Tag Archives: czech

Technology

Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: DANA and the new Zuzana

Video

Cold War: Approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union).

Warsaw Pact Czechoslovak ShKH vz. 77. Photo via Czech Ministry of Defense.

The ShKH vz. 77 DANA began service with Warsaw Pact Czechoslovakia in 1981. New versions are continually being created, and currently is in use by at least six countries.

Polish DANA lets one rip while deployed to Afghanistan, November 2010. Photo by Polish Warrant Officer-2 Adam Roik.

Gunner’s position inside the DANA. Photo by Polish Warrant Officer-2 Adam Roik.

Forward Operating Base Arian, Afghanistan, 11JAN2012. In the background a Polish DANA. California Army National Guard photo by First Lieutenant Adam Carrington.

Cold War era Warsaw Pact Czechoslovak designed/built Soviet 152mm gunned Samo-hybná Kanónová Húfnica vzor 77 (ShKH vz. 77, or self-propelled cannon howitzer model 77), also known as DANA (Dělo Automobilní Nabíjené Automaticky, in English means gun vehicle loaded automatically).  In today’s NATO Czech Republic it is called the SPGH-M77 or Type 77.

NATO Czech DANA on the NATO Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, NATO Germany, 25OCT2012. U.S. Army photo by Sergeant Kirk Evanoff.

25OCT2012, USA photo by Sergeant Kirk Evanoff.

25OCT2012, USA photo by Sergeant Kirk Evanoff.

Near Peer Threats and Russo-Ukraine War, 2014 to present. 

NATO Czech DANAs on the NATO Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, NATO Germany, 02SEP2014. USA photo by Sergeant Christina M. Dion.

NATO Czech DANAs on the NATO Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, NATO Germany, 04SEP2014. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Randy Florendo.

04SEP2014, USA photo by Staff Sergeant Randy Florendo.

04SEP2014. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Randy Florendo.

NATO Czech ShKH-77 Danas in a garage on the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, NATO Germany, 08AUG2015. USA photo by Specialist Tyler Kingsbury.

North Carolina Army National Guard examine a Polish 152mm DANA, 05JUN2016. North Carolina Army National Guard photo by Sergeant First Class Robert Jordan.

Polish 152mm DANA launches rounds during Exercise Anakonda, 13JUN2016. Oklahoma Air National Guard photo by First Lieutenant Micah D. Campbell.

Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, NATO Poland, 13JUN2016. Oklahoma Air National Guard photo by First Lieutenant Micah D. Campbell.

NATO’s Battle Group Poland roll towards the border with NATO Lithuania during Saber Strike wargame, 18JUN2017. USA photo by Specialist Stefan English.

Quick U.S. Army video by Sergeant Austin Majors, wet gap (river) crossing showing Polish DANAs crossing pontoon bridge during NATO’s Saber Strike wargame in June 2017:

NATO’s Battle Group Poland roll towards the border with NATO Lithuania during Saber Strike wargame, 18JUN2017. USA photo by Specialist Stefan English.

Polish DANA, 26SEP2018. USA photo by Sergeant Christopher Case.

What do you call a DANA that has been upgraded with a NATO compatible 155mm gun? The Zuzana.

U.S. paratroopers take photos of Slovakia’s Zuzana, 08MAR2019. USA photo by Specialist Rolyn Kropf.

In 2021, NATO Slovakia began using a new version of the Zuzana, called Zuzana-2.

Official acceptance ceremony for Slovakia’s new Zuzana-2, 22JUL2021. Photo via Slovak Ministry of Defense.

Official acceptance ceremony for Slovakia’s new Zuzana-2, 22JUL2021. Photo via Slovak Ministry of Defense.

Zuzana-2 uses the latest in automation and has a human crew of only three.

Slovak Zuzana-2 launching a projectile on Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, 30NOV2021. USA photo by Private First Class Jacob Bradford.

U.S. Army video by Specialist Jameson Harris, NATO Slovakia tries out their new Zuzana-2 in NATO Poland, 30NOV2021:

Puerto Rico Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Eliezer Meléndez, 06MAY2022.

In NATO Latvia, Forward Operating Site Adazi, NATO Slovak personnel showed-off their new Zuzana-2 to artillery men from Fort Riley, Kansas, on 06MAY2022.

Puerto Rico Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Eliezer Meléndez, 06MAY2022.

