3 ms·

If the Vitebsk-25 defensive system works anywhere near as well as claimed, it would seem to be a really bad idea to resume production of this old technology.

by wrp 3y ago

cameron_b 3y ago
The difference is training. Scores of operators on the ground are already trained and experienced on the Stinger platform and the development of complete already. Backfilling a proven stock item is faster than infilling a new platform. Refer to the training cycles required for tanks provided by the UK. Those tanks have qualified operators ( with matching tactical-operational skills, but there are few personnel to back up their abilities. The Stinger is valuable because of the established user base compared to that.
- fbdab103 3y ago
  The US is not actively in a war. Do we not have enough idle personnel who can be trained now so they can handle future uses?
  - Geezus_42 3y ago
    I highly doubt these are being made for the US. These are for profiting off other countries killing people.
    - avree 3y ago
      The thing you are speculating on is answered in the very first sentence of the article: "Nations like the United States and other NATO allies have given Ukraine their Stingers, putting the venerable human-portable surface-to-air missile to use against Soviet-designed aircraft, as it was originally designed to do. "
  - bigbillheck 3y ago
    > The US is not actively in a war There are US soldiers and contractors fighting and dying right now: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/06/08/letter-to-the-speaker-of-the-house-and-president-pro-tempore-of-the-senate-on-war-powers-report/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases...
anovikov 3y ago
They are mostly used to shoot down cruise missiles deep within Ukrainian territory, not planes (Russian planes don't fly over Ukraine controlled territory anyway, that would be suicide, and over frontline they have decent AAA). There's nothing new in defence pods like Vitebsk-25 for aircraft, they existed for decades and even many civilian aircraft have them (like many Israeli passenger planes, knowing they can be subject to terrorist shootdowns).
Jtsummers 3y ago
Per the article, this production run is a stop gap. The next gen system they (US Army) want is not yet available. They're restocking to cover the interim.
gonzo41 3y ago
The stinger works great against drones and cruise missiles. Whilst Vitebsk-25 may be on choppers and fixed wing aircraft, It won't be on Iranian drones. And having stringers take down the small stuff makes using the Patriot System most cost effective against bigger targets.

If the Vitebsk-25 defensive system works anywhere near as well as claimed, it would seem to be a really bad idea to resume production of this old technology.

by wrp 3y ago

If the Vitebsk-25 defensive system works anywhere near as well as claimed, it would seem to be a really bad idea to resume production of this old technology.

cameron_b 3y ago

The difference is training. Scores of operators on the ground are already trained and experienced on the Stinger platform and the development of complete already. Backfilling a proven stock item is faster than infilling a new platform. Refer to the training cycles required for tanks provided by the UK. Those tanks have qualified operators ( with matching tactical-operational skills, but there are few personnel to back up their abilities. The Stinger is valuable because of the established user base compared to that.

fbdab103 3y ago
The US is not actively in a war. Do we not have enough idle personnel who can be trained now so they can handle future uses?
- Geezus_42 3y ago
  I highly doubt these are being made for the US. These are for profiting off other countries killing people.
  - avree 3y ago
    The thing you are speculating on is answered in the very first sentence of the article: "Nations like the United States and other NATO allies have given Ukraine their Stingers, putting the venerable human-portable surface-to-air missile to use against Soviet-designed aircraft, as it was originally designed to do. "
- bigbillheck 3y ago
  > The US is not actively in a war There are US soldiers and contractors fighting and dying right now: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/06/08/letter-to-the-speaker-of-the-house-and-president-pro-tempore-of-the-senate-on-war-powers-report/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases...

anovikov 3y ago

They are mostly used to shoot down cruise missiles deep within Ukrainian territory, not planes (Russian planes don't fly over Ukraine controlled territory anyway, that would be suicide, and over frontline they have decent AAA). There's nothing new in defence pods like Vitebsk-25 for aircraft, they existed for decades and even many civilian aircraft have them (like many Israeli passenger planes, knowing they can be subject to terrorist shootdowns).

Jtsummers 3y ago

Per the article, this production run is a stop gap. The next gen system they (US Army) want is not yet available. They're restocking to cover the interim.

gonzo41 3y ago

The stinger works great against drones and cruise missiles. Whilst Vitebsk-25 may be on choppers and fixed wing aircraft, It won't be on Iranian drones. And having stringers take down the small stuff makes using the Patriot System most cost effective against bigger targets.