Actually, This Could Be ...

 ... the case of ...

... mistaken identity by Patriot PAC3 aka MLRS Renegade. 

Representative of the IRGC: "The destruction of the passenger terminal of Kuwait Airport occurred due to a mistake of the American Patriot systems." "Our investigation and analysis of the incident with the destruction of the passenger terminal of Kuwait show that the Aerospace Forces of the IRGC did not carry out any strikes on this target. The destruction of the passenger terminal of Kuwait Airport was the result of a mistake of the American Patriot systems, which, after an unsuccessful attempt to intercept Iranian missiles, hit this terminal."

Very well could be, because PAC3 is known for inability to maintain lock on target. The cases of PAC3 AD missiles hitting own (or friendly) forces and residential areas are very numerous and well-documented. As most US weapon systems it looks good in booklets from military exhibitions, while being laughed at by people who got acquainted with S-400. 

Why This Video ...

... is a sentence to US military. In general, and it is one of many--the pattern is the same. Always the same. 

Patriot PAC3 deploys. It is detected, taken on by RUK (Recon-Strike Complex), Iskander arrives. Not a single movement, not a single launch of AD missile. Not because it is inactive, because it is the system (the best NATO has) for the war of 1980s and 1990s against backward countries with military technology of 1960s. 

Ramifications are enormous for the US, including the US Navy which always prided itself on Aegis and SM-6 missile as the best AD in the world--it is not even close. Salvo Model is cruel, you can cheat it on paper, in real life--you are dead. I speak about it in my today's video, especially against the background of Defiant-class "battleship" which became now a butt of the jokes even among US professionals. The critical admission by the US Navy that this white elephant will be using "existing systems" is everything you need to know about historic shift in naval war paradigm and, as the result, in the global balance of power. 

Mike Mihailovich ...

 ... who I know from joint broadcasts at RT et al, penned an article in Air Forces Monthly magazine. Keep in mind, Mike is a professional AD officer from Serbia. 

Mike is being diplomatic in this (I believe British) magazine, including a standard "objectivity" term such as "the truth is somewhere in the middle", but he is absolutely correct when stating that "Kinzhal still unbeaten" in the title to his professional note. 

Needless to say, Russians do not view all versions, including latest MSE, of Patriot PAC3 as a viable anti-missile defense. It still can shoot down combat aircraft and some cruise missiles with drones--it is absolutely incapable of intercepting any kind of hypersonic weapons and supersonic ones such as P-800 Oniks. It has huge issues with classic land-attack cruise missiles such as 3M14 and Kh-101. US has absolutely no defense against hypersonic missiles anywhere on the horizon. It is simple physics--M=9+ maneuvering hypersonic missile (apart from huge issues of detecting, tracking and, let alone, having firing solution) requires a new philosophy in developing AD missile to even try to intercept a single 3M22 Zircon, not to speak of a salvo of same. The technological challenge is immense and NATO has no answer for that. Fact is, good ol' P-700 Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) can still provide leakers in salvo against modern NATO navies' AD. 

P.S. Per these French escapades with a "shadow fleet" tanker. Well, Russian Navy will have to simply establish convoy system. Does Marine Royale want to get sunk? Or better yet, how many Oreshniks it takes to free some good real estate areas in Paris? 

Meanwhile. 

A Bit More On Mach Velocities ...

... and NATO (and 404) air defense systems. Before, though. Keep in mind that Patriot PAC3 main missiles used in 404 are MIM-104 D/E and possibly MIM-104F--the most advanced missile Patriot has whose velocity, unlike it is the case with MIM-104 D/E is "unknown", but in reality is the same as for MIM-104 D/E which is Mach=3.5. Mach=3.5 translates into roughly 1.2 kilometers per second and it is critical to understand why this news is absolutely astounding. Here is a famous (granted imprecise) graphics with capabilities comparison. 

