My country, the UK, is going to war with America (hypothetically speaking). Who wins?

[InfobotLives]

We have one aircraft carrier, 3 nukes and a lot of tea. What you got? 🤨👊

Goodbye UK 🇬🇧 💥

Do you have any coffee?

[nightdrot]

There is little doubt that the United States would win. However, you do the UK an injustice as by global standards it is not an inconsiderable force.

The UK lacks the numbers that it once had, and during its' stint in the EU it - an island nation - has allowed its' navy to atrophy. However, the quality of its training and manpower, as well as the technological sophistication of its equipment is substantial. Throw in that the UK has the world's 5th largest industrialized economy to sustain those forces.

Quantity the UK does not have, quality it does. This is not to be discounted.

Against the overwhelming majority of nation's on Earth, the UK has a decisive advantage. To then compare the UK to a continental sized power with a many times larger population is something of a misnomer.

The historical precedent would be Japan in the late 1930s. In terms of equipment, training and leadership, the Japanese armed forces were formidable. Thus was Pearl Harbor born and Japan swept much of the Pacific.

However, the war dragged on and the USA was able to bring its larger population and economy to bear. Throw in the technological innovations born of wartime necessity and the USA was ultimately able to prevail. This not lessening Japan's formidable accomplishments.

For a comparable contemporary comparison, see also my reply to this question: Iran vs the UK?

That the United States could defeat the UK in a hypothetical war - absent allies (in the hypothetical like China and/or Russia or perhaps India) - is not surprising. Indeed, even at the height of the empire, the essence of Britain foreign policy was "splendid isolation." Standing aloof from other powers until the balance turned against the UK, in which case - again even at the height of its' power - the UK needed allies.

The limits the UK and its armed forces labor under today are not all that different from those it labored under before. Grant that they are proportionately larger in their dimensions.

Do not underestimate the UK. As Argentina can attest, circa 1982, or Iraq circa 1990-1991 in a coalition context, the UK brings far more formidable resources to bear than a superficial analysis suggests. It is true that it was not what it once was. However, that does not suggest that it is not anything at all.

[hellionthesagereborn]

The US. Well the US if we are talking about a traditional war anyway. We have one of the largest militaries in the world and the best trained soldiers (the exception being the SAS which is considered by all accounts I can find to be the greatest spec op group in the world followed closely by the Navy seals (though I don't think this would be nearly enough to offset all the other problems).

From what I can tell the UK has about 150 to 200 thousand soldiers across all of their branches of military, the US in comparison has 1.3 MILLION. That alone is probably going to cost the UK. In addition our air supremacy is unmatched, the US having more aircraft then the next eight largest airforces COMBINED. Our navel supremacy is still the best (though china is very quickly gaining on us in that area (thanks to all the technology they have stolen from us among other things).

Ironically China's fifth generational warfare has been the most devestating military strategy we have seen, seeing as how they have destablized our economy, to an extent our currency, our culture, and all of our institutions without ever firing a single shot at us. So if we are talking head to head combat the US wins I think unquestioningly, if we are talking about other forms of indirect warfare, well, the American people have become absurdly lazy and devoid of character so we are easily manipulated (our media and politicians do it all the time, hell they hardly put effort in hiding their corruption anymore and the American people just let it happen) so if your going to take us out, that would be the way to do it.

[Jessica405]

I only drink coffee.

... and the odd gin, whisky and strong ale.

[InfobotLives]

I only drink Volvic Summer Fruits flavoured water 😌 Literally nothing else, lol.

[beebella]

Before the UK goes bye-bye, may I have a cup of tea?

[InfobotLives]

I will make you one 🤗

[beebella]

Thanks, bruv. 🤗

[NamerOfStars]

I don't think "Goodbye, UK" is really the best response; it'd more likely be "Hello, UK- We've come for your chocolates and to force you to correctly spell words ending in -er". Meaning that theoretically, a bigger export division of Cadbury could prevent the war entirely.

[InfobotLives]

This is inspired 🤔

[ChrisMaster69]

We do actually have a good offensive Cyber ware fare outfit.

the easiest way to win would be fake news against them.

something that would really divide the country further.

Also having been to a number of Red Flag exercises out near Vegas, they tend to change the rules when getting beaten.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Sky_Shield

we have a history of causing embarrassment lol.

In the 1980’s / 1990’s Buccaneers we’re taking out USN carriers a lot and the rules were changed to increase height at which attacking aircraft could fly lol.

going low it seems is cheating,

also, we could give them proper chocolate and sweets (candy).

imagine going over there and actually having chocolate that tasted proper lol

[Julielamar2]

but as I said a little above, in their analysis a few things are missing, it is that you Albion have rarely had a powerful land army, on the contrary your technique was to pay the other nations and thus to create a coalition against the country you don't like. Therefore if the English stick to this doctrine, the US would not be so sure of winning lol.

But a war between you two would be quite a funny sight in the sense that I would have the impression of seeing the mother fighting against her children 🤣

[ChrisMaster69]

@Julielamar2 yes that’s pretty much how it goes,

Diplomacy has always been seen as a strategic resource to call on.

