Comments by "Chris Hayward" (@1chish) on "UK Challenger 2 tanks on the move in Europe" video.

Untold Well said. Makes me smile how people are praising Germany for increasing its budget but its over 4 years and is still less than the UK budget in cash and GDP terms. Europe has been freeloading its defence off the UK (and the USA) since WWII.
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The Defence budget is the biggest its been for decades. But I am damn sure this war will make an increase happen sooner rather than later.
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@Scoope31 No. I made a very detailed rebuttal of your comment with facts, sources and links. Looks like YT has deleted it. Basically you use the old trick of GDP% which means nothing of itself and is just an indicator. For example defence spending in 2000 was £28 Bn but represented 2.85% GDP. In 2021/22 spending was £54.5 Bn but represented 2.3% GDP. You were also wrong in your personnel numbers. As of October 2021 it was 198,940. But of course you forget (again) its not about numbers its about lethality. And the UK forces are far more capable and lethal than even in 2000. For example we have two carriers that require 1,700 crew each to deliver some 60 x 5th gen strike fighter capability. The Audacious class needed 1,051 for 16 SHARS.
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@TorianTammas 'Tiny Budget'? The UK is the 5th largest economy in the world and has the 4th largest defence budget. So what mega country do you come from Duffus?
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@covidcol3505 Budgets have been increased year on year for decades and the current funding is the biggest.
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@covidcol3505 We are a top notch defence force second to none, our training is admired round the world (as shown in Ukraine) and we have always punched above our weight. What is the obsession with numbers? We have a force of 197,500 that can deliver a massive capability with the new weapons now in use. So how many should we have General?
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@Scoope31 "Erm" 🤦‍♂😏
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@Scoope31 No you were wrong because you were selectively misquoting. I used the Government data which is openly available. There is a further update as of January 2022 which shows similar numbers to October 2021. Re carriers: I was quoting the first seagoing Skipper commodore Kydd (now Rear Admiral) who said 60 and 1700. Of course he was referring to F-35s and a few Merlins.
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@TorianTammas You seem to be on some mission here Torian? I wonder why? Only an idiot throws in some random 80s numbers with no context? Well how about we do a comparison: * In 1980 Germany spent 3.0% GDP * In 1980 the UK spent 5.1% GDP * In 2020 Germany spent 1.4% GDP * In 2020 the UK spent 2.3% GDP So Germany is spending less % of a larger economy and has decreased that spending % year on year for decades. That is utterly disgraceful and proves my point. You then dig a deeper hole and peddle some outright lies: The €100 billion special fund would be appropriated through an extra-budgetary fund, termed a Sondervermögen. This is yet to become law. So it doesn't exist. And worse: Firstly the funds in the Sondervermögen are not to be spent in ADDITION to the 2 per cent of GDP goal, but instead would go TOWARDS reaching it. Second, while the Sondervermögen is to be created and appropriated in 2022, the funds are not intended to be spent in one go but, instead, over several years. So here is the reality in cash terms Torian you despicable liar: In 2021 the German MOD budget was €46.9 Billion. To reach the 2 per cent target the budget should be €75.5 Billion in 2022 and €85.6 Billion by 2026. And the new real budgets? 2022: €50.3 Billion (NOT the €72.0 Billion you said), a shortfall of €25.2 Billion or 50% against the 2% NATO target. 2023 to 2026: €50.1 Billion per year a shortfall of €35.5 Billion or 40% against the 2% NATO target. EACH YEAR I will do the maths for you: Between 2022 and 2026 Germany will fall short of its 2% target by €192.1 billion so Germany is STILL failing to reach the required 2% GDP to be in NATO and won't get there even after all this BS. Oh and btw the UK's budget is £49 Billion or €58.8 Billion. that is 17% higher than Germany's INCREASED budget! You wanted a comparison well there it is Torian. Now jog off you utter plank.
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