Swedens foreign minister in Vilnius: NATO membership would diminish defence cooperation with Finland

[mike2000 is back]

Ok back to topic.....i was already in another world. lol

Amid Russia Fears, Norway To Increase Military Budget To $6B In 2016
By Lydia Tomkiw @lydiatomkiw L.Tomkiw@ibtimes.com on October 09 2015 7:01 PM EDT

Norway plans to boost its defense budget for 2016 because of fears related to Russia's actions. Above, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (left) listens to Norway's Defense Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide during a NATO defense ministers meeting at the alliance headquarters in Brussels Feb. 27, 2014. Reuters/Francois Lenoir
Norway’s defense spending will climb by 9.8 percent to $6 billion in 2016 because of fears prompted by Russia’s actions in the Arctic region and Europe, Defense News reported Friday. The extra $526 million will increase the Nordic nation’s defense spending to 1.54 percent of its gross domestic product.

“The Norwegian government takes the new security situation very seriously, and in 2016 we intend to follow up on our stated intention of strengthening the Norwegian armed forces in areas which allow its operational capabilities to grow in both the short and the long term,” Defense Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide said.

There was no mention in Norway’s new budget of the outlooks for defense spending in the short or long terms. In the 2016 budget, however, $1.5 billion would be destined for equipment purchases, while more than $390 million would be earmarked for infrastructure projects. Key aspects of the budget centered on the deployment of submarines, the purchase of F-35 aircraft and the strengthening of intelligence capabilities.

Norwegian Military Expenditure Over Time | FindTheData

Norway’s defense budget increase comes at a moment of heightened concerns over Russian actions along European borders and within Ukraine. Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in March 2014. The following month, a conflict broke out in eastern Ukraine pitting government forces against pro-Russian separatists. The Russian government has denied any direct involvement in the conflict that has claimed the lives of more than 8,000 people and displaced over 1.4 million others.

A NATO member state, Norway shares an Arctic border with Russia, where officials have noted increased activity in recent weeks.

“Our neighbor in the east has built up its military capacity, also in areas close to us,” said NorwegianAdm. Haakon Bruun-Hanssen. “They have shown that they are willing to use military force to achieve political ambitions.”

Defense Minister Soreide said Oslo’s relations with Moscow had permanently changed in the wake of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Sweden, Poland and now Norway have all discussed modernizing their defense forces and increasing their military budgets amid continued uncertainty over Russian actions.

Amid Russia Fears, Norway To Increase Military Budget To $6B In 2016

Interesting.

 

[Gabriel92]

@mike2000 is back And we are not going to leave!
Africa is like our backyard.
500 more soldiers have been sent to the Sahel.

Well, they made a good choice. Our boys have been involved in several war zones all over the world since the end of the second world war, so they have the most experience(outside U.S forces) of any expeditionary forces in the world and they are among the best trained as well. Who doesn't know of our SAS special forces.

Since the end of the algerian war,we participated to more than 230 overseas operations. not counting the one in Mali and CAR.

Finland weak? They did far more damage than Soviet Union did to them...

For each Finlands soldier, five Soviet soldiers died... Finland only had 32 tanks and ratio of destroyed tanks in favor finland 10 to 1.

I hope Finland regains its Karelia, Soviets attacked without any real reason. Just sudden. Finland didn't provoke.

If i am not wrong,Stalin told something like «we will be in Helsinki in one week.....»

 

[yugocrosrb95]

@mike2000 is back And we are not going to leave!
Africa is like our backyard.
500 more soldiers have been sent to the Sahel.



Since the end of the algerian war,we participated to more than 230 overseas operations. not counting the one in Mali and CAR.



If i am not wrong,Stalin told something like «we will be in Helsinki in one week.....»

Stalin was a lucky fool like Hitler. Josip Broz Tito outsmarted him and the west.

 

[mike2000 is back]

This wasn't too long ago as well.

Pictured: The dramatic moment RAF Typhoons intercepted Russian MiG fighters, spy planes and bombers heading towards Nato exercise in biggest act of provocation since the Cold War

• Typhoon fighters scrambled four times in 36 hours to intercept Russians
• Vladimir Putin deployed MiG 31 Foxhound Fighters, bombers and spy craft
• It is thought to be the first time state-of-the-art Foxhounds have been used
• Defence Secretary Michael Fallon warned Putin that 'this is not a game'

By LARISA BROWN, DEFENCE REPORTER FOR THE DAILY MAIL

PUBLISHED: 18:15, 18 September 2015 | UPDATED: 20:56,

British warplanes scrambled to intercept nine Russian aircraft within hours after they flew menacingly close to the Baltic States in what was described as the biggest act of provocation since the Cold War.

Moscow sent the world’s fastest supersonic fighter jet, along with spy planes and bombers to ‘snoop’ on Nato war games designed to send a ‘warning to Vladimir Putin’.