We also know that S-400's long range missile 40N6E is capable of shooting down targets with the velocities of M=14, which would imply ballistic targets, while aerodynamic M=3.5 such as said MIM-104F represent pretty standard target for S-300 and C-400 family. What IS the REAL, not export variant and fanboys' "data" velocities for both 40N6E (1, 2, 3 etc.) and 48N6 which would be the culprits in shooting down Patriot's missiles, it is M=5.9 and above. How much exactly? Way above. Here is a scheme of probable deployment of S-400s at the front. 

Add here A-50s and their coverage of the front and you will get the idea of how this all happens. Keep in mind that the distance of the deployed S-300s and S-400s from the line of the combat contact is around 50 (give and take) kilometers. 

Recall how both S-300s and S-400s wiped the remnants of the 404 Air Force off the skies while allowing Russian Air Force operate safely at the echelons which provide a necessary altitude for the use of increasingly long-range FABs with UMPKs while operating even within the possible ranges of detection and firing of Patriot PAC3s. But in the end, apart from this impact, reality for the crème de la crème of NATO's AD is very sad--the moment any of those Patriots, SAMP-Ts or Iris with NASAMS turn on their radar--that's pretty much it for them, but a completely different algorithm of search kicks in and those ADs do not live long even if they managed to launch and escape (for now). Remember probability density? 

The proof of this working brilliantly is this:

The last remaining NATO AD complexes, like this IRIS-T a few days back, being wiped out and AAA remaining the only option for utterly destroyed NATO and 404 AD system. I wonder, if those operational quantum computers Vladimir Putin talked about three days ago have a "hand" in SMO? Hm, something tells me they do have, a big one and you know, Russians do not like to use their models in Garbage In--Garbage Out (GIGO) mode. That's why Russians win wars. Per breaking encryption and using quantum computational (immense) capabilities for geopolitical forecasting? You can bet your ass on that being done. 

And Again, And Again ...

 ... I have to repeat--and how is this news, really? 

US-made Patriot air defense systems, long hailed as a cornerstone of Western military aid to Ukraine, are now struggling to intercept advanced Russian ballistic missiles, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources. One unnamed Ukrainian official told the outlet that Russian ballistic missiles have become more maneuverable, allowing them to evade Patriot radar detection. He did not clarify what type of missiles he was referring to. Meanwhile, in light of the EU’s efforts to wean itself from the American military-industrial complex amid uncertainty regarding continued US support for Ukraine, a next-generation European alternative is seeking to dethrone the Patriots, the report says.

I will repeat: 

US hardware is a technological and functional failure in the modern war, across the board, with the exception of the American impressive ISR capabilities, which still failed to prevent the agony of NATO. Per SAMP/T by France:

The upgraded Samp/T missile system, developed by the Franco-Italian joint venture Eurosam, is being promoted as better suited to handle current threats and features a new radar that reportedly detects targets at a distance of more than 350km while being able to fire missiles in all directions, the paper notes. The Samp/T also requires fewer operators, with the entire system able to run with as few as 15 people, compared to roughly 90 troops needed for a US Patriot battery, according to the WSJ.

It also comes with the latest espresso machine, excellent dishwasher, entertainment center, latest version of environment-friendly A/C and AI voice system which says Ooh La La, each time Iskander is detected at the terminal and SAMP/T fails to develop firing solution. As I stated not for once--NATO doesn't know what real AD is. Difficult to know, when one considers a dismal academic level of military academies in NATO and not understanding that some "programs" serious AD tactical and operational officer do not make. I offered not for once the insight of Russia's AD military "establishment"--just look up this academy. Yaroslavl, apart from 5 years, 6 days a week academic and military regimen--a heavy focus on Air Defense systems and their tactics and operations. It is a different level of professionalism which NO military officer school in the West can provide. 

The ONLY field in which the US retains a parity (apart from advantage in ISR) are submarine forces. US Navy's submarine force is still world-class in terms of platforms. In terms of fire-power--not anymore. But don't tell this to these two clowns: H.I. Sutton and Amick (aka Sub Brief). What do you expect--there are still some confused US officers who believe that Patriot shoots down Iskanders, Kinzhals and Zircons easily. The fact that they are unable to see through the murky streams of BS from 404 merely confirms what is becoming patently clear--a low professional level of the US military, whose defining feature throughout post-WW II decades has become ignorant arrogance. 

