• UK moves to stop a cargo vessel carrying Russian attack helicopters to Syria.
    91 replies, posted
[QUOTE] The UK has made moves to stop a cargo vessel allegedly carrying refurbished Russian-made attack helicopters from completing its journey to Syria. The MV Alaed had its insurance withdrawn by The Standard Club in London while it was about 50 miles (80.4km) off Scotland's north coast. Withdrawal of insurance prevents the MV Alaed from sailing until its owner could secure new cover. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the ship was returning to Russia. It was thought that the vessel had stopped for a time off the Western Isles. The Russian embassy in London has not yet commented. The UK and US have raised concerns with Russia about shipments of weapons to Syria, which is subject to a European Union arms embargo. In a statement, the FCO said: "We are aware of a ship carrying a consignment of refurbished Russian-made attack helicopters heading to Syria. "The foreign secretary made clear to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov when they met on 14 June that all defence shipments to Syria must stop. "We are working closely with international partners to ensure that we are doing all we can to stop the Syrian regime's ability to slaughter civilians being reinforced through assistance from other countries." 'Carrying weapons' The Standard Club said it believed the MV Alaed had been off the coast of the Western Isles when insurance was withdrawn. It said the cover was withdrawn because the owners of the ship had "broken internal rules" of the club - a mutual insurance association - and not on the instructions of the UK government. The club said it had sought more information on the boat's cargo. In a statement, it said: "We were informed on Friday evening that the ship might be carrying weapons, in particular attack helicopters, missiles and non-specific munitions, and we are making inquiries to establish what their side of the story is. "There are exclusion clauses in our cover and, for anyone involved in improper or unlawful trade, we can cancel cover. "We are investigating whether or not to do so in this case." In December last year, Russian warships and support vessels believed to have been headed for Syria took shelter in Scotland's Moray Firth during bad weather. HMS York tracked aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, a destroyer, two frigates, an ocean-going tug and three oil tankers until the task group left and heading into the Atlantic. [/QUOTE] Source: [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-18503421[/url] Hope this isn't late.
Cold war 2/3 depending if you believe in the "second cold war" or not.
This is not going to end well, well, I guess it will be ok for the Syrians, not getting shot at
[QUOTE=download;36397313]This is not going to end well[/QUOTE] why not, it's not like they're saying "they're ours now"
[QUOTE=Jacknife;36397303]Cold war 2/3 depending if you believe in the "second cold war" or not.[/QUOTE] I would more of call it another escalation of a cold "war" which never really ended.
I thought Putin and Obama agreed on that the conflict in Syria had to stop
And so the shitstorm begins
[QUOTE=Petrussen;36397365]I thought Putin and Obama agreed on that the conflict in Syria had to stop[/QUOTE] The conflict will stop when the Syrian government stops buying Russian goods.
[QUOTE=Petrussen;36397365]I thought Putin and Obama agreed on that the conflict in Syria had to stop[/QUOTE] Putin might have agreed, but his power over Russia is not as absolute as people believe. He's just another big puppet in the game. A mighty one, and perhaps one of the few which realize well that they are puppets, but still owes for his position to people who have their own interests. (Russian weapon dealers).
Glad to be living in The Netherlands, also known as 'Neutraltopia'.
Well since these helicopters already belonged to Syria, and were being refurbished in Russia there isn't a whole lot that can be done about them. I welcome any schemes which prevent these Mi-24 attack helicopters from returning to Syria. They're immensely deadly aircraft, especially against unarmed civilians.
[QUOTE=Jacknife;36397303]Cold war 2/3 depending if you believe in the "second cold war" or not.[/QUOTE] I wouldn't go as far as saying that. I think it's more of a Russias government is being a bunch of dicks and everyone, including their own people, is fed up with their shit.
[QUOTE=DeEz;36397376]And so the shitstorm begins[/QUOTE] It's going to be bigger than that.
[QUOTE=Flyboi;36397643]Well since these helicopters already belonged to Syria, and were being refurbished in Russia there isn't a whole lot that can be done about them. I welcome any schemes which prevent these Mi-24 attack helicopters from returning to Syria. [B]They're immensely deadly aircraft, especially against unarmed civilians.[/B][/QUOTE] no shit
[QUOTE=Chief Martini;36397553]Glad to be living in The Netherlands, also known as 'Neutraltopia'.[/QUOTE] Switzerland?
