Wonder why the latest load of US cargo into Eastern Poland and possibly beyond is being diverted to Belgium last minute 🧐

Combatting such threats with €100M jet fighters that weren't designed for the task is unsustainable and impractical, given economics and available numbers. They struggle to intercept and use guns against these slower targets and firing €500K missiles at €25K targets quickly becomes problematic. 2/10

It could even be argued the wooden De Havilland Mosquito fighter of WW2 fame would be much better suited to this mission. In fact, over 80 years ago, it shot down over 600 of the V1 flying bombs fired at Britain, which had flight characteristics broadly similar to today's jet powered Shahed. 3/10

Short of a ragtag collection of warbirds, that leaves 2 options. Armed turboprop trainers, like the Brazilian Tucano and Swiss PC series, or more expensive jet powered cousins, like the Czech L-39 family and the Italian M-345/346, some of which have radar, for independent target acquisition. 4/10

These all have pros and cons, including being dependent on (engine) parts from potentially unfriendly countries. Apart from L-159s already operated by Czechia, the Super Tucano stands out. It has a widely supported, Canadian engine and comes in a light attack version with Belgian-made guns. 5/10

Its ancestor, the regular Tucano, was even licence-built in Ireland and due to having been operated by the RAF until 2019, expertise among both the military and contractors should still be within reach. This could help to quickly open the door to license-building the Super Tucano in Europe. 6/10

So how about those 500k missiles? Aside from needing fewer, as guns will be more effective, they too have economical alternatives. The US operate the APKWS laser-guided rocket, also in service with Britain and Czechia. They have been successfully used by Ukraine against various aerial threats. 7/10

But with transatlantic uncertainty looming and while Canada could produce a similar rocket, there is a tried and tested European equivalent, built by Thales (formerly Forges de Zeebrugge), the FZ275 Laser Guided Rocket, soon to be produced in Ukraine too. 8/10

So when it comes to holding off the waves of drones that are terrorising Ukraine every day, a European-built, FZ275-armed Super Tucano (or PC-7/9/21), in a mix with jet-powered L-39 and M-345/346 derivatives could offer a significant, sustainable layer of defence, currently missing in action. 9/10

Less sexy than the fastest of jets, but not least as it also offers additional capability against ground forces, that shouldn't be putting off military leadership, while politicians should rejoice the savings. (all opinions my own, not in any way sponsored) 10/10

Europe needs multi-layered, affordable means of air defence, both in the air and on the ground. 🧵

Something of a deep dive on the topic, starting today with having the right resources in the air, to match the increasing threat of low cost, one way attack munitions like the Iranian-born Shahed. 1/10

It is critically important for Europe to keep reducing its reliance on outside defence technology, in order to achieve independent means of defence. As much as I hate to state it, we cannot trust anyone but ourselves. x.com/noclador/sta...

Doet me wel afvragen of dit echt een lading alaskakoolvis is www.flightradar24.com/CMB382/3932b... - en al helemaal wat hier dan in zat, verzonden vanaf o.a. Dover Air Force Base...

Dat kwam bij mij ook zo binnen, erg frisse take op de realiteit van de oval office: stuck in viewer ratings mode.