Halifax Tar
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I am on a LOGFAS course right now and consumption rates are a hot topic.
Canada moves to 2% GDP end of FY25/26 - PMMC
- Thread starter Maxman1
- Start date
I am on a LOGFAS course right now and consumption rates are a hot topic.
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“When we started fielding some of these systems, we weren’t concerned about thousands of ballistic missiles, particularly from smaller countries,” Meink said.
Whether it’s air-based, ground-to-air, air defense, or offensive action systems, Meink said, “we just never predicted the numbers and scale of what we’re seeing.”
Air Force Revisiting Production Goals for CCA with Eye on ‘Scale’
Air Force leaders are poised to decide as early as this summer on the number of Collaborative Combat Aircraft the service will need.
www.airandspaceforces.com
....
How far have we come from our Cold War expectations of 72 hr battles and 3 week wars? Much less the end of history and peace dividends?
It is great that we are embracing all this counter-battery, high payload long range stuff, like HIMARS FOM and Mk41 compatible missiles but it seems to me that the urgent requirement, as seen in Ukraine, Russia and now the Gulf, is all the small calibre GBAD/CUAS/LAA guns, bullets and sub 70 mm missiles.
Concerted campaigns of missiles and drones are bad. More economically and politically debilitating is the sporadic attack from both internal and external actors.
The counter-battery stuff may eliminate most of the threats most of the time but it is the possibility that any target, any where can be at risk from anyone that is both novel and concerning.
And the worst part is that that elevate risk demands greater expenditure of time and money even if a single Radio Shack homebuilt never lands.
....
Even if Trump and every president before him had not been demanding raising defence spending to 2, 3,5 or 5% the insurance companies would have got us there as actuarial risk increased.
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I’ve seen quite a bit of video this evening of Iranian ballistic missile attacks with cluster warheads into Israeli. Israeli ambulance services have confirmed two dead today at one scene. Iran seems to certainly still have some dry powder… They’re not out of the fight yet.
I’ve not seen much today about strikes elsewhere in the Gulf; some of the Gulf states have been leaning in pretty hard on censorship of information about strikes, but maybe there just haven’t been many?
Not sure if you guys saw this but (yesterday?) an Iranian aligned militia flew an FOV drone seemingly unhindered through the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad. The embassy has taken one or more additional hits since… It’s C-RAM system is definitely getting a workout. I fear that if they can fly FPV drones right into the compound low and slow, those higher end defensive systems may be pretty vulnerable to getting picked off once the FPVs are laden with explosives.
FPV recce of the embassy:
C-RAM fails to stop an incoming drone:
Iran appears to be exercising traffic control over the Strait, with some permitted vessels taking a routing through that brings them in close through Iranian waters.
While WTI and Brent Crude are holding steady around $100 a barrel, many Asian markets are seeing major spikes in prices for actual oil delivery; they get much of theirs from the conflict zone. It’s having real economic impacts. Most of the oil commodity prices we see quoted reflect paper trading such as futures. Actual physical delivery costs of Omani crude as one example are now north of $150/bbl.
Sri Lanka declares all Wednesdays off to conserve energy
This is the latest in a series of measures undertaken by Asian countries which rely on oil from the Gulf.www.bbc.com
Oman crude makes history, crosses $150 for first time
Muscat: The Oman crude for delivery in the coming month of May traded at $152 .58 on Tuesday, an increase of $4.79 from the last trading on Monday.On...www.omanobserver.om
There are lots of other economic sectors getting hit hard by this, only a few of which I’ve had time or brain cells to read up on. Apparently fertilizer is one to watch; a significant portion of the world’s urea apparently flows through the strait. A jump in fertilizer costs will be a real ‘oh shit’ for many.
Iran’s Hormuz blockade leaves fertilizer stranded as food price inflation nears
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz — now entering its third week following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the Islamic Republic’s retaliation across the Gulf — is inflicting significant damage on the global fertilizer supply chains that underpin food ingredient production. Prices for urea, a...www.foodingredientsfirst.com
So, various stuff that’s caught my eye today as I’ve had moments to read…
Russia confirms Ukrainian drones can reach Ural region
Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said during an off-site meeting in Yekaterinburg that Ukrainian long-range drones now pose a direct threat to regions deep inside Russia, including the Ural industrial area. The statement reflects growing concern within Russia over
defence-blog.com
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100% it is also supposed to be just to maintain capabilities not really be expanding it (though in our case it is due to how underfunded we have been for so long).
