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steppewolfRO

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Everything posted by steppewolfRO

  1. http://www.business-review.eu/sidebar-featured/romanians-strike-back-at-bernie-sanders-over-internet-speed-comment-99891 https://mises.org/blog/bernie-sanders-meets-romanian-internet http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/romanians-make-fun-bernie-sanders-internet-tweet-37367452 It was hilarious to read the replies to that tweet it was poorly phrased and makes him look a bit senile ...
  2. Apparently, F-35 can dogfight: http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/03/01/norwegian-f-35-pilot-counters-controversial-dogfighting-report/81170580/
  3. Il-29/Hong-5 is a beautiful plane, I always liked watching it and I had a plastic model kit from a DDR firm before 1989, it was one of my favorite Plane is well know so I'll only post some info about its use in Romanian Air Force. It was the only medium bomber that equipped RoAF after World War II. IL 28 remained in operational service in the period 1954-1972, after which period was replaced Chinese copy Hong 5 . Romania has equipped three variants of IL-28 as follows: - Trainer IL-28 U - 1954; - IL-28 R recon and also equipped with two containers of electronic warfare at the ends of wings and other specialized systems, aircraft that came into the country in 1954, with IL-28 U; - IL-28 B, classic version, intended for bombing missions, which entered into service from 1955. Aircraft ended its career in 1972 for economical reasons and only one IL-28R (405) was kept in the Aviation Museum but it's not exposed nor refurbished. In 1972 it was replaced with Chinese H-5, 12 bombers and two HJ-5 trainers and was kept in service until 2001. Only surviving aircraft is exposed Borcea airfield with board number 308. In 70s and 80s it was mainly used for testing various systems such as: - calibration of Air defense radars , training of radar operator in active jamming environment - test of active radar jammers - test of various chaff, flares, passive jamming, metallic dipoles and other such devices - test of reconnaisance pods - test of various air to ground missiles/bombs Systems tested by H-5 later equipped aircrafts like MIG-21, IAR-93, IAR-99. early 90s paint scheme: At the end of this post, various pictures from 60s or 70s which I found during my research of Il-28/H-5 which aviation fans may find interesting. MIG-21 MF Exercises on an auxiliary airfield (early 70s): MIG-19: Alexeni airfield, early 70s: Last MIG-15 squadron was about to received new upgraded IAR-93 in 1990 but plans halted. MIGs were phased out in 1991 I think. Pilot students, early 70s: MIG-21 F-13: MIG-23ML from Timisoara Airbase; this flotilla was trained to use Kh-23 and Romanian variant hence the painting MIG-23 and MIG-29 stored: Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, 1983:
  4. I think is good enough for transport planes Well, things are getting quiet lately. Legend promoted at Chisinau about Bucharest says that Moldovan citizens united against an oligarchic regime (criminal, mafia, corrupt, etc.) which is the puppet of Plahotniuc, a billionaire who (for obscure reasons) is backed by Romania, the European Union and the US. Naturally, you can only sympathize with the demands of the people against corrupt oligarchs as Moldova is a country torn by corruption. It has a tiny rich class, and enormously many people who live like in an medieval autarchy, way under poverty standards. The administration is on the verge of a resounding collapse and the economy is preparing for bankruptcy - Moldova has very little and returns to level 1999 when if you were working at the stewed fruits plant you received wages in plant's products. And than is the legend of the stolen billion: From Chisinau was stolen a billion dollars from banks. Let me tell you a little secret, all politicians stole from all political parties (only about the Liberal Party has not appeared in the press evidence that anyone was involved in stealing from the billion). Many things are unclear in the story of one billion, but the fact is that was stolen and robbery was devastating for Moldova. Within weeks, the European Union's wonder student became a mess region, close to the disaster in Ukraine. What's is left from pro-European parties in Chisinau tried to make a functioning government (in a year fell two governments) and return to the agenda of the European Union approach. Kind of resembles with what happened in Ukraine. They wanted to sign an association agreement with the EU, then their political leaders were warned that is not good, people out in the streets, government fall and suddenly two breakaway republics appeared in eastern Ukraine and started a civil war. Same in Moldova, just that is a little bit different. Breakaway republics (Gagauzia, Transnistria) and civil war were made in 1991, not to unite with Romania. Now the protests are to break ground for corrupt government and to cancel the association agreement with the EU. And the thing is complicated, because the political system which supports rapprochement to the EU is deeply corrupt - yet the ones who want to take them down are from the same stock. I looked at the leaders of the protests and did a little research on the net about their biography. Dignity and Truth Platform (PDA) is a separate entity but only a part of the protests, which actually acts like a cover or a blinding device for these events. PDA is an association of people from the second line of political structures extinct or still active. PDA is pro-European agenda - but PDA was the last two days of protests engulfed by leading pro-Russian Igor Dodon and Renato Usatîi and risk losing identity. Chisinau protests are not pro-European. It is the beginning of a counter-maidan where legitimate rebellion against a corrupt government diverted in favor of structures supporting Moldovan identity separate from Romanian identity and intends to restore Moldova's economic and political orbit of the Russian Federation. One can imagine any scenario, but the protests are now led by leaders whose agenda includes removing Moldova EU orbit. The rest are details of conjecture.
