http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11670247

- I'd be interested to know what you Yankees thought of today's Anglo-French military agreement.

From a British perspective (of decidedly pro-European tendencies), while I am quite pleased with it, I am very startled at its sweeping inclusion, from nuclear armaments to aircraft carriers. This, by a declared Euro-sceptic Tory government. So the next time the US invades someone, there could well be a joint Anglo-French army, not just 'The Brits' anymore!

Nonetheless, what do you think of it? Few countries, not even Britain and America, have joined so closely in military terms, in the twenty-first century.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11674037

- An interesting French perspective.

Since the british plan on having one carrier and the french one. Britain's not being built yet and France's down for the count. To quote a blog I love to read which I think sums it up nicely"

"And while the UK are waiting for their own carrier strategy to come to fruition, they had better pour some cooling agent on Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson’s grave.
He’s spinning so fast in there that he’s likely to start a fire"

www.neptunuslex.com (http://www.neptunuslex.com)

Actually considering his take on some issues albeit conservative his banter and historical perspective being a navy Officer you might like reading his blog sometimes.

I will do, thanks for that Korlis. Though he is in need of correction, we are building 2 new aircraft carriers :)

I think more than Mr Nelson will be turning in his grave, indeed almost every British politician, admiral, and general for the past six-hundred years. It's a proud, national boast here in Blighty to call ourselves 'Perfidious Albion'. But modern times demand modern policies, and while joint Anglo-French military policy and strength may have been unthinkable in the past, so was peace in Europe. I mean that has NEVER happened before. For the first time in history, European states can form their military power to look outward, as opposed to inward.

Taking that perspective, it seems sensible that if Britain and France want to project their power on the world-stage like they could do even fifty years ago, pooling their resources together will allow them to take a larger slice of the action. When the US, with its hyper-inflated budget, can field 11 aircraft carriers, being able to put 3 state of the art carriers into the field is no joke. It gives both Britain and France the ability to remain major military powers in a world where their economies and capabilities make that more uncertain with each passing decade.

Being an aircraft sailor myself. I totally agree it is a tough task to field aircraft carriers at sea.

It is good that they are fielding two and that Nations can come together for the common defense and to protect thier interests abroad.

I can see it becoming an issue when thier ideals/view cross and no longer mesh.

All I know about Brit and Frenchie feelings come from Monty Python and I just keep thinking about the scene of Arthur trying to storm the castle where the French are throwing cows at him.