A senior RAF source last night told the Daily Mail: ‘We’ve never had a period like this in living memory.’

Scroll down to video

+3
An RAF Typhoon (bottom) intercepts two Russian MiG 31 Foxhound Fighters, as senior RAF sources warn that the number of Russian incursions has reached a peak not seen 'in living memory'

A Typhoon pilot said it was the first time he had seen Russia deploy the Foxhound Fighter – one of the most formidable craft in its class, capable of firing long-range missiles up to 100 miles.

The Russian planes streaked along the fringes of Baltic airspace in an intense 36-hour period, prompting the deployment of state-of-the-art Typhoons from Amari airbase, Estonia.

The RAF warplanes were forced to scramble four times to intercept the Russian warplanes, the largest number of scrambles in such a short time period since the Cold War.

Defence sources added that this was also the largest number of Russian planes deployed into Nato's area of interest since the Cold War, as Vladimir Putin was accused of 'sabre rattling'.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visited the airbase after the planes had scrambled three times.

In a significant hardening of Britain’s position on the worsening tensions with Moscow, he said: ‘This is absolutely not a game. Britain is standing tall. We mean business.’

Russian president Vladimir Putin has been accused of 'sabre rattling' by Western leaders as he continues to build up the country's military

Last night RAF sources said it was believed to be the largest number of Russian planes deployed in Nato’s area of interest since the Cold War.

Mr Fallon was visiting the region after observing Exercise Baltops, an annual maritime operation off the coast of Poland, in which nearly 1,000 British troops were participating.

During the huge exercise, Russian warships had come within a mile of British and American vessels, in a move described by a US Navy source as ‘too close for comfort’.

Mr Fallon added on Wednesday: ‘This is a very timely demonstration of our commitment to collective defence.

‘It’s a warning to Putin that his sabre rattling will not undermine Nato or Britain’s resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies.’

On Tuesday night two Typhoons scrambled to intercept two MiG 31s, known as Foxhound Fighters, in international airspace flying towards Kaliningrad.

Flight Lieutenant Oli Fleming said of the incident: ‘We got alongside to see a pair of MiG 31s. It’s the first time I’ve seen this type of MiG.’

The following day Typhoons were scrambled twice and again yesterday morning.

The Russian planes included four Foxhound fighters, two TU-22M3 Backfire C bombers, two surveillance aircraft and an A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control aircraft.

One wingman said: ‘There’s a big surge of energy and a big adrenaline rush.’

Last night Sir Michael Graydon, former head of the RAF, said it was ‘absolutely ridiculous’ that the Government had not committed to spending two per cent of national income on defence given the Russian threat.

He said: ‘I don’t think we are surprised that Putin is reacting. What is surprising is the number of planes he’s sent and the type of planes.

Britain's Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who visited the airbase the Typhoons were scrambled from, said: ‘This is absolutely not a game. Britain is standing tall. We mean business’

‘It is Putin saying he’s not going to let exercises in that part of the world, which he sees as threatening, going unremarked.

‘I absolutely fail to understand why the Prime Minister won’t commit to two per cent and is sheltering behind the strategic, defence and security review, which is absolutely ridiculous.’

The RAF began air policing missions from Estonia six weeks ago as part of a collective Nato effort to defence the skies above the Baltics.

Four UK Typhoons stationed at the base have been deployed a staggering six times in the last ten days to intercept Russian warplanes observing exercise Baltops.

RAF planes have intercepted Russian warplanes 12 times in the last six weeks, compared to eight times in four months last year.

Mr Fallon added: ‘We are prepared to modernise our defences.’

Estonian Defence Minister Sven Mikser said the Russian planes were ‘unnecessarily provocative’ and said Russia had shown an ‘increased interest in Nato exercises’.

Seems a new great game is just beginning. Let's hope the Russians can keep it up judging by their economic conditions since the sanctions.

 

[yugocrosrb95]

Eurofighter was designed as a dogfight machine, I wonder which MiG 31 variants were those two planes...

If British Eurofighters were updated to latest variant with modified airframe that makes it competitive to F22 then MiG 31's would lost in a dogfight/air to air combat.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Eurofighter was designed as a dogfight machine, I wonder which MiG 31 variants were those two planes...

If British Eurofighters were updated to latest variant with modified airframe that makes it competitive to F22 then MiG 31's would lost in a dogfight/air to air combat.

What annoys me most is that as the article says, our military leaders/officials are furious with our politicians who still wants to cut our military budget/troops and equipment. This is just madness. I was hoping Putin's aggression/threats will make them come to their senses and realize that for us to keep our commitments and protection towards our allies in the Baltic's, we need to increase our budget/manpower and equipment not reduce them. After all,we have a lot of commitments and bases overseas which we need to patrol and maintain. These cuts are really unnecessary and detrimental to our allies.Hopefully Putin will keep up/increase his provocations/threats so our leaders will be force to come back from their foolish decisions. After all, we are an expeditionary/global force mainly, not a local one.