  5. Gorno 90s in BTR-90 was a overpowered combo imo. They have that Metys-M with 26 AP and a powerful autocannon, both good to abuse in the opening move to set up a perimeter. This combo can basically deny all enemy capable forces with good micro. They still have the early BTRs so still wheeled (if I remember corectly). Tomcat was indeed a surprise, I'll have to look to few games to see how I'll deal with it (no ASF in my Easter Block deck). But it wasn't such a good plane and accuracy of those Phoenix missiles isn't great and will struggle against good ECM. It may have some sort of psychological impact until everybody figures how it works. BMP-3 nerf is good, that unit was abused and in the end the primary role is that one of an IFV not a light tank, that guided AT ammo should be for defense not offense. Generally the accuracy of older red tanks is okay, they can actually hit something now. MG3 nerf for line infantry put Jagers and Gevs in the line with other similar units SBS finally useful I am curious to see now how K-50 / Mi-28 works but I suspect it isn't much of a change as last evening one petty NM135 killed a KA
  6. Thats interesting in my experience the Romaians have never strayed away from Nationalism. Your national anthem kicks ass There are a lot of myths about Romanian nationalism. But last year we elected German ethic president of Lutheran with a wide majority 54,43% from a presence of 62,04% while the Romanian demographics give an 88,2 % Romanian ethnic and Orthodox majority. But let's not hijack this discussion, if you want we can continue on RO_MANIA topic. Funny, we think here Russian anthem sounds much better. As I said there are a lot of myths about Romanian nationalism but there isn't any single party in Parliament (or near the limit of 5%) with such a platform or something to resemble with a nationalistic platform even remotely. There was a nationalistic candidate in 2000 (Corneliu Vadim Tudor) but he had 20% in presidential elections because of the fragmentation of right wing and the fashion of anti system voting, other than that he was perceived more as a clown and never got more than 7-8% which were mostly votes of the communist nostalgic communists. There are small extremists groups (but those are everywhere) but their impact is negligible, 99% of average citizen is not even aware such groups/platforms/organisations/parties even exist. If you are speaking about historical Nationalism than I think Romania does not evolve over the pattern of the newly created European modern states. Here you can find a brief history of Romanian nationalist, it's quite objective although a bit old: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1402&context=mcnair But generally nationalistic political figures are now regarded as ridiculous and there's no serious sign that nationalism will be a theme in Romanian politics.
  7. There are a lot of myths about Romanian nationalism. But last year we elected German ethic president of Lutheran with a wide majority 54,43% from a presence of 62,04% while the Romanian demographics give an 88,2 % Romanian ethnic and Orthodox majority. But let's not hijack this discussion, if you want we can continue on RO_MANIA topic. Funny, we think here Russian anthem sounds much better.