On 09OCT2022, NATO-Slovakia revealed that it had sent a total of ten of the new Zuzana-2 gun systems to Ukraine.

Photo via Slovak Ministry of Defense.

Poland’s new Krab, updated for Ukraine Crisis: POLAND’S KRAB (HALF BRITISH, HALF KOREAN?)

Soviet era Armor used by NATO: POLAND

Soviet era Aircraft used by NATO: POLAND SUKHOI 22

NATO Vehicle I-D: FRENCH CAESAR INVADES GERMANY!

Technology

Zombie ‘Copter: How the Hind returned to Afghanistan, and why it won’t die

Video

The first time the Afghan military used the NATO-reporting-name Hind was during the Soviet occupation (1979-1989).  It was during that occupation that Mujaheddin on the receiving end of the Mi-24D nicknamed it Satan’s Chariot.  After the Soviets left, Afghanistan managed to operate a few Mi-24s (NATO reporting-name Hind-D), some sources say right up until the 2001 U.S. invasion.

Apparently the Mil 35 is the export version of the Mil 24V (NATO reporting-name Hind-E), and apparently there’s wasn’t much difference between the Soviet version and the export version.   However, don’t confuse a Mi-35 with the newer Mi-35M (prototype Mi-24VM).  Along with many internal upgrades the basic visual differences between Mi-24/25 (another ‘export’ designation)/35 and a true Mi-35M are the landing gear, wings and chin-gun.  The Mi-35M has fixed landing gear (apparently in an effort to reduce weight and keep production costs down), shorter span wings and a twin barreled 23mm chin-gun.

Kabul International Airport/Air Base. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Cecilio Ricardo, 02APR2007.

In December 2008, Czech Republic started deliveries of at least six refurbished Mi-24Vs (NATO Mi-35 Hind-E), along with several Mi-17s, to help build Afghanistan’s air power.

The push to build Afghan government controlled air power was seen as a way of reducing reliance on U.S./NATO forces, a way of avoiding getting stuck in a ‘Tar Baby’ the way the Soviets did in the 1980s.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Edward Gyokeres, 27MAY2009.

Live fire at East River Range Complex near Bagram Air Base, May 2009.

June 2009 video of Czech technicians training Afghans for live fire exercise:

According to the exalted Wikipedia, it states the Czech Hinds were “purchased” by Afghanistan and training was done by technicians from India. Wrong!  Here’s an official NATO report from July 2009:

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Thomas Dow, 09SEP2009.

2009, U.S. Air Force video report explaining what the plan is for the Afghan Hinds:

USAF photo by Airman Brian Ybarbo, 15DEC2009.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Manuel J. Martinez, 11MAY2010.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Oshawn Jefferson, 15MAY2010.

Quick live fire video from June 2010:

USAF photo, 26JAN2011.

Photo by Vladimir Potapenko, 05MAR2011.

USA photo by Staff Sergeant Elvis Umanzor, 18SEP2013.

In 2014, it was revealed that the United States supplied Afghanistan with 30 Russian built new model Mi-17B-5 helicopters. But the affair with Russia ended over the shenanigans in Ukraine and Crimea.  U.S. officials instead pushed for U.S. made helicopters to be given to Afghanistan.

In a 2015 New York Times article an Afghan colonel criticized the U.S. for forcing Afghanistan to accept MD 530F scout helicopters (at U.S. taxpayer expense).  The colonel pointed out the MD 530Fs were easily shot down saying “This plane is a total mess”, and expressed a desire to get more Hinds.

In 2019, the arrogant U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) stated the Czech gifted “…Mi-35s were removed from the authorized fleet in 2015, but the Afghans continue to attempt to sustain them. DoD has advised them against doing so….”, and seemed perplexed at Afghan military leaders wanting a more reliable and survivable gunship like the Mi-24.

Sensing an opportunity to make points with the Afghan government, India gifted four refurbished Hinds (originally purchased from Belarus) between 2015 and the end of 2019.  The Indian Hinds were denoted as Mi-25s and Mi-24Vs by the Indian news media and even Jane’s Defence Weekly, U.S. news sources refer to the Indian gifted Hinds as Mi-35s.

Moral of the story is; if you want to make Afghans happy just give them more Satan’s Chariots!

Update, 11AUG2021, Taliban capture Mil 24V (Mil 35):

VEHICLE I-D: ZOMBIE TANK T-55, THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!

International, U.S.

