Global firepower military ranking 2014

[Jimbuna]

I've noticed nuclear capability is not taken into account but do wonder how much that relates to power projection.

[Skybird]

It prevents an enemy from projecting his power.

[Jimbuna]

So does it have an alternate bearing on the ranking position?

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Just curious. Less "wasting" states not maintaining defences, are less capable in defending. In case they suddenly need defence because of a war - what do you suggest then? Others bailing them out?

They have a brigade of highly skilled Celtic ninjas, that will assassinate any enemy leaders bringing a war to a sudden and bloodless halt.


Waste in the Slovene army. We are a country that's small, mountanes and more than half forested. And we are investing in open warfare NATO doctrine equipment like armored transporters and guns that are excellent in dry climates but will jam the first time a soldier crosses a creek.
If there's a war here the only doctrine with an army this small is let the country fall and head for the hills. And then slaughter them with guerilla tactics like partisans did in WWII. You blow up one railroad bridge and you cripple an entire corridor for days.

[Skybird]

Since when are there Celts in Slowenia...?

Militia or guerilla forces like in Switzerland still needs a certain amount of funding and preparation. Else the first guerilla counterattack will be that guerilla's last counterattack as well.

[Oberon]

I dunno, Yugoslavia has done pretty well with partisans in the past.

In regards to Celts, well...you'd be surprised:

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Since when are there Celts in Slowenia...?

Militia or guerilla forces like in Switzerland still needs a certain amount of funding and preparation. Else the first guerilla counterattack will be that guerilla's last counterattack as well.

There were before the Romans.
I thought you meant Ireland since I was talking to Tribesman (about Ireland)

Yeah, Yugoslavia was prepared for that. Even civilians had compulsory weapons and tactics training* and weapon caches hidden all around the lands.


* training? almost, limited training, some state funded camping trips and a quick briefing on gun handling. My mother knew how to use the AK-47 when she was in elemnatary school. Never fired one though.

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by Oberon

In regards to Celts, well...you'd be surprised:

Me and my uncle have a little red-ish beards.
Some Celt blood in me it seems

[the_tyrant]

Hmm, I wonder how the rankings will shuffle once we start counting PMCs. I mean, historically, the 20th century was a bad one for mercenaries, you didn't see men like John Hawkwood rampaging in Europe, funding their own wars, nor did you see conquistadors invading empires for cash.

Private Military groups in the 20th century were limited to coups and wars in places that most of us can't even point out on a map ("Comoros? where is that?").

But I believe that the balance of power is shifting in favor of the private military corporations soon. 20th century "power", as in the million strong armies, the tens of thousands of tanks, and the fleets of hundreds of ships were only obtainable by nation states.

21st century power however, with a-symmetrical warfare is no longer under sole control of nation states. Look at how the Israelis attacked the Iranian nuclear program with a virus. Historically if you wanted to do that, you needed a million strong army, and a strong fleet, to muscle your way into the country. Now? If I had money, I can hire a team of programmers to program viri all day.

Also, for the longest time, there was this theory that only 2% of the population is comfortable actually killing. You can conscript yourself a million men, but 20 thousand of them would be doing most of the killing anyways. in the 20th century, with large set pieces, trenches, and large tracts of ground to cover, the millions of men were needed. However, in the 21st century, I can imagine small mercenary groups, composed purely of the 2%, being able to take on large nation states with great effect.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Betonov

Me and my uncle have a little red-ish beards.
Some Celt blood in me it seems

Well it certainly makes you a ginger ninja

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Well it certainly makes you a ginger ninja

At least I won't stand out in a crowd so close to Scotland

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Betonov

At least I won't stand out in a crowd so close to Scotland

LOL...you experience a dram or two and you won't be standing anyway

[TarJak]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Well it certainly makes you a ginger ninja

Better than being a ginger minger.

[Betonov]

dram, minger...

I'm affraid to ask and even more afraid I'll find out

[Oberon]

Dram is a measurement of drink, usually quite small, 25ml in official terms I'd wager.

Minge is...a little harder to explain in this forum, but suffice to say that when the reference is made to ask if the carpet matches the curtains, minge refers to the carpet.