At 22:32 7-2-02 -0800, Doug Pensinger wrote: >Recommendation: Kill the Crusader and purchase a suitable alternative. The >GAO has identified the German-made Panzerhaubitze (PzH) 2000 >self-propelled howitzer as a viable alternative to the Crusader. While its >maximum rate of fire is slightly below that of the Crusader, its >cross-country speed, sustained rate of fire, range and rearming time all >meet the requirements for the Crusader. Further, according to CBO, >purchasing 550 PzH 2000 and accompanying resupply vehicle will save $6.7 >billion over 10 years (CBO's "Budget Options for National Defense," March >2000)." > >Sounds reasonable to me, cheaper, probably available sooner... but like I >said, I'm no expert.
Better quality, lower price, earlier availability -- all perfectly good reasons to buy the PzH instead of the Crusader. There is only one problem (for the US, that is): if the US military chooses the PzH it would be helping the German defense industry, which means that the US defense industry will miss out on billions of dollars. IOW, buying German would hurt the US' own defense industry. And of course, awarding the contract to the Germans may come back to haunt you when it is time for the politicians to try and get funding for their next election campaign... <Not-serious> You evil person! Do you realise that by buying German you would be stealing jobs from decent hardworking Americans! </Not-serious> Jeroen _________________________________________________________________________ Wonderful World of Brin-L Website: http://www.Brin-L.com Tom's Photo Gallery: http://tom.vanbaardwijk.com
