Off topic, but don't go too far overboard - after all, we are watching...heh.
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Thu Mar 27, 2003 5:43 pm

Originally posted by FLOPPY
First of all, Belgium does not hate the US, we just disagree with them on the Iraq topic. Thats all, believe me.


Okay. I'll take your word for it. I have no quarrel with Belgium (or France or Germany, for that matter). I actually have visited all three countries, and like them all very much. I just wish that France and Germany would especially be reasonable.

Originally posted by FLOPPY
Did you know the 120mm main gun of your Abrams tank is German technology? So is the armor construction.


Actually, I did know that. That doesn't really mean that the US depends on Germany for its defense. What I was referring to was more the fact that the US is self-sufficient in its defense - it does not rely on alliances or treaties (although we do have them, and assistance is certainly appreciated).

Thu Mar 27, 2003 7:18 pm

My understanding is the armor technology on the M1A1
is British in origin.....

Thu Mar 27, 2003 7:45 pm

It is. It's the only thing that saved the tank from the military scrap yard.

Thu Mar 27, 2003 10:26 pm

Thought we had a new one, A2 or something?

Thu Mar 27, 2003 11:23 pm

Yeah, the M1A2 is the latest version of the Abrams. Most of the M1A1's are being sold off to Kuwait, Suadia Arabia, and Egypt.

But most weapons in any nations army are an amalgam of components from different countries. The Abrams has a US chassis, British Armour, German smoothbore cannon, Canadian fire-control and optics, etc etc.
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