 

[yugocrosrb95]

What annoys me most is that as the article says, our military leaders/officials are furious with our politicians who still wants to cut our military budget/troops and equipment. This is just madness. I was hoping Putin's aggression/threats will make them come to their senses and realize that for us to keep our commitments and protection towards our allies in the Baltic's, we need to increase our budget/manpower and equipment not reduce them. After all,we have a lot of commitments and bases overseas which we need to patrol and maintain. These cuts are really unnecessary and detrimental to our allies.Hopefully Putin will keep up/increase his provocations/threats so our leaders will be force to come back from their foolish decisions. After all, we are an expeditionary/global force mainly, not a local one.

Eurofighter is expensive toy, British airforce from what I know have original without any substantial upgrades and upgrades cost a lot. EF is expensive due to being ahead of time for its concept, fully upgraded and so called 5th gen will with equally experienced pilots would likely won in 1 to 1, but not 1 to 2 ratio.

 

[FullSerivce]

Russians sleep and see as will smash Sweden.

 

[Gabriel92]

What annoys me most is that as the article says, our military leaders/officials are furious with our politicians who still wants to cut our military budget/troops and equipment. This is just madness. I was hoping Putin's aggression/threats will make them come to their senses and realize that for us to keep our commitments and protection towards our allies in the Baltic's, we need to increase our budget/manpower and equipment not reduce them. After all,we have a lot of commitments and bases overseas which we need to patrol and maintain. These cuts are really unnecessary and detrimental to our allies.Hopefully Putin will keep up/increase his provocations/threats so our leaders will be force to come back from their foolish decisions. After all, we are an expeditionary/global force mainly, not a local one.

Any news about the new SDSR?

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

Russians sleep and see as will smash Sweden.

Russians charge the cow, into a barn of matresses.

(hope that is a good reply to that comment, but not sure...)

 

[FullSerivce]

Russians charge the cow, into a barn of matresses.

(hope that is a good reply to that comment, but not sure...)

maybe, but I do not understand what you mean. (

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

maybe, but I do not understand what you mean. (

I certainly had no clue what YOU meant, so then the answer was on the same level

 

[mike2000 is back]

I certainly had no clue what YOU meant, so then the answer was on the same level

ahahahahahahahah

 

[FullSerivce]

I certainly had no clue what YOU meant, so then the answer was on the same level

I mean , you are absolutely not interested in the Russian people, I learned only from this forum that there is a conflict with Sweden ^^

 

[mike2000 is back]

I mean , you are absolutely not interested in the Russian people, I learned only from this forum that there is a conflict with Sweden ^^

Well, now you know.

UK Deploys Troops Over 'Russian Aggression'
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon says the long-term deployment will help reassure allies that were formerly in the Soviet bloc.
19:59, UK,Thursday 08October 2015

Play video "More British Troops To Baltics"

The UK is to station troops in the Baltic in order to counter "Russian aggression".
The "company-sized" deployment of UK Armed Forces will be sent to the Baltic states and Poland for the long-term in addition to the Baltic Air Policing detachment.

RAF Typhoon fighters have already been deployed in eastern Europe for some time and have been called into action in recent months as Russian jets have entered European airspace.

Russia responded to the announcement by saying such a move would be regrettable and would amount to Britain using an alleged Russian threat as camouflage to press ahead with NATO expansion.
It said that any move would be met with "parity".

Play video "What Targets Did Russia Hit?"

As he arrived for the meeting, Mr Fallon said the UK troop deployment was intended to reassure former Soviet bloc members of the alliance.

He said: "This is further reassurance for our allies on the eastern flank of NATO - for the Baltic states and for Poland.
"That is part of our more persistent presence on the eastern side of NATO to respond to any further Russian provocation and aggression."

Former defence and foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind described Britain's move as an "important" gesture to support the NATO alliance.

Play video "UK Deployment 'Important': Rifkind"

"If Russian troops invaded Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania, there would be a military response from NATO - no question about it," Sir Malcolm told Sky News.

"I don't think there's going to be a war, I don't think there's going to be a conflict - I don't want to be scare-mongering - but you have to show in an unmistakable way, your serious intent."

The British deployment and NATO plans are the latest in a series of moves to strengthen the alliance's eastern borders following a series of developments involving Russia.
In 2014, Ukraine accused its neighbour of sending ground forces to help rebels fighting for partition in two of its eastern provinces.

In June this year, RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Amari air base in Estonia to intercept and shadow two Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
It also comes as Russia has launched a series of cruise missile strikes on rebel targets in Syria from warships in the Caspian Sea

UK Deploys Troops Over 'Russian Aggression'