End of the Road for the RN

[ColdPhoenix]

The UK is 5th in the world by number of nuclear warheads with 225 (China comes 4th with 240). Compare that to the 60-80 that India have.

[MikeH]

UK UK UK UK

[Heraclitus]

I think its perfectly appropriate the British reduce their armed forces, the country is and will remain in decline for the foreseeable future, it can't afford to destroy wealth in the form of aircraft carriers and bloated military budgets that aren't even used in its own best interest.

I also think it would be wise that European countries, the US and Russia put pressure on Britain to disband its nuclear deterrent since a unstable nuclear power in 50 years time will do no one any good.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

It seems like when you have a mutiny you fudge the definition so it doesn't technically count. You'll note our definition of mutiny is much easier to fall foul of and includes:

(c) to impede the performance of any duty or service in Her Majesty’s forces or in any forces co-operating therewith or in any part of any of the said forces.

There's never been a successful mutiny on a US ship, because they're all crewed by big girl's blouses.

[Dinner]

True enough. Everyone knows the Navy is full of fags and cross dressers.

[MikeH]

There's never been a successful mutiny on a US ship, because they're all crewed by big girl's blouses.

Of course.

[ColdPhoenix]

I think its perfectly appropriate the British reduce their armed forces, the country is and will remain in decline for the foreseeable future, it can't afford to destroy wealth in the form of aircraft carriers and bloated military budgets that aren't even used in its own best interest.

I also think it would be wise that European countries, the US and Russia put pressure on Britain to disband its nuclear deterrent since a unstable nuclear power in 50 years time will do no one any good.

You raise many good points. I think we do spend too much on the military. And 2009 was the worst year financially for the UK since WW2. Our GDP decreased by 4.9%, that's no trivial amount.

What if continue this trend....

What would we be like in 50 years if our GDP keeps declining at that historically exceptional rate!!!

Let's see $2,179Bn will reduce to a mere $176Bn. The shame!!!! We'll only have a GDP of 3 or 4 times that of the loser country Slovenia!!

We cannot allow this.

[ColdPhoenix]

News just in, I've discovered that the 2009 UK GDP reduction of 4.9% isn't as bad as first appears. While it is the worst we've had since WW2 it pales to insignificance compared to the 7.9% decline seen in Slovenia (largest contraction in the eurozone).

Thankfully we don't have to worry about their instability as they've no military of concern. Their defence budget is half that of Ireland....

[MikeH]

2 potatoes and half a guinness?

[Zevico]

How stupid are you? I explained this. They can't remove us without removing our veto and they can't remove our veto if we vote against them doing so. Doesn't matter if we deserve it or not. But we'd still be the 4th biggest military by spending, bigger than Russia so WHATEVER.

And as I already clarified at least once, I don't have any opposition to other members joining permanent security council if they warrant it.

So what exactly are you arguing against?

This is why the UN is worthless.

[MikeH]

This is why you're useless.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

One more sign of decline: the captain of your most advanced sub can't read a chart.

[MikeH]

We have a brand new method of controlling the submarine, which is by platform management system, rather than the old conventional way of doing everything of using your hands. This is all fly-by-wire technology including only an auto pilot rather than a steering column."

Probably an American computer. We'll know if it sees any action, it'll starts shooting Brits.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

I think they should leave it there, as a museum.

[Dauphin]

End of road for RN? Wrong metaphor.

End of Sea Lane.