Vantage Point North Podcast Ep2: From the Arctic to Black Sea via Baltics

The latest Vantage Point North Episode is out.

This week the podcast will cover the rebuilding attempts of the Russian Arctic brigade, Defense plans of the Baltic states that have been criticized by the Estonian PM Kaja Kallas and the current situation in Ukraine.

You can listen the podcast either from Anchor or your podcast platform of choice.

Apple podcast coming soon.

Feel free to send feedback to the author on Twitter @pmakela1.

Comments

Quick guide to identifying the Russian tanks Part 1: Updated Dec. 2021

As most of the western nations have reduced their inventories to a few or mostly one type of main battle tank model in their active inventories, the myriad of tank platforms and distinct versions employed by the Russian armed forces may feel overwhelming. Here is a quick guide to identifying Russian MBTs. When you come across an image (or the actual thing), follow the steps to identify it properly. Updated 15.12.2021: T-90 modifications Family of the tank Russian Armed Forces currently operates, or at least storage, the following tank platforms/families: - T-55 (<2000 in storage) - T-62 (2000 in storage) - T-64 (2000 in storage) - T-72 (2000 active duty, 8000 in storage) - T-80 (2000 active duty, 5000 in storage) - T-90 (350 active duty, 600 in storage) - T-14 (20 in field testing) So how can you identify what type of a tank are you looking at? There are two features that can be used to distinguishing th

Death from above – Russian ad hoc top attack defenses

T-72B3 tanks with crude top armor cages The recent Russian tank upgrade programs and the ever slower moving T-14 Armata saga, have all had significant portion of the efforts put into improving the survivability of the tank and its crew. Both static and explosive reactive armor (ERA) have been upgraded and small amount of the latest T-90M and T-72B3 tanks have active protection systems that may be able to defeat most of the anti-tank missiles and slower moving HEAT shells. Environmentally friendly T-90M While these programs have put some emphasis on the armor on the top of the turret, the main focus has been in the sides and the front of the hull and turret. Additional ERA elements have been mounted on the skirts of the vehicles and slat-cage type standoff armor has been attached into the rear sides of the turrets and hulls. These modifications however have very little effect on direct top attacks by modern anti-tank missiles such as the American Javelin, that is also in the

Quick guide to identifying the Russian tanks Part 1: main platforms and T-72 variants

As most of the western nations have reduced their inventories to a few or mostly one type of main battle tank model in their active inventories, the myriad of tank platforms and distinct versions employed by the Russian armed forces may feel overwhelming. Here is a quick guide to identifying Russian MBTs. When you come across an image (or the actual thing), follow the steps to identify it properly. Family of the tank Russian Armed Forces currently operates, or at least storage, the following tank platforms/families: - T-55 (<2000 in storage) - T-62 (2000 in storage) - T-64 (2000 in storage) - T-72 (2000 active duty, 8000 in storage) - T-80 (2000 active duty, 5000 in storage) - T-90 (350 active duty, 600 in storage) - T-14 (20 in field testing) So how can you identify what type of a tank are you looking at? There are two features that can be used to distingu

Vantage Point North

Search This Blog