SELLING OURSELVES DOWN THE RIVER

[browningautorifle]

Now we have bonus' though...

[mrclark303]

Perhaps Mr Trips arse kicking excersise at the next NATO conference might help slightly....

He will certainly demand to know why the likes of Germany spent a little over 1% on defence and as a result they have pretty much ceased to be a credible military power due to funds being starved.

If you think things are bad in the UK, read some of the reports regarding German military availability across all three services ... It's shocking stuff.

[browningautorifle]

Germany spent a little over 1% on defence and as a result they have pretty much ceased to be a credible military power

I find that shocking considering their past...some must be spinning in their graves...

[Paul S.]

Perhaps Mr Trips arse kicking excersise at the next NATO conference might help slightly....

He will certainly demand to know why the likes of Germany spent a little over 1% on defence and as a result they have pretty much ceased to be a credible military power due to funds being starved.

If you think things are bad in the UK, read some of the reports regarding German military availability across all three services ... It's shocking stuff.

I can imagine the Germans', and probably a few other EU countries', defence plan is something like, 'Well, we are members of NATO, so let's let the Yanks pay for keeping us safe from invasion.'

[Brian Dick]

I was surprised to find out that the NATO payment per country is only 2% of GDP and there are only 8 countries, (the UK being one of them), that are paying their fair share. Canada isn't on the list either. The majority who are paying their fair share are former Eastern Block countries who joined NATO after the wall came down in the 1990's.

[browningautorifle]

after the wall came down in the 1990's.

Everyone thought the threat is over, now we're into this other thing...

[Gil Boyd]

Sadly, whilst those about us, who sleep peacefully at night and who have never seen an angry man make political decisions, that throw man against man, without a thought or a care, wars will always be with us, regardless of NATO!

[mrclark303]

Sadly, whilst those about us, who sleep peacefully at night and who have never seen an angry man make political decisions, that throw man against man, without a thought or a care, wars will always be with us, regardless of NATO!

Very true Gil. Said it before, but I would make every new prime Minister and President Elect tour the main War grave yards in France as part of their orientation. Just to make sure they really understand the the price that has to be paid, before they send our youngsters off to war.

[mrclark303]

Blimey unbelievable..................Private Eye News: HMS Ocean waves bye-bye


The last paragraph is the attempt for the MOD to disband one of the Royal Marine Commandos units by getting rid of their ships Bulwark and Albion and re role their men to serve on one of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, as they struggle to find the men and women to serve!!!

These guys at Private Eye always get the inside track under Ian Hislop, and if this is true its an absolute disgrace IMHO They will have to bring back National Service at this rate to fend off any attacks on the nation or NATO!!!

Agreed that Ian Hislop is usually bang on the money, but regarding HMS Ocean, she was commissioned in 98, built to commercial standards and with a projected service life of 20 years.

She was supposed be first of a class of two, second one never funded.

I would imagine the Brazilian Navy engineering teams aren't exactly thrilled to be taking her on another ageing second hand warship ... Best make sure their mig welders are in good order, they might be needing them!

Bulwark and Albion are a case aside, very capable ships indeed and a serious mistake if they let them go.

[Gil Boyd]

The way I read a further article is, that over £60 million was spent on Ocean before she was sold. Probably changing all notices and signage to Portuguese, and threw in new engines as well.