  8. I also play this game so feel free to add me (username: steppewolfro, display name steppewolf[RO] ).
  9. Well, I am not following very close these elections and besides I am foreigner but here's my 2 cents considering we had here a president who had about the same profile as Trump (Mr. Basescu). Personally I'd vote Bush or Rubio. Jeb Bush have something of a good guy in him. Rubio is more spectacular and is Cuban but that issue with the sound bite was awful for his chances and it's probably good that the public reacted in such manner, you will not see anything like this in Romania, where politicians speak only in texts learned. But Bush and Rubio have no identity. Or they have but it's very pale. Trump says crazy stuff and it's the rebel which is struggling with the system (same Basescu in 2004). Cruz is ultraconservative and radical ultra-Orthodox, who just follows Christian Teachings (America is Neo Protestant ). Both have well-defined brands. Rubio and Bush are, truth to be said a fairly ambiguous. Trump bets on "direct speech" in a world exasperated by political correctness. But that does not make him likeable, at least by me (if I were American, between Clinton and Trump would vote 1000 times Clinton - because on my own scale of sins xenophobia, racism and hatred on religious grounds is over high taxes and over-regulation - that talk of statism/socialism and like is just after we solve the most serious issues: racism, xenophobia, nationalism). Clinton is sour and tired and lacks the necessary minimum of a leftist: proximity/empathy to people. Left has always had this brand: proximity/empathy to people. A decrepit old man has the empathy and is Sanders but not Hillary. So to recap: Trump - punk, brave and direct, he say real stuff, genuine, sincere, one-piece but I saw that here and there is little else to offer. Cruz - political correctness in terms of the right (not unlike the political correctness of the left - the same type of commissioners sad, unimaginative, humorless, uncultured and with low IQ but nervous) Sanders - close to the people, the revolutionary Clinton - bitter, tired, predictable and, from this point of view, reassuring Bush - a luckless Clinton, in a party that took hatred and conspiracy hysteria too seriously Rubio - a Trump / Cruz / Clinton / Sanders extremely soft - and it's new, it's moderated and reformer. That's all. It's the second choice of all. It's the first choice of none. In June 2015 Hillary's chances of becoming president USA were minimal. In February 2016 are high. In March 2016 will be huge.
  10. Moldovan press reports that Tiraspol airport was prepared for military operations of Russian army; I couldn't find a good source in English but it is easily readable with google translate from Romanian: http://www.timpul.md/articol/(doc)-operaiunea-tuman-pregatita-de-putin-in-moldova-la-tiraspol-a-fost-construit-un-orael-militar-care-include-i-un-aerodrom-special-87579.html
  11. Model 89 SPG This was probably the only serious SPG in Romanian armory. This Romanian self-propelled howitzer is basically the turret of the 2S1 fitted onto the chassis of a modified MLI-84. The vehicle is lighter than the 2S1, should be cheaper and with better manueverability to travel on the flimsy roads and bridges often found in Romania, as well as better handling on the mountain paths in southern Romania. There were also some Gvozdika from USSR but they're delivered without FCS. The 2S1 turret fits perfectly into the MLI-84’s turret ring, though the 2S1 turret itself is a bit larger than that of the MLI-84. The 2A31 122mm gun itself is not the same as on the 2S1, but is a Romanian ground-mounted gun that has several common components with the 2S1’s 2A31 gun. The gun itself is actually a gun/howitzer, meaning that the gun has deliberately low depression and can function as a tank destroyer as well as a howitzer. The gun on the Model 89 has a semiautomatic autoloader, meaning that the loader must affix the fuzes and place the round in the auto loading train for loading into the breech; the breech block is also semiautomatic, and the loader must close the breech. The Model 89 seems to be also optimized for the tank destroyer role, as the fire control suite is marginally more advanced than the indirect fire computer. Max Depression is -3 degrees with elevation +70 degrees. A Model 89 normally carries a few antitank rounds (about 10% of its total), but mostly carries howitzer-type rounds. The gun turret has 360 degree rotation and can also fire from any angle. The Model 89 does not normally have a commander’s machinegun, though an optional one it figured into the entry. The commander has a manually-rotating cupola, with all-around vision blocks and a night channel is borrows from the gunner. Following the BMP-1 design, the MLI-84 has a driver’s hatch on the front right hull, and commander’s and gunner’s positions in the turret; the turret has one hatch for the commander. All three have night vision equipment. The Model 89 has a new engine, the Perkins CV-8V-1240 DTS supercharged diesel developing 360 horsepower; this is larger and heavier, but is more powerful than standard BMP-1 engine, and is also uprated slightly from the MLI-84’s engine. The fitting of its engine and the associated automatic transmission required rebuilding and enlarging of the engine compartment. The increase in the length