This often involves getting close to the bully from the other street.

Tbh, in a real global war, the opening salvo will be creating civil unrest in the other nations.

[Julielamar2]

Yes haha, I must say that if a Nation knows perfectly the English nation it is mine lol

[ChrisMaster69]

@Julielamar2 oh so very true, a lot of. History, both good and bad

Allied we could have ruled the world

[Julielamar2]

I read a historian that all our periods of war combined represent 600 years of war between our two nations 🤣

Oh yes if we were allies it would have been like this, but our two countries hate it way too much for it to happen lol. Ironically, today we find ourselves at the same level of power lol

Sorry for my Bad English 😅

[MCheetah]

All of Europe combined wouldn't be able to match the US, in a war. With the exception of Russia and China, you'd probably, literally, need the entire rest of the planet combined just to be equal or surpass the US military. This isn't me being biased to my own country; it's just a fact.

[Chriscunning]

Interesting question. I actually think no one can know for sure to be honest.

I think USA comes across very bold and proud of their military achievements, proclaiming to be at the forefront of military technology. They also spend a lot of money on it as well.

Most other nations keep the military under wraps. There are a few stories but that's about it.

Besides it's no longer 'man power' if we talking about bombs and all. Chances are a very aggressive war will be done in a few days with the amount and size of bombs each country holds which could destroy the world a few times over. It would be 'whoever gets the first bomb on the other nation'.

[Julielamar2]

Well the answer is the United States will win the war with no problem. However, the Perfidious Albion, will pay and rally other nations as she has done so often in her history 🤣 Therefore the American victory would be less on lol

[Iron_Man]

What do you think about Marie Antoinette?

[Julielamar2]

@Iron_Man Well she betrayed France, why the ask? 🙂

[Iron_Man]

Because they were talking about her the other day in a movie I know you’re real big on French history

[Julielamar2]

Haha, thank you, that's nice lol.

[Iron_Man]

You’re very welcome my friend

[Julielamar2]

If you have other questions about France do not hesitate lol

[Iron_Man]

I will my friend as you know I love Paris France

[Julielamar2]

Yeah , no problem 🙂😊

[XimenaV]

Nobody. very few actually "win" in a war but on the lighter side of things the US could definitely beat the UK. We have a much higher population and a way bigger military.

[Levin]

I know but Americans couldn't harm British people. And I know American girls have a soft spot for English men :)

[Leavesbound]

Don't forget you have James Bond. In any case we've gone to war with Britain twice and won twice. We've proven ourselves and don't need to keep doing it.

[abc3643]

That doesn't happen.
You might as well ask "How much pain does a man have while giving birth?"

[EnglishEuropean]

"But our Special Relationship!"

Bush and Blair: Partners in crime

[TwoToTooTutu2]

If you just compare military strength it's no contest, but looking at the history The British could sell shit to a toilet. They could easily convince the US to fight itself. Honestly it scares me what the puppet masters are capable of.

[Silas_153]

Actually, the Royal Navy has four SSBN's, each with 16 missiles, so that's 64 in total not three.
The end result would be that they annihilate each other.

[Agape93]

Realistically, USA. But culturally they win by a landslide lol

[Still-alive]

Ehh British people aren't so great culturally either. just being honest. that stole a lot of their "culture" from others often by force :P

[J2ohhhhh]

In Washington once Lord Halifax whispered to Lord Keynes: "It's true that they have the money bags but we have all the brains"

[Gray-Wisp]

*When your armed citizens alone could destroy the enemies military as far as ground troops are concerned.*

[Shark_61695]

UK... I hear no one in the US is aware of the location of anywhere outside their boarders. Plus I'm sure Canada and Mexico would support them.

[hellionthesagereborn]

You heard wrong. Ironically no one is aware of anything with the US despite europeans proclaiming to be experts on us. The reason why we don't visit other nations is because the US is as big as Europe (not counting russia of course). The distance from Chicago illinois to Houston texas is the same distance between Paris France and Ankara Turkey, that is the north to south bisection of the US, the shortest path across. But of course no one in Europe has bothered to do anything but belittle and insult Americans so the constantly make stupid comments like yours trying to mock us for our supposed ignorance not realizing that they have only revealed their own.

Also the UK military combined is only about 200,000 soldiers while ours is 1.3 MILLION, plus our aircrafts out number all others, so much so that ours is larger then the next eight nations COMBINED. So no, no the UK would not in fact survive, we could drop planes on the UK instead of bombs and win that way.

[disgustingweebtrash]

Whilst Europa squabble if the United States was to invade a fellow European all Europeans would unite to get rid of the thing that is forbidden in Europe - a hegemon

[NightHawk99]

My British cousin... Kiss your ass goodbye. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Be thankful we ain't gon do that tho. We need each other.

[darkcloud1945]

America under Biden has become a fourth rate nation so you win.

[OddBeMe]

It’s already goodbye UK just breaking up with the EU.

[Gwenhwyfar]

Flood them with tea!!!