Posted on 01/29/2023 9:58:35 PM PST by ransomnote
“The Bundeswehr, the army that I am allowed to lead, is more or less depleted,” wrote General Alfons Mais, chief of the German army, on the day Russia attacked Ukraine, in an emotional post on social media. “We all saw it coming and were not able to get through with our arguments, and draw and implement conclusions from the annexation of Crimea. It doesn’t feel good! I am fed up!”
Almost a year after the general’s much-noted post, Germany’s armed forces are more depleted than ever, owing to the kit they are sending to Ukraine. Their stockpile of ammunition would last only a few days, rather than the 30 recommended by nATO. The radio equipment used by troops is 40 years old and analogue—and hence easy to intercept. Of its 350 Puma infantry fighting vehicles, just 150 are operational. The Bundeswehr does not even have enough Band-Aids, according to a report in December by Eberhard Zorn, the inspector-general of the armed forces.
ransomnote: PAY WALL AT LINK
(Excerpt) Read more at economist.com ...
I’m trying to be able to look at that headline without seeing the word Budweiser. I’m still trying.
I’m trying to be able to look at that headline without seeing the word Budweiser. I’m still trying.
I’m trying to be able to look at that headline without seeing the word Budweiser. I’m still trying.
Sorry about the multiple posts. Accidental.
Klaus Schwab has responded reassuringly to the German Army that they will at least be well supplied with rations.
“Every Cherman soldier vill haf all ze beetles und crickets zey can eat!”
How ‘bout the Budwieser frogs. Each of three sounding a syllable? Bud*Wise*Er
I think that was used as a Super Bowl commercial years ago.
Among the benefits I have been hoping for from this Russian invasion, is problem exposure like this and the resulting political atmosphere and budgets to fix it, not just in Germany but among all of our allies and friends, not just in Europe but in Asia as well.
This invasion is ending complacency and illusions.
“Rheinmetall eyes boost in munitions output, HIMARS production in Germany”
“We can produce 240,000 rounds of tank ammunition (120mm) per year, which is more than the entire world needs,” Papperger said in an interview with Reuters.
The capacity for the production of 155mm artillery rounds can be ramped up to 450,000 to 500,000 per year, he added, which would make Rheinmetall the biggest producer for both kinds of ammunition.”
The great thing about Germany being an American colony after WWII was that they could count on US Defense, and spend their money instead to pursue any crazy leftist social, energy, political scheme they wanted.
When it mattered most, West Germany was indeed spending its share on defense, 1950’s - 1991.
The German army was the biggest single land component of Nato, and high tech besides.
They went overboard on the “peace dividend” however.
The west certainly has the capacity to fight. The real issue is its not easy to fight the way they are fighting in Ukraine. The WWI style constant bombardment over trench lines is not per doctrine, which is mobile warfare. Ukraine and Russia haven’t been capable of mobile warfare, for various reasons unique to this war.
Any war vs China will not have much use for 155mm ammo, as it will be an air and naval war. It’s not US policy to engage in a “land war in Asia”.
For the past 9 years Ursula, Annegret & Christine (consecutive Defense Ministers) totally gutted the Bundeswehr.
This invasion is reinvigorating our arms production.
A few examples.
“American defense industry ushers in a new age of missile sales”
“The Defense Department will fund new facilities to make artillery ammunition”
“Pentagon Will Increase Artillery Production Sixfold for Ukraine”
“US Arms Sales Shoot up Nearly 50 Percent in 2022, Driven in Part by Ukraine”
“U.S. weapons sales in Europe are booming”
“Ukraine, Asia Drove 50% Increase in FY22 Arms Sales”
It was national policy to do that. Funds are voted nationally. No doubt the defense ministers of the time were AWOL, and that goes back 30 years, not just these three. But it is a collective failure.
See? The US and the “west” do have the capacity to increase production. With the possible exception of Germany, but I have hopes for Rheinmetall.
Trump daw this a warned them to which the girly German leaders laughed, all the while buying gas and expecting the taxpayer suckered in the USA would sacrifice their sons and daughters and treasure for them. Not this time!
Really, enough is enough!
The US is actually supplying and reinforcing the Poles. Who have been carrying their weight.
Wasn’t that not too long ago they put broomsticks on their tanks because they didn’t have enough .50 cals?
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