Some Facts About ...

 ... Russian AD complexes which should be considered--from the Armaments' Expo in Belarus:

Если уж речь зашла о специальной военной операции, то вот еще одна интересная подробность: С-400 – пока единственная в мире зенитная ракетная система, имеющая в своем активе сбитые (в реальном бою, а не на испытаниях) ракеты-перехватчики западных ЗРК/ЗРС, идущих на близких к гиперзвуковым скоростям – причем, в первую очередь, речь идет о широко распиаренных американских комплексах Patriot PAC-3. Причем таких боевых эпизодов насчитывается уже более десяти.

Translation: If we are talking about a special military operation, here is another interesting detail: the S-400 is the only anti-aircraft missile system in the world that has shot down (in real combat, not during tests) interceptor missiles of Western SAM/SAM systems flying at speeds close to hypersonic - and, first of all, we are talking about the widely hyped American Patriot PAC-3 systems. Moreover, there are already more than ten such combat episodes.

If anybody wonders, SAMs are the fastest missiles in NATO's arsenal capable of speeds approaching hypersonic ones (just under M=5) for a short time of intercept. S-400 now shoots down in combat US air defense missiles.

Meanwhile, Israel is slowly turning into 404.

But then again, it does begin to look increasingly like 404, especially after having its elite intel/recon units wiped out. Next thing--TTzK. Meanwhile, Kiev and the rest of 404 today.

Lying Is A Requirement.

In the US politics. Trump is doing what he does best--BS. 

Putin could never have said anything like this because he knows who Trump is and he has no intention whatsoever to "stop" the war in "24 hours". This is a pathological narcissism which breaks all limits of propriety and allows the guy to lie and sincerely believe his own lies. Obviously, Russians have no illusions about the US intentions whatsoever. Russians are also very good at math and they know US manufacturing capabilities of critical weapon systems as well as the starting levels of resources. 

Remarkably, Trump, in some ironic sense, continues to reap what he and his admin, of which he had no control whatsoever, have sown--arming and training Kiev regime in earnest. Russians have a very good memory. Meanwhile--US tax dollars at work or rather not working. 

МОСКВА, 22 дек — РИА Новости. Вооруженные силы России за время спецоперации на Украине поразили минимум 30 пусковых установок зенитно-ракетного комплекса Patriot производства США, свидетельствует подсчет РИА Новости на основе официальных данных Минобороны. Один из последних и самых результативных ударов упоминается в сводке за 15 декабря: тогда были уничтожены четыре пусковые установки, а также машина боевого управления и радиолокационная станция AN/MPQ-65. 

Translation: MOSCOW, December 22 — RIA Novosti. During a special operation in Ukraine, the Russian Armed Forces destroyed at least 30 launchers of the U.S.-made Patriot anti-aircraft missile system, according to RIA Novosti’s calculations based on official data from the Defense Ministry. One of the most recent and most effective strikes is mentioned in the December 15 report: four launchers were destroyed, as well as a combat control vehicle and an AN/MPQ-65 radar station.

 

And that's just Patriots--around $30 billion gone--there are many other types from NASAMS to Iris-T to what have you which have been destroyed. Make no mistake, Russian AD also loses some AD systems here and there, but nowhere near (two orders of magnitude fewer) what 404 and its NATO "friends" lost in what is now the largest SEAD operation in the last half-a-century and which makes all previous anti-AD operations look like a backwater. NATO AD is designed for wars with inferior forces and is NOT capable to fight modern delivery systems from tactical level up. The gap between Russian and NATO AD systems continues to widen and it cannot be closed any time soon, if ever.

Patriots Have A Very Bad Time...

 ... in 404. Just as we discussed it yesterday--Garland, Scott and me--that Patriot is simply no good against serious targets. Here OTRK Iskander wipes out another one yesterday in 404. 

