Hey there! Picture this: let's say that way back when, the US devolved defense policy to its 50 various states.
They each have their own armies, doctrines, training and logistics pipelines but even better/worse, their own defense industries. So California produces the Sunray X1 fighter, Nevada the F-7 Gambler, Texas the L-19 Longhorn etc. except they are cripplingly expensive because of lack of scale so they are getting more and more obsolete as upgrades and successors are pushed into the far future. Every state produces 155mm shells, but the Texas shells don't fit the California artillery because Texas exports to South Korea because it buys Texan artillery pieces and Texas doesn't want its biggest customer changing to Californian artillery so it keeps its 155mm shells different. Everyone agrees the Illinois M132 Main Battle Tank is the best, but Texas won't buy it because of a trade dispute with Illinois, so they go with the German Leopard 2A8, built in Texas. Virginia builds the best warships, hands down, but Alabama and Maine have their own designs which they've been working on for decades, never actually built more than a couple, but they won't buy ships from Virginia because they have their own 'local industry',
A joke right? Well, that's the EU for you. Just substitute France, UK, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Italy for any of the US States above. There are 27 EU states, each with their own military, only one of which could currently defend itself against Russia without NATO (Finland.)
But there is hope! There is a lot of rumbling at the moment about the need for Europe to have a unified military to face the threat from Russia on its own two feet. But imagine what that will take! The EU can't even agree standards for bananas (ie can you call a plaintain a banana? Non!) and now it has to decide which air superiority fighter to standardize on (Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen ... or c'est non possible ça - F-35), which Main Battle Tank (Leopard 2, Challenger 2, LeClerc or c'est non possible ça - Abrams) and which multi-role frigate (the French-Italian FREMM, the UK Type 26, the Dutch Sigma ...) etc etc
And oh please, don't get started on which Aircraft Carrier type: UK Queen Elizabeth class, French Charles De Gaulle, Italian Cavour, Spanish Juan Carlos...
So, FX Holden is going to solve their dilemma by using FXAI (FX Assisted Intelligence) to choose the best EU weapons/platforms. Feel free to argue among yourselves!!
Pistol: Sig P320 (OK it's Swiss but)
Because: accuracy, reliability, and ease of use, modular design allows for customization to fit different user preferences and mission requirements.
Rifle: Heckler & Koch G36
Because: chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, adopted by the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) and several other countries, including Spain and some NATO allies, so plentiful and inexpensive.
Best tactical drone: German Helsing HX-2
Because: Ukraine just ordered 6,000 of them and they know their stuff. Onboard AI ensures that HX-2 attack drone is immune to hostile electronic warfare (EW) measures through its ability to autonomously search for, identify and engage targets optically.
A human operator stays in or on the loop for all critical decisions. Can also be used for tactical recon.
Air superiority fighter: None. Sorry, Europe's Air Force should go full F-35.
Because: EU jets would all be as-or-more expensive than the F-35 and less capable, except the Gripen which is cheaper for a reason. Sure, they look cool, but mainly in the sights of Russian Su-35s, who wouldn't even see the F-35 before it killed them.
Nein danke.
Main Battle Tanks: Leopard 2
Because: fewest losses in Ukraine per units-sent speaks for itself. And yes, that includes the Abrams. Any other argument is based on theory or politics, not battlefield reality.
Infantry fighting vehicle: None. They should go for the M2 Bradley
Because: Ukraine loves it long time. Best for wasting enemies up close and crew survival. See above.
