As in the cold-war era, there is a risk that cash is blown on good-but-exorbitant equipment, thanks to red tape and cronyism. This is how to get the best value from defence spending in the 2020s
America and China are locked in a race for military ascendancy in Asia. European countries are scrambling to meeton defence. Poland is aiming for 4% and wants to double its armed forces. Japan’s defence budget will rise by at least two-thirds by 2027, which may make it the world’s third-largest spender. Australia is developing pricey nuclear-powered submarines with America and Britain.
The war in Ukraine offers some pointers. The first priority for Western governments is to restock depleted arsenals and boost the factories that make shells and missiles. War eats up vast amounts of ammunition. Ukraine has been firing roughly as many 155mm artillery shells in a month as America can produce in a year. In a war with China over Taiwan, America could run out of vital anti-ship missiles within days.
SpaceX, a satellite firm, has broken the hold of big, stodgy rivals and slashed the cost of putting objects into orbit. Its Starlink constellation of communication satellites has proved invaluable to Ukrainian forces. More Silicon Valley firms are helping with the fusion and analysis of data to create a “kill web”: a network of scattered “sensors” and “shooters” that is more powerful than any single weapon.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Three lessons to learn (and one to avoid) from the NHL's conference finalistsWith four teams remaining in the hunt for the Stanley Cup, 28 teams are wondering what went wrong. And more importantly, what can they learn from the four conference finalists? DownGoesBrown has his lesson plan ready:
Read more »
Ukraine war: Russia accused of 'staging' pictures showing captured US-made vehicles in BelgorodRussia has said the images are evidence of 'indirect' Western involvement in the conflict but analysts claim pictures of the US-made Humvees have been choreographed.
Read more »
Ukraine war latest: Moscow 'changes name' of Bakhmut; 'we could f****** lose Russia', Wagner boss warnsThe acting head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic says Bakhmut will now be known by its former Soviet name 'Artemovsk'. Yevgeny Prighozin, the Wagner Group boss, has issued a warning for Russia's elite - listen to a Daily podcast special on him as you scroll.
Read more »
Even if Ukraine wins war and Putin goes, experts fear Russia will remain a dangerA leading Russia expert predicts that the West’s relations with Moscow will remain vexed and could enter a new and more threatening period of uncertainty 🔎 Analysis by michael2day
Read more »
Half of U.S. Public Still Approves of Arms Deliveries to UkrainePopular support for U.S. arms supplies remain but has fallen for sanctions against Russia
Read more »