It tries to launch 2 missiles with no effect and gets its heart and most expensive part--radar and command post--wiped out. After that it is easy. Any slow drone can finish it off. Mind you, this is Iskander, not even Kinzhal, which is impossible to intercept. Iskander's "burn out" speed at the target is about M=6, still hypersonic but slower than Kinzhal with its M=10, albeit both are relatives. 

 

P.S. These were not Ukrainians who have been killed in the command post... Make your own conclusions.

Fate Of Air Defense...

 ... of NATO. Let me remind you this: 

So, yesterday--Mr. Iskander visits some Patriot launchers and spreads the love, I mean cluster munitions. They cannot intercept Iskanders.

 

Then the turn of the German Iris-T comes. This time Mr. Iskander gets close and personal. 

So, as I write for decade--to fight a real war one needs really good, if not outstanding air defense, especially when we are talking about strike weapon systems and complexes RUK/ROK of Russia. NATO doesn't have it. Moreover, the gap only grows with new strike systems coming on-line. Meanwhile, as was expected Kursk adventure has already turned into a strategic catastrophe for VSU. My video about it is coming up shortly. 

Things Do Malfunction...

 ...once in a while everywhere. Missiles fail to launch, shit blows up in containers et al. But it looks like much touted Patriot AD complex has issues which are consistent. This time in Romania. You don't need the knowledge of Romanian language, but you can easily recognize now so traditional trajectory of Patriot's missile which, and you may have guessed it already, failed to ride the beam to the line of opening of own radar visor and locking on target, and decided to do "let's scare the shit out of everybody" routine and... judge for yourself. 

And, of course, we are still waiting Pentagon's assessment about those Patriots from 404 after they had a visit by Mr. Kinzhal which, as they say, provided only "light damage", LOL)) But for now it is the whole story with NATO as a whole, a hallmark of sorts. But, as the comments of Romanians under the video suggest, they are ecstatic from buying this very expensive and very-very-very awesome complex from the US, wink, wink. Thank you, Google Translate.  

In related news:

Many foreign mercenaries recruited by Kiev soon opt to flee Ukraine after experiencing the gruesome reality of the battlefield, an army officer told CNN on Sunday. Moscow has previously said that Kiev is using soldiers from other countries as cannon fodder to breach Russian defenses. In an interview with the American network, Lieutenant Dmitry Kostyuk said that his platoon, which was deployed not far from Artyomovsk (known as Bakhmut in Ukraine), a scene of fierce fighting in recent months, was short on personnel and was replenished by 12 foreign fighters. According to the officer, while some mercenaries join the fray because they are attracted to “the romance of war,” others go because they see fighting as their “professional activity” or even “because it is a good line on their resume.”

It is too bad, that nobody explained to these guys that this is a real war, not some BS of patrolling Iraq or Afghanistan with a relatively low risk of getting IEDed or receiving an RPG-7 grenade into the Stryker's side, while shooting unarmed civilians and calling on CAS the moment somebody starts to shoot back. Nope, this is a very different affair. As RT piece quotes:

As a rule, they do not realize what they are getting into. Many people imagine our war as a gunfight with the enemy, but they don’t realize how much artillery there is and that you sit under fire all day, every day, and may not see the enemy at all.

Yes, add here aviation, drones, being seen 24/7 by ISR complex of those backward Russkies, plus getting under a horror of Russian MLRS and then facing off with the guys who are the best close combat fighting people in the world and you get the picture. They don't teach this at USMA at West Point? But who would teach it there? Institution which thinks Patton was a great general--they better wake up to the reality of old and modern warfare and smell the putrid smell of soiled pants by all those Hollywood-"educated" mercenaries. That's the Malfunction on the grand scale. Ask any USMA graduate officer who Katukov was--they will have no idea. Same goes for Rybalko or Lelyshenko, among others. As I said--Malfunction.  

Sanctions From Hell.

That will show those damn Roosskies. US finally found the soft spot of Russia and these new sanctions are going to hurt like hell, wink, wink. 

