Can Anyone Possibly Think This Is A Good Idea?

[camberiu]

It would have been bad for everybody.

No doubt about it. It would have been a bloodbath for all parties involved.

 

[ajoknoblauch]

No doubt about it. It would have been a bloodbath for all parties involved.

Probably a lot of civilian casualties too.

 

[camberiu]

Probably a lot of civilian casualties too.

Yes. In case of "War Scenario Delta", one of the first things the Brazilian military would try to do is to cut off and isolate Cordoba from the rest of Argentina, and therefore deliver a devastating blow to Argentina's industrial capabilities. I can see that alone having the potential of generating huge civilian casualties. Argentina probably had similar plans on their end, with equal terrible outcome for Brazilian civilians.
It would have been an extremely tragic series of events. The human and economic costs of such conflict are hard to imagine.
As much as I enjoy to play "what if" scenarios on a possible conflict between Brazil and Argentina, the reality is that it is very fortunate that such a conflict never came to pass.

 

[ajoknoblauch]

Yes. In case of "War Scenario Delta", one of the first things the Brazilian military would try to do is to cut off and isolate Cordoba from the rest of Argentina, and therefore deliver a devastating blow to Argentina's industrial capabilities. I can see that alone having the potential of generating huge civilian casualties. Argentina probably had similar plans on their end, with equal terrible outcome for Brazilian civilians.
It would have been an extremely tragic series of events. The human and economic costs of such conflict are hard to imagine.
As much as I enjoy to play "what if" scenarios on a possible conflict between Brazil and Argentina, the reality is that it is very fortunate that such a conflict never came to pass.

I think the Argentine milicos would have gone after Chile first, for additional irredentist reasons, but Brazil might well have come to Chile's assistance.

 

[camberiu]

I think the Argentine milicos would have gone after Chile first, for additional irredentist reasons, but Brazil might well have come to Chile's assistance.

Yes, that would be the trigger. Brazil and Chile were very close allies back then. An Argentina victorious in the Falklands staring an open land grab on another South American country would have been seen like Germany invading Poland.

 

[Silvie]

At this time, the iron lady is having a threesome with Generales Videla and Massera. That´s where it all ended

 

[ajoknoblauch]

At this time, the iron lady is having a threesome with Generales Videla and Massera. That´s where it all ended

Not even Thatcher deserves that sort of eternity.

 

[camberiu]

A note published in the Brazilian press today says that the Chinese are really pushing for the sale of the J-10B fighter to Argentina, instead of the cheaper FC-17.

Note here (in Portuguese)

The J-10 is a much bigger and more capable aircraft than the FC-17. It is also significantly more expensive to maintain and operate. Despite China's best efforts, the J-10 has not found a single export buyer as of yet. This might be why they are pushing this plane, instead of the FC-17, to Argentina. Since they are the one's lending the money, they are the ones who can dictate what Argentina will buy with that money. So it seems that the J-10 will be the one.


About the J-10:

The J-10 is a copy of the Israeli Lavi fighter. Back in the 1980s, leveraging extensive US know-how, Israel started developing the Lavi. Due to escalating cost and political pressure, the Lavi project was canceled when it was almost complete. Israel then clandestiny and without US approval, sold the plans of the Lavi to China. Plans which included sensitive US technology. China finished the project with Israeli help and that became the J-10 fighter.

 

[scotttswan]

A note published in the Brazilian press today says that the Chinese are really pushing for the sale of the J-10B fighter to Argentina, instead of the cheaper FC-17.

Note here (in Portuguese)

The J-10 is a much bigger and more capable aircraft than the FC-17. It is also significantly more expensive to maintain and operate. Despite China's best efforts, the J-10 has not found a single export buyer as of yet. This might be why they are pushing this plane, instead of the FC-17, to Argentina. Since they are the one's lending the money, they are the ones who can dictate what Argentina will buy with that money. So it seems that the J-10 will be the one.


About the J-10:

The J-10 is a copy of the Israeli Lavi fighter. Back in the 1980s, leveraging extensive US know-how, Israel started developing the Lavi. Due to escalating cost and political pressure, the Lavi project was canceled when it was almost complete. Israel then clandestiny and without US approval, sold the plans of the Lavi to China. Plans which included sensitive US technology. China finished the project with Israeli help and that became the J-10 fighter.

probably still better than the F35 disaster.

 

[camberiu]

probably still better than the F35 disaster.

Very likely it is. On paper it is a capable and powerful aircraft. Better than the typical 3rd generation (Blk 50) F-16 fighter that was widely available in the 1990s. The unknowns are:

1) Build quality.
2) Chinese post sale service and support.

Assuming that it has a decent build quality, the plane in itself (unlike the F-35) actually works. it is not a "science project". The J-10 would put the Argentine Air Force on the same level as the Chilean one, assuming Argentina has the money to maintain, arm and fuel the planes on a consistent basis.