Why on Earth Are We Still Building Aircraft Carriers?

[SaparotRob]

Most European nations have had less of a need for navies. The European nations that tried navies was to try to counter one European nation with a honking huge navy. The U.K. is the European nation that requires a substantial fleet. Which require substantial buck$.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Most European nations have had less of a need for navies. The European nations that tried navies was to try to counter one European nation with a honking huge navy. The U.K. is the European nation that requires a substantial fleet. Which require substantial buck$.

I wonder how big the RN could be if they further neglected the army (as Britain always did before WW1) and increased overall military spending to 3% GDP. A Navy at least as large as Japan's should be possible. A big spend for the RN that does nothing for Britain outside of MAD deterrence, is the SSBNs. Essential, but perhaps the RN budget should be separated from the boomer program.

 

[SaparotRob]

I briefly noticed a YT thumbnail about the UK actually cutting the Army's budget or reducing its size. I wrote it off as clickbait and I went on to Babylon 5 clips. Might there be something to the UK reducing the Army already?

 

[EwenS]

I briefly noticed a YT thumbnail about the UK actually cutting the Army's budget or reducing its size. I wrote it off as clickbait and I went on to Babylon 5 clips. Might there be something to the UK reducing the Army already?

Latest info on strength of the British Army

https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/size-of-the-army-numbers-tech-and-the-latest-on-the-integrated-review/#:~:text=In%20November%202021%2C%20the%20government,figure%20set%20in%20March%202021.

 

[Wild_Bill_Kelso]

I briefly noticed a YT thumbnail about the UK actually cutting the Army's budget or reducing its size. I wrote it off as clickbait and I went on to Babylon 5 clips. Might there be something to the UK reducing the Army already?

A few years ago The Netherlands decided we had reached the end of history and wanted to heavily downsize their military. They decided to sell all their (mostly very nice, Leopard 2a6) tanks. Guess who bought them?

 

[SaparotRob]

I don't know? Switzerland?

 

[Wild_Bill_Kelso]

I don't know? Switzerland?

Finland is Buying Dutch Leopards for €200 Million - Defense Update:

Finland and the Netherlands have agreed to transfer most of the remaining stock of Dutch Leopard 2A6 Main Battle Tanks (MBT) to Finland over a period of four years, for amount around €200 million. Defence Minister Carl Haglund has approved the acquisition of last thursday. Under the agreement...

defense-update.com

 

[Wild_Bill_Kelso]

Unfortunately I think by sending these in piecemeal in Ukraine, we are giving the Russians a chance to figure out how to defeat them.

 

[Admiral Beez]

I briefly noticed a YT thumbnail about the UK actually cutting the Army's budget or reducing its size. I wrote it off as clickbait and I went on to Babylon 5 clips. Might there be something to the UK reducing the Army already?

The British army is going to get gutted. I doubt however that the navy will benefit.

Defence review: British army to be cut to 72,500 troops by 2025

A review of the UK's defence policy brings new investment in cyber warfare, robotics and drones.

www.bbc.com