I thought I would share some research I did. It might help explain some of the new terms in todays' battlefield:
An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) killed six Canadian soldiers recently
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Improvised_explosive_device
Pretty much any form of armour is susceptible to Shaped Charge types of IEDs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaped_charge
We now live in the era of man portable munitions.
Armour and walls cannot stop Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs):
RPG-29
http://www.olive-drab.com/od_infweapons_soviet_rpg29.php
Low/slow flying aircraft can be shot down by anyone with a MAN Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MANPADS
These new weapons are why Israel's tank based ground invasion came to a halt last summer. I'm sure they had a good plan, except for all the IEDs, RPGs and MANPADS.
Canada would be making a mistake buying tanks. It would be like preparing for WW II by building the Maginot Line.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maginot_Line
wiki: "The term is sometimes used today to describe any comically ineffective protection."
The success of these new technologies against the Israelis gives our adversaries less reasons to fear our tanks, LAVs and helicopters.
The battlefield has changed. Now you don't need million dollar tanks and helicopters. What can be bought for tens of thousands is even deadlier:
Fajr-3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fajr-3
Here is another viewpoint on the Fajr-3 from Vital Perspective (2006),
http://vitalperspective.typepad.com/vital_perspective_clarity/2006/07/military_briefi.html
New tactics and technology have to be developed to deal with these new threats. Tanks and attack helicopters will still have a role to play, but their role has to change.
By the way I found an "al Manar" (Hezbollah propaganda) website on Hezbollah's Fajr-3:
http://www.irakrakow.com/Al_Manar/Al_Manar_Rocket_Attack_Afula.htm
An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) killed six Canadian soldiers recently
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Improvised_explosive_device
Pretty much any form of armour is susceptible to Shaped Charge types of IEDs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaped_charge
We now live in the era of man portable munitions.
Armour and walls cannot stop Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs):
RPG-29
http://www.olive-drab.com/od_infweapons_soviet_rpg29.php
Low/slow flying aircraft can be shot down by anyone with a MAN Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MANPADS
These new weapons are why Israel's tank based ground invasion came to a halt last summer. I'm sure they had a good plan, except for all the IEDs, RPGs and MANPADS.
Canada would be making a mistake buying tanks. It would be like preparing for WW II by building the Maginot Line.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maginot_Line
wiki: "The term is sometimes used today to describe any comically ineffective protection."
The success of these new technologies against the Israelis gives our adversaries less reasons to fear our tanks, LAVs and helicopters.
The battlefield has changed. Now you don't need million dollar tanks and helicopters. What can be bought for tens of thousands is even deadlier:
Fajr-3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fajr-3
Here is another viewpoint on the Fajr-3 from Vital Perspective (2006),
http://vitalperspective.typepad.com/vital_perspective_clarity/2006/07/military_briefi.html
New tactics and technology have to be developed to deal with these new threats. Tanks and attack helicopters will still have a role to play, but their role has to change.
By the way I found an "al Manar" (Hezbollah propaganda) website on Hezbollah's Fajr-3:
http://www.irakrakow.com/Al_Manar/Al_Manar_Rocket_Attack_Afula.htm
