@bastardsheep
I don’t know mate… there’s some good points in opposing the purchase of Virginia boats, the obvious one being how old they’ll be by the time we get them remembering the second hand rust buckets we’ve purchased from the yanks before.

But on the other hand, you’ve got hordes demanding we cut loose from Merika and at the same time call for self-reliance in defence… good luck with getting that done.

Whether we sail along under our current nuclear umbrella (increasingly called into question) and the rules based order garantied by an increasingly unreliable great power, or cut the tow line loose in a multi-polar world of multi-bilateral alliances, we’re going to need some muscle of our own regardless.

I’d be inclined to listen to those directly affected by the circumstances under which they will be required to keep us safe from foreign aggression and threats. Our boys mate, they’re the ones we will be asking to put their lives on the chopping block if the shit hits the fan. So I vote to give them the means to stand a fair chance to come back alive by getting effective (very expensive) equipment to fulfil their duty.

That’s all…
#ADF #AUKUS #Defence #AusPol #ANZUS

@RaymondPierreL3 That sounds sensible.
(I occasionally remember to check the AUKUS hashtag. We live close to where the UK builds nuclear submarines.)
In Europe, some of the countries at risk of Russian aggression have already decided to leave the Ottawa Treaty on landmines. As if they're thinking too about giving the people serving in uniforms a better chance.
The newer conversations Nordics+ are about nuclear weapons. Ugly stuff but it needs thinking through properly.
@Tony_Meredith
Yes Tony, it’s all very ugly. Everywhere you look there’s murderous strife and no end in sight. Mum and dad came through the last big one and from the little they told me I wouldn’t wish it on my enemies. Still, you get the feeling that something’s going to come out of this messy brew that isn’t to anyone’s liking. I fear for the kids most of all. What the hell are we leaving them this time around?