On: F-35A has flown from a highway for the first time

[LtWorf]

Well I'm sure one of the backroom conditions for being let into NATO is that they must shop USA armaments, regardless of which is better/cheaper.

[Toutouxc → LtWorf]

Huh? Plenty of NATO members use their own or other members’ gear. Why would that be a condition (even a non-written one) now?

[LtWorf → Toutouxc]

Finland is a new NATO member and required approval from existing members. And sweden is not a member so doesn't vote.

Of course uk and germany can do whatever they feel like, because they are already in NATO.

[simion314 → LtWorf]

>Well I'm sure one of the backroom conditions for being let into NATO is that they must shop USA armaments, regardless of which is better/cheaper

Since you are so sure, what is a cheaper alternative? FYI Romanian wants to buy 48 F35 , we found no better alternative .

Let me thank Putin and his plan for finally forcing my country to modernize our aviation , navi and ground forces because we were decades behind.

[LtWorf → simion314]

Here in sweden they just took advantage of the war to ask to join nato, abandon neutrality, swiftly change the constitution, cut funds to social programs, without a public uproar, just pushing the narrative that russia was going to invade any moment.

[simion314 → LtWorf]

And is history not showing Russia is always invading someone? Is Sweden entering NATO increasing your defense budget or what is making you not liking this ?

[actionfromafar → simion314]

The Defense budget had to increase either way, and during the Cold War it was very sizeable.

[simion314 → actionfromafar]

So why some from Sweeden and Finland are against NATO?

Are they afraid to be pulled into USA wars ?

[LtWorf → simion314]

You're taking the wrong approach here.

Why should the population of a neutral country be in favor of no longer being neutral?

What's the advantage?

The disadvantage is that now social spending has decreased and the owners of Saab are very very happy with their extra pocket money.

[simion314 → LtWorf]

Does neutral countries spend less on defense? Maybe Austria who is a lucky parasite because is surrounded by civilized countries. .

[actionfromafar → LtWorf]

Sweden spent A LOT while outside of NATO.

Then the Soviet empire fell.

What drives defence spending in Sweden is not NATO or no NATO, but war in Europe.

[LtWorf → simion314]

Historically, sweden invaded or raided a lot of countries (including finland!)