Short of using Nuclear weapons, can the U.K. defend its self alone?

AL G

The United Kingdom hasn't had to defend itself alone for centuries, In the past we drew on troops from the Empire to defend us so lessons from history don't apply.

In short, the UK can only defend itself with nuclear weapons because our navy now has more admirals than they have ships and all the military hardware we have left after cutbacks is busy in the middle east.

Thomas H

They have done it before.

Navy, July 2010

i think so..but i like the uk i feel they are one of our best allies

Jack W

Probably, but only against one enemy, not several.

We have the second most powerful navy in the world, and what is commonly recognised by military experts as one of, if not the most, highly-trained army and air force in the world even if they are not that big.

It is important to take into account that the UK would be very difficult to invade, due to it being an island. As such is very doubtful that any army in the world, with the exception of possibly china due to the millions of servicemen, could mount a successful invasion of the UK.

To see this we must take into account history. We held off the German army in WWII, which consisted of many more soldiers which were much more highly trained than the current US or Russian army alone whilst also fighting in the pacific theatre and north africa. This is a prime example as until the USA's entry, in actual miltary action, into the war in Europe with the D-Day landing Britain was effectively fighting alone and obviously without nuclear arms.

Knighthawk

I would have to say it depends on the enemy. As long you aren't fighting it out with Russia, China, or maybe even America, I think the UK could hold. But I think that the U.K. might be able to defend itself for a while against a larger enemy because the RAF is a very kick *** air force, and to get large amounts of troops to the UK would need a massive amphibious assault or an even larger air drop, and with the Royal Navy being second largest on the face of the Earth, you position your navy in the English straight and have air cover provided by the RAF and you could destroy many if not all the invaders before they even put their boots in UK soil. Numbers mean a lot but position of battles mean even more, you place one squadron of ADF Tornadoes in the right place and they can drop a dozen transports easily.

Michael T

Without allies, even the US could probably not defend itself very well if several countries ganged up on the US.

NSA

That would depend largely on the foe. Let's pick on Russia due only to her size - no offense intended towards any Russians reading this.

If Russia attacked the UK, and the UK was defending using only conventional warfare techniques, then the UK would be defeated. If the UK used unconventional warfare techniques, then the odds shift decidedly towards the UK.

On the other hand, the UK has many allies. She would not stand alone. But that is another question.

European Women rocks

I know the U.K. can not defend itself alone against Russia in war.

Clive Reborn

In the purely military sense of defence, nuclear weapons are essential to the defence of the UK. many countries have greater conventional forces and only the threat of destroying the aggressor's homeland will prove a sufficient deterrent.

Over the last ten years, the threats to the UK have been from her so called friends and their fifth columnists.

Unbalanced treaties with the US leave UK subjects vulnerable to extradition without trial at the whim of this foreign power.

The continual flow of oppressive legislation from Brussels has brought the restrictions on Britains to the a level not seen since feudal times. Mass infiltration at high levels in public bodies by Internationalists intent on the destruction of the UK has caused inefficiency, ineffectiveness, wastage and corruption that fuel disquiet among the unfortunate users of these services.

Captain Falcon

Depends who your fighting. If its like France then yeah you can take em.

Beatnick

The UK cannot defend itself alone without nuclear weapons.

The means by which UK defends herself is the Royal Navy, which even now is still the second largest warship fleet in the world after the mighty US Navy [USN].

The British with their Royal Navy have a world reach and no enemy is safe, even if they think so.

The RN also have nuclear subs which can patrol the world's oceans at will and range into enemy waters etc.

UK is part of NATO and also have very closes ties militarily with the USA. The US Air Force maintain a number of bases here in UK.

UK does not do it alone and is not alone and therefore the question cannot properly answered, not in my opinion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Royal_Navy_ships

True Patriot

Forget the nuclear weapons. With traitors in power weakening this country, all our enemies have to do is put their feet up and wait for our collapse.

Cool Hal

Can any country?

The US led invasion of Afghanistan is over 7 years old and victory is nowhere near in sight.

That involves the largest army in the world and several of its allies including Britain.

I would say it depends on who and where and the type of warfare involved.

The Mechanic

They are the greatest reason why we are left alone , we are one of the most dangerous enemies in the world our nuclear capability would make even Russia think again

papi_aka_papi

The UK has a very powerful navy, its limited landing zones and the fact that its an island would make invading it very difficult. However, the UK navy could be simply overrun by a larger navy like the russian navy. It would be very likely that your adversary would employ nuclear weapons at sea, with say a nuclear tipped torpedo destroying a carrier. subs are something they have alot of. but as american i know we would help defend your country, i know i would. your unwavering support of the US is remembered by its people, even though i wish it had been a more honorable undertaking.

focka

it depend who you are fighting,, if you are fighting countries like zimbabwe, france, the netherlands, poland and mexico.. yeah they can take them pretty quick but not if you face the deadly russians, germany, china, india, and pakistan.. yeah maybe with iran the war can last for 3 weeks before the UK call their boss.....USA!

ianhad

We don't have a front line fighter plane anymore, the last one was the Harrier GR1.

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