МОСКВА, 19 мая. /ТАСС/. США ввели запрет на ввоз в Россию ряда телефонов, диктофонов, микрофонов и бытовой техники. Соответствующий список опубликован Минторгом США. В перечень входят электрические проточные или накопительные водонагреватели, электрические утюги, микроволновые печи, кипятильники, электрические кофеварки и тостеры. Также запрещено поставлять в РФ линейные телефонные аппараты, беспроводные телефоны, диктофоны. Вместе с тем в список включены сушилки для белья, машины и аппараты для фильтрации и очистки воды, снегоочистители и снегоуборочные машины, газонокосилки, сельскохозяйственная техника, стиральные машины и швейные машины. Помимо этого, к ввозу запрещены литий-ионные аккумуляторы, аккумуляторные батареи Nesio, пылесосы, измельчители пищевых продуктов, электрические лампы.

Translation: MOSCOW, May 19. /TASS/. The United States imposed a ban on the import into Russia of a number of telephones, voice recorders, microphones and household appliances. The corresponding list is published by the US Department of Commerce. The list includes electric instantaneous or storage water heaters, electric irons, microwave ovens, water heaters, electric coffee makers and toasters. It is also prohibited to supply linear telephones, cordless telephones, voice recorders to the Russian Federation. However, the list includes clothes dryers, machines and apparatus for filtering and purifying water, snow plows and snow blowers, lawn mowers, agricultural machinery, washing machines and sewing machines. In addition, lithium-ion batteries, Nesio batteries, vacuum cleaners, food grinders, and electric lamps are prohibited from being imported.

I never disclosed it, but now I can come clean--my worst nightmare was the anticipation of a moment when the US will announce sanctions on toasters and water heaters. Russia, being a backward shithole of a country with the economy smaller than that of Lesotho, is now cooked. I called my friends and relatives in Russia--they are desperate. One of them, when heard that there will be no American lawnmowers anymore, wanted to commit suicide and only, as luck would have it, the intervention of his wife saved him. 

There are screams of desperation heard from all corners of Russia being denied the access to advanced technology such as toasters and water heaters. It finally happened, and now Russia will crumble--you can bet your life on that. Same way as you can bet all your life saving on Patriot PAC3 being "slightly damaged" and by today, as rumor has it, being completely "repaired". In Pentagonese the repair means having new Patriot elements being delivered instead the ones which have been completely destroyed. Hey, technically it is a repair, of sorts. 

On a more serious note, considering the fact that only small share of those items listed above is made in the US proper, with most of them being either China, Taiwan or Malaysia made, one has to ask the question: are they that stupid in there? Evidently they are. This is what happens when one is completely detached from the realities of real industrial productive economy and emerging Eurasian (colossal) market, whose details, including possibly the new reserve currency (or basket of currencies) will be discussed at St. Petersburg international economic forum (SPIEF) in June this year. Once one considers that there are more than 80 countries lining up for joining BRICS and SCO is emerging as a serious security organization, and the US and Europe are not in this club, one can feel the desperation. The syndrome of abandoned abusive wife who suddenly recognized that she is not needed anymore. 

In related news:

HIROSHIMA, Japan — America and its allies plan to provide F-16s to Ukraine — although the fighter jets may not necessarily come directly from the United States — as part of a long-term effort to strengthen the country's security, a senior Biden administration official said Friday. The timing for when Ukraine will receive the fighter jets — and which countries will provide them — remains unclear, but the official said the planes would not be used for Ukraine's upcoming counteroffensive against Russia. In the coming months, the U.S. and its allies “will decide when to actually provide jets, how many we will provide, and who will provide them,” the official said. The news comes as President Joe Biden on Friday informed leaders of leading industrialized nations that the U.S. will support efforts to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.

Sure, let them. Yet another US weapon system will be exposed as obsolete and ineffective and will be demonstrated against the background of Russian Air Force and Air Defense doing its job properly. I know what the US "elites" are coming through right now, those who have enough remaining courage to face facts:

Yes, it was like a dream in which a man fancies that a ruffian is coming to attack him, and raises his arm to strike that ruffian a terrible blow which he knows should annihilate him, but then feels that his arm drops powerless and limp like a rag, and the horror of unavoidable destruction seizes him in his helplessness. 

