oh please, you sound like some talking head from the UN when you talk about proportionality. So your seriously telling me wars have to now be proportional? Really this ‘proportionality’ you talk about is only really used by certain UN countries to critisise other UN countries, its mumbo jumbo lawfare talk to be quite frank and holds no place in the real world.

I’m afraid it would very much be an issue, the UK does have to obey the UN in such matters.

I suggest you read Sandy Woodward’s book “One Hundred Days” which covers his command of the UK task force sent to the Falklands. You will find proportionality was a clear worry for the man and the UK government.

You are right that a great number of countries lack proportionality in the way they conduct themselves when it comes to war but in general the UK has shown itself to not be a member of that club.

Well Israel sees a strong market for local 767 tanker conversions which seems logical. They can probably undercut Boeing in that market, I think we will see a few more IL76 conversions. The a310 tanker is nice except for the lack of airframes for conversion.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there will be a limited market for ex USAF KC135 when they start retiring more of them over the next few years.

Your problem is “capable”. They can make something larger and smaller but somehow they’re incapable of making something in between? Your assertion that it’s because they’re somehow incapable is moronic. They just don’t have something in the catalog in that spot and Airbus did. Or do you think there’s something magic about that particular size that takes special “expertise” to build?

Unfortunately for Boeing given a few more years they do have a product in that class the 787.

Personally I think there was a good argument for a tactical tanker based on the 757 (pity they dropped her), actually that would of been a perfect VC10 replacement for the RAF as well.

Su-27s, tanks and air defence systems. Impossible. As an independent state, Kosovo will be the poorest nation in Europe with an annual GDP of 2.5 billion euros, which won’t give them much of a defence budget. Current spending on the KPC amounts to 17 million euros annually. Peanuts for a military force. Anything procured will have to come from elsewhere as a free gift. I think the EU and NATO are already talking about arming (and no doubt training) the fledgling KSF once its formed, but it’s likely to be small arms, light artillery (mortars), APCs and of course, a few helicopters.

Yep a few helicopters for policing and civil roles would be on the cards but nothing else.

Then it depends on who is feeling generous.

Well my Money would be on Sweden.

Italian diesels? Source……?
The Kiev class were originally equiped with 8 turbopressurized boilers, 4 steam turbines (200,000 shp). Doesn’t that mean no diesel? They use fuel oil burners to heat the boilers..
Have seen no info about the boilers beeing removed..

Back up generators, she is being fitted with 6 1.5MW Wartsilla Diesels.

The prime movers are still steam turbines fed from boilers converted to burn marine diesel.

Well, in the old days when India main supplier was Russia I would agree. Yet, with orders for C-130’s, P-8I’s, and recently the delivery of Hawk Trainers for the UK. I really don’t see Russia getting to far playing hard ball with India. As a matter of fact the odds of Russia winning the MMRCA Contract have all but disappeared! Remember, just a couple of years ago everyone believe the Mig-35 would win hands down. Now that seems just a dream! I would agree that China would not likely want to order Mig-29K’s. Yet, as a stop gap she could live with them I’m sure. Further, rumor suggest that China is working on her own Naval Version of the J-10. Regardless, China Carrier ambitions are well known! Which, at the current pace would take decades to develope and construct. The ex-Gorshkov would be a quick stop-gap for either India or China. Also, if India continues to move the the West. Which, appears to be more likely by the day. What is Russia to do? Remember, India can go to the West! China and Russia cannot! Bascially, Russia and China only have each other…………..for better or worse! (i.e. Russia is not going to sell Flankers to Norway nor is China going to buy Rafales from France)

I don’t think China will stump up for that kind of stop gap. I think they are about 5 years off some kind of training capability if Varyag ends up as some kind of training facility and maybe 15 years away from something more substantial. I think China is very good at hiding the pace of their defence projects, frankly we have all been surprised over the last few years.

You know this makes me wonder if Russia and China could be making a Secret Deal to sell the former Gorshkov not to India but to China! First, India is moving towards the West and Russia is all but powerless to stop it. Second, Russia is making little off the Vikramaditya/Gorshkov Deal. So, up the price and force Russia to take back the Carrier. Which, then in turn she can sell it at a higher price to China. Which, would give China a Carrier decades early! More or less ready out of the box! Remember, China is Russia’s only likely large arms importer and Strategic Partner vs the US………:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Hmmm…honestly I think this is Russia playing hard ball. As a carrier its not suited to their own navy unless they go out and get Naval Mig29 as well.

With China I’m not sure, the procurement relations between both nations haven’t exactly been rosey recently and I get a feeling that China is happily working on its own carrier projects. We also get the issue that I don’t think China will want the Mig as well, they seemed to of set their hearts on the Su33 and some kind of indigenous type. It also needs to be noted that whilst China will probably go down the STOBAR route to start carrier operations we know they have been testing aircraft with a steam catapult. I wish there were some pictures of those tests as I have a hunch that China has probably adopted the strop launch approach rather than nose gear mounted bar.