Hopefully The US Air Force Isn't Too Far Behind
Militaries are unsustainable. Silver lining.
Will 10 Downing Street Scuttle the Royal Navy?
"This week, the Royal Navy faces the most perilous engagement in its splendid history, and one from which it may not emerge victorious. What Spanish and French cannon balls, and German 15in shells failed to accomplish, the pens of London’s bean counters may achieve – scuppering the Royal Navy and sending its finest vessels to the breaker’s yards. The age of romance is over.
The Royal Navy’s budget is reportedly to be cut by at least 10%, perhaps far more. Britain’s new Conservative-Liberal-Dem coalition of David Cameron and Nick Clegg vow to slash the monstrous deficit it inherited from the former Blair-Brown Labour government that left Britain drowning in red ink. For supposed socialists, Blair and Brown spent like drunken sailors on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and on trying to keep up militarily with the United States.
Cameron has spoken of 20-25% cuts in government across the board. In spite of earlier denials, military spending will be a choice target. New aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines may be canceled, postponed, or sharply reduced in number.
Cameron’s full draconian budget this week will be sure to produce howls of protests from Land’s End to John o’Groats.
Britain, whose debt-inflated economy may actually be smaller than Italy’s (because a third of Italy’s GDP is unreported), has a navy worthy of a world power, second only in strength and power projection capability to the United States Navy.
The Royal Navy deploys nuclear-powered submarines armed with US-supplied Trident nuclear-tipped missiles, and has ordered two 65,000-ton aircraft carriers to carry the new, US F-35 STOL vertical takeoff fighter. Add nuclear-powered attack subs, modern frigates, attack transports an extensive logistical support fleet and 7,500 crack Royal Marines.
Smashing! But what’s it all for? Britons face sharp cuts their health and welfare benefits. Imperial naval grandeur has become unaffordable.
The only real mission for today’s powerful Royal Navy is to support the US Navy in its foreign offensive operations. But many Britons – particularly after Iraq - want no part of being foot soldiers to America’s nuclear knights, to paraphrase the words of the late German defense minister, Franz Josef Strauss.
A majority of Britons want no more of being "Washington’s poodle," as Blair was derided. This feeling is common in the rest of NATO, which has no desire or money to spend billions on military transports and long-range logistical forces to support America’s present or future wars in the Muslim world, or even against China."
Will 10 Downing Street Scuttle the Royal Navy?
"This week, the Royal Navy faces the most perilous engagement in its splendid history, and one from which it may not emerge victorious. What Spanish and French cannon balls, and German 15in shells failed to accomplish, the pens of London’s bean counters may achieve – scuppering the Royal Navy and sending its finest vessels to the breaker’s yards. The age of romance is over.
The Royal Navy’s budget is reportedly to be cut by at least 10%, perhaps far more. Britain’s new Conservative-Liberal-Dem coalition of David Cameron and Nick Clegg vow to slash the monstrous deficit it inherited from the former Blair-Brown Labour government that left Britain drowning in red ink. For supposed socialists, Blair and Brown spent like drunken sailors on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and on trying to keep up militarily with the United States.
Cameron has spoken of 20-25% cuts in government across the board. In spite of earlier denials, military spending will be a choice target. New aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines may be canceled, postponed, or sharply reduced in number.
Cameron’s full draconian budget this week will be sure to produce howls of protests from Land’s End to John o’Groats.
Britain, whose debt-inflated economy may actually be smaller than Italy’s (because a third of Italy’s GDP is unreported), has a navy worthy of a world power, second only in strength and power projection capability to the United States Navy.
The Royal Navy deploys nuclear-powered submarines armed with US-supplied Trident nuclear-tipped missiles, and has ordered two 65,000-ton aircraft carriers to carry the new, US F-35 STOL vertical takeoff fighter. Add nuclear-powered attack subs, modern frigates, attack transports an extensive logistical support fleet and 7,500 crack Royal Marines.
Smashing! But what’s it all for? Britons face sharp cuts their health and welfare benefits. Imperial naval grandeur has become unaffordable.
The only real mission for today’s powerful Royal Navy is to support the US Navy in its foreign offensive operations. But many Britons – particularly after Iraq - want no part of being foot soldiers to America’s nuclear knights, to paraphrase the words of the late German defense minister, Franz Josef Strauss.
A majority of Britons want no more of being "Washington’s poodle," as Blair was derided. This feeling is common in the rest of NATO, which has no desire or money to spend billions on military transports and long-range logistical forces to support America’s present or future wars in the Muslim world, or even against China."
posted by nolocontendere at 6:01 PM
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