of the hull also allowed small fuel tanks to be incorporated into the walls, increasing the fuel capacity. The gaps between the roadwheels are also wider. Unfortunately, the suspension is still of the conventional torsion bar type with shock absorbers only on the first and last roadwheels on each side, so the ride can be even rougher than that of the BMP-1. The heavier weight of the Model 89 also reduced its amphibious capability; it is slow in the water. The crew and passenger are protected by a fire detection and extinguishing system, and the commander also has access to a Geiger counter and chemical agent detector, which can be operated with hatches closed. The Model 89 retains the MLI-84’s doors in the rear, but has no firing ports. From the 2S1 turret, the Model 89 inherits the long equipment box on the left side of the turret. This is large enough to carry ancillary equipment for the Model 89, and little more. At the rear of the turret are slotted covers used to retract a portion of the suspension during swimming and fording operations. This of course requires that the turret be squared up with the front when swimming and fording deeply. The Model 89 has an NBC overpressure with a collective NBC backup. Model 89 is amphibious, and has waterjets and bilge pumps. There is very little info available about this vehicle as it was phased out pretty fast after 1989. Not those SPG are stored or even phased out: Same as T-72s Ural:
  12. Paratrooper all day clothes (early 80s): Caporal, 64th Para Regiment, Boteni, 1982 On the photo is written "With love" and a signature. Summer outfit, probably early 80s Picture with Para training probably from an Army magazine, 80s: Border guards shoulder patch: Mountain hunters training 80s (probably Army magazine): Evolution of Mountain Hunters equipment: Guards and Protocol Regiment recruits during 1989 events, easily to recognize after their white belts: Probably a signal unit, 1976: 1980, propaganda picture, infantry squad (red signs near neck, not sure how to call ém in English): 1983, MIGs during Unified Forces Exercises: 1989, probably infantry, hard to say without colors: 1989, PSL and scopes were quite common even in the armored/mechanized units: 1989, Infantry: 1980, Artillerymen 1989, Sergent-major, infantry: Probably early 90s, Recon unit, Danube Delta: Youth Defense of Country, propaganda picture: middle 80s I thin, Patriotic guards propaganda picture: 80s, propaganda picture, Patriotic Guards led by Army officers during exercises: 1969, one Mountain Hunters battalion parade after receiving the honorific name "Avram Iancu"
  13. I have many many pictures of Romanian armor from1989, if there is interest I can post them here. Also I can continue to post here too the stuff I am posting on Wargame Red Dragon if it is interest from you guys.
  14. Much ado about nothing, this is what is happening in Moldova. All parties are interested now in an appeasement. Both sides politicians (pro-Russian, pro-EU) are thieves and known offenders and it's difficult to find somebody with whom you can have a dialogue knowing he/she have some sort of legitimacy. Actually Russia is not in a good position to help Transnistria now with a hostile Ukraine in between so little interest for an escalation of the situation there. Will just try to induce insecurity feeling to Slav ethnics to keep a freezing conflict. Moldovans are in total confusion of identity for over 25 years. They have a long history with the other half of Moldova (In medieval principality of Moldova), 100 years of pure Russian rule and force Russification, a brief history with Romania in interwar and truth to be told Basarabia (as we call it) did not get the best treatment from Romanian modern stat and than another time with the Soviet empire (with same forced Russification, families who lived in Romania forbidden to even meet and so on). Then, after the collapse of USSR, followed for Moldova a 25 years of total collapse, misery and empty promises from all sides, local patriotism breathed on "Moldovan identity", which brought them finally to the bottom of this pit that is now. There is a lot of talk here about an eventual Union with Romania and for a reason that I don't understand it seems that Russia don't like this possibility, although it's the same people and Russian rule over Moldova was obviously an arbitrary act between Ottomans and Russian Empire with which Principality of Moldova (as constituent part of Romanian modern state) never agreed. This union will happen at some point and will come naturally. Younger generation that will want the union it only has now no more than 30 years, and therefore still can not count very much on time politically but obviously its influence increases every year. When this generation will feel natural and normal gesture to reunite with Romania than this it will come about peacefully and with complete peace of conscience for everyone.
  15. I'm not an expert but I think it is much more different than Soviet SDV: http://www.military-today.com/firearms/psl.htm It was designed to be used by average recruit and was present in all branches: border guards, mountain troops, infantry, mechanized infantry, recon teams, paratroopers; since it was developed after 1968 it was deemed to be different from Soviet variant in order to be impossible to use without Romanian ammo (which packed more punch).
