Is It Burning Coal?

[account_inactive]

If it works the same way as here the bulk of that money goes to domestic arms manufacturer's who then ship the products to places where they can be used to kill/oppress people we don't like in the first place.

I think we're a little different.

[Minimalist]

Min and Thump

We may have expressed our wishes to exit the EU and we certainly will do so, but we're still Europeans and we still hope to co-operate with the EU. I'm sure they would help us and we would try and help them in any way we can. We just don't want to be ruled by them that's all.

I think in French and German that translates as "go fuck yourselves."  Maybe we have some French and Germans speakers who could weigh in on that?

[account_inactive]

Min and Thump

We may have expressed our wishes to exit the EU and we certainly will do so, but we're still Europeans and we still hope to co-operate with the EU. I'm sure they would help us and we would try and help them in any way we can. We just don't want to be ruled by them that's all.

I think in French and German that translates as "go fuck yourselves."  Maybe we have some French and Germans speakers who could weigh in on that?

Nothing wrong with not wanting to be part of a superstate.

[Angrboda]

We currently spend around £12.2bn on foreign aid. My idea would be to get rid of that completely and divert it to the military. It's obviously not much but it would certainly help.

Your two carriers cost over 6 billion to construct. Armed forces are expensive.

Watcha gonna do with that big stick, little girl?

[Thumpalumpacus]

Min and Thump

We may have expressed our wishes to exit the EU and we certainly will do so, but we're still Europeans and we still hope to co-operate with the EU. I'm sure they would help us and we would try and help them in any way we can. We just don't want to be ruled by them that's all.

I get that, and I think the cultural affinity and long-time political associations would see the UK and EU united in almost any war scenario aside from internecine war. Of course, y'all still might have problems getting the French to help you!

[account_inactive]

Your two carriers cost over 6 billion to construct.  Armed forces are expensive.

Great, so our foreign aid bill could cover it.

Watcha gonna do with that big stick, little girl?

Defend our Island?

[Thumpalumpacus]

That money would've been better-spent building six frigates that could patrol shipping lanes upon which the island depends.

[Iroscato]

This is all assuming Russia is stupid enough to attack a continent with two nuclear-armed nations (not to mention the vast shitstorm that would occur through even a full conventional war), which I don't believe for one second is the case.

[Minimalist]

They may not agree.

[Thumpalumpacus]

This is all assuming Russia is stupid enough to attack a continent with two nuclear-armed nations (not to mention the vast shitstorm that would occur through even a full conventional war), which I don't believe for one second is the case.

It does seem far-fetched ... but Putin doesn't seem terribly afraid of gambling.