[QUOTE=Jacknife;36397303]Cold war 2/3 depending if you believe in the "second cold war" or not.[/QUOTE] A minuscule stand off? That involves Russia? [B]MUST BE THE NEXT COLD WAR[/B]
[QUOTE=Jacknife;36397303]Cold war 2/3 depending if you believe in the "second cold war" or not.[/QUOTE] durrr WW3!!!!!!!
How dare they refurbish glorious russian warmachines
[QUOTE=Chief Martini;36397553]Glad to be living in The Netherlands, also known as 'Neutraltopia'.[/QUOTE] Or part of NATO.
[QUOTE=krakadict;36397687]no shit[/QUOTE] actually the apache is more deadly against civilians, *cue apache gun cam videos* [editline]19th June 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Zambies!;36398370]Or part of NATO.[/QUOTE] weren't they part of KFOR too or something
[QUOTE=trotskygrad;36398454]actually the apache is more deadly against civilians, *cue apache gun cam videos* [/QUOTE] Anything's deadly against civilians. Takes one bullet.
[QUOTE=trotskygrad;36398454]weren't they part of KFOR too or something[/QUOTE]Yep. 6th largest contributor. Part of ISAF and the coalition in Iraq, as well. Withdrew from Iraq in 2005, Afghanistan in 2010.
Shoot. Now my shipment is interrupted. I need those helicopters.
This really reminds of that nick cage movie, where he plays an arms dealer and "converts" a bunch of attack helicopters to rescue helicopters simply by taking the rocket pods off. Who knows what they will try to circumvent the UN.
[QUOTE=gudman;36398536]Anything's deadly against civilians. Takes one bullet.[/QUOTE] yeah but with an apache you don't even need to hit the target. exploding bullets maaaann [editline]19th June 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=MendozaMan;36399070]This really reminds of that nick cage movie, where he plays an arms dealer and "converts" a bunch of attack helicopters to rescue helicopters simply by taking the rocket pods off. Who knows what they will try to circumvent the UN.[/QUOTE] that only makes sense with the Mi-24 since it has a cabin. Would be harder to do with a Tiger HAP or a Ka-50 "so yeah the wounded patient has to fly the chopper"
[QUOTE=trotskygrad;36399309]yeah but with an apache you don't even need to hit the target. exploding bullets maaaann [/QUOTE] Mi24 has them too. As far as I remember, they have basically automatic cannon GSh-23(*115mm) installed, 3600 rpm and can fire explosive incendiary ammo. Sucks to be Syrian at this point, good thing that no more of these helicopters are going their way.
[QUOTE=gudman;36400035]Mi24 has them too. As far as I remember, they have basically automatic cannon GSh-23(*115mm) installed, 3600 rpm and can fire explosive incendiary ammo. Sucks to be Syrian at this point, good thing that no more of these helicopters are going their way.[/QUOTE] the dual GSh cannon on the Mi-24VP has feed issues. most variants retain the Yak-B minigun (that's actually not externally powered, russian inguenity!) Plus the most commonly mounted autocannon on the hind is non-flexible, unlike the apache's which can fire off centerline. Are we really discussing which attack helicopter is best at killing civilians? I feel like a horrible person now.
[QUOTE=trotskygrad;36400089]the dual GSh cannon on the Mi-24VP has feed issues. most variants retain the Yak-B minigun (that's actually not externally powered, russian inguenity!) Plus the most commonly mounted autocannon on the hind is non-flexible, unlike the apache's which can fire off centerline. Are we really discussing which attack helicopter is best at killing civilians? I feel like a horrible person now.[/QUOTE] I felt the same way, heh. It's not like we're going to go there and kill civilians, right?
[QUOTE=krakadict;36397687]no shit[/QUOTE] it's really powerful, especially against living things
[QUOTE=trotskygrad;36400089]the dual GSh cannon on the Mi-24VP has feed issues. most variants retain the Yak-B minigun (that's actually not externally powered, russian inguenity!) Plus the most commonly mounted autocannon on the hind is non-flexible, unlike the apache's which can fire off centerline. Are we really discussing which attack helicopter is best at killing civilians? I feel like a horrible person now.[/QUOTE] The best attack helicopter for killing civilians are the cheap ones. Just ask the United States! We love our Kiowas these days! I'd say the Mi-24 is actually probably one of the worst. Mechanically complicated, needs huge amounts of fuel, not as maneuverable at low altitudes, cannon (the cheapest weapon to operate) is either limited in functionality or in reliability. Oh wait, you wanted to [I]stop[/I] discussing this. Ooooh, okay sorry.
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