1/n

2023 is almost over. What a year. Thankfully tis’ almost the season and I find myself grateful for many things despite all the bad ones that have happened and are happening in the world today. One of the things I’m grateful for is @Lawfare. 2/n

The site is filled with dedicated, hard-working, smart and witty people, who day after day find the time and perseverance to follow National Security and Law related developments across the globe.

1/n 🧵Merkava (Chariot) mk. I 1979
- Development 1971-79 under General Yisrael “Talik” Tal
- Experience from co-op Chieftain project w/UK -> Indigent production imperative
- Experiences from 1956, 1967 and 1973 wars; heavy tank crew casualties esp. in 1973 2/n
- Development priorities:
1. Crew protection
2. Firepower
3. Mobility
- Protection and resilience

🧵#Allies #StrongerTogether

If you look closely, you will note @niinisto wearing the designation of the Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland on the buttonhole of his suites' lapel in the photos with @POTUS.

https://twitter.com/usembfinland/status/1679514844758777856

2/ As Grand Master of the Orders of the White Rose of Finland (FWR), the Lion of Finland (FL) and of the Order of the Cross of Liberty, this is very fitting. Below @niinisto wears the Grand Cross with Collar of the FWR and @JenniHaukio Grand Cross of FWR.

🧵 1/n Perspective on artillery munitions
During the Äyräpää–Vuosalmi battle of 20th June – 17th July 1944, the red army tried and failed to break through Finnish positions at the river Vuoksi. Between 10-20 000 Finns stood against elements of 10 Red Army divisions, 115 000 men. 2/n
Having their backs, the Finnish artillery fired 122 000 shells, and mortars 85 000. Daily record was set on 9th July, when Finnish artillery fired a total 13 500 shells. Finnish and German air assets bombed soviet targets to great effect.

1/n In the following🧵we will explore indirect fire equipment of the land forces component of the FDF and its use based on publicly available information. Possible mistakes and omissions are my own responsibility. Enjoy! 2/n Light mortar 81 KRH
Made in Finland. Used for supporting an inf. company by indirect fire.
Range: 0,1–5,8 km
Rate of fire: 18-20 shells per minute

1/n 🧵M1 Abrams 1980

Named after General Creighton W. Abrams, legendary Tank Commander in WW2, and later Chief-of-Staff to US Armed Forces.

Strap in for a long thread… 2/n M1 pt1

-Manufacturer Chrysler (General Dynamics)
-4-man crew
-9,81 x 3,66 x 2,90 m, 54 t
-1500 hp, Avco-Lycoming (Honeywell) Gas-turbine engine, 72/48 km/h (on/off road), range 426 km

1/3 A retired ZSU-57-2 at @panssarimuseo. Built on a modified T-54 chassis, the FDF got these in 1960 and remained in service until 2006. 2 x S-68 57 mm AA-guns, effective range was about 4 km/70 rounds/minute. With only optical sights, visibility was needed to fire for effect. 2/3 Introduced in USSR 1957, it was gradually replaced by the ZSU-23-4 during the 60s and phased out by the 1980s. Many other countries still operate them; They have seen usage in the Syrian Civil War and the 57 mm gun is used in russia-Ukraine War.

Serb ZSU-57-2 @ wikipedia

1/n 🧵Leopard 2 1979
- 55 t
- 9,67 x 3,7 x 2,79 m
- 4-man crew
- 1500 Hp, 12-cylinder engine, 68 kph, range 450 km
- Armour max. 800 mm, anti-mine, shaped charge protection
- 120 mm L/44, 30 HEAT+12 APDS FS-T ammo, 2 x MG 3

L2 prototype T14 below.

Photo: Darkone @ Wikipedia 2/n Leopard 2 1979 basics pt 2.
- EMES-15 targeting, fire control computer
- Gyro-stabilized turret drive system
- Stabilized optics
- Smoke dischargers

Leopard 2 Beer Test käyttäen @YouTube