  16. Awesome pictures, shows the scars of war on people and vehicles. Grozny ressurection is impressive. Keep them coming That small movie with guns sounds is interesting. I am curious how was filmed. To me is just wasted ammunition. But than again, if those soldiers were conscripts I can understand the frantic way of shooting, seen it myself in 1989.
  17. IAR-99 Soim This is probably the most successful plane project, it is still in service today and went trough various upgrades and variants. A new plane based on this one, with a new engine, for advanced trained/light attack but this isn't important for actual scope of this post. IAR 99 "Șoim" (Hawk) is an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft capable of performing close air support and reconnaissance missions. Development of the aircraft began in 1975 and it entered series production in 1987. Until 1989 17 Soims were delivered to Romanian Air Force. this is an early 90s plane, apparently without upgrades: Basic IAR-99 went trough 2 upgrade programs: First one was in partnership with Israel in 1992. IAR-109 Swift was equipped with HOTAS (Hands On Throttle and Stick) controls, wide angle head-up display and ring laser gyro inertial navigation system. This aircraft had integrated both Eastern and Western weapon systems. Its export variant was the IAR-109TF, which also had secondary light attack capability. However in 1994 this programme was interrupted. Second one, which is now operational was an upgrade programe and first upgraded aircraft made its maiden flight in 1997. In 1998 the Romanian Government ordered upgrade of IAR-99s. These upgraded aircraft were designated as the IAR-99C. Here is a photo of a plane with Python AA missiles. Aircraft has Israeli avionics package compatible with 5th generation fighter systems: Romanian Air Force operate a total of 12 upgraded IAR-99C Soim and there is an intention to add a new plane with a new engine, improved fuselage etc. There is much available online information about this plane. First link is the page of the designing institute http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=134&Itemid=125 Second link is the page of the producer: http://www.acv.ro/products_en.php?m=1&s=1 Plane on display at the producer's premises with weapons: So to summarize, these were the projects: IAR-93 Vultur was a close air support, ground attack and tactical reconnaissance aircraft, with secondary capability as low level interceptor. Combat capable two-seat version used also for advanced flying and weapon training. Started to fly in later 70s and was withdrew from service in later 90s. Before 1989 it was decided to be upgraded with equipment that was researched for IAR-95 (radar, avionics, missiles). IAR 95 Spey/ME/S was a supersonic lightweight multirole fighter which was meant to replace MIG-21 and MIG-23; it was never completed because a suitable engine couldn’t be procured or produced under license. IAR-99 was a trainer/light attack plane which was supposed to replace L-29 and L-39ZA. It is in service today with an upgraded variant able to launch guided missiles. Although little is known about the planning of RSR (Romania Socialist Republic) military, I think the aim was to make it selfsufficient and standard because also a lot of other stuff was built like IR AA RAV-RS, A-921 air-ground missile (enhanced Kh-23), SEBAv submunitions launchers, radars, active jammers, chaff, flares etc. It is obvious to me that Romanian planners kept an eye on Western weapons and cooperated with China.
  18. As far as know Romania did not wanted to make another joint project with Yugoslavia for mainly two reasons: Tito started later in his life an approach on Soviet Union, fearing that state will be dismantled after his death and also refused to share technological upgrades of IAR-93. Yugoslav Orao was much more developed, truly CAS fighter while Romanian one was only capable to launch iron bombs or submunitions (e.g. clusters) and ability to launch KH-23 for example was possible later than Yugoslav equivalent. Here is a post about IAR-93 which I made on another forum, you may find it interesting: IAR-93 VULTUR or J-22 ORAO (Yugoslav variant): Yugoslav early loadout: Romanian early loadout: An extensive technical description is available here: http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=135&Itemid=118 Variants in service in RoAF: IAR-93P1 (or A variant) IAR-93P2 (or same A variant) – both pre-series variants. IAR-93MB Vultur - 1982 (MB stands for “Basic Engine” which means this was the basic variants and first two were pre series); 2x 23 mm, 3 x 250 kg and 2 IR AA missiles load, 5 x 250 kg HE or 4 x LPR-57mm-32; IAR-93B Vultur – 1985, entered service 1987; with afterburners; biggest number of built planes and used by RoAF was of this sort; increased internal fuel capacity, upgraded hard points and revised wing, including leading edge extensions. Also, the