In 1814, Alexander I and Russian Army triumphantly entered Paris. Nowadays, Russians do not want to enter any of European or American capitals, they do a swell job of destroying themselves, and even the allure of finally having their hands on the advanced products of Western civilization such as washing machines and water heaters can not change Russians' desire not to deal withe West anymore. In the end, Russian Air Force cannot even "fly formations". What do you expect from those backward Rooskies.

From Russian Foreign Ministry.

This statement has been already posted by Johnny Rotten, but it is worth again to remind everybody what is this all about. I spoke about this yesterday:

Today, Zakharova responded:

We noted yet another anti-Russia attack by German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholtz in his speech at the gala event devoted to the 70th anniversary of the German Economy Eastern Committee on December 12, 2022. It looks like he is trying to justify the federal government and himself for the failure of Berlin’s policy on Russia and the increase of economic problems in the country. He emphasised support for the Kiev regime and said that after “the end of the war” in Ukraine, Russia would ask Germany to resume economic relations with it. But we will not ask Germany for anything, and it is time German politicians realised this once and for all. Mr Scholtz himself can take the blame for compelling businesses to tighten their belts. 

It is worth mentioning, that for some inexplicable reason Germany still counts itself as a huge economy which it is not. German economy is dwarfed by that of Russia and, if to rub the salt into the wound, Russians actually live better. In my video I present a table comparing Russian and German economies. Here is corrected (for cars) and updated one. 

So, make your own conclusions. 

Now to this Patriot thingy. Can we, please, stop this charade. Since US media are not really reporting, one has to rely on Russian ones, which report this:

ВАШИНГТОН, 14 дек — РИА Новости. Белый дом не подтвердил включение ЗРК Patriot в будущий пакет военной помощи Украине, заявил координатор по стратегическим коммуникациям в Совете национальной безопасности Джон Кирби. "Я не могу подтвердить это сообщение", — ответил он на брифинге журналистам.

Translation: WASHINGTON, December 14 - RIA Novosti. The White House has not confirmed the inclusion of the Patriot air defense system in a future military aid package for Ukraine, said John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator at the National Security Council. "I can't confirm this message," he told reporters at a briefing.

Hey, don't look at me--I merely quote Kirby. But then again, knowing that Patriot "story" originated in the sewer of CNN, one can expect that, traditionally for US "journos", they simply made this shit up. In any case, it doesn't matter, since Patriot in any of its iterations will not make any difference whatsoever when faced with modern battlefield. As I am on record non-stop: does Pentagon need yet another embarrassment and reputational loss to its already laughable procurement policies? I thought so, it should concentrate on Maverick (Top Gun) franchise and make another one in which Tom Cruise shoots down International Space Station, which was captured by Russian terrorists, flying his F-14 Tomcat and then bombs Kremlin. Hey, but what do I know? 

 

Larry brilliantly addresses this whole issue as "fantasies": 

The propaganda flooding Western media about the situation on the ground in Ukraine surpasses anything I have seen in my 67 years of waddling around the world. Consider this whopper. Did you know that NATO is the big winner with respect to the war in Ukraine? (Before reading the following paragraph, please put on a neck brace to minimize your risk of whiplash.)

I agree, I never saw anything like this myself, including a complete unraveling of the US military mythology. Forget economic one for the combined West and here Mark Chapman does a very good job, including his virtuoso vernacular:

In fact, although I’m not a psychologist and don’t even play one on TV, the conclusion I have reluctantly arrived upon is that Ursula Von Der Leyen believes you and all the other European voters are stupid. Oh, the extent of the global lumpenproletariat assumed to be too stupid to reason for itself goes considerably beyond Europe, and it’s causing problems which extend well beyond its shores. But it is Europe which is Ground Zero for her unwavering line of self-stroking bullshit, and it is Europe which will bear its effects, perhaps and conceivably to its ruin. 

Enjoy, if you will. I certainly did. 

About Patriots.

