Comments by "Edmund Bell-King" (@edmundbell-king4538) on "EU ministers voice 'solidarity' with France on submarine deal, says Borrell • FRANCE 24 English" video.

  1. Wake up Europeans, the last thing you need is a German-led 'European' Army. You know where that will lead.
    4
  2.  @johnbourne5068  No, he obviously doesn't.
    2
  3.  @joeletaxi7956  The British have ALWAYS designed and built their own subs. Since the Trafalgar class we have built our own, entirely British nuclear propulsion system and also our own war-heads. We do co-share development of the Trident ballistic missile with our American friends. Many American submarine officers that have been on the Royal Navy's 'Perisher' course say, rightly, that it is the hardest attack submarine course in the world. The Royal Navy Submarine Service, while much smaller than their US counter-parts, are considered second to no one. We've had a long, excellent working relationship with the US Navy submarine service. I'm sure that will also be true of the Australian Navy once AUKUS gets going. It all comes done to trust. The US trusts the UK and also Australia as both close allies and military partners with a very similar world view.
    2
  4. The AUKUS Agreement includes two leading NATO members - the UK and US. Both are far more committed to it than most EU/NATO member states.
    2
  5.  @chowwh308  You mean like how the french tried to screw the Aussies on their sub-par (see what I did there?) contract?
    1
  6.  @shodank9590  The ANZACs were all volunteers - know your history before making dumb comments.
    1
  7.  @oldcremehelian3708  No, but there is nothing wrong with remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we still enjoy today.
    1
  8. The problem was french arrogance and the dismissive way they dealt with the Aussies. They got found out.
    1
  9. I would imagine it won't be the last either.
    1
  10. Er, you do know that the US contributes over half of the funding and 60% of the expeditionary force capability of NATO? Probably not. OK, so how exactly do you think the EU will fund all that when they can't even meet their current financial obligations to NATO?
    1
  11. Laggard status on carbon emissions. What about Poland and their emissions? Are they not in the EU?
    1
  12.  @louisemann3306  It was a contract that Australia could and did decide to cancel. There was no back stabbing but plenty of contract 'creep' by the French.
    1
  13.  @AB-fi5jt  France has Barracuda nuclear subs, which while being quite good, they do need their nuclear core to be removed and replaced about every seven years, which could only be done in France as Australia does not have any civil nuclear engineering capability. The US/UK nuclear powered boats don't need this as their cores remain intact for the lifetime of the boat, around 35-40 years. So, these boats are more suitable for Australia's strategic needs - and at a price-point that is less than half the ticket price for the diesel-electric boats as offered by France. Cancellation was a 'no-brainer' for the Aussies.
    1
  14. The contract was not 'broken'. There was built in 'gate' clauses at several points when either party could step away. Australia reached suck a point and pulled out. Nothing to see here, move on.
    1
  15.  @oldcremehelian3708  Yes, I'm sure more diplomacy rather than standing up to China is what the CCP would like to see. In the old days that kind of 'diplomacy' was called appeasement. It didn't work too well back then.
    1
  16.  @sausage5876  And better. No re-fueling for 35 + years for Astute/Virginia class boats. French nuclear Barracuda, needs refueling every seven years - and it can only be done by the french and only in France as the Aussies don't have any civil nuclear facilities.
    1
  17. What reputation?
    1
  18. Tell that to the CCP.
    1
  19. Yes, they will. As usual they'll do NOTHING - which is what they are very good at.
    1
  20. When did you EVER see an Aussie holding a white flag?
    1
  21. That would be a first. I'll get the popcorn.
    1
  22. Back that statement up with some actual facts. NATO is not split. Two of its leading members are partners in the AUKUS Alliance.
    1
  23.  @gurnish9741  How are the going to do that in reality? France has no sovereign expeditionary force capability outside of getting assistance from key NATO partners!
    1