Replies

Chuckle.

UK Financial Times says that Britain and France have proposed an EU Rapid Reaction force consisting of 1500 soldier battlegroups and want agreements from all members by June 30.
The force will become operational by 2007. One battlegroup will be expected to deploy within 15 days, under UN mandate if necessary.
The new plan replaces an older plan for a rapid reaction corps of 60,000 personnel because the EU Nations dont have the troops.

Orbat.com comment We have great admiration for the Europeans, but if anyone thinks Mr. Donald Rumsfeld's comments about "Old Europe" were unkind, the above proves he was being too generous.

All except 3 of the US Army's divisions are on overseas duty or rotating. If Europe thinks a 1500 soldier battlegroup in 15 days is "Rapid Reaction", and if this continent that has a GNP equaling that of the US and a larger population cannot even put together a 3-division corps, we suggest the EU disband its armies and pay India and Pakistan to provide troops for European defense and interests.

For what the EU pays 1 soldier it would get 4, and Indian and Pakistani troops never complain, no matter what the hardships. Always providing, of course, their battalion officers share the hardships with them, and the battalion officers always do. Orbat.com is happy to provide free a list of 15 Indian and 8 Pakistani divisions that could be made available for oversees deployment. Our scheme has the benefit of removing from the arena the strike forces and reserves of both sides: A South Asian war would become impossible. We think the EU should use some of its savings to pay Orbat.com. Clearly we have better ideas.