Russia hasn't been trying to keep the peace over the last few years, it's been testing it's equipment/troops in conflict
So have we - Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. With rather abysmal results.
One thing Russians are not even trying to hide and in fact, they openly advertise it when trying to sell their new equipment is that they have carefully observed our trials and tribulations. And learned from them.
They claim to have used them as input to their new generation of tanks, rocket launchers, drones as well as upgrade packages for their older generation of planes which has been sold worldwide.
This one is quite interesting too. Based on their analysis it was pointless to try to do anything to existing ground kit - for the era of IEDs and militias supplied with modern anti-tank weapons you need completely new gear. Otherwise you are toast. Similarly, you need new missiles, drones and other battlefield tech. IMHO, looking at our casualty rates from IEDs and ambushes in Iraq and Afghanistan, they may have a point here.
The old aircraft, however and specifically close air support ones are (according to the Russians) perfectly fit for purpose in a 21st century local war once you give them a full revamp of the electronics and targeting. They have a point. THE LUNATICS AND BANANA REPUBLICS DO NOT YET HAVE MODERN AAA. Even if they do, a Tier 1 power can suppress it in minutes.
Verrrry astute observation, one which we have missed and have gone full blast to retire our old aircraft and invest a ridiculous amount of money into a set of weapons which do not belong in this type of warfare like the F35 and the Series 3 Eurofighter. As a result we have no money to spend where it matters - on ground equipment.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
