(Berlin) Coming on the back of Moscow's invasion of the Ukraine and the viewpoint of Putin that he wishes to bring back into the fold the former parts of the Russian empire which went their own way. (Finland, Sweden, Poland and of course Ukraine) the spectre of the Russia bear again worries the leaders of Europe. Military experts taking note of Moscow's huge hikes in the funding of its military have arrived at the conclusion that Moscow will be powerful enough to march into Europe proper by 2029. (Yes I know Moscow hasn’t achieved much in 2 years inside the Ukraine other than return vast tracts of the country to the stone age, but I’m only regurgitating what is been parroted in the European corridors of power).
This threat has resulted in Finland and
Sweden give up neutrality and join NATO . Poland which has a long history regards
Russia has remilitarised which when completed will make Warsaw the most powerful nation (militarily) in Europe with its ground forces outnumbering Germany, France,
Uk , Holland and Italy combined. In fact all the European nations have taken to
increasing military spending (Bar the Uk, which whilst acknowledging the threat
facing Europe continues cutting defence spending with a promise they will increase
defence spending in 2030) Germany which until the other year held the title of
defence spending laggard has turned that around with a record amount of funding
poured into its military and the otherday declared that it intends to bring
back a limited form of conscription in which to build up a reserve in case it
is needed post 2030.
The government has plans to increase the
size of the army from 182,000 to 203,000 by 2031. But military officials
believe it needs as many as 460,000 soldiers to defend Germany in the event of
an attack. Under the plan, men aged 18 will be required to fill out a form with
information about their willingness and ability to serve in the army and then,
if selected, to undergo a medical examination. Recruits will then be chosen
from those tested.
Of the 400,000 18-year-olds who would be
approached by the Bundeswehr under this plan every year, it is estimated about a
quarter would likely express an interest in serving. Of these, 40,000 to 50,000
would be invited to undergo a medical examination. Those who pass the medical will be offered
six months of basic training which can be extended to a total of 23 months of
service. Recruits will then become part of the reserve force, with an
obligation to undergo annual training. However
Meanwhislt the upcoming general election in the Uk (4th July 2024) sees the SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru (and a sizable element of Labour and the Liberals) stating that if elected they will get rid of the Uks nuclear deterrent in which to be the adult in the room in which to force others to get rid of their nukes and thus make the world a safer place. Yup good luck with that. (looks at how Ukraine got rid of her Nukes in 1994) seeing as how Moscow has threatened Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Romania, Poland and Holland with nuclear strikes if they don't do as told.
