I have actually said for a long while that up to now we have been lucky and by fighting wars or actions against third class enemies (equipment - not people) we have been successful and lucky.
If we ever ended up fighting against people on a similar level of equipment to ourselves I think we would suddenly find that we may get a bit of a bashing. I'm not saying that I want to lose (who does ?) but that if this happened it might just wake up people in Government and Joe Public to the reality of our true position regarding equipment and facilities.
By then of course it may be too late.............
Looking into Europe the French appear to be becoming the big Defence Player in the region both in terms of equipment and capability............ Nelson and Wellington would be turning in their respective graves I'm sure..........
Arc