Russian Invasion of Ukraine

[Joey D]

Why would any sane nation buy any military equipment from the US now that they've shown they are willing to render their equipment either massively less effective, or at worst useless?

Because there are only so many countries that make military equipment. The smaller stuff like rifles, APCs, scout vehicles, and things like that can be made by almost any country. Things like fighter jets and bombers can't. This is why Europe will continue to use the F-35 since the only other alternatives come from Russia or China.

To give you an idea, the F-35 cost roughly $40 billion to develop and the entire program is nearing $2 trillion. There are very few countries that could support an endeavor like that. The EU could likely develop a replacement jointly and some countries even are, but the development of military equipment takes a really long time. It would take decades for European countries to move away from US equipment too and that's just with the equipment. Entire training programs would need to be redesigned for the entire military to use, maintain, and repair the new equipment. Outsourcing your defense contracting makes sense on several levels for smaller countries.

 

[TheCracker]

Don't know if this is the most appropriate thread for this, but its a developing story and what looks like an accident may turn out to be deliberate.

For those not from the UK who may not have seen this on their news, a cargo ship has collided with a fuel tanker in the British Channel. The fuel tanker, used by the US military to transport jet fuel for the many US airbases in the UK, was anchored off the coast awaiting a berth when it was broadsided by a cargo ship on its way from Scotland to the Netherlands, killing one. It wasn't particularly poor weather conditions so it was initially put down as gross negligence on the part of the cargo ship's captain, who after being rescued was arrested. Turns out that the captain is Russian...

Now, not saying there's anything political in this, but its quite the coincidence.

 

[Exorcet]

Because there are only so many countries that make military equipment. The smaller stuff like rifles, APCs, scout vehicles, and things like that can be made by almost any country. Things like fighter jets and bombers can't. This is why Europe will continue to use the F-35 since the only other alternatives come from Russia or China.

Europe and Japan have maintained some level of aerospace defense industry so they're not completely starting from nothing when it comes to things like fighter production. The US was in a bit of a unique position in the 90's and early 2000's since it capitalized on stealth aircraft before anyone else. Not to mention that it wasn't run by a complete idiot looking to destroy the foreign relations that the US benefits from so much. It looks like for the next generation of combat aircraft under development we might see more variety and these programs could get a big push from an unstable and unreasonable US. Replacing the F-35 right now would be pretty tough though. Eurofighter has been trying to pitch the EF-2000 against the F-35 for years now with little success. It may see an uptick in sales if continuing with the F-35 program is deemed risky but the EF-2000 is an older plane at this point. It should be fine against Russian aircraft and the bulk of Chinese aircraft, but may struggle against the latest Chinese fighters and high end SAM systems.

Naval capability is what might lag the most with the US Navy having the only supercarriers and being the largest operator of carriers by far. I'm also unsure of missile defense capabilities for non US ships, the US Navy has put a lot of work into that area.

 

[TheCracker]

Europe and Japan have maintained some level of aerospace defense industry so they're not completely starting from nothing when it comes to things like fighter production. The US was in a bit of a unique position in the 90's and early 2000's since it capitalized on stealth aircraft before anyone else. Not to mention that it wasn't run by a complete idiot looking to destroy the foreign relations that the US benefits from so much. It looks like for the next generation of combat aircraft under development we might see more variety and these programs could get a big push from an unstable and unreasonable US. Replacing the F-35 right now would be pretty tough though. Eurofighter has been trying to pitch the EF-2000 against the F-35 for years now with little success. It may see an uptick in sales if continuing with the F-35 program is deemed risky but the EF-2000 is an older plane at this point. It should be fine against Russian aircraft and the bulk of Chinese aircraft, but may struggle against the latest Chinese fighters and high end SAM systems.

Naval capability is what might lag the most with the US Navy having the only supercarriers and being the largest operator of carriers by far. I'm also unsure of missile defense capabilities for non US ships, the US Navy has put a lot of work into that area.

There are two 'European' 6th Gen fighters in development right now. France, Germany, Spain and Belgium have one in the early stages. Whilst Britain, Italy and Japan have another but isn't due to be in service until 2035. Not seen an expected date for the other one. Both are FCAS so designed to be manned with accompanying drones. So proper 6th gen stuff

 

[Eliminatorek]

Don't know if this is the most appropriate thread for this, but its a developing story and what looks like an accident may turn out to be deliberate.

For those not from the UK who may not have seen this on their news, a cargo ship has collided with a fuel tanker in the British Channel. The fuel tanker, used by the US military to transport jet fuel for the many US airbases in the UK, was anchored off the coast awaiting a berth when it was broadsided by a cargo ship on its way from Scotland to the Netherlands, killing one. It wasn't particularly poor weather conditions so it was initially put down as gross negligence on the part of the cargo ship's captain, who after being rescued was arrested. Turns out that the captain is Russian...

Now, not saying there's anything political in this, but its quite the coincidence.

Sounds like a plot from Tom Clancy's universe, just Trump is very negative of Jack Ryan:
"....Putting his plot into motion, Li recruits General Xu Jinlong, the head of the Central Security Bureau, to sabotage a Chinese commercial ship, which later explodes near American waters; the nearby United States Coast Guard on the northern West Coast manages to rescue most of its crew after it sank, but ten men are either dead or missing. The incident was meant to be the first step toward provoking the United States, but President Ryan urges caution."

Tom Clancy's Power and Empire