re: #249 Targetpractice

As weird as it may sound, the reason a lot of countries hang onto their Soviet-era weapons and equipment is…well…they still work. So long as they’re getting regular maintenance and occasional upgrades, then they fulfill the roles that their owners need them to do. There’s a thriving market of companies out there who will happily sell you the parts and expertise to keep your MiG-21s and T-55s not only running, but able to at least put up a respectable fight when called upon.

It is very true that the equipment largely works and ticks a box… “# of tanks”, “# of Jets” etc.

But a lot of the equipment is nowhere near as capable as much newer equipment is. The Iraqis found that out in the First Gulf War.

Up until now, that has not mattered because the NATO thinking was that checking the boxes and that nobody was going to go to war. I think that has changed in the past week or two.