Originally posted by paul g
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ISTAR Coy probably works better is the Battlegroups, etc. where there is interoperability and other nations providing serious back up for medium/long range armoured patrols.
ISTAR and Arty fire support teams might seem great for exercises at home where all the assets conveniently stay within effective ranges of their support weapons. but there is still a gap overseas.
Liberia, Chad and to a lesser extent East Timor (not a great example as not armoured) have shown that we are moving to multi day, medium/long range patrols duties. we don't bring 105s overseas and 120s always stay static. so once we are outside their static ranges we have no organic fire support above 30mm/40mm AGL. This is probably getting a bit off topic, however.
What this topic is showing though is that putting a 76mm gun on a P111 hull might be a reasonable use and stop gap in ability for organic infantry fire support.
However, that is dependent on the gun and associated/new sensor suite still being fit for purpose today. If it useable then it should be considered.
If its not then the whole Scorpion package is completely obsolete, as was AML 90, and the DF should accept this fact and stop wasting budgets on it. The money would be better put into increasing capability elsewhere.
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