Leadership: France Arms Itself For Growing Threats

[rangerrebew]

Leadership: France Arms Itself For Growing Threats

 
October 26, 2015:

France is increasing its defense spending two percent in 2016 to $37 billion. A year ago the plan was to cut defense spending seven percent. But Islamic terrorism and Russian aggression have changed things a lot. For the last decade France has been spending about 2.2 percent of GDP on defense and that has stayed the same despite domestic political pressure to reduce it. France and Britain have the highest spending (as a percent of GDP) in Western Europe. Russia, on the other hand, spends over four percent of GDP on defense. The U.S. spends 3.5 percent and China 2.1 percent.

The French budget will remain mostly (53 percent) for procurement. Thus in 2016 France will receive nine Rafale fighters, three A400M transport aircraft, five Tiger helicopter gunships, six NH90 transport helicopters, one frigate, 25 special vehicles for the special operations forces, and the first deliveries of SCALP cruise missiles for surface warships and nuclear submarines.  Procurement money is also going to other projects, like refurbishing Mirage 2000D fighter-bombers, construction of another frigate and a UAV equipped to clear mines. There is also money for development of new UAV designs, military spy satellites and other systems.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htlead/articles/20151026.aspx

[rangerrebew]

I hear they have even added a forward gear to their tanks in case they are hit from behind.

[GourmetDan]

 
Islamic invasion pulls trigger: Europe now scrambles for guns

Many 'now wish they had a 2nd Amendment'

[Oceander]

I hear they have even added a forward gear to their tanks in case they are hit from behind.

[GourmetDan]

 
Shotguns have 'virtually sold out' in Austria as citizens rush to buy arms amid fears of a massive influx of migrants, dealers claim

"Weapon sales are soaring in Austria as citizens of the small Alpine nation become paranoid over the numbers of refugees crowding into their country."

"In a country of 8.5 million people, there are now an estimated 900,000 firearms in homes."

"And gun dealers report that it is women driving the sales rush. This year alone, police say 70,000 guns have been sold."

"'Virtually all shotguns are currently sold out, because you need no permit for them', said Thomas Ortner, spokesman for an arms dealer in Upper Austria."

"For every other type of weapon, a licence is required."

"Licence courses, in which applicants must demonstrate knowledge of firearms, used to take place every five weeks but they are now held weekly because of spiking demand."

"In cities like Salzburg, a line of people outside the necessary government office to get the paperwork to buy a gun is now an everyday sight."