What do you think of Peter Zeihan's contention that China does not have the ability to protect its maritime supply lines in a conflict and that Japan is the more formidable maritime power of the two in the region, apart from the USA?
"Catalina Aircraft, holder of the Type Certificates for the 28-5ACF Catalina, today announced on Jul. 25, 2023 during Oshkosh AirVenture the rebirth of the iconic and legendary Catalina as the Catalina II Amphibious Turboprop."
It's gonna' get interesting if and when Xi decides to get frisky. IMO, only Japan and South Korea will be ready to play with skill, competence, and readiness on day one.
They make good kit. Mebbe we should send them 3 DDG something-or-others that now are the most expensive lightly armed ships EVAH, and have them make a real warship out of the hulls. Couldn't cost us anymore that what we're spending now.
I did stop what I was doing and reviewed the link to the white paper. I found some comfort in that for its 29 pages there was only one sentence on page 16 and three on page 26 about Climate Change and those seemed innocuously half-hearted.
I wonder how two Koreas, the Philippines, and the countries in Southeast Asia feel about Japan doubling its defense budget. Likewise, I wonder how the countries in Europe feel about a renewed Wehrmacht - I mean the Bundeswehr. Maybe Germany and Russia will carve up Poland as they have done several times in the past. I think it's time to call in the diplomats. Real ones. Not Blinken or Kerry. Recognizing your adversary has a point is not necessarily appeasement. Coming to an agreement is not necessarily Munich 1938.
A few years ago, our POTUS entertained President Xi at his estate in Florida. His beautiful wife wore a lovely Chinese dress. His grandchildren sang Chinese songs. Today, we are making war plans to fight China. What happened?
So, if we just took the entire defense budget and only paid for Active duty salary’s and war fighting procurement (all procurement jobs should be active duty imho), we could have a helluva war fighting capability.
Australia's decision to buy/build American nuclear SSNs is a case of Australia coming to the same conclusion as Japan as to who is the theater threat.
What do you think of Peter Zeihan's contention that China does not have the ability to protect its maritime supply lines in a conflict and that Japan is the more formidable maritime power of the two in the region, apart from the USA?
If only we'd get serious about long range CSAR …
"Catalina Aircraft, holder of the Type Certificates for the 28-5ACF Catalina, today announced on Jul. 25, 2023 during Oshkosh AirVenture the rebirth of the iconic and legendary Catalina as the Catalina II Amphibious Turboprop."
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/iconic-catalina-amphibious-flying-boat-production-to-restart/
It's gonna' get interesting if and when Xi decides to get frisky. IMO, only Japan and South Korea will be ready to play with skill, competence, and readiness on day one.
Korea, your move...
They make good kit. Mebbe we should send them 3 DDG something-or-others that now are the most expensive lightly armed ships EVAH, and have them make a real warship out of the hulls. Couldn't cost us anymore that what we're spending now.
I did stop what I was doing and reviewed the link to the white paper. I found some comfort in that for its 29 pages there was only one sentence on page 16 and three on page 26 about Climate Change and those seemed innocuously half-hearted.
Japanese NSM and Tomahawk lines maybe?
Who can blame Japan for not relying on POTATUS and the US Congress. Look where it got Ukraine.
For Germany to rearm, they need cheap energy. Where are they going to get it from?
I wonder how two Koreas, the Philippines, and the countries in Southeast Asia feel about Japan doubling its defense budget. Likewise, I wonder how the countries in Europe feel about a renewed Wehrmacht - I mean the Bundeswehr. Maybe Germany and Russia will carve up Poland as they have done several times in the past. I think it's time to call in the diplomats. Real ones. Not Blinken or Kerry. Recognizing your adversary has a point is not necessarily appeasement. Coming to an agreement is not necessarily Munich 1938.
A few years ago, our POTUS entertained President Xi at his estate in Florida. His beautiful wife wore a lovely Chinese dress. His grandchildren sang Chinese songs. Today, we are making war plans to fight China. What happened?
right now, it's private money
So, if we just took the entire defense budget and only paid for Active duty salary’s and war fighting procurement (all procurement jobs should be active duty imho), we could have a helluva war fighting capability.
Here's the Navy budget request for FY24.
$50B for ships and aircraft
$7B for weapons
$22B for RDTE
$84B for Operations and Maintenance
$59B for Active/RC Manpower
$33B for Civilians
... lastly ...
$72B for "family housing"!?!?!? I think I see where the grift is in on the Navy's budget.
Source: https://media.defense.gov/2023/Mar/29/2003188744/-1/-1/0/DON_BUDGET_CARD.PDF