As the saying goes, close only counts in Horseshoes and Handgrenades...
This thread reminds me of when I was taking Russian. We listened to a song called Katyusha. IIRC it was about how wonderful the sound of the Katyusha rockets were. During the Soviet German conflict in WW 2.
Now I get what you meant!
DK
No,
In a T72 vs. a M1 you end up like in Iraq- a bloodbath, TWICE. An example that our Russian friends MUST downplay. A T72 is "junk". A BTR70 is "junk". A BMP1 and 2 is "junk".
When 762x51 M80 ball tears through the armor on a BTR70 at 200 meters, when 25mm M919 tears through a T72 at ranges over 1500 meters you got "junk".
The Russians had and still have an Army of "mass" not quality. Take a look at Russian NVG's. They call them Generation 3 or 3+ but they are WAY behind some of the stuff we issue our truck drivers after the Infantry phases them out.
Yes, their Army is equipped with what we would describe as "junk".
The people who tend to buy their stuff often have NO OTHER CHOICE because the US, Germany, France, GB, S. Korea, Italy, or Israel won't sell them what they want. I gave examples: Syria, Iran, Libya........ REAL WORLD examples I can back. If given a choice, few will prefer a T-80 over a M1, Leo2, Chally, LeClerk. Those buying the T80 have no other CHOICES. Iran is interested in advanced SAMs from Russia, do you think the US will offer any to Iran? Israel? The Russians are bottom feeders in defense. They make their deals where others are unwilling to sell. Coincidence that N. Korea fly’s new MIG29s?
Red6