Literally has never been at or above 2% within my lifetime.
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Maybe arbitrary is a better word, vice random, as terms of GDP not being a fixed level and doesn't relate to any kind of capability required, but that's something left up to the countries to figure out.
Not that anyone in the GoC or CAF cares, but my preference would be for Canada to focus on some specific things for the RCN, vice trying to do everything, but we're taking an ASW platform and going to try and do AAW with it, using US equipment (that drives specific doctrine and trade setups with associated team certification to use AEGIS) so we're doing the opposite. Suspect with our crewing challenges this will actually make it worse and less flexible to fill billets and do things like LTA during deployments, but it's not like the RCN to be overly optimistic and gloss over facts when doing future planning, so sure it'll be fine.
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One of the contenders for the USN's MASC program (Modular Autonomous Surface Craft)
Zero crew. 90 sea days. 11,500 trans-Pacific miles. 29 mph.
190 ft by 30 ft. 850 tons displacement. 165 tons cargo. 4x 40 foot ISO containers.
10-20 ships per year from one robotic production line.
www.slashgear.com
"Blue Water developed the Liberty Class using the Damen Stan Patrol 6009 hull as its template, featuring an axe bow design. This improves stability in rough seas, which is vital for autonomous operation. Each vessel measures 190 feet in length with a beam of 30 feet, displacing around 850 tons. They have a maximum speed of 29 mph and can sail for 11,500 miles while carrying four standard 40-foot cargo containers. These allow a Liberty Class ship to carry up to 165 tons.
"The ships are designed without any need for heating, ventilation, or air conditioning, as they aren't meant to house personnel. Without crewed spaces, the internal layout requires far less installation of unneeded devices. Without a single human onboard, a Liberty Class ship can operate for 90 days."
....
"Because Blue Water licensed the Stan Patrol 6009 hull, it can be produced far faster than it would through standard naval procurement and production processes. This removes the need for further hull development while allowing for easily installable off-the-shelf components. Blue Water is constructing its Liberty Class ships at Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana, where the production line employs robotic assembly systems and can build these ships at a rate of between 10 and 20 per year. Construction of the first vessel in the product line began in March 2026, and if it works as advertised, it's likely that we'll soon see Liberty Class vessels operating around the world."
....
I found this factoid fascinating
"The Liberty Ship that holds the record for being the fastest from the laying of its keel to completion is the SS Robert E. Peary. From start to finish, the Perry took exactly 4 days, 15 hours, and 29 minutes to construct."
From Wiki
"Eighteen American shipyards built 2,710 Liberty ships between 1941 and 1945 (an average of three ships every two days),"
3 ships
2 days
1.5 ships per day
1.5 ships per day
18 yards
0.5 ships per day
6 yards
1 ship per day
12 yards
12 days per ship per yard.
134 m LOA
14,000 tonnes displacement.
...
Kaiser at Vancouver, WA built 50 11,000 tonne Escort Carriers in a year (July 1943 to July 1944) by putting a flat deck on a standard cargo hull (Type C3)
5 were sunk between Novenber 1943 and February 1945.
Zero crew. 90 sea days. 11,500 trans-Pacific miles. 29 mph.
190 ft by 30 ft. 850 tons displacement. 165 tons cargo. 4x 40 foot ISO containers.
10-20 ships per year from one robotic production line.
US Navy's New Autonomous Ships Are Designed To Be Built At Rapid Speed - SlashGear
A new class of ship may be entering service for the U.S. Navy soon, and it has some distinct differences from previous ships. Here's what we know.
www.slashgear.com
"Blue Water developed the Liberty Class using the Damen Stan Patrol 6009 hull as its template, featuring an axe bow design. This improves stability in rough seas, which is vital for autonomous operation. Each vessel measures 190 feet in length with a beam of 30 feet, displacing around 850 tons. They have a maximum speed of 29 mph and can sail for 11,500 miles while carrying four standard 40-foot cargo containers. These allow a Liberty Class ship to carry up to 165 tons.
