Argentine Fencers

[Geoff]

I have been reading that Russia may do a deal with Argentina of Su-24's for beef. There was a similar offer for Mig-15's and Il-28's in the past, but that did not pan out.
Didn't Spinners do an artwork of one of these?

[PR19_Kit]

With the largest land mass of any country on Earth are the Russians saying they can't breed a decent cow? 

[pyro-manic]

No, I think Argentina are saying they don't have any actual money to pay for the bombers...

Weren't their Meteors paid for with a similar arrangement?

[Captain Canada]

Funny stuff. Fencers will look great in Argie colours tho,

[scooter]

From yesterday's Express

[PR19_Kit]

From yesterday's Express

Wish I could read it, just hanging there. 5 mins now. 

[Weaver]

The Express article:


EXCLUSIVE: Falklands defence review after military deal between Russia and Argentina

DEFENCES on the Falklands are being reviewed after it emerged Russia plans to offer Argentina long-range bombers.


Published: 00:01, Sun, December 28, 2014
By Marco Giannangeli


The aircraft, which Moscow will swap for beef and wheat, would be able to mount air patrols over Port Stanley.

Ministry of Defence officials fear Buenos Aires would take delivery of the planes well before the deployment in 2020 of the Navy's 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and its F-35B fighters, leaving a "real window of vulnerability".

Defence cuts have left the Falklands with just four RAF Typhoon fighters,  Rapier surface-to-air missiles and fewer than 1,200 troops, supported by a naval warship that visits throughout the year.

President Putin's visit to Argentina in July laid the groundwork for exchanging Russian military hardware for wheat, beef and other goods Moscow needs due to EU food embargoes.

The deal involves a lease/lend of 12 Sukhoi Su-24 supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft.

They are ageing but Nato still regards what it codenames "Fencers" as "super-fighters", with their 2,000-mile range and laser-guided missiles.

Russia has been increasing its links with Argentina since 2010, when it provided two Mi17 assault helicopters which are in service with the 7th Air Force Brigade.

Buenos Aires needs to replace its decrepit fighter fleet but its attempts over the past two years have failed so far.

In October, defence minister Agustin Rossi announced the purchase of 24 Saab Gripen fighters, which were to be provided by Brazil, which has just purchased 36, but Whitehall squashed the deal as some of the jet's parts are made in the UK Tensions over the islands resurfaced after exploratory seabed drilling revealed the promise of an oil bonanza.

Last night Air Commodore Andrew Lambert, of the UK National Defence Association, said: "The Ministry of Defence should be worried.

"It always trots out the mantra of reviewing force levels but the only real solution is to deploy a sizeable force of Typhoons, at least a squadron, to buy us time to formulate a proper reinforcement package."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We regularly review force levels around the world, though we wouldn't comment on the detail of this for obvious reasons."

From here: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/549006/Falkland-Islands-defence-review-after-military-deal-between-Russia-and-Argentina

[Martin H]

Im not overly concerned.
even if the deal goes ahead. They are likely to be flown for the first year or so by Russian "advisors" who are likely to be under orders not to get involved with any thing daft. The last thing the Kremlin will want to see is one of it own crews being shot down by an RAF Typhoon over sovereign UK territory. Thats even if they can afford the fuel to fly them.

I wonder how quickly extra Typhoon's and maybe Tonkas can be sent south to rattle the sabre just off the neighbor's territorial waters. Just to make the point that we can hurt them more than they can hurt us if the need arises.

[Weaver]

True: nap-of-the-Earth flying doesn't really work when there isn't any Earth to fly in whose nap to fly. They'd stand out like a sore thumb over the sea no matter how low they went, and would likely meet an AMRAAM going the other way before getting a sight of the islands.

However, they must be well aware of that, so it'll be interesting to see what the package actually consists of. If they get some useful stand-off missiles with the Fencers, that would be of concern.

[Mr.Creak]

The last thing the Kremlin will want to see is one of it own crews being shot down by an RAF Typhoon over sovereign UK territory.

A friend of mine pointed out a couple of years ago that a Typhoon at the edge of the TEZ and armed with Meteor (next year for service?) could "reach out and touch" an aircraft taking off from a coastal strip in Argentina itself. (If things turned hot).

[Logan Hartke]

The problem remains that...fantastic though the Typhoon is, there's still only Faith, Hope, Charity and Desperation to hold out until reinforcements can get there. The good news is that the C-17s and Voyagers put Britain in a better position than ever to respond to a situation in a timely fashion.

I don't think either side can really like their current lineup in any possible present day scenario. Britain doesn't have the navy (especially carriers) that they had 30 years ago and Argentina's just in rough shape all around. Let's hope for all concerned that there isn't a rematch.

Cheers,
Logan

[scooter]

Well...there are four Flight 1 Ticos at Philly Navy Yard that could probably be refurbished and...leased to the RN

[Thorvic]

Well...there are four Flight 1 Ticos at Philly Navy Yard that could probably be refurbished and...leased to the RN

Why a Type 45 is more than capable

[Thorvic]

Anyway the Express Article is cobblers, as the cut backs have no effect on the Falklands Garrison, we've only had four combat aircraft there for some time, if we consider the threat level to be increased we respond accordingly and will reinforce numbers. Anyway they now have to factor in that the SSNs we have now carry Tomahawk and we will strike back where it hurts if they ever decide to stupidly attack again.

[Martin H]

Well...there are four Flight 1 Ticos at Philly Navy Yard that could probably be refurbished and...leased to the RN

Why a Type 45 is more than capable

Which is why the locals kicked up a stink when we sent one down south fairly recently