[Goose]

https://defence-blog.com/why-russian-tro...eir-armor/

Interesting article confirming the persistence of this habit. While the US gets lots of things "wrong", this isn't one of them.

LOL…

Russian manufacturers continue to tout the mobility and firepower of their platforms, but battlefield footage often tells another story—one where the safest place is outside the armor.

BC

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I’m inclined to agree with Goose…

So far we haven’t seen electoral consequences of the “pledges” to increase defense spending.  But as the experience with Spain shows, which flat out refused to sign on shows, I think most NATO countries will struggle to get to the 3.5% expenditure level (not to mention the more maleable 1.5% indirect military expenditures), especially when the tradeoffs are in front of voters.  Once it is time to raise taxes or cut benefits, it’s going to become problematic for countries not directly in the Russian line of fire.

BC

As far as Spain goes, the info I posted back on June 10 is IMO very relevant.

Many of the PIGS are going to be unable to do much, because their economies aren't strong enough to do so. Portugal 1.55% of GDP in 2024, Italy 1.61% in 2024, Spain 1.28% in 2024.  Greece does much better, 3.08% in 2024.

Italy has received "special permission" from NATO to spend 1.9% this year and not get yelled at. Italy is not allowed to increase borrowing because of EU rules. Arguably these countries don't much "matter", but the UK, France, Belgium and now Germany aren't in a great position to increase borrowing either. Germany is having to go through domestic legal hoops to even try. The political hoops are coming. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/german...-increase/

The Security Radar report discerned across Europe a mood expressed by the slogan “my country first.”

That doesn't include Ukraine and doesn't include NATO. It is a return to "Make <fill in country name here> great again". We have hundreds of years of European history demonstrating how that turned out.  AfD undoubtedly sees this as a big issue that can be used to punish the new CDU-CSU-SPD coalition.  All in all, not too encouraging.

[Goose]

https://defence-blog.com/why-russian-tro...eir-armor/

Interesting article confirming the persistence of this habit. While the US gets lots of things "wrong", this isn't one of them.

LOL…

Russian manufacturers continue to tout the mobility and firepower of their platforms, but battlefield footage often tells another story—one where the safest place is outside the armor.

BC

---

I’m inclined to agree with Goose…

So far we haven’t seen electoral consequences of the “pledges” to increase defense spending.  But as the experience with Spain shows, which flat out refused to sign on shows, I think most NATO countries will struggle to get to the 3.5% expenditure level (not to mention the more maleable 1.5% indirect military expenditures), especially when the tradeoffs are in front of voters.  Once it is time to raise taxes or cut benefits, it’s going to become problematic for countries not directly in the Russian line of fire.

BC

As far as Spain goes, the info I posted back on June 10 is IMO very relevant.

Many of the PIGS are going to be unable to do much, because their economies aren't strong enough to do so. Portugal 1.55% of GDP in 2024, Italy 1.61% in 2024, Spain 1.28% in 2024.  Greece does much better, 3.08% in 2024.

Italy has received "special permission" from NATO to spend 1.9% this year and not get yelled at. Italy is not allowed to increase borrowing because of EU rules. Arguably these countries don't much "matter", but the UK, France, Belgium and now Germany aren't in a great position to increase borrowing either. Germany is having to go through domestic legal hoops to even try. The political hoops are coming. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/german...-increase/

The Security Radar report discerned across Europe a mood expressed by the slogan “my country first.”

That doesn't include Ukraine and doesn't include NATO. It is a return to "Make <fill in country name here> great again". We have hundreds of years of European history demonstrating how that turned out.  AfD undoubtedly sees this as a big issue that can be used to punish the new CDU-CSU-SPD coalition.  All in all, not too encouraging.