Orban has lost in Hungary

It was not deflection, it was a demonstration of fact following your saying that I was popping up to defend the UK government, following your inaccurate portrayal of our defence capabilities compared with that of other countries.
Seriously though ronib, why do you not look these things up for yourself? Here is the UK status:

The UK Royal Navy has demonstrated an initial capability to defend against high-speed threats. In May 2025, HMS Dragon successfully intercepted a supersonic missile target using a modified Sea Viper missile system. The UK is now investing £12 million in further hypersonic missile development to bolster long-range, high-speed strike and defense capabilities by 2030.
U.K. Royal Navy
U.K. Royal Navy
+4
Key Developments in UK Hypersonic Defence
Sea Viper Capability: The Type 45 destroyer's Sea Viper system (using Sampson radar) was upgraded to track and engage highly maneuvering threats exceeding
4

×
the speed of sound.
Future Air Defence System (FADS): The Royal Navy is developing a "system of systems" approach to counter evolving threats, which includes upgrading combat systems across Type 45 destroyers and Type 26 frigates.
UK-US Collaboration: The UK and US are conducting joint hypersonic research, including successful propulsion tests for new, domestically produced hypersonic weapons.
Strategic Investment: Under the UK’s Hypersonic Weapons Programme, the Ministry of Defence is accelerating development for a sovereign, domestically-built hypersonic cruise missile to be operational by the end of the decade.
U.K. Royal Navy
U.K. Royal Navy
+5

I thought this thread was about Orban.

Are the last few posts on the wrong thread?

Ukraine must be so hopeful today.

Orban was preventing frozen Russian monies from flowing from the EU to Ukraine.

This will now be released🤞🤞alongside frozen EU monies to Hungary.

Casdon we were talking about the capability of the UK navy. What does AI say about that? Nice deflection but …..

We cooperate with the French navy. Good.

Good riddance to Orban. I hope the new President can undo the damage he's done to his country.

MaizieD

Whitewavemark2

ronib

But we all know that the UK doesn’t have the capability to send ships to support the blockade… so in the circumstances, we have no choice but non involvement.

Actually not true. We have minesweepers which will be useful in Hormuz - eventually.

This is puzzling me. If there are mines in the Strait, how are vessels getting through? I haven't heard that they have been escorted through by Iran, who would know where the mines are...

The Iranians “pilot” them through apparently. They, of course have a map of the minefield.

Whitewavemark2

ronib

But we all know that the UK doesn’t have the capability to send ships to support the blockade… so in the circumstances, we have no choice but non involvement.

Actually not true. We have minesweepers which will be useful in Hormuz - eventually.

This is puzzling me. If there are mines in the Strait, how are vessels getting through? I haven't heard that they have been escorted through by Iran, who would know where the mines are...

You should know me by now ronib. I always check the facts.
Here you are:

‘While the US Navy is heavily investing in defense against hypersonic missiles, this capability is not yet universal across the fleet.
Here is the breakdown of the current situation based on recent developments:
Not All Warships Are Equipped: Hypersonic defense is a developing technology, primarily integrated into the most advanced platforms, such as the Aegis Combat System on newer Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and the USS Zumwalt.
The Defense Strategy (SM-6 & Aegis): The US relies on upgraded Aegis radar systems combined with Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) interceptors for terminal-phase defense against maneuvering hypersonic threats.
Future Upgrades (GPI): The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is accelerating the development of the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI), designed to intercept hypersonic missiles in their glide phase, which is not yet deployed across the fleet.
Offensive vs. Defensive Capability: The USS Zumwalt is currently being fitted as the first US warship with offensive hypersonic missiles (Conventional Prompt Strike), not defensive systems to stop them.
Calibre Defence
Calibre Defence
+5
Summary: While the US is upgrading its fleet with advanced radars (SPY-6) and interceptors (SM-6) that can potentially counter these threats, having this technology on every US warship is a future goal rather than a present reality.’

AI response, which states the source and references 5 others.

Casdon It’s okay, you can reliably pop up to defend government against any possible criticism…. Even without evidence.

ronib neither currently are all the US warships, or indeed those of any other country. I’m not sure what your point is, exactly, is it just another dig at the government, and previous governments?

Has no / typos

Has

The Royal Navy hon warships capable of defending themselves against the full range of potential Iranian threats.
Even Type 45s would be unable to deal with hypersonic ballistic missiles….
Our ships require the protection of US warships.,,,
Again this information as opposed to conjecture is on Turbulent Times today.

ronib

But we all know that the UK doesn’t have the capability to send ships to support the blockade… so in the circumstances, we have no choice but non involvement.