"The ships are designed without any need for heating, ventilation, or air conditioning, as they aren't meant to house personnel. Without crewed spaces, the internal layout requires far less installation of unneeded devices. Without a single human onboard, a Liberty Class ship can operate for 90 days."
....
"Because Blue Water licensed the Stan Patrol 6009 hull, it can be produced far faster than it would through standard naval procurement and production processes. This removes the need for further hull development while allowing for easily installable off-the-shelf components. Blue Water is constructing its Liberty Class ships at Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana, where the production line employs robotic assembly systems and can build these ships at a rate of between 10 and 20 per year. Construction of the first vessel in the product line began in March 2026, and if it works as advertised, it's likely that we'll soon see Liberty Class vessels operating around the world."
....
I found this factoid fascinating
"The Liberty Ship that holds the record for being the fastest from the laying of its keel to completion is the SS Robert E. Peary. From start to finish, the Perry took exactly 4 days, 15 hours, and 29 minutes to construct."
From Wiki
"Eighteen American shipyards built 2,710 Liberty ships between 1941 and 1945 (an average of three ships every two days),"
3 ships
2 days
1.5 ships per day
1.5 ships per day
18 yards
0.5 ships per day
6 yards
1 ship per day
12 yards
12 days per ship per yard.
134 m LOA
14,000 tonnes displacement.
...
Kaiser at Vancouver, WA built 50 11,000 tonne Escort Carriers in a year (July 1943 to July 1944) by putting a flat deck on a standard cargo hull (Type C3)
5 were sunk between Novenber 1943 and February 1945.
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Interim solutions abound
www.navalnews.com
The German Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) plans to purchase four MEKO A-200 class frigates as an interim solution until the potential delivery of the F126 class frigates.
This is another expedient, if not interim, solution.
....
I am reminded that this was an interim solution, the Interim Armoured Vehicle, 25 years and multiple non-wars ago.
German MoD plans to purchase four MEKO A-200 class frigates - Naval News
The German Federal Ministry of Defence plans to purchase four MEKO A-200 class frigates as an interim solution until the potential delivery of the F126 class frigates.
www.navalnews.com
The German Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) plans to purchase four MEKO A-200 class frigates as an interim solution until the potential delivery of the F126 class frigates.
This is another expedient, if not interim, solution.
....
I am reminded that this was an interim solution, the Interim Armoured Vehicle, 25 years and multiple non-wars ago.
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Further to this:
Army to 'ramp up all munitions across the board,' general says, including specialized missiles
The Army’s top general in charge of munitions said the service was looking to boost armament stocks "across the board,” including PrSM.
defensescoop.com
Halifax Tar
Army.ca Legend
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Interim solutions abound
German MoD plans to purchase four MEKO A-200 class frigates - Naval News
The German Federal Ministry of Defence plans to purchase four MEKO A-200 class frigates as an interim solution until the potential delivery of the F126 class frigates.
The German Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) plans to purchase four MEKO A-200 class frigates as an interim solution until the potential delivery of the F126 class frigates.
View attachment 99090
This is another expedient, if not interim, solution.
View attachment 99091
....
I am reminded that this was an interim solution, the Interim Armoured Vehicle, 25 years and multiple non-wars ago.
View attachment 99092
I mean we have Haida and Sackville kicking around...
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Halifax Tar
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I am sure with some muscle and grease we could get them to cock and click.
Ammo might be harder to find.
Ammo might be harder to find.
MilEME09
Army.ca Fixture
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and there we have it, start the clock, the life of the C7 is coming to an end, CMAR contract has been signed!
Halifax Tar
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65K seems like a low number.
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Covers most of the caf, im sure well still have RCAF / RCN using C8s for a while. Which is fine frankly.
Wasn't the whole CAF supposed to switch to C8s? Isn't that why we theoretically switched to doing carbine drill?
MilEME09
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C8A4 was to be an interim fix, CMAR was pushed up from its original date of 2032, CAMR is a brand new rifle and carbine. Both are short barrels so carbine drill will still apply. GS is about 12.5" barrel, and the FS is a 16" IIRC. CMAR designated C25, is a modern full modular rifle platform that brings us up to modern NATO standards for a service rifle. While at its core it still looks like an AR, the internals, and design have been drastically changed over the C7, the FS varient for the infantry will have a stronger optic, option for a suppressor and an optional TWS
