Defence spending

[sprintman]

Thought I's post this as I find it interesting

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24291892-601,00.html

 

[Aldaris]

15. Canada $US16.19 billion
OH CANNAADDAAAA

 

[Silk]

We can't fly,can't sail,and can't fight.4 billion is not quite enough....

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10530432

 

[OVERKILL]

Dear lord the US spends a lot of money!!!!!

 

[Tempest]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Dear lord the US spends a lot of money!!!!!

We are #28 based on GDP.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2034rank.html

 

[Shannow]

You are the only ones WITH a GDP out of that lot.

Spending half the world's defence smells of paranoia IMO.

 

[oilyriser]

US needs to defend itself against the possibility of Russia taking the Middle East oil, which is China's main energy supply.

 

[Shannow]

I see

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/mil_exp_to_dev_nat-military-exports-to-developing-nations

 

[sprintman]

Gee Britian sells a lot when you consider it's size. About half what the U.S sells with a fifth of the population. Interesting stuff

 

[moribundman]

Yes, the UK is the second largest arms supplier to developing nations. Major weapons manufacturers include BAE, Cobham, MBD, and Rolls-Royce.

Quote:
DEFINITION: Arms Deliveries to Developing Nations, by supplier, total of years 1992-99.

 

[Shannow]

Would like to see a "spending per surplus" figure, as a demonstrable "responsible defence" budget.

Oz defence spending, and their surplus are about equal.

Per capita is interesting

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-countries-have-the-highest-military-expenditures.htm (only used this link as the CIA one doesn't work for this metric, I get 404ed)

 

[d00df00d]

What constitutes "responsible" defense spending depends on quite a lot of factors.

Bear in mind that the oceans on either side of the US already make defense rather expensive (have to be able to fight effectively on multiple fronts). Additionally, since the US's allies are overseas, there has to be a lot of emphasis on power projection. Even simply being the world's most prosperous country in absolute terms, the US is seen to have an obligation to defend and assist others.

Whether the *current* US defense budget is "responsible", I can't say. But even if it could be cut down, it would still be the biggest in the world.

 

[Samilcar]

Why is the Singapore per capita spending so high?

 

[Cutehumor]

it must be working, we haven't lost a war yet.

 

[CivicFan]

Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
it must be working, we haven't lost a war yet.

Well, we probably won the one in 1991.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Tempest
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Dear lord the US spends a lot of money!!!!!

We are #28 based on GDP.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2034rank.html


We are #132 on that list

 

[Gary Allan]

No comment

oh, and ewes goiz teow

..and any other members, great and small, in alliance with the US&friends global defensive umbrella.

(Yes ...I lied

)

 

[Drew99GT]

It costs a lot to be world cop.

 

[GeaugaFletcher]

Big deal.

By the time I've retired, we'll be talking about China and probably India the same way...of course, the rest of the world is far more enlightened than the U.S. and will have achieved eternal Peace, Love and Harmony by that time.

 

[Gary Allan]

Nah, we're buying them off. They'll have raging consumers to keep quiet too. It's kinda like a viral infection. A 5th column movement planted within.