History question for you.

[Ace of Gold]

Ok, take Britain and France. Do they have their own military or is it all part of EU and UN and NATO.

Also is there a limit that they can not have a big army like there army cannot grow past this amount.

Just was wondering those questions. Because i think Germany can not have an army like Japan because of World war 2. but i think Germany can have an army in EU.

please respond.

 

[Knight-Dragon]

I don't think the UK or France or Germany have a limit on the size of their military, except for their budget.

 

[Traitorfish]

Most major European nations have their own militaries, although there's an increasing push towards a unified EU military.

 

[Verge]

The numbers (ranks are global):

The UK is #22 in terms of total active military troops (190,000), and #93 in terms of active military troops per 1000 population (3.14).

Germany is #18 in terms of total active military troops (284,500) and #84 in terms of active military troops per 1000 population (3.45).

France is #19 in terms of total active military troops (259,050) and #63 in terms of active military troops per 1000 population (4.27)


For purposes of comparison, the United States of America is #2 in terms of total active military troops (1,419,683), and #53 in terms of active military troops per 1000 population (4.76).

"Active military troops" includes combat and non-combat personnel.


It's safe to consider all four countries as leaders amongst Western militaries, given their force size, technology, tactical experience, etc.


Sources:
http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/MILITARY/rg0708.pdf
http://www.defense.gouv.fr/sga/content/download/80586/734666/file/chap
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/060626_asia_balance_powers.pdf
http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/6FBA7459-7407-4B85-AA47-7063F1F22461/0/modara_0405_s1_resources.pdf

 

[Tee Kay]

All EU countries control their own military.

 

[Arwon]

In terms of the post-war situation, cold war expediency mostly led to (West) Germany escaping limitations on its military. Reunification came simultaneously with a deeper enmeshing in the EU so the fears of German resurgence weren't so powerful.

 

[mourndraken]

From what I understand, both the UK and France are permanent members of the UN security Council along with USA, China, and Russia. Both France and UK have worldwide military commitments and there's no limit on their nukes or their military reach.

 

[Adler17]

The only limitations for German forces are budget and the ban of NBC weapons. Although the latter could be done fastly if there would be any strong need to do so. Also it is planned to grow the Bundeswehr to about 300.000 soldiers.
Well, I forgot that treaty with Russia to keep the ammount of troops low to a certain degree. IIRC Germany is only allowed to have 380.000 men. However because of several circumstances the Russians did suspend the treaty, so that this is no longer real enforcing until they agree to reenforce it.

Adler

 

[Gelion]

Adler, can you specify which treaty you are referring to? Sounds interesting...

 

[Verge]

Adler, can you specify which treaty you are referring to? Sounds interesting...

I believe that would be the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany, signed in 1990.

 

[Gelion]

Sweet! I get down to Google right away. Thank you!

 

[Adler17]

There are also OSCE treaties in that regard. However Russia put them on ice for now.

Adler

 

[Archbob]

I don't think the UK or France or Germany have a limit on the size of their military, except for their budget.

Didn't Germany get restrictions after WWII?

 

[Traitorfish]

Didn't Germany get restrictions after WWII?

I'm not sure about this, but I'd think they'd be pretty liberal if they existed- Germany became the front line of the Cold War, so it seems unlikely that either NATO or the USSR would be in a hurry to cripple the armed forces of their respective allies.

 

[Adler17]

All restrictions were lifted before reunification. Except the ban of NBC weapons of course. After reunification the 2+4 treaty and the OSCE treaties are limitating the number of soldiers, tanks and planes. But not the kind of planes, tanks or ships.

Adler

 

[JohnRM]

Ok, take Britain and France. Do they have their own military or is it all part of EU and UN and NATO.

The French military is almost entirely independent with some commitments to the European Rapid Reaction Force.

The British military is partially idependent with a major commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a significant dependence upon the United States for various items, most importantly its submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Also is there a limit that they can not have a big army like there army cannot grow past this amount.

The British Military has been experiencing a long period of downsizing due to the end of the Cold War and the growth of the European community and thus an end to most perceived threats before this time. The growth of the welfare state has also had a significant impact on the ability of the government to sustain higher defense budgets.

The French Military seems not to be downsizing, but it does seem to be aging quickly. There is no indication that the French have the willpower or the ability to sustain the kind of spending that would be required to modernize its armed forces and maintain its current numbers.

Just was wondering those questions. Because i think Germany can not have an army like Japan because of World war 2. but i think Germany can have an army in EU.

Germany was granted far more room for military development and growth during the Cold War because it was seen as imperative that NATO harness Germany's massive industrial potential to assist in stabilizing the balance of power in Europe against the Soviet Union.

please respond.

Okay.