ventral fins, inboard wing fences and forward fuselage strakes were removed. This variant can be loaded with 5 x 500 kg iron bombs since its engines were more powerful. The SEBAv submunition dispenser was developed for the IAR-93 and it was intended to be produced in 3 variants, SEBAv 1, 2 and 3 which were either clusters or anti-infantry submunitions. Also it was meant to incorporate Romanian made chaff, flares, IR traps, jammers who were incorporated in IAR-99 upgraded variant or MIG-21 upgrade Lancer A/B/C. Also, similar with Yugoslav ORAO it was meant to use guided missiles/bombs in later 80s/early 90s but eventually it was decided to be retired. Knowledge was used to upgrade IAR-99 with Israeli help. Armament: • 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L twin-barrel cannon in lower front fuselage, below engine air intakes, with 200 rds/gun; gun camera and GEC-Marconi D282 gyro gunsight • up to 2,500 kg (5,511 lb) on 5 pylons • BM 500 bomb • BEM 250 bomb • BE 100 bomb • LPR 122 rocket launcher • LPR 57 rocket launcher • PRN 80 rocket launcher • AA-2 Atoll / R-3S AAM (license-built in Romania as A-91) - only on some IAR-93B Armament only on the J-22 ORAO • BL755 cluster bombs • AGM-65 Maverick TV guided AGM • AS-7 Kerry / Kh-23 Grom AGM • AA-8 'Aphid' AAM It was used in Yugoslav wars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soko_J-22_Orao Few videos: lHRSoCzAv2w -PGOYC5KPCc Jeg_MnUqfow Various load-outs of Romanian version:
  19. IAR-95 ME IAR-95 was supposed to be the first Romanian supersonic plane. In late '70s, the initial studies for the IAR-95 supersonic fighter were started and it was meant to be a lightweight aircraft, with a single-engine configuration although one variant with two engines was also researched. The design required an engine thrust of 54 kN dry and 91 kN with afterburner, respectively. The aircraft was a high wing monoplane with side air intakes. One of the proposed designs featured two fins. Although the structural design of IAR-95 was in a quite advanced stage and was trialed in wind tunnels, the lack of availability of a suitable engine led to the cancellation of the initial IAR-95 project in 1981 although some sources claim that research continued until 1984. Six mock-ups were created and studied, the last variant design (no. 6) being eventually picked for development. Last variant: IAR-95 technical data, for the study which was dropped in the middle 80s: Length overall: 14.75 m Height overall: 4.95 m Wing Span: 8.7 m Wing area, gross: 26 m² Wing sweep at quarter chord: 35 deg. Empty weight: 6800 kg Maximum take-off weight: 10000 kg And loadouts variants for early 80s version: The supersonic fighter program was restarted in later '80s. First layout of the new design was named IAR-101 and had the general layout similar to the early IAR-95, but had a thicker fuselage, four hard points under the wings. here is the presentation of the project on designing institute page: http://www.incas.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139&Itemid=122 The next step was IAR-S, several models were built and tested in the wind tunnel. Those were either with a single engine or with single fin, two engines and two fins, single and two-seater. The single engine two-seater was presented as a multirole aircraft. The model of this last IAR-S layout is still kept today in the entry hall of INCAS. Other loadouts were taken into consideration (unfortunately I couldn't find a bigger pic): The program was very ambitious and posed a real challenge for the Romanian aviation industry. In order to test the capabilities to produce such an aircraft, the decision was taken to build first the IAR-95ME technology demonstrator but all was halted at the moment when a MIG-21 engine was supposed to be put in the mock-up for more tests. Ceausescu apparently did not wanted to grant the funds necessary for the development of this plane. A lot of equipment was created in order to be used on CAS IAR-93, light attack IAR-99 and what was supposed to be multirole IAR-95 ME which was supposed to replace MIG-21 and MIG-23. This equipment included various ECMs, chaff, flares, RAV-RS IR missile, radar guided AA missiles, A921 (Romanian copy of KH-23 enhanced locally), submunition bombs (e.g. clusters, thermobaric) and even a anti-radiation missiles (one was in development and seeker was completed and it was intended to be trialed on Kh-23 until a larger and more powerful missile would have been developed).. Only IAR-99 finally received such enhancements since IAR-95 was never produced and IAR-93 third upgrade was dropped and plane was retired in early 90s. Project presentation: IAR-95 ME technical data after late 80’s research: Length: 16.0 m Wing span: 9.3 m Height: 5.45 m Wing area: 27.9 m² Empty weight: 7,880 kg Max T-O weight: 15,200 kg Weapons max. load: 3,200 kg Powerplant: One Tumansky R-29-300 turbojet rated at 122kN with