Stop your bitchin’: Female Militia-‘man’ takes on Best Warrior 2018

Video

04MAR2018 /18:02 UTC-07 Tango 06  (14 Esfand 1396/17 Jumada t-Tania 1439/18 Yi-Mao 4716)

“Competing seemed like a great opportunity. For me, it wasn’t an imitation factor. I used to be a Marine and I remember every year my commander would send out an invite for individuals interested in the competition. When I saw the email for this year and saw the list of different knowledge responsibilities I went ahead and tried out.”-Technical Sergeant Jennifer Brown, Texas Air National Guard

Only eight Texas Air Guards-‘men’ were chosen for the 2018 Texas Military Department Best Warrior Competition, one of them is a woman.

“The ruck has been the most challenging thus far. I don’t think I was as prepared for the last four miles of fatigue, but it’s something you have to learn and power through on your own. The obstacle course was the most fun. It was hard at points, but the competition is about challenging yourself. Getting over the fear factor.”-Technical Sergeant Jennifer Brown, more than fifteen years combined USMC and Texas Air National Guard

Official video explainer:

Another official video explainer:

The Texas Best Warrior Competition involves warfare simulations, written and physical exams, as well as things like a 19km (12 miles) march, followed by M4 (M16) and .50 caliber machine gun qualification.  Personnel from the Texas Army National Guard, as well as personnel from Czech Republic and Republic of Chile, also participated.

Video of Day 3:

STOP YOUR BITCHIN’: SOUTH DAKOTA MILITIA GETS 1ST EVER FEMALE…PREACHER?

International

World War 3: Poland, Norway, Czech Republic & Slovakia ramp up for major war, send troops to Mali!

26 November 2015, 17:51 UTC-07 Tango 01 (06 Azar 1394/14 Safar 1437/16 Ding-Hai 10th month 4713)

U.S. led NATO members Czech Republic, Norway, Poland and Slovakia have increased military spending. They’re using the 13 November attacks in France, and the degrading situation in Ukraine, as excuses.

“The government is bent on replacing Soviet-era equipment through the most ambitious acquisition and modernization drive in modern history. ….Slovakia’s Defence Ministry announced plans to purchase two Italian-made Spartan transport aircraft, Czech-made Bren rifles and nine UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. The ministry also plans to acquire a new mobile air defense system. The Ukraine conflict and the consequent worsening of the security landscape….is used to legitimize it.” Michal Šimečka, Institute of International Relations

Czech Republic is already involved in the illegal NATO invasion of Mali, but now says it’s ready to ramp up the number of combat troops to help its NATO allies: “France may need to regroup its fighters and focus more on the military strikes against ISIS. For instance we are serving together in Mali and the Czech Republic would be ready to step in for France there by sending more troops. ….the Czech Republic could participate with its anti-chemical unit or field hospital as it did in the Persian Gulf War.”-Bohuslav Sobotka, Czech Republic Prime Minister

“We are faced with a different Russia. I want to warn against the fact that some people see this as something that is going to pass. The situation has changed. And it has changed profoundly.”-Ine Eriksen Søreide, NATO Norway’s Defense Minister during interview with CNN

“Poland’s Ministry of Defense launched a tender to acquire 104 new battlefield reconnaissance radars…”–DefenseNews

“NATO member Poland has signed a deal on military cooperation with non-member Sweden amid concerns raised by increased Russian military activity in the Baltic.”-The Local

41% of Swedes now favor Sweden joining NATO after Sweden’s Security Service Säpo said their biggest threat is Russia, not Islamic State aka DAIISH (DA for al-DAwla, I for al-Islamiya, I for al-Iraq, SH al-SHam [al-Sham=Syria])!

NATO-North Atlantic Treaty Organization

World War 3: Germany deploys Tornadoes to Syria! Sends 650 combat troops to Mali! 

International

Former President of NATO member says America not worth talking about!

15 October 2015 (02:47 UTC-07 Tango 01)/23 Mehr 1394/31 Dhu l-Hijja 1436/03 Bing-Xu (9th month) 4713

“The Americans are so far away that I don’t even want to talk about them!”-Václav Klaus, former President of U.S. led NATO member Czech Republic, during interview with Russia Today commenting on failed U.S. foreign policy, explaining that U.S. leaders are totally out of touch with reality

Václav Klaus surrounded by NATO leaders Barack Obama and Anders Fogh Rasmussen (you figure out who’s who).