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In case anyone hadn't noticed, Pax Americana is over. Buying expensive toys from the US as a way of currying favour with Empire serves no purpose, because that empire is crumbling and has been since 2008, if not much longer.
Also the US has spent almost a century preparing for a rematch of WW2, and their weapons systems - particularly the obsolete ones they sell to allies - are mostly unsuitable for the conditions of 21st century warfare.
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In case anyone hadn't noticed, Pax Americana is over. Buying expensive toys from the US as a way of currying favour with Empire serves no purpose, because that empire is crumbling and has been since 2008, if not much longer.
Also the US has spent almost a century preparing for a rematch of WW2, and their weapons systems - particularly the obsolete ones they sell to allies - are mostly unsuitable for the conditions of 21st century warfare.
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On #euro defence spend: To be fair Smart money was on no war. War is not good for prosperity. Any idiot can see that. But the wold created better idiots.
On US weapon system trash: It was quite evident when US sent switchblades to #Ukraine.
x10 times cost, single use drone, at the time whe Ukraine was getting 3 bombing runs missions from an OTS drone.
The US bet on peace too. Developing weapon systems too expensive and too mission specific, reliant on superb logistics and quiescent staging areas for maintenance.
I had a tiny glimpse at the US style weapons development process and it's a corporate welfare scam.
The US department of war is getting back to basics now: riot shields and batons. Tells you who the new enemy is...
...since the US "leadership" looks up to dictators.
The EU needs to completely rethink its defence needs for a 21st century context. And when I say defence, I mean defence. Unlike US hawks, I do not buy into the Han Solo principle, that "the best defence is a good offence".
First, the EU needs to secure their energy supplies. Moving as rapidly as possible to renewables. Even where that means using transitional tech like biofuels to keep existing equipment running until EoL. But also investing in post-fossil equipment for the future.
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Second, the EU need to secure their digital networks. Particularly those related to energy grids, communications, health services, and other key infrastructure.
All of these systems and more need to be rapidly rebuilt using audited Free Code software and digitally sovereign hosting. With no dependence on proprietary software and services, prone to rapid enshittification. Especially any controlled by US technofascists, whose loyalty is more likely to be with Putin than with EU nations.
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Third, the EU needs to analyse the types of attacks that have been used in the invasion of Ukraine, and brainstorm the cheapest piece of easily reproducible equipment that could hamstring each one. Again, using Free Code software and sovereign control systems, not technofascist bloatware. Making maximum use of materials and components that can be obtained within the EU, and from countries that remain reliable allies.
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@strypey
Preparing to fight the previous war?
One must be, but then one has equipment that is outdated, in the next war.
As well as new stuff.
@Photo55
> Preparing to fight the previous war?
Presuming Putin succeeds in conquering Ukraine and rolls on into Poland - I'm not convinced Russia has the capacity but the EU must prepare for the possibility - it's *not* the previous war. But a continuation of the same war.
Also, the best way for EU nations to prevent that is to keep Putin bogged down in Ukraine (with no guarantee of US support), or even help Ukrainians push his forces back into Russia. Again, current war, not previous war.
One thing that would help the EU repel Putin's expansionism is if the people of the UK can defeat the US-backed fascists trying to cosplay the backstory of V for Vendetta. Then rejoin the EU.
Either by rejuvenating the UK as a functioning constitutional monarchy with guaranteed protections for human rights and civil liberties. Or by overthrowing the UK and becoming independent democratic nations, each making its own decision about EU membership.
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Britons have seen off the Romans, the Germans (at least 3 times), and the Norse (at least twice). Can they really be brought to heel by Sir Stammer and Nigel For-rage?
Somehow I doubt it.
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