afterburners. Furthermore, Chinese were also queried for J-7 engine but without success. More pictures: Interesting load-out; double launcher for missiles was actually produced: IAR-95 S2 bombardier: Allegedly the plans were given to Chinese after 1989 and JF-17 was created starting from this project. Of course, it may be just a conspiracy theory but I found some discussion on this website (but I don't understand even a single letter ) http://defense-arab.com/vb/threads/27922/ Few ideas from the Romanian article: - Romania queried for the license for MIG-21 or Mirage F1, nothing was obtained thus the decision was to build planes locally; before 1945 Romanian produced own military planes. - The engine was the main problem; first track was to obtain Spey from UK (which was on Phantoms) during the cooperation for BAC 1-11 and Viper Rolls-Royce engines (which were for IAR-99 and IAR-93). - Soviets refused any discussion about MIG-21 or MIG-23 engine - Considering the deal with UK, they offered some support and some technical help at some point. - Meantime cooperation with Yugoslavia become closer and even if they had more access to Western technology it wasn't possible to obtain an engine suitable for a 2 Mach plane although General Electric J-85 was also a variant to be discussed (from F-5) - Spey engine was supposed to be used on a two engine ASF project (one of the 6 variants); there are some pics in this album of the general concept: http://imgur.com/a/KeV3d One SEAD missile was researched in late 80s. Seeker was approved but was never trialed on a missile. Initially an A921 (KH-23M local development) was deemed to be used to test the seeker. In the image below is an IAR-95 launching A921 missile toward a target
  20. I was there, it's the traditional parade from National Day but next time I'll stay home to watch it to TV, couldn't see much because of the crowd. Glad to see them on Chinese News. Few explanations of pictures: 1. soldier in a Piranha APC 2. re-enactement of WW I Romanian military 3. Gepard SPAAGs 4. 30th Guards Regiment "Michael The Brave" 5. Acrobatic team 6. Upgraded MIG-21 LancerR (will be retired in reserve from next year) 7. Police women detachment 8. Mountain Rangers 9. from left to right, Commander of the parade, Commander of General HQ, President of Romania These are pics from official Ministry of Defense page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.634687613337159.1073742873.141113432694582&type=3 Now it's a huge debate here that Romania is one of the last two EU countries (along with France) which still does military parades in National Day and if it's not the case to renounce at them because may be considered aggressive Well, here we are very displeased by the status of Armed Forces. It's a long story. There are some very good units (mountain brigades, special forces, 282th Mechanized, 81st Mechanized, Reconnaisance battalions) but not as much as we'd like and new equipment and weapons issue was neglected in last 10 years. However, from 2017 the budget will be raised at 2% (NATO standard) and national industry will re-start to supply armed forces. Few ongoing programs: - 3 F-16 squadrons - new APC - new MBT (a necessary of 300) - multi-layered Air Defense national system - new SPG, new SP Mortars, enganced and upgraded rocket arty, new SPAAGs, upgraded VSHORAD systems- - new utility helo (new Pumas and possible Cougars) built locally by Airbus Helicopters Romania
  21. Well, since my initial search I dig in about info of Romanian designed weapons. Recently a P 125 tank (or TR-125) was refurbished and exposed at the Military Museum. The factory which produced it declared they can start producing it immediately although they also deemed necessary many modifications (engine in the front, better transmission) to upgrade it to present day requirements. First post is about this prototype of TR-125 MBT which was developed between 1984 - 1991 from which 10 were produced and tested and finally development dropped due to lack of funds. Recently a P-125/TR-125 MBT was refurbished and exposed at Military Museum near a T-72 Ural; it was even allowed to public to study the cockpit and the interior of the tank so I'll post some new pics, some old ones and few various opinions about this tank that I gathered from various hobby Romanian sites. Here are few links about this tank but some of them contain inaccuracies. http://tanknutdave.com/romanian-tanks/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TR-125 http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/tr-125.htm P-125/TR-125 was a new tank who was supposed to be produced in Romania for armored units. Compared with previous products (TR-85, TR-77) this was supposed to be a true MBT with better armor than Soviet T-72 and solutions inspired from Chinese and Western type of tanks. Although some design solutions are inspired from T-72, the concept is different and is a very