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Subject: Top Ten Armies of the World
Arditi    3/4/2004 3:54:10 PM
According to the CIA and other Intelligence Services (European, Asian, African) this is the tally - based on a Combination of Manpower, Technology, Firepower, Training, Resources, Available Reserves, and Nuclear Potential (Current or Likely): 1. USA 2. China 3. Germany 4. India 5. France 6. Russia 7. UK 8. Italy 9. Israel 10. Pakistan
 
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Nasty German Idiot    RE:Top Ten Armies of the World - mistake   3/11/2004 8:40:16 AM
The Budget has not been cut but freezed in 2002 to 2007, at 24 billion Euros. But - there are a lot of military projects in Germany that are not included in this budget, for example the purchase of 73 A-400M Machines, or the 180 Thyphoons. This is also why the German military budget is not displayed correct on most sources because they only refer to the "official" budget. And - of these budget that is not connected to the budget of each year, there have been cuts like 30% up to 2010. But it is about things that the German Generals wanted but never got through the Parliament. To name an example there has been planning of an German Airplane Carrier that were sacked because there are so many projects going on at the moment that there is really simply no money. The German Armed forces will not grow but be reduced to 2010 to 250.000 Soldiers, but they will be all professional because conscription will finally end in the next few years. That is from the last Speech of the Defense minister which he held yesterday.
 
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RM-Nod    RE:Top Ten Armies of the World - clarkey   3/11/2004 10:20:37 AM
The numbers I got off the MoD site, included regular reserves, the TA and liable for recall. Are you in the liable for recall number? Here's the site I got the numbers off, you might have to look around a bit. link
 
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civvystreet    RE:Top Ten Armies of the World   3/11/2004 1:25:25 PM
The intro to the list is pretty bizarre: "according...other Intelligence Services (European, Asian, African) this is the tally".. This would imply some sort of coordinated international intelligence effort at complying a list which is then, according to Arditi, printed in the World Almanac?! And how pointless if it is restricted to just the armies and not armed forces. That aside, given that Arditi claims that economics plays a part, Germany with its 2 and a half trillion $ economy should rank third in potential. Otherwise bizarre to say the least.
 
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civvystreet    RE:Top Ten Armies of the World   3/11/2004 1:29:32 PM
Besides, if you factor in nukes into scenario planning they would be an equalising factor thus eliminating rankings.
 
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Worcester    RE:Top Ten Armies of the World- check the source   3/11/2004 3:22:14 PM
Arditi references the World Year Book and CIA et als sources. I would point out the people at Langley are rarely as accurate as some would believe - (Budapest 1956, Cuba 1963, Prague 1968, Afghanistan 1980 or the Berlin Wall 1990) - recent events I will leave to you to judge. As for their statistical summaries, you would be better served buying a copy of "The Economist".
 
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Arditi    RE:Top Ten Armies of the World- check the source   3/12/2004 12:09:56 PM
I suppose you are correct. But then, we can debate the validity of any source. If the base is Economics, the list of the World's top ten (Aggregate GDP) should correspond to my first list. The top ten Economies (2002 data)are as follows: 1. USA - 10.1 Trillion 2. China - 5.7 3. Japan - 3.3 4. India - 2.7 5. Germany - 2.2 6. France - 1.55 7. Italy - 1.51 8. UK - 1.48 9. Brazil - 1.3 10. Russia - 1.1 A more compelling measure of course is Per Capita Income - a real measure of productivity and capability. On that basis, we can exclude China ($4,300), India ($2,500), Brazil ($7,400), and Russia ($8,300). The rest remain viable candidates with PCI as follows: 1. USA $36,300 2. Japan $27,200 3. Germany $26,200 4. France $25,400 5. Italy $24,700 6. UK $24,300
 
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RM-Nod    RE:Top Ten Armies of the World- check the source   3/12/2004 12:37:33 PM
Italy above the UK? Can you post a link to your source.
 
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Arditi    RE:Top Ten Armies of the World- check the source   3/12/2004 5:53:52 PM
Italy surpassed Britain in GDP in 1987. Since then, they have been fairly close with Britain surpassing Italy in the late 90's but loosing the advantage in 2001. At current growth rates, Spain will surpass Britain within 6-8 years. Yes indeed, the sun has long since set and Britannia no longer rules the waves - or much else.
 
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RM-Nod    RE:Top Ten Armies of the World- check the source   3/12/2004 5:57:48 PM
No I asked for a link not some smart arse comment on the empire.
 
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Arditi    RE:Top Ten Armies of the World- check the source   3/12/2004 6:11:24 PM
The only link I have is in my head. In any event, its common knowledge to any student of Economics. As for the comment about the Empire - what Empire?
 
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