China establishes 'air-defence zone' over East China Sea

[mirth]

hmmm  I think the Japanese have known that for a while and have long taken measures to take care of themselves.

they've coasted on our defense dollars since the war, but yes they can fend for themselves.

[GDS_Starfury]

I think thats being pretty unfair to the Japanese Defense Forces.  theyve made their own tanks, ships and planes for a very long time.  their Navy is probably the 2nd best in the region after the US and their sub force is no joke.

[mirth]

I think thats being pretty unfair to the Japanese Defense Forces.  theyve made their own tanks, ships and planes for a very long time.  their Navy is probably the 2nd best in the region after the US and their sub force is no joke.

It's not the hardware or their capabilities, both of which are substantial. What I meant is that they have been able to underfund on defense for over 50 years. I know there's a whole lot of politics behind that and I do not think we should be leaving them in the lurch now, but we shielded them for decades. I'm fine with them shouldering more of their own defense burden and they are well capable of doing so. A rewrite of their constitution, to allow for a more flexible military, is in order too.

[LongBlade]

so now Japans air defense will be based on shotgun warnings?

<chuckle>

I saw we sent Biden to deal with this and immediately fast forwarded to the next news segment.

Sending Biden will tell the Chinese very clearly one thing: we don't give a rat's ass.

[mirth]

so now Japans air defense will be based on shotgun warnings?

<chuckle>

I saw we sent Biden to deal with this and immediately fast forwarded to the next news segment.

Sending Biden will tell the Chinese very clearly one thing: we don't give a rat's ass.

I doubt he'll be that coherent, but yeah that's the message.

[GDS_Starfury]

I dont think the Japanese have underfunded their military at all.  with the exception of their F-15s and some older F-4s all of their kit is homegrown and developed.
for instance, this is not an F-16:


this is not a Leopard:


and this is not a destroyer:

[LongBlade]

I dont think the Japanese have underfunded their military at all.  with the exception of their F-15s and some older F-4s all of their kit is homegrown and developed.
for instance, this is not an F-16:


this is not a Leopard:


and this is not a destroyer:


and this is not China's:

Fixed that for ya.

[mirth]

I'm not going to argue with you Star, when I already said that Japan can look after itself just fine. ;-)

[GDS_Starfury]

I'm debating.  You'll know when we're arguing.  8)

[Windigo]

I'm debating.  You'll know when we're arguing.  8)

the ball gags and pink leotards come out....

[GDS_Starfury]

not anymore.

you wore them out in the climate thread.

youre not supposed to chew through the gag ball.

[Windigo]

not anymore.

you wore them out in the climate thread.

youre not supposed to chew through the gag ball.

it was bacon flavoured

[GDS_Starfury]

fair enough.
its my bad anyway getting that flavored Aveeno.

[Windigo]

fair enough.
its my bad anyway getting that flavored Aveeno.

straight from LB's stash no doubt

[GDS_Starfury]

I only deal with experts in their fields.