941–950 of 1001 posts
In fact, it seems quite many others are asking the same questions - a US Senate Committee has just directly asked,
“is Trump a Russian asset”?
- via Forbes:
I'm glad that this discussion finally takes place, even though the discussion is of course flagged. You can flag here, but the mainstream press has picked up the issue: "Can the US switch off Europe’s weapons?" https://www.ft.com/content/1503a69e-13e4-4ee8-9d05-b9ce1f7cc... "Such is the concern that debate has turned to whether the US maintains secret so-called kill switches that would immobilise aircraft and weapons…
Whether there is a kill switch or not is somewhat irrelevant. There is a larger than nonzero chance that there is a kill switch, and the US cannot be trusted anymore. So we have to assume there is a kill switch.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
To be fair to China, even they are "appalled" by what Trump is doing to cause chaos with Europe and to abandon Ukraine by holding talks about Ukraine without Ukraine: https://news.liga.net/en/politics/news/china-appalled-by-tru...
Ah yes, the only country in the world whose array of official foreign policies includes a "no limits partnership" with russia. The statement of the named Chinese official is either a psyop, or he is, in the parlance of intelligence agencies, "going native". I'm leaning towards the former hypothesis.
As of February, China’s actions with working with Europe and standing against America cemented its position as world power focused on stability.
Their decision to find a way to work with India, is yet another sign of their decision making.
In sharp contrast, America is dismantling itself in flight.
The article is written to give the reader the impression only the US can reprogram the jamming system and the comments seem to mostly be taking it at face value. In the very Forbes article the OP's article cites it links to info about this F-16 reprogramming effort[1], showing it was collaboration between the US/Norway/Denmark and that the US electronic warfare team wasn't familiar with the system, yet within two wee…
Is this changed?
I find some of the comments I’ve read today in this thread somewhat enlightening - there is intelligent conversation about the capabilities of the American hardware and its software. The sophistication of the F-35 cannot be debated. But the rest of the world doesn’t trust the US anymore, so it doesn’t matter how good it is - people would gladly explore a worse product because they see it as lower risk. That’s the rea…
Just 2 points missing. 1. The sale of planes like the F-35 is not just about the plane. It’s about the ability to be a nation with nuclear power by “renting” the US nuclear missile it can launch. People bought it mainly for that. The pilot and YouTuber ATE Chuet did a video talking about this if you want to dive into it. 2. The plane in itself is not as capable as say the Rafale. They tried to do way too many things…
Also F35s don't need to be ALIS enabled. Israel's Adir version of the F35 uses a separate set of parts and systems co-developed with France and India.
Realistically, I don't see Ukraine getting the Dassault Rafale in the near future. They'll probably go with either the Gripen due to it's lower cost or the Eurofighter due to Germany's strong relations with Ukraine.
I also wouldn't rule out the potential of Ukraine potentially rolling out it's own jet fighter program - much of China's jet program owes it's origins to Ukrainian firms in the 2010s
Every article I've seen parrots the same language and they all point back to this same article[1] as the source of the information, but the article itself provides no proof whatsoever or explanation.
This smells like propaganda. And it seems to be quite effective here. Before going for each other's throats on this maybe it would be better if we verified the facts.
[1]: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/03/07/france-to-t...
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Is no one in Europe not skeptical of the increase in defense spending? Things have costs, that money is having to come from somewhere. Is increasing traditional military spending the way to go in the 21st century? If the decision is left to military leaders,they might spend massive amounts of money preparing to fight yesterday's war. If you set aside alarmist positions, it may very well possible that Russia has no in…
Europe has benefited a lot from not having to pour tons of money into defense spending. Europeans will be hurting if their countries suddenly have to shift finances for this. I think it’s much easier to just hunker down and appease the United States for four years and hope the next administrations are more merciful.
I'd say spending so much on American weapons has hurt it's own domestic capabilities if anything.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
[flagged]
US Department of Defense article from 2019: https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/20... > In 2016, the U.S. and Ukraine agreed to a 5-year concept of partnership that focuses on developing a robust and capable Ukranian military and reforming the Ukrainian defense sector to be in line with NATO standards and principles. ...and a lot more. There are five main points. The point is, the US was heavily…
And the story continues. This means that no country will want to buy F16s. If you don't get support they are useless. They are eroding really fast the US shine and trust in the world. This is going to have a massive effect on the US economy, internal consumption will not save it. This is the end of an empire while its rich kings are golfing every weekend on the taxpayer dime using federal and local resources. I am re…
Taiwan is now going to be seriously worried.
I've been unable to find a primary source confirming this information or providing technical details on the significance or consequences of the decision. Every article I've seen parrots the same language and they all point back to this same article[1] as the source of the information, but the article itself provides no proof whatsoever or explanation. This smells like propaganda. And it seems to be quite effective he…
Both sides have a lot to say about F-16s and it's both sides' interest to flog various angles to death.
I suspect you won't see real appraisals of the impact for a while yet, and maybe only after the war ends.