This made me realise just how diverse the Saudi defence suppliers are. I know India is well known for having a myriad different source nations for their defence equipment but the Saudi’s do too. Though most of their kit is from NATO countries IIRC so at least there would presumably be some commonality.

Is the Saudi buffer not that large? Most analyst reports suggest the whole reason OPEC was being gung-ho about their lack of price control by not closing the taps at least was the knowledge that they had the reserves to weather the storm with the goal of long term market share retention. If their reserves are truly at…

I had no idea they would be replacing the traditional hackney cabs. The boxy A-pillar just seems strange to me but I wouldn’t say it looks too bad overall. Ultimately if it does the important taxi bits well I guess it can look average even.

This is good news. Montoya’s a colourful guy who I remember from my childhood as a damn fast racing driver. He would be deserving of something like the Triple Crown. That’s the sort of thing that could recapture the imagination of motorsports fans, many who sound quite jaded (I’m looking at F1 fans, myself included).

current saga:

Okay obsolete might be a strong adjective, but it’ll surely be behind the times. Your argument is valid yes, I’m not saying it has to be something capable of duking it out with the best the enemy has to offer and the fact that it would replace the Mig-21 is probably most pertinent. Fine, anything at this point would…

Well I can’t access the site I read it on from my computer but I think it was stratpost. Anyway, based on the Janes article what HAL is trying to peddle is essentially a stop gap solution. The multiple statements from HAL staff give vastly different and contrasting outlooks that just give the impression of a programme…

Oh I wasn’t referring to the Canadian procurement, just some of the protestations to the MMRCA. Some of the vendors SAAB included complained that what started out as a tender for light fighters ended up shortlisting or preferring significantly heavier twin engine jets so they should have said as much in the fine print…

The irony of the above statement, connotations aside is that the upstanding example of what To wear for a theory test was a nearby cab driver who happened to be next to the official who was berating me.

My test was during a proper Indian summer, pushing 40 degrees Celsius. So I drove to where I’m meant to meet the test official by the side of a public park. And then the wait begins. In the 2 hours it takes for the test guy to show up nearly a 100 people are gathered. Turns out, this being India tests are done en…

I’m sure there wouldn’t be any precedent to such a deal, thus I have no clue how it would’ve worked out had Saab’s aviation division been bought over. Besides the Tejas programme is dead in the water. Last report I read had the IAF pulling out of the Mk2. This leaves the Navy the only lifeline for what’s been a long…

Gopro mount, that was a good one. Plank seems an apt word though. I’m pretty sure I’ve noticed something like it on RAF Tornado’s IIRC.

I remember when the Rafale was first shortlisted for the final selection of the MMRCA there was a TV debate where some old Indian Air marshal complained that for the cost of the entire programme, the Saab group could’ve been bought! I thought it was an interesting suggestion at the time (no idea if the numbers…

What is this? I’ve noticed it on other Dassault aircraft as well.

True. It’s not like someone in the Pentagon would have a bit of a huff and pull the covers to just leave Europe, in a strop.

Oh I had read about the Emperor’s standard outfit. Just with Abe for some reason every other time I’ve seen him in the news my brain seems to think he had pinstripes. Must be one of those see-what-you-want-to-see sort of things.

unlikely Buzz. Europe has other headaches right now. Even in the UK I’m pretty sure the next White Paper on Defence is about to be published and I’ll be surprised if there aren’t more cuts. Even if there aren’t cuts there’ll be stagnation, or a shuttling of money from one area to the next. As the Tories like to point…

Obviously the images of Abe above aren’t much to go on but is pinstriping the most popular for suits in Japan?

Neat stuff, there must be a small storage room somewhere on board for decorative stuff, for VIP visits and such.

Two at a time also makes doubly sure of your chances of getting a hit I guess. I figure having internal stores somewhat reduces this issue seeing as everything would be pretty close to the centre of gravity