I’ve just come across this very interesting infographic, putting into perspective the US’s spending on Defence.
The True Cost of US Military Equipment
Puts things into perspective doesn’t it? I wonder how many of those Billions are as a result of the desire to gold-plate everything that Mike Burleson used to highlight on New Wars?
Of course, we here in the UK can have a pretty robust discussion about defence procurement – it would be interesting if somebody worked on a comparable graphic for the MOD!
…. on another note, here is a wonderful graphic demonstrating the US Army‘s commitment to medal-itis…. I’ve never understood the logic of giving a soldier a badge to commemorate that they can fire a rifle…
The medals for weapons proficiency dates back to the “frontier sharpshooter” mentality following the Civil War. Rifles were still very rare, and the ability to hit the broad side of a barn with a smoothbore was a VERY rare skill!
And that infographic isn’t totally fair, as we’ve stopped building Abrams, and (if I recall) we’ve also stopped procurement of further B-2s. As for “maintenance equipment”, you can be sure they’re using the most expensive concept, like keeping a soldier AND his family in some DEW line base above the Arctic circle, where even the toilet paper comes via C-5 or C-17.
Mind you, the era of $50 hammers and $400 toilet seats never really went away…..
Look at it this way James. We can’t afford to defend Canada these days so I am just glad someone else can.
I suppose someone has to take on that onerous task. The poor USMC are already commited to defending Aus!
Good God, man, are you trying to start a WAR? Even suggesting the USMC is there to do something an Aussie can’t is liable to start fists, bullets, and Fosters cans flying! We have enough wars on our hands, don’t get us involved Down Under!
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