means numbers can only be estimated.
If you have not yet read my earlier thread - I suggest you do so now, before continuing with this thread.
2/n
Yes, besides HESH, HEAT, APFSDS other tank rounds exist: like smoke, High Explosive Anti-Personnel, High Explosive Obstacle Breaching, Cannister, etc.
Cannister (shown in the video) turns the tank into a giant shotgun that shreds infantry that came too close to the tank.
3/n
Most of these rounds are being replaced by Advanced Multi Purpose rounds, which combine HEAT, Obstacle Breaching, and Anti-Personnel capabilities in one programmable round.
With the American M1147 AMP in this video being the most efficient and deadly of these new rounds.
4/n
Modern tank rounds consist of a propellant filled cartridge with a central primer flash tube that ignites the propellant. The projectile sits on top of the cartridge (with the fins of some projectiles embedded in the propellant).
It's in principle a giant bullet.
5/n
Leopard 1 and compatible 105mm rifled guns use a metal cartridge that is automatically ejected after firing.
This is the same cartridge/projectile combination as in NATO 105mm howitzers like the L119 or M119.
6/n
120mm smoothbore rounds use a combustible cartridge case made from cellulose, nitrocellulose and resins.
After firing only the metal base case with the primer flash tube remains and is ejected from the gun.
7/n
Due to this and better propellants 120mm rounds are similar in weight to 105mm rounds... but with much more punch.
In this video of a M1A2 Abrams firing a HEAT training round you can see the base case being ejected at the end.
8/n
The British Army's 120mm rifled guns use a different system: first projectile and charge are loaded. Once the breech is closed a primer (called Vent Tube) is loaded automatically into a chamber within the breach block. The Vent Tube then ignites the charge.
9/n
The round shape on tank barrels is the bore evacuator, which just by its design (without any mechanical parts) removes fumes and gasses from the tank barrel after firing.
10/n
The only Western tank without a bore evacuator is the French Leclerc. The Leclerc uses an autoloader and overpressure in the autoloader compartment to force gases and fumes out of the barrel.
11/n
There are tons of other aspects of tank design that are amazing, like gun stabilization, thermal sleeve of the barrel, tank optics and thermal cameras, the fire control systems, etc. etc.
But I will do Anti-tank guided missiles and mortar threads next
12/end
• • •
The Russian aerospace industry wants to undermine sales of rival aircraft developed by other countries, including the Swedish JAS-39E/F Gripen and the Lockheed Martin F-35, by providing a less expensive Russian-made alternative.
Performance-wise, the aircraft would carry 7.4 tons of payload at a top speed of Mach 1.8 and a combat range of 1,700 kilometers without using extra fuel tanks. It was also reported that the new aircraft could maneuver at 8g.
The Su-75 fifth-generation aircraft has an internal weapons bay that stores missiles, like other stealthy jets. The aircraft will be outfitted with the same air-launched weapons used by the Su-35 and Su-57, according to information plaques in MAKS 2021.
Additionally, the design team claimed that the aircraft has a high wing lift efficiency. The V-shaped vertical tail, which contributes to the aircraft’s reduced RCS, has also received special notice.
The invasion of Ukraine caused the US and its allies to impose heavy sanctions on Russia. Due to this, it became conceivable that Moscow could not produce or obtain the essential components for the program.
Maya Carlin, a defense analyst, stated in her article that Russia’s capacity to obtain essential items, such as precision machining machinery and semiconductors, has been hampered. These items are necessary for the advanced avionics system’s effective functioning.
According to Carlin, this will impact future sales and the manufacturing of an airworthy Su-75, which is currently anticipated to fly in 2024. If Russia has trouble ensuring parts and maintenance, it may dissuade potential buyers.
eurasiantimes.com/