different tank. 10 tanks were produced and used for various tests; after project was dropped for lack of funds all went to storage: As design, same principles were applied as for TR-85 compared with T-55 so TR-125 has better protected turret and chassis than T-72 and is not a simple copy of this tank. Also access to Chinese technology so better stabilizers and FCS. Better frontal and turret armor which lead to bigger weight than Soviet T-72. It is worth noting that, on this tank were mounted the most modern equipment which were experimentation or assimilation in the manufacturing industry: 125 mm cannon caliber, stabilizer on cannon 2E 25, ballistic computer, new projector-type l-2, warning against laser illumination for launching smoke rockets and heat traps, etc. TR-125 tank was a redesigned T-72 Soviet main battle tank which had a number of significant differences from the original vehicle that entered production as far back as 1971-72. Number 125 in the designation stands for the 125 mm A555 smoothbore tank gun. TR-125 boosted stratified armor and additional armor for turret, modified suspensions and a more powerful diesel engine. The T-72 weighs 41 tons whereas the TR-125 weighed 50 tons, due to increased armor protection over the frontal arch. this looks to be a snorkeling test in inced water: TR-125 had seven road wheels of a different design - wheels, unlike the T-72 and most tanks based on it, which have six, and a new one-piece skirt. The TR-125 was powered by a more powerful 880 hp 8VSA3 diesel engine, based on the US Teledyne AVDS, which gives a better power-to-weight ratio. For prototype it was 18,52 HP/t but it was in research a more powerful engine of 1000/1100 hp. Armament of the TR-125 is identical to the Soviet T-72 and eight forward-firing smoke grenade dischargers are mounted on the left side of the turret. It used an old DShK machine gun for anti-aircraft purposes and coaxial 7,62 mm machine gun. Little was known about this tank until few weeks ago when the producer decided to refurbish it along with one T-72M (Ural) in order to be exposed in a museum; for the first time the interior was revealed to public; Here is an album with photos as I wasn’t able to post them on the forum is better to keep the original size for people who wants to study it closer: http://imgur.com/a/JOSTz To me it looks it was designed to be quite different from Soviet approach and more resembling with Western tanks; solutions like ammo storage in the back of the turret were explored on previous models such a TR-85 first upgraded variant. Without being a specialists there are some things I could observe: - Frontal armor angle is different same the angles in the turret and is more resembling with Chinese tanks which may result in a better RHAe against HEAT (allegedly it had 800-900 RHAe in frontal arch) - it is wider, longer and slightly taller - Transmission was automatic - Gun stabilized hydraulically, FCS and laser range finder - Laser beam detectors working together with smoke grenades - Autoloader inspired from T-72, allegedly 8 rounds/minute - 3 soldiers crew - some solutions from the engine looks inspired from Leopard (e.g. air filter) - Turret was designed to support additional armor; fire control devices were put in such way to avoid leaving unprotected areas in the frontal area. I think the main idea behind the solutions adopted by Romanian engineers was to have a much better protected tank than T-72 more suited for defense and tank battles rather than tanks suited for offensive warfare. I am not expert but to me it looks like a unique design in Eastern Block as all other tanks produced were copies and improvements of Soviet designs. I am looking forward to hear opinion of people who are expert in this area. Later edits (photos and info): http://imgur.com/a/Rn9Y7 Article from GlobalSecurity.org: Info from various Romanian websites which is based on the photos from albums posted here: - 2 night visions system from which one was based in amplified light near box of 12,7 mm MG; some of products listed here: http://www.electro-optic.ro/produse.html - ballistic computer - gun able to fire Soviet ammo - new FCS better than Ciclop M (modernized) from TR-85 - laser illumination warning system
  22. I researched the topic for Wargame Red Dragon, maybe they'll add Romania there. I must say some of the pictures you posted are awesome, I couldn't find them. I can continue with posting various stuff if is any interest. One more question, may I use some photos for my research?
  23. Nice read, and few photos I did not know exists. However, it's a lot of room to improve the info. I am curious tough, for what purpose was posted here? I am Romanian and I am curious what's the finality of such post?
  24. Very interesting photos of early Romanian communist army. Late Romanian communist army looked entirely different.
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