To the contrary. We know that the UK, and other allies do have the capability to send ships to support the blockade. However it is not our war, and along with our allies we will make a collective decision regarding if and when we do so. That much is clear.

ronib

But we all know that the UK doesn’t have the capability to send ships to support the blockade… so in the circumstances, we have no choice but non involvement.

Actually not true. We have minesweepers which will be useful in Hormuz - eventually.

But we all know that the UK doesn’t have the capability to send ships to support the blockade… so in the circumstances, we have no choice but non involvement.

Luckygirl3

LizzieDrip

ronib

Crowds cheering means nothing. Didn’t we all cheer in the UK after the last election and we’re not cheering now?

I cheered when Labour won the GE and I’m cheering that Keir Starmer is our PM now👏👏👏

Me too! I cannot think of anyone who might have addressed the chaotic international situation with the same level-headedness as Starmer.

I just wish that they could all sing from the same hymn sheet.
Very embarrassing interview this morning on sky where the minister for early education was asked if the Labour government supported the blockade.
Bear in mind that it was only a couple of hours later that Kier Starmer stated categorically that we do not support the blockade www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7P-BJacaT0

Viktor Orbán passed a law labeling gay people as pedophiles. He banned Budapest Pride and made it a criminal offense to attend with €500 fines organizers facing prison time. And when people showed up anyway, he let police use facial recognition to hunt them down at the parade.

This week J.D. Vance flew to Hungary to campaign for him. He stood next to him on camera and called him "a role model for the continent."

Then he looked right into the cameras and said: "I'm here to help."

J.D. Vance flew across the ocean for a man who legally erased trans and nonbinary people from his country's own constitution. Who froze €17 billion in EU funds over corruption violations. Who spent 16 years packing courts, strangling the press, and gerrymandering maps to keep himself in power.

Putin's closest ally inside the European Union. And the person JD Vance couldn't wait to get a photo with.

Millions of Hungarians stood in lines for hours to say they've had enough.

Well done to the Hungarians - let’s hope it is a foretaste of what is heading for Trump and Vance

Good, TBH I’d half expected for him to do a Trump and declare the election invalid because it had been rigged.

MaizieD

Grantanow

Good news but Magyar will face an Orban majority in the Parliament and needs to clear out Orban supporters from the judiciary, armed firces, etc. Not plain sailing.

Where on earth are you getting your information. Magyar has gained a supermajority. 133 seats were needed for this, he already has 138. Orban’s party has 55.

Tisza can pass any legislation it cares to and change the Hungarian Constitution. (Which is what Orban did with his supermajority)

Yes, you are right.

But clearing out Orban's cronies from the judiciary, army, etc., remains an uphill task. He will face legal challenges to be heard by a dubious judiciary and some of the roles are protected from supercession, at least in the short term. He is on the right of course so how much change we can expect is to be yet seen.

LizzieDrip

ronib

Crowds cheering means nothing. Didn’t we all cheer in the UK after the last election and we’re not cheering now?

I cheered when Labour won the GE and I’m cheering that Keir Starmer is our PM now👏👏👏

Me too! I cannot think of anyone who might have addressed the chaotic international situation with the same level-headedness as Starmer.

Like the Conservatives found last year, people just want a change. - I think there was a bit more to it than that!

This result in Hungary is a good one as far as I can tell from this distance. Let us hope that they feel life improves for them.

ronib

Crowds cheering means nothing. Didn’t we all cheer in the UK after the last election and we’re not cheering now?

I cheered when Labour won the GE and I’m cheering that Keir Starmer is our PM now👏👏👏

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I’m truly amazed at the joyful reaction on here to Orban’s defeat. It’s as though people are blind to how Europe and the UK’s infrastructure, society and culture has been all but destroyed by uncontrolled immigration. It’s a funny old world that’s for sure….

I think that’s quite a broad claim. Immigration is a complex issue, and it brings both challenges and benefits depending on how it’s managed. Framing it as having ‘destroyed’ society or culture risks overlooking that complexity. It might be more useful to focus on specific policies or outcomes rather than generalising about entire groups or trends.

Also, people reacting to Viktor Orbán politically doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ‘blind’ to wider issues. It may just mean they have different views on leadership and policy.