Article

2007-03-15 Britain

Britain to renew nuclear arsenal despite revolt

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Posted by Steve White 2007-03-15 00:00|| || Front Page|| [7 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Okay, I'll bite - the Brits [afaik] like our TRIDENT MISSLES but don't wanna buy TRIDENT SUBS???
The Brits want 3-4 brand spankin' new, Brit-built boomers which will be ready by 2020-2024 in order to be decommissioned circa 2050???

Posted by JosephMendiola 2007-03-15 00:40|| 2007-03-15 00:40|| Front Page Top

#2 The British under Labour have painted themselves into a corner with their "Buy European" programs for military hardware : their interoperability with US forces decreases each year now, because of the lack of features inherent in US systems. The Brits have legislation on the books that makes it nearly impossible to buy any American built systems nowadays; and they want to have all new major ship production done within the EU. Also, the latest series of British avionics is NOT compatible with US series but is compatible with the European standard. The only reason the Brits are still in the F-35 program is that they have research and development funding through some of the British companies, and co-production agreements with the US building firms.

Posted by Shieldwolf 2007-03-15 00:52|| 2007-03-15 00:52|| Front Page Top

#3 Apparently, it is ,easier, cheaper to design and build a new sub than outfit an old sub with metric knotmeters...

Posted by Seafarious">Seafarious 2007-03-15 00:56|| 2007-03-15 00:56|| Front Page Top

#4 Shieldwolf, the regulations requiring procurement from EU rather than US sources were imposed by Brussels. The British Parliament's function is no longer to run the country, but to rubber-stamp EU diktats, providing a veneer of democracy. The EU's number one defense goal is to achieve "interdependence" among member states; right now, this translates into driving a wedge between Britain and the US. Much as I can't stand Labour, this wasn't their fault. Even the staunchest Atlanticist government couldn't stop this freight train.

Posted by exJAG 2007-03-15 03:08|| 2007-03-15 03:08|| Front Page Top

#5 If they have money to buy new nuclear weapons, any chance they'll find the money to hire more troops... and equip them properly?

Posted by trailing wife 2007-03-15 08:57|| 2007-03-15 08:57|| Front Page Top

#6 No, exJAG, a stout Atlanticist government would have the option that all British governments have, and which one of them will soon have to use if Britain is to remain even nominally free: tell the EU to go to straight to Hell and do as they damned well please. And if the EU doesn't like it, tell them to come and do something about it.

Posted by Mac 2007-03-15 10:27|| 2007-03-15 10:27|| Front Page Top

#7 Oh, if you're talking about extricating Britain from the EU altogether, Mac, I agree. Realistically, however, I just don't see that on the horizon. Do you?

Posted by exJAG 2007-03-15 12:27|| 2007-03-15 12:27|| Front Page Top

#8 Re: Seafarious #3 comment: Metric knotmeters, that's a funny term, LOL!

Posted by Alaska Paul">Alaska Paul 2007-03-15 14:28|| 2007-03-15 14:28|| Front Page Top

#9 No, exJAG, I don't see that coming but I don't think it would be necessary either. Submission to the diktats from Brussels isn't and cannot be required in cases that would affect national survival. The EUnuchs would not like Britain buying American but trying to do something about it legally could be tied up in the courts for decades, assuming the British wished to do so. There's no way they get expelled over this and the day something like this happens (and I believe it will), it's a giant step toward the dissolution of the EU.

Posted by Mac 2007-03-15 17:52|| 2007-03-15 17:52|| Front Page Top

#10 "The government argues Britain must keep atomic weapons because potential threats from Iran, North Korea or nuclear terrorists mean abandoning them now could be a costly mistake -- even if there is no current threat."

How nice to see that someone in Britain still has ~~a pulse~~ an IQ above room temperature.

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-03-15 18:36|| 2007-03-15 18:36|| Front Page Top

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