Interesting articles

Should have fecking joined it long ago, same as we should be investing more on ESA imo. But that doesn't change the fact we are dealing with the departments, paying out of their pocket to fund the DF instead of the UN…

I can easily see them playing the retention crisis and the pending drawn down and keep the troops home, hell play it off as the first step of the 12 month plan.

And I'd agree and love to see it happen, however the reality is that we have seen time after time the three departments willing to have stand up arguments over what other departments would consider "petty cash" requests and issues. I can well imagine the three playing "not us gov, talk to the others" in circles until after the draw-down date, its not them that have to handle the situation on the ground with less people. They don't give a FU$K how it affects the DF's job.

Gaza, unlikely, but not impossible. Conflict with Israeli troops is a genuine concern.

But not with Russians.

If we send a battalion to Ukraine, it will be only after a ceasefire and territorial lines have been agreed. It will be part of a colossal international stabilisation force.

And we will be in the rear with the gear, clearing minefields and operating as a force protection element, securing facilities, protecting both military and civilian staff in base areas. Maybe some logistics and SAR.

The forward positions along the ceasefire line will be secured initially by elite units, followed by large elements of mechanised infantry and armour, with full air cover. We don't have that.

Those Eastern forces are all

But depleted now and given Trumps flip flopping will likely be well behind any agreed “DMZ”. I mean we are still horribly ill equipped for either mission given the increased threats, but if it’s to be anywhere it should be Ukraine.