Cameron: UK at Korea risk

[Sarah]

Is there not an effective way of stopping missles before they hit us rather than having our own? As @GommeInc mentioned if someone was to attack us other countries would probably take up arms on our behalf...

[-:Undertaker:-]

That said, if a country were to attack us, Europe would retaliate and have our backs, as would the US and a handful of other countries.

Would they? do we really want to outsource our national defence to France, the European Union or the United States?

Part of being an independent nation is that you are independent in defending your national sovereignty from outside powers in a military manner, otherwise you're no more than a overseas protectorate or large military base of a foreign power.

[GommeInc]

Is there not an effective way of stopping missles before they hit us rather than having our own? As @GommeInc mentioned if someone was to attack us other countries would probably take up arms on our behalf...

The problem is though, we could use Trident to protect other countries, commonwealth states and overseas territories. Without it, we'd lose the responsibility to protect and deter.

[Sarah]

The problem is though, we could use Trident to protect other countries, commonwealth states and overseas territories. Without it, we'd lose the responsibility to protect and deter.

oh right, so its about us protecting other countries too... hm.

[GommeInc]

oh right, so its about us protecting other countries too... hm.

Potentially. Not sure about officially, though.

[xxMATTGxx]

Potentially. Not sure about officially, though.

I think it would depend on the situation at the time. But yeah potentially like you've said.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Potentially. Not sure about officially, though.

It is with our membership of NATO - if another NATO country is attacked, we're required to respond. With Trident as well, i'm sure it's part of the American integrated system (meaning its not really independent) although i'm unsure as to whether the Americans can actually fire them - but I certainly think the US has the power to disable British missiles as it operates under their network, being an American weapons system.

[Sarah]

It is with our membership of NATO - if another NATO country is attacked, we're required to respond. With Trident as well, i'm sure it's part of the American integrated system (meaning its not really independent) although i'm unsure as to whether the Americans can actually fire them - but I certainly think the US has the power to disable British missiles as it operates under their network, being an American weapons system.

surely its not doing what you said then?

Part of being an independent nation is that you are independent in defending your national sovereignty from outside powers in a military manner, otherwise you're no more than a overseas protectorate or large military base of a foreign power.

If america can disable them? And that our defense is already outsourced practically...

[GommeInc]

It is with our membership of NATO - if another NATO country is attacked, we're required to respond.

I'd imagine there would be a lot of debate before that were to happen It may be a requirement, but an immediate response would be foolish.

Anyone interested in the capabilities of their missiles may find this Washington Post article interesting:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...ctually-reach/

[Sarah]

I'd imagine there would be a lot of debate before that were to happen It may be a requirement, but an immediate response would be foolish.

Anyone interested in the capabilities of their missiles may find this Washington Post article interesting:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...ctually-reach/

Interesting read, it's weird how long they have been building* missiles for and and still are very inaccurate..

*and failed?