Enforcement of the Geneva Conventions

Most countries in the world (194 at the last count) are suppose to abide by it, but few actually do. So I was intrigued to find out if the Geneva Conventions have a monitoring mechanism and/or enforcement measures.

Turns out there is a International Fact-Finding Commission provided for under the Conventions, read more here.

A pity that the website (www.ihffc.org) is currently down...

Everything you ever wanted to know about Project Liberty

The DEW Line

Comprehensive info of the MC-12 Liberty in the slides provided. (Click above link to see the PDF link)

The development of low-cost, manned surveillance aircraft due to Urgent Operational Requirements (UOR), may have a spillover effect in enabling developing countries to obtain this type of capability in the future.

Sales of first tier UAV models are likely to continue to be restricted to close allies; smart defence companies can exploit this newly created market by offering simple solutions for counter-insurgency or perhaps even policing operations.

Return To Afghanistan

Sky1
Ross Kemp is back! The 2nd series starts 1st Feb 2009.

Fighting Ghosts

CBC.ca | The National | Special Feature
A series of short videos, shot by a Canadian soldier in Afghanistan.

PC-21 flight test: fast learner

Flight International
A very detailed account of the characteristics of the PC-21 trainer aircraft, which is incidentally operated by RSAF.

Holes give edge to new MoD armour

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment |
What a brilliant idea. Using holes to provide more edges for deflection of incoming rounds...

War in Gaza - The ground offensive

Israel started its ground offensive over the weekend. opswarfare has been monitoring the news and offers a few quick comments on how the war may develop.

Israel

• The first attack was launched at night. As mentioned in a previous post, the IDF will possibly exploit their technological advantage in night-vision, by choosing to conduct major combat operations at night
  
• Many news media have shown photos and videos of White Phosphorus airburst rounds, most likely because of its dramatic looks. This is a good sign that the IDF is using smoke to reduce the defender's advantage in urban warfare. Smoke allow IDF troops to move from building to building without being easily targetted by snipers in buildings
  
• Photos and videos of Self-Propelled Howitzers (SPH) probably mean the usage of SPH as a cheap (plus safe and reliable) way to deliver smoke munitions
  
• Most of the armoured vehicles shown were uparmoured armoured personnel carriers (APC) (as compared to Merkava Main Battle Tanks (MBT). opswarfare presumes that the IDF realises the limited use of MBTs in urban combat,
  
• The first Israeli casualty 22 year old also provides insights into IDF operations. Staff Sergeant Dvir Emmanueloff, 22, was from a Golani combat engineers unit. This is classic Western/Israeli doctrine, with full-time combat soldier leading the front assault, with to provide time for reservists to prepare. Also, combat engineers are often first into battle to clear obstacles.
  

Hamas

• During the first day of ground operations, unconfirmed news quickly spread of a IDF soldier being captured. This turned out to be untrue. However, it is likely that Hamas will adopt kidnapping tactics to try to get the upper hand
  
• Several news stories have mentioned that many IDF troops were injured by sniper fire. This is classic urban warfare defensive tactics, and Hamas will use this to the max. Hunter-killer teams (rifle sniper and anti-tank operator), first popularised in the Chechnya war, is a possible counter to IDF armour convoys. Chechen rebels inflicted heavy casualties by shooting at the commanders in open hatch, and/or disabling the first and last tanks in a convoy (and then slowly finishing off the tanks in the middle).
• Several Israeli news sites are keeping tallies of Hamas rocket fire into Israel, almost using it like a barometer. Hamas will possibly exploit this by concentrating its resources on firing rockets, instead of directly engaging IDF troops.
  

UK steps up helicopter training exercises

Flight International
An informative article with lots of tidbits on training and operations. An example below

Desert operations are particularly harsh on the Merlin (below), which must have its Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM 322 engines inspected by boroscope after every 30 landings. An engine change can be performed in the field within 2-3h, if necessary.