Per CNN and other media outlets:

The Biden administration is finalizing plans to send the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine that could be announced as soon as this week, according to two US officials and a senior administration official.The Pentagon’s plan still needs to be approved by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin before it is sent to President Joe Biden for his signature. The three officials told CNN that approval is expected.Ukraine has been calling for the US to send the advanced long-range air defense system that is highly effective at intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles as it comes under a barrage of Russian missile and drone attacks that have destroyed key infrastructure across the country. It would be the most effective long-range defensive weapons system sent to the country and officials say it will help secure airspace for NATO nations in eastern Europe. 

As I am on record--Patriot PAC3 is not made for fighting real enemies, which have stand off weapons, not to speak about supersonic and hypersonic weapons. Nor, for that matter, this system is capable to handle a salvo of Iskanders, so, as usual, it is all about PR. Not to mention the fact of inability to build real integrated AD system (emphasis on "system"). There are reasons for PR--situation in Bakhmut is dire for VSU and its NATO handlers and desperate times call for desperate measures. Bakhmut is crucial not just for PR reasons , but because it is an extremely important transportation node for the whole Donetsk operational direction. This is Operational Art 101. 

I explained huge technical issues for any iteration of Patriot AD systems six weeks ago here:

It Is Not Going To Make A Difference.

So, the only benefit here is for the Raytheon and Lockheed to obtain some REAL war data and maybe (maybe) incorporate some lessons learned, which is a whole other can of worms when speaking about learning curve of the US weapon systems designers and manufacturers, in order to improve on what already sustained serious reputational damage due to its constant failures to perform against even backward opponent. So, another day--another NATO wunderwaffe for former Ukraine. All reminiscent of using a band-aid on a blown up body. Here is Brian Berletic making the case precisely on this issue. 

Now, per this nauseating "Iranian Drones" BS. Even Iran is getting tired:

Ukrainian officials have failed to present any evidence suggesting Iranian drones have been used by Russia in the conflict between Kiev and Moscow, the Iranian defense minister, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, said on Monday. His words came following a meeting between Ukrainian and Iranian specialists. “The Ukrainian side did not present any evidence of Russia's use of Iranian drones in the war with this nation at the technical meeting,” the minister told several Iranian news agencies. According to Ashtiani, the Ukrainian officials vowed to present such evidence at the next meeting. According to the general, claims about Russian forces supposedly employing Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in their campaign in Ukraine are based on “baseless statements and rumors.” Ashtiani said that Moscow and Tehran had a long history of military cooperation, but it was in no way linked to the alleged use of Iranian drones in the conflict.

As I already stated many times--it is difficult to explain to most people without background in the field a gigantic gap in industrial capabilities between Russia and Iran and how Russian economy operates. 

I Will Be Very Brief.

Spanish newspaper Lavanguardia reports that the West will never supply Ukraine with US AD complexes Patriot "to not provoke Russia". For lay observer this rationale seems sound, but, of course, in the matters of politics in the West which is primarily smoke and mirrors and virtual reality, the main reason is completely different. It is here (in Russian) where Russian MoD demonstrates annihilation of the two launchers of the US supplied HIMARS and also a radar unit of one of the Ukie S-300. 

Patriot has a troubled history but apart from its "effectiveness" being questioned from the times of the First Gulf War, one inevitably is forced to recall a global FUBAR in Saudi Arabia in 2019. The failure against "home made" drones and missiles was so spectacular that one inevitably has to ask the question about how those Patriots will fare against a salvo of 3M14 Kalibr, let alone supersonic P-800 Onyx which also maneuvers if need be. You know the answer. Western weapon systems (together with its "operational art") have already sustained massive reputational losses--enough to recall barely 20% "effectiveness" of much touted wunderwaffe such as Switchblade or Javelins--so, nobody in the West needs a full demonstration by means of physical annihilation of Patriot PAC 3s, likely with NATO's personnel in them, by all kinds of Russian high precision stand-off weapons. And that IS the main reason why Patriots, at least for now, will not appear in Ukraine. Simple as that. So, no muddying waters and spin can hide now a systemic issue in not just tactical and operational, but doctrinal views of the combined West on modern warfare.