Fencer & Fernandez.

This is coolbert:

As you can well imagine, this headline has gotten my attention right away.

"DEFENCES on the Falklands are being reviewed after it emerged Russia plans to offer Argentina long-range bombers."

THOSE LONG-RANGE BOMBERS THE RUSSIAN Su-24 FENCER.

"The aircraft, which Moscow will swap for beef and wheat, would be able to mount air patrols over Port Stanley."

. . . .

"The deal involves a lease/lend of 12 Sukhoi Su-24 supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft. They are ageing but NATO still regards what it codenames 'Fencers' as 'super-fighters', with their 2,000-mile range and laser-guided missiles."

AND now for the rest of the story. Thanks to the article as found at the StrategyPage Internet web site.

IN REALITY THE SUPER NOT SO SUPER!

"Warplanes: Su-24 Does Not Age Gracefully"

"Since 2000, Russia has lost sixteen Su-24s to accidents. Many more have been retired because of this tendency to become very dangerous to operate as they age."

There is the rest of the story in the proverbial nutshell as they say. That threat on paper not quite the same as what in actuality exists, a lots of glitz and that formidable reputation not quite what it seems.

Hopefully President Fernandez of Argentina will read this blog entry. Doubt she will but she should. Madame President I am at your service.

coolbert.