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

Question

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

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

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 · Accepted Answer

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 · Accepted Answer

I only drink coffee. ... and the odd gin, whisky and strong ale.

beebella · Accepted Answer

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

NamerOfStars · Answer

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.

ChrisMaster69 · Answer

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

MCheetah · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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

XimenaV · Answer

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.

Leavesbound · Answer

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 · Answer

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

EnglishEuropean · Answer

"But our Special Relationship!" Bush and Blair: Partners in crime

TwoToTooTutu2 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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

J2ohhhhh · Answer

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 · Answer

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

Shark_61695 · Answer

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.

disgustingweebtrash · Answer

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 · Answer

My British cousin... Kiss your ass goodbye. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Be thankful we ain't gon do that tho. We need each other.

darkcloud1945 · Answer

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

OddBeMe · Answer

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

Gwenhwyfar · Answer

Flood them with tea!!!

loves2learn · Answer

Time to make a cup of coffee!

Avicenna · Answer

Just make sure you only attack leftist strongholds

pink_and_inlove · Answer

Can I get some tea instead?

Wise4myage · Answer

A. Better poison the tea. 😂

NotNayyr · Answer

Uk‎‎

KatherineJ · Answer

China and Russia

anylolone · Answer

Not that simple.

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

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