American bought Russian choppers for Afghanistan military.

[iGas]

I don't know if I should laugh or cry.

Chopper Comeback: Legendary Soviet Mi-17 on Afghan frontline

 

[irishScott]

They're cheaper, and it's not like we'll be using them. *shrug*

 

[Braznor]

Irony will be complete if Russia provides their own version of stinger to the Taliban.

 

[MaxFusion16]

oh the ironing, the very helicopters the afghans tried to shoot down back in the 80s.

 

[iGas]

They're cheaper, and it's not like we'll be using them. *shrug*

I agree that they are cheaper, but is it dollars or afghani that were use to procure the Russian choppers

Perhaps, the US will buy AK-47 for the Iraqi army since it is cheaper as well.

PS. Please move this thread to P&N.

 

[ichy]

They're probably simpler to operate and maintain as well. Afghanistan is a nation of backward-ass ignoramuses, expecting them to maintain modern American aircraft is probably asking way too much.

 

[sdifox]

makes sense. locals are more familiar with Russian hardware.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Irony would be inviting (or paying) the Russians to occupy Afghanistan after we leave to "rebuild" them and suppress terrorist training camps.

 

[colonel]

Ivan made the AK-47 the best assault rifle, American Sikorsky are too expensive for these operations we are saving taxpayers money.

 

[Red Dawn]

Hey they'll be easier for us to destroy after we leave that shit hole and it reverts back to Taliban rule

 

[Fear No Evil]

Hey they'll be easier for us to destroy after we leave that shit hole and it reverts back to Taliban rule

This. They are familiar with Russian hardware and how to fly/operate them. Why would we want to give them better equipment and just have to shoot it down in a few years? The only plus would be American jobs building the equipment.. unless that has all been outsourced as well.

 

[Genx87]

Ivan made the AK-47 the cheapest assault rifle, American Sikorsky are too expensive for these operations we are saving taxpayers money.

Changed for accuracy.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Changed for accuracy.

You can drag that motherfucker through sand and it still works. That's quality.

 

[ShawnD1]

Irony will be complete if Russia provides their own version of stinger to the Taliban.

it would make sense if the Russians bought authentic US made stinger missiles to shoot down the Russian made helicopters.


Why does Afghanistan even need a military? The US could easily make a simple "don't worry we'll protect you" promise. No troops required. India crosses the border --> nuclear ICBM. Pakistan crosses --> nuclear ICBM. Anyone does any military action against Afghanistan --> nuclear ICBM.

 

[sm625]

Hey they'll be easier for us to destroy after we leave that shit hole and it reverts back to Taliban rule

You guys actually still believe this stuff dont you? I wonder if this thread will be around 10 years from now...

 

[Genx87]

You can drag that motherfucker through sand and it still works. That's quality.

There is more to a weapon platform than the ability to drag it through sand and it works(which I would be surprised in a sand dragging scenario) to qualify it as the "best".

 

[ShawnD1]

There is more to a weapon platform than the ability to drag it through sand and it works(which I would be surprised in a sand dragging scenario) to qualify it as the "best".

Even with very accurate weapons, you fire half a million bullets before you kill anyone. It doesn't matter how accurate the gun is. What matters is that the gun fires when you want it to fire and it never jams.

That was something the Soviets learned in WW2. A huge majority of their fighting was within stone throwing distance. They moved away from rifles used for hunting deer and more toward automatic weapons that can't aim worth shit but fire a lot of bullets. You don't need deer hunting accuracy when you're only shooting across the street.

 

[Genx87]

Even with very accurate weapons, you fire half a million bullets before you kill anyone. It doesn't matter how accurate the gun is. What matters is that the gun fires when you want it to fire and it never jams.

That was something the Soviets learned in WW2. A huge majority of their fighting was within stone throwing distance. They moved away from rifles used for hunting deer and more toward automatic weapons that can't aim worth shit but fire a lot of bullets. You don't need deer hunting accuracy when you're only shooting across the street.

Outside of being able to more reliably fire dirty what else makes the AK-47 the "best"?
I am being serious here as somebody who has fired both AR-15s and AK-47s. The difference between the two platforms is astonishing when you start looking at the ergonomics, accuracy, recoil, and upgrade capability of the platform. Being able to fire more reliable dirty is the only thing I would say the AK-47 wins against the AR platform.

 

[ShawnD1]

Being able to fire more reliable dirty is the only thing I would say the AK-47 wins against the AR platform.

That pretty much is the main advantage. It's a gun that always works and it's dirt cheap to replace. IIRC, it's a heavy gun made of steel and wood, which are cheap. American guns are fancier, made from some kind of plastic or carbon fiber or something. American guns are also more expensive due to finer tolerances. An AK is slapped together in such a sloppy way that you could probably make a lot of the pieces yourself. Cut a piece of metal, polish it down a little, drill a hole on this side of, and it will work. Try that on a tightly made American gun and it probably won't fit correctly.

 

[soulcougher73]

I love buying military shit for other countries. USA ..FUCK YEAH!!

 

[trenchfoot]

Outside of being able to more reliably fire dirty what else makes the AK-47 the "best"?
I am being serious here as somebody who has fired both AR-15s and AK-47s. The difference between the two platforms is astonishing when you start looking at the ergonomics, accuracy, recoil, and upgrade capability of the platform. Being able to fire more reliable dirty is the only thing I would say the AK-47 wins against the AR platform.

The way I look at it, they're both designed the way they were meant to be used and both fit their intended use quite well.

I remember in the first firefight I was involved in in 'Nam, all the guys I saw on the line were shooting blind over their cover including me, mainly out of fear, but also because with the smoke and dust being kicked up from firing you couldn't see where you were aiming anyway. I blew my whole loadout way before I thought I would and had a panic attack over it right then and there. In the heat of the moment there's no such thing as fire discipline. Well, until you get numb enough to consider it. Funny to think about it now, but terrifying at the moment.

Point being, blind spray and pray was the most common way I saw auto fire being used at the time. Especially after the first zing and thwack came by. In that regard it didn't matter what I was using, unless you figure in how much ammo you could carry and still be "invisible". (5.56 being lighter than 7.62)

 

[nageov3t]

the only questionable thing is that we're buying them any choppers when we should be packing up our shit and going home.

 

[piasabird]

I can see this now. The angular edges and flat surfaces is practically screaming Ruissian design.

 

[gevorg]

Smart choice, these copters are very durable in shitty Afghan conditions, cheap, simple to use, and easy to maintain. Think AK47, not the most accurate but it will outlive you!

 

[iGas]

Perhaps the US should equip its armed forces with Russian AK-47 since you all gung ho for cheap Russian made weapons.

Chinese made J-10 & J-20 are cheap while the F-22 are so unreliable and expensive, and new Chinese aircraft carriers are cheaper to procure than the maintenance of old American aircraft carriers.

Better yet, it make perfect sense to relocate the pentagon and CIA to China, because their labor force is cheap and they are good at hacking.