THINKING STRATEGY
@thinkstrat23
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Alastair Finlan writes about military strategy and modern warfare. Professor of War Studies, Swedish Defence University
Joined May 2023
During the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 there was a recognition of the dangers of missile escalation in the United States. Thankfully young/dynamic democrats in the White House sought innovative solutions to avoid the horror of accidental nuclear war. The contrast today is stark.
Putin has threatened to target Kyiv with Oreshnik missiles, which he claims are capable of bypassing all modern defences. The recently launched missile carries six warheads and can reach speeds 10 times faster than sound.
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These attacks show that Russia has a clear aim with its air campaign. This is an important feature what is called a 'strategy'. Sadly, the West stumbled through the entire Global War on Terror without any strategy at all. Time to think more about this thing called strategy .
Russia launched a massive missile attack, backed by drones, on Ukraineâs energy infrastructure on Thursday, leaving millions of people without power, Ukrainian officials said.
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A clear political/nuclear signal of the most dangerous kind since the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962). The strike mirrored a lecture on nuclear strategy by John Garnett 30 years ago. Never thought I would witness MIRVs hitting targets in my lifetime. Time to urgently de-escalate.
Russia launched a new experimental ballistic missile with multiple warheads, hitting a major Ukrainian city. Putin said the unprecedented attack was in response to U.S. and British missiles used against its forces. @IanPannell has details.
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The tension between cutting real military capabilities (amphibious assault ships) at the same time as provoking a far more powerful foe shows that British defence policy remains incoherent. Unlike other wars of choice, the costs of getting it wrong are so much higher for the UK.
The inconsistency of the UK government's announcement that it will weaken its defences to save cash on the same day as British missiles struck Russia in defiance of Moscow's threats will not be lost on the Kremlin. Acting tough but carrying an increasingly small stick has been a.
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Perhaps the shape of things to come. These sea-based data cables are very vulnerable to interdiction. How a society would react to having limited or significantly reduced Internet access is open to speculation. It could have wide-ranging political, social and economic effects.
Did Chinese flagged vessel sabotage undersea communications cables in the Baltic? More details here on what's going on đ.
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In 1981 the government decided to do the same thing with two amphibious ships (same age). They were critical to Britain's success in the Falklands War. Simple defence facts: the UK is an island. Wars are won on land. The projection of substantial military power rests with the RN.
The UK will scrap five warships, dozens of military helicopters and a fleet of drones to save money despite growing threats abroad. Sky's security and defence editor @haynesdeborah looks at what is being axed âŹïž.
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Potentially a big step forward for UK airpower. Nevertheless, in an advanced air defence environment, a limited range of 100km carries great risk to the aircraft and the pilot. An S-400 ground-based air defence missile has at least double (sometimes three times) the range.
SPEAR is a next generation cruise missile and can hit targets from 100km away. It's designed to be used against a range of targets, including air defences, ships, tanks, defended structures and fast-moving vehicles. Footage of the successful test firing provided by @MBDAGroup
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The use of battlefield drones armed with guns is not a realm of fantasy and is likely to be seen more often in future warfare. The account here to the UK Parliament of their use against bombed civilians in Gaza raises profound legal/ethical questions about their employment.
Today the @CommonsIDC heard harrowing evidence on the use of drones in Gaza, targeting and shooting civilians, including children @UNWRA @MedicalAidPal @PalestineRCS âŠ@hrwâ©
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Never underestimate the utility of radar-controlled guns! From the footage available it seems that AA guns accounted for many of the incoming missiles. Lessons to be learnt here in the West when considering future integrated/layered air defence in the age of drones and missiles.
đŽ Iran vows revenge for Israeli strike on Tehran. The attack risks pushing the arch-enemies closer to all-out war at a time of spiralling violence across the Middle East. Follow LIVEđ.
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Missile offence vs defence. It is clear that a significant number of Iranian missiles defeated Israel's air defence system last night. The focus appears to be on military and security assets/infrastructure. There is much to be learnt from this sophisticated use of missile power.
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En bra dag för Sverige och försvarsmakten! Lycka till ĂB Michael Claesson!.
TilltrĂ€dande ĂB Michael Claesson kommer nu fĂ„ ta vidare det viktiga jobbet med uppbyggnaden av krigsförbanden och i att öka försvarets operativa förmĂ„ga. I detta kommer Försvarsmakten fĂ„ stöd frĂ„n Försvarsdepartementet. (1/3). Foto: Zacarias Johansson/Försvarsmakten
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Completely agree! Research is the beating heart of a university, but sadly that is often lost in the 'student experience' debate at the PVC level. The former reinforces the latter!.
1. Define elite.2. Framing research as loss making is unhelpful & will make things worse.3. Research is intertwined with teaching anyway - âresearch-informed/led teachingâ.4. Research is a core part of what a university does. Without it youâre not a university.
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An interesting development. It does beg the question in the stress of combat of whether having a technology that prevents the shooter from firing is really a sensible option. What happens if the sensor gets confused when multiple targets are attacking and disables the trigger?.
New intelligent sighting system gives British forces SMASH power against aerial drones đ„. Around 500 SMASH X4 sighting systems are being used across the three services by close combat troops â designed to give personnel the edge against UAVs. Read more đ
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A very thoughtful and promising message with good insight. Much work needs to be done and quickly. The 'mass' nettle will have to be gripped at some stage by the UK because three times the firepower may not suffice against enemies with fielded 10x plus (numerical superiority).
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RCDS is the jewel in the crown of the UK's service education. Former Wilson Professor of International Politics at Aberystwyth University @AberUni and the first Lecturer in Strategic Studies in the UK, John Garnett, had a significant role in updating its syllabus many moons ago.
Graduating from the global Strategy Programme @ComdtRCDS. What a year of reflection, contemplation and enviable focus on matters of global strategy, making global friends along the way. We need many more women on the course, so step forward ladies, and be recognised.
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Ett bra beslut!.
Regeringen ger Myndigheten för samhÀllsskydd och beredskap (MSB) och lÀnsstyrelserna i uppdrag att göra en övergripande planering av ÄtgÀrder för att stÀrka skyddet av civilbefolkningen. LÀs mer:
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Excellent! There has been a series of bad decisions concerning UK air power from axing the Harrier Force (very capable proven combat jet), Hercules and betting all on the F-35 that spends too little time flying with huge amounts of time being serviced. Is RAF culture at fault?.
At the air power conference, there is a Q&A session with the heads of the RAF & US Air Force. Audience must submit questions via Slido. Iâve tried but donât seem to have passed the reviewer so am posting my question to @ChiefofAirStaff here instead âŹïž
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