Think Defence
@thinkdefence.bsky.social
UK defence and security blog at www.thinkdefence.co.uk
But that is for another time
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
But that is for another time
All these are muscle multipliers, and forces must trade ammunition or sustainment supplies for them, everything has to earn its keep. Go up the size band to those typically use a light vehicle to tow, and a much wider range of options is available
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
All these are muscle multipliers, and forces must trade ammunition or sustainment supplies for them, everything has to earn its keep. Go up the size band to those typically use a light vehicle to tow, and a much wider range of options is available
including an excavator
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
including an excavator
Yet still have a range of useful attachments to widen their utility
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Yet still have a range of useful attachments to widen their utility
Even smaller equipment like walk behind or ride on multipurpose devices are less capacity, but smaller and lighter
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Even smaller equipment like walk behind or ride on multipurpose devices are less capacity, but smaller and lighter
And can also be used with various attachments
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
And can also be used with various attachments
Compact wheeled loaders provide slightly better mobility if the terrain suits
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Compact wheeled loaders provide slightly better mobility if the terrain suits
With a range of attachments available
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
With a range of attachments available
Small demolition robots like the Brokk 70 could be very useful
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Small demolition robots like the Brokk 70 could be very useful
A more unusual design is typified by the Single Track 450, designed for creating bike trails, but it has a remote control feature and both a dozer and excavator feature
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
A more unusual design is typified by the Single Track 450, designed for creating bike trails, but it has a remote control feature and both a dozer and excavator feature
Micro crawler tractors like those from Magnatrac in the US can be fitted with dozer blades and excavator arms
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Micro crawler tractors like those from Magnatrac in the US can be fitted with dozer blades and excavator arms
Micro excavators (designed to fit through doors) can add a range of attachments like breakers and augers, but they will need a trailer as well
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Micro excavators (designed to fit through doors) can add a range of attachments like breakers and augers, but they will need a trailer as well
A tow behind excavator is pretty good at digging holes, but less useful for moving loads
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
A tow behind excavator is pretty good at digging holes, but less useful for moving loads
To help dig field defences, clear landing sites, create holes in walls and move loads, multipurpose equipment has value because it consumes less transport resources. But sometimes, multipurpose can mean not good at anything.
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
To help dig field defences, clear landing sites, create holes in walls and move loads, multipurpose equipment has value because it consumes less transport resources. But sometimes, multipurpose can mean not good at anything.
The double CDS is about as small as is practical. Any plant will be severely limited, and you could argue adds little value, but I would disagree. Mechanical assistance buts time, and time is always critical for light role forces.
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The double CDS is about as small as is practical. Any plant will be severely limited, and you could argue adds little value, but I would disagree. Mechanical assistance buts time, and time is always critical for light role forces.
The lightest of light role forces are likely to have some form of transport, even if limited to a handful of quad ATVs or Land Rover or pickup type vehicles. If we are thinking of parachutes, the Container Delivery System (CDS) is a limit
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The lightest of light role forces are likely to have some form of transport, even if limited to a handful of quad ATVs or Land Rover or pickup type vehicles. If we are thinking of parachutes, the Container Delivery System (CDS) is a limit
Finish with something fit for a King!
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Finish with something fit for a King!
One aspect of this that is often overlooked is time, quick fortifications can be established that are 'good enough', and they will then be developed over time.
Start with a shell scrape.
Start with a shell scrape.
November 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
One aspect of this that is often overlooked is time, quick fortifications can be established that are 'good enough', and they will then be developed over time.
Start with a shell scrape.
Start with a shell scrape.