[dabigv13]

[quote="M T" pid='433618' dateline='1749503290']

The article you referenced said:

Although the systems were purchased under a program designated for Ukraine, U.S. law permits the Secretary of Defense to reallocate the equipment to American forces in cases of “urgent need.”

I'm not aware of any "urgent need" by American forces in the Middle East.

Nor am I.

Now we are.

I am not sure I understand your point. The Iranians are using ballistic missiles to attack Israel. Their attempt to use air-breathing drones was totally stopped by Israel. In previous attempts against Israel US anti-drone aircraft did the same. No reason to believe the US air capability has diminished. The missiles diverted to the Middle East have no capability against Ballistic Missiles. So where is the new "urgent need"?

FWIW Iran has also been using shahed type drones in this round. Israel has published videos of them being taken out by Iron Dome missile interceptors along with helicopter machine guns.

Whether the APKWS are necessary too is beyond me.

It's crazy to me that despite all of the signalling something was coming, Iran did not disperse their mobile ballistic missile launchers or air defense systems, and their top military leaders were all sleeping in their homes.

Is Israel much better at SEAD/DEAD than Russia? Probably. But Ukraine also did a much better job at preserving their air defenses. On Day 2/3 it seems Israel has air superiority and freedom of movement- even their non-stealth fighters are operating safely over major Iranian cities and military bases. The Ukraine conflict would have been over a long time ago if Russia could have achieved that, as they had planned.

[dabigv13]

[quote="M T" pid='433618' dateline='1749503290']

The article you referenced said:

Although the systems were purchased under a program designated for Ukraine, U.S. law permits the Secretary of Defense to reallocate the equipment to American forces in cases of “urgent need.”

I'm not aware of any "urgent need" by American forces in the Middle East.

Nor am I.

Now we are.

I am not sure I understand your point. The Iranians are using ballistic missiles to attack Israel. Their attempt to use air-breathing drones was totally stopped by Israel. In previous attempts against Israel US anti-drone aircraft did the same. No reason to believe the US air capability has diminished. The missiles diverted to the Middle East have no capability against Ballistic Missiles. So where is the new "urgent need"?

FWIW Iran has also been using shahed type drones in this round. Israel has published videos of them being taken out by Iron Dome missile interceptors along with helicopter machine guns.

Whether the APKWS are necessary too is beyond me.

It's crazy to me that despite all of the signalling something was coming, Iran did not disperse their mobile ballistic missile launchers or air defense systems, and their top military leaders were all sleeping in their homes.

Is Israel much better at SEAD/DEAD than Russia? Probably. But Ukraine also did a much better job at preserving their air defenses. On Day 2/3 it seems Israel has air superiority and freedom of movement- even their non-stealth fighters are operating safely over major Iranian cities and military bases. The Ukraine conflict would have been over a long time ago if Russia could have achieved that, as they had planned.