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

[mirth]

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131213/DEFREG01/312130010/Germany-Christens-First-New-Frigate-Class?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cp

Also, Germany has begun a new class of frigates that are designed for use in the tropics.  Not since WWI has that country specifically designed vessels for use outside of Europe.  They are not saying China, but one must wonder.

That's a ton of capability being packed into those F-125-class frigates. And at 7200 tons they aren't really frigates at all.

[BanzaiCat]

Perrrrhaps zey are lookink to rrrretake das Bahamas und restablish der Grosses Reich?

Nah. Surely the wiretapping of their Chancellor's phone would have uncovered such a heinous plot.

So, in all seriousness and possibly a dumb question, what reason would Germany have for building a vessel to operate on the other side of the world to counter China? What national interests do they have? Or is that 'making a contribution' based on 'suggestions' from the United States?

[GDS_Starfury]

Israel might be the customer target as they just signed contracts for 3 new ship from Germany.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.562081

[LongBlade]

Also, Germany has begun a new class of frigates that are designed for use in the tropics.  Not since WWI has that country specifically designed vessels for use outside of Europe.  They are not saying China, but one must wonder.

Other than adding some extra-powerful AC, what does a ship need to be used in the tropics?

[GDS_Starfury]

possibly a shallower draft for littoral sailing and maybe a different sonar rig.

[mirth]

Also, Germany has begun a new class of frigates that are designed for use in the tropics.  Not since WWI has that country specifically designed vessels for use outside of Europe.  They are not saying China, but one must wonder.

Other than adding some extra-powerful AC, what does a ship need to be used in the tropics?

Stocks of light beer.

[Dolan50]

And a tanning deck.

[BanzaiCat]

Clothing optional outside bar.

[besilarius]

Potential Chinese debt crisis.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2013/12/31/a-china-debt-crisis-in-2014/?hpid=z5

[Staggerwing]

There has been speculation over China's infrastructure growth and it's sustainability for a couple of years now. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that the Chinese media and the PLA have been stirring the pot in the South China Sea around the same time as these debt concerns have gained more international attention.  ::)

[LongBlade]

There has been speculation over China's infrastructure growth and it's sustainability for a couple of years now. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that the Chinese media and the PLA have been stirring the pot in the South China Sea around the same time as these debt concerns have gained more international attention.  ::)

+1

Their stirring the pot is aimed at keeping their population focused on a mythical external enemy rather than their real problems - the collapse of their economy at home.

[GDS_Starfury]

Beef lo mein sounds really good right now.

[Staggerwing]

You're probably hyponatremic and/or hypokalemic. Hence, the craving for salty Chinese foods.

[BanzaiCat]

MSG and opium mixed in is more likely the culprit.

We had Vietnamese cuisine for dinner last night...yummy stuff!

[Staggerwing]

He's probably hypovolemic as well. Lots of 'hypos' this AM vs the usual 'hyper'.  :D