Ukraine - Russia Conflict

[randomradio]

Whether that was for two jets or 1 is unclear. But either way, Russia just lost billions.

That was for 2 aircraft, and it's the reason why the deal failed. But the Russian version of the A-50 is very old and trash. It was built during the Cold War. Their replacement system is the A-100.

Anyway, I'm not surprised. They must have gone too close. I've been saying for years that AWACS are becoming useless. Worse than useless, a liability. It can't survive a modern-era war.

 

[randomradio]

Could be an Agm88 HARM against A-50?

S-300 and Patriot are the best bets for that range.

 

[Picdelamirand-oil]

S-300 and Patriot are the best bets for that range.

Tom Cooper gives some information but I have no idea where he got it from:

The A-50 in question should've been the 50/RF-50601. It crashed somewhere in the marshes south of Preslav, between the mainland and north-eastern Crimea.

The Il-22M landed safely, but suffered losses in the crew: there are KIA and WIA - indicating a detonation of a large warhead.

As for 'how': 'mission creep'. The VKS is operating safely over the Azov Sea for 10 years meanwhile. And never had a problem with operating there since February 2022, either.

....and then came the PAC-2/3, and its 'assault mode', and the area in question - north-western Azov Sea - is only 120km away from the nearest sector of frontline held by the ZSU. The PAC-2 has a max range of 160km.

 

[BMD]

The IL-22 narrowly escaped it seems.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1746871734018388177

- Massive damage to the rear of the airplane.
- The IL-22 is missing a part on top (ECM pod).

 

[BMD]

For other countries price is around 1 billion usd, for their own forces it is around 250M USD. It's still substantial though.

$330m.

Russian A-50 aircraft probably downed and another damaged over Sea of Azov

Reports appeared on Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels on the evening of 14 January about the downing of a Russian A-50 reconnaissance aircraft and damage to an Il-22M, which was partially confirmed this morning by Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force...

www.pravda.com.ua

Seems the US has BS/severely short changed the PAC-2 GM-T's range if that is what was used to shoot down the A-50

S-300 and Patriot are the best bets for that range.

Except the Ukrainian Air Force has claimed credit. I would have thought the army operated SAMs.

 

[BMD]

 

[Gautam]

Another piece of Indian equipment in Ukraine:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1746976032715067472

Wonder which 3rd country re-routed this now.

Video (in case it gets deleted):

@Ashwin @randomradio @Parthu et al...

 

[BMD]

Air to ground cobbled together on MiG-29, but the Agm-88 HARM is guided by the enemy's radar signal whatever its altitude.

True, an F-4 accidentally hit a radar-guided Vulcan that used to be in the tail of B-52s once.

B-52 Maintainer tells the story of ‘In HARM’s Way’, the BUFF that had its tail Blown Apart by an Anti-Radiation Missile fired by an F-4G Wild Weasel - The Aviation Geek Club

B-52 Maintainer tells the story of ‘In HARM’s Way’, the BUFF that had its tail Blown Apart by an Anti-Radiation Missile fired by an F-4G Wild Weasel

theaviationgeekclub.com

Another piece of Indian equipment in Ukraine:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1746976032715067472

Wonder which 3rd country re-routed this now.

Video (in case it gets deleted):

View attachment 31669

@Ashwin @randomradio @Parthu et al...

Perhaps Modi has sprouted a brain.

 

[BMD]

Meanwhile FPV kills Russian tank. Could this be how the $6tr disappeared?

 

[BMD]

Appears there were casualties in the IL-22M that landed, i.e. holes were made in more than just the airframe.

Claims Swirl Around Possible Shoot Down Of Russian A-50 Radar Jet (Updated)

The loss of an A-50 and an IL-22M airborne command and control platforms would be a major blow for Russia, which only has a handful of each.

www.thedrive.com

 

[BMD]

Drone drops building with Russians in.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1746950082753126686

 

[BMD]

Russian P-18 Mobile radar hit.

P-18 radar

 

[BMD]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1746870013871497614

 

[randomradio]

Tom Cooper gives some information but I have no idea where he got it from:

Speculations abound. There's no official word yet.

 

[randomradio]

For those who say kinematics in fighter jets is no longer necessary.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1746611440453067127

Ironically, the A-50 was shot down due to lack of it.

 

[randomradio]

Another piece of Indian equipment in Ukraine:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1746976032715067472

Wonder which 3rd country re-routed this now.

Video (in case it gets deleted):

View attachment 31669

@Ashwin @randomradio @Parthu et al...

Doesn't look Indian. Our mine plow that looks similar has 7 prongs, this one seems to have 8.

Indian:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1361223097882271752

https://twitter.com/x/status/1266572552303976452

If it is Indian, it could be from a private company.

 

[randomradio]

Russia is selling oil closer to market rates, so the discount they are offering is not profitable enough. Private players are getting sufficient discounts though. I guess, first mover advantage.

 

[randomradio]

Except the Ukrainian Air Force has claimed credit. I would have thought the army operated SAMs.

The SAMs are operated by the air force.

 

[randomradio]

@Picdelamirand-oil @A Person

Finally, a European expert basically saying what I said 2 years ago.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1746589423251403236

Imagine something as simple as taking away the Baltics. Then how much is France willing to risk to take back the Baltics? 80% of the French population?

Apart from Russia's modernization being underestimated, they have a lot of different options globally, not just in Europe.

 

[randomradio]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1746840729555529959

Pretty big speculation this.