While Russia and China are increasing their military might, western countries are continuing to downsize their defense. How stupid can they be?

England got her hands on new aircraft carrier but are they worth it? Maybe the F35Bs are sufficient to deal with the weak presence of the Russia navy but they will never be a threat to her. Her naval presense is getting smaller and smaller with her surface fleet getting older and fewer newer ones to replace them

France is dreaming that her sole carrier is sufficient to cover her oversea assets. As a peacetime patrol or a platform to bomb a almost zero defense target or nation seems too expensive. Old, defective and under powered. Luckily she is equipped with the Rafales which is one of the better naval warplanes

The Americans are going the wrong direction while wasting billions of dollars in their defense budget. Building a new generation of aircraft carriers without getting newer, more capable planes to equip the deck. F35C is not better. It's actually seems worse off than the F18s.

Taiwan is trying to get her hands on some advancement on military hardware but she is definitely lagging way behind her huge neighbour. Her people are not supportive about having a strong defense too.

The only country which is doing right is Japan. They got themselves a really solid defense hardware and technology advancement even though the price to pay is huge. However, they should pick up their pace on getting their 5th generation war planes. Japan need a strong navy to prevent her from naval blockade and that means she need aircraft carriers, powerful surface vessels and very steathy submarines. Using F35Bs on her latest flat top will not be enough. She will need a plane that process longer range, higher payload and faster in speed. Or getting a 5th generation fighter which is can be based on the southern islands and main land to fight off any air strike.

S.Korea could be better if they are not so distracted by her northern neighbour. Having a partner to share the cost of KFX fighter program is good but is Indonesia a good partner? Beside 20% investment, is there any technological know-how she is able to contribute?

The only southeast asia country that have the money to build a solid defense is Singapore. She got some good vessels in her navy but her airforce is really just for show. F16s and F15s are way beyond their qeneration no matter what advertisement they put up on their advancement. The price of getting them is too high. Closing a airbase is critical for such a small nation. If they don't get a couple of aircarriers to replace the airbase, they might face with a fleet of warplanes without a base to land.