Personally I think South Africa is getting themselves into something that they can not control.
They are AGAIN committing to small a force without suitable equipment.
I have my doubts about our ability to support the troops over there.
I wonder what the powers that be are sniffing
if they think any rebel force will be p&&ing their pants, hearing we are sending
two attack helicopters with a
small helicopter support force. Really funny, only I'm not laughing as people might die!
I'm convinced, and are yet to be proven wrong, that the "pres" want so badly to dance with the "big boys", but he does not have the manpower or the equipment to his disposal to do just that.
These guys do not understand what it takes to get involved in these kind of ops. It takes a lot of money, which we don't have, and a lot of time. To do what the UN mandate dictates, takes a force with modern equipment, with their full capability available (Rooivalk without Makopa) and troops that have been trained over many years (not a few months) and proper back-up and support over a LONG period of time.
As far as I'm concerned, we are biting off more than we can chew.
If the SANDF does not commit at least 2000 troops, with at least six Rooivalk Helo's, eight to twelfth Oryx'e and some (six?) LUH's, complimented by artillary, mechanized infantry (Ratels) and some heavier stuff like a couple of Rooikat fire support or Ratel 90's, then I see some real problems coming our way. JMHO
But maybe I'm jumping the gun here. Maybe we should clarify what exactly the force will consist off and what equipment will be taken, before I make these comments, but I've made them as can already see where this is going. I so hope I'm wrong!!!