In the year 2054, the entire defense budget will purchase just one aircraft. This aircraft will have to be shared by the Air Force and Navy 3-1/2 days each per week except for leap year, when it will be made available to the Marines for the extra day.
The Bohdan. That's the howitzer they developed. I've heard it called the Bohdana too. 42 km range (more with RAP), 155mm SP on a big truck. First used at Snake Island as a nasty surprise for the Russians because they didn't think Ukraine had a gun that could fire that far. Nice piece of gear. I am hearing that they are making 30 to 50 a month now. Now if we could only get the ammo problem fixed,
Have to look that up again, but I've seen it spelled both ways by multiple users. No big thing, I just figured it was one of those translation issues you see from time to time.
It works, it kills Russians, that's the main thing. Thanks for the clarification.
I wonder, how will Ukraine be able to produce heavy equipment in a factory inside the country without it being exposed to Russian missile attacks? You don't assembly Panthers and Lynxes in a small underground apartment...
They are exposed to Russian missile and drone attacks. Last winter they targeted the energy grid. This year they're targeting warehouses and factories. A lot of new facilities are being built in western Ukraine, and that helps a fair amount, but the largest tank production site is in Kharkiv.
"Russia claimed that 65 Ukrainian prisoners were on board but has yet to produce any bodies ..." - I worried that they would "produce bodies" after Il-76 was shot down i.e. kill those Ukrainian POWs on the list they publicized. It didn't happen and I hope they would not do it.
1000% proven - nope.
'Probable', or even 'very likely': yes, some 6-7. All early in the war.
Just a small correction. The EU aid package are 50 billion, not million.
So true. Nothing costs a million anymore.
Augustine's law 16:
In the year 2054, the entire defense budget will purchase just one aircraft. This aircraft will have to be shared by the Air Force and Navy 3-1/2 days each per week except for leap year, when it will be made available to the Marines for the extra day.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Augustine%27s_law.svg
(note the almost logarithmic rise in aircraft prices, while military budgets are growing almost linearly)
Drones as attritable wingmen are coming.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/12/30/new-in-2024-air-force-plans-autonomous-flight-tests-for-drone-wingmen/
I foresee a seven figure price for each - supersonic drones don't come cheap
Yes, but only 1/4 to 1/3 the price of an F-35. Or about the cost of a carton of Camels.
Oh, a pack of Camels does... ;-)
Thanks, thanks
The Bohdan. That's the howitzer they developed. I've heard it called the Bohdana too. 42 km range (more with RAP), 155mm SP on a big truck. First used at Snake Island as a nasty surprise for the Russians because they didn't think Ukraine had a gun that could fire that far. Nice piece of gear. I am hearing that they are making 30 to 50 a month now. Now if we could only get the ammo problem fixed,
They are making six a month and hope to improve that rate. That's on par with the French production of the Caesar.
Ah, fat fingered, meant to say 3 to 5. But 6 works better. 30 to 50? That would be NICE.
It's called only one way - Bohdana. It's a female name. There is a wiki page about it also.
Have to look that up again, but I've seen it spelled both ways by multiple users. No big thing, I just figured it was one of those translation issues you see from time to time.
It works, it kills Russians, that's the main thing. Thanks for the clarification.
Im not sure it works. have you seen at least one video of its usage on the frontlines?
The participation of bogdana at Snake Island was 100% pr action. Ceasers did all the job there.
Yes, I have seen videos and read reports of it in action. Several units have fielded it.
would you share a link please.
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-war-russia-bohdana-howitzer-weapon/32597550.html
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/articles/2023/02/13/7388834/
Snake Island
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a44507341/ukraine-fielding-western-caliber-artillery-vehicles/
Older one, Ukraine has fielded a lot more than 3 of these now. The latest number I heard was 50 total. 6 a month being built.
I wonder, how will Ukraine be able to produce heavy equipment in a factory inside the country without it being exposed to Russian missile attacks? You don't assembly Panthers and Lynxes in a small underground apartment...
They are exposed to Russian missile and drone attacks. Last winter they targeted the energy grid. This year they're targeting warehouses and factories. A lot of new facilities are being built in western Ukraine, and that helps a fair amount, but the largest tank production site is in Kharkiv.
Underground factories may be a good answer but I never heard of them here.
Thank you very much.
"Russia claimed that 65 Ukrainian prisoners were on board but has yet to produce any bodies ..." - I worried that they would "produce bodies" after Il-76 was shot down i.e. kill those Ukrainian POWs on the list they publicized. It didn't happen and I hope they would not do it.