Com-Central.net

A sad day for the cavalry,

Today the minister of defence announced that the last 2 tankbattalions (11th and 42th) will be disbanded. On May 9th both units will be given the non-active status.

There will be no replacement. This is a part of the current defence budget cuts which will cost around the 12.000 jobs.....

Site of 11 tkbat;
sytzama.nl/

Site of 42 tkbat;
www.regimenthuzarenpri...oranje.nl/

Indeed a very sad day, and disturbing news. Another fine example of the narrow minded politicians.
Here in Belgium the rumor off buying some Leo's 2 still go's around, the politicains say they know nothing about it (as usual).

Michel

What are Holland & Belgium going to use their MBTs for anyway?
It's a sensible move.

- Pzkpfw-e

What are Holland & Belgium going to use their MBTs for anyway?
It's a sensible move.

Yeah, it's not anything in the military realm has ever happened there or anything.

Nothing since Herr Hitler's European Tour and even Putin hasn't shown much interest in expanding the Russian Empire.
Big toys for Generals to play with?

We are facing a similar debate in Switzerland, and we have Leopard 2s as well.

For me is mainly a matter of retaining critical knowledge and skills. We could give up on heavy AFVs and buy/build them again if the need arise at at later stage. But what about the people? You can buy new tanks fairly quickly, but you can't buy tankers, company and battaglion commanders. Same for fighter planes.

Massimo

- Pzkpfw-e

Nothing since Herr Hitler's European Tour and even Putin hasn't shown much interest in expanding the Russian Empire.
Big toys for Generals to play with?

I was thinking as well of quite a few other scenarios that have played out there, historically. It's a crossroads...and 70 years is not a long time.

I think we'll put up some signs at the borders with an announcement for the invading forces.

"no need to shoot we don't have anything left to shoot at"

it's a bloody disgrace how our defense forces are taken to the cleaners I'd say let's cut all the money spend on so called development aid

now we are discussing the use of tanks for the defence of the national borders
However the change they will be needed for that is rather small.

However the last time the Dutch Army actualy used it's Leo's 2 was in Bosnia in 1995-96, from the 11th tank batalion
So only 15 years ago.

And there have been plans to send some Dutch Leo's 2 to Afghanistan.

In a matter of fact, the Canadian military bought former Dutch Leo's 2 and the Canadians did send these to Afghanistan

So perhaps they are not directly required for national defence, they are very handy for peace keeping missions.
Especialy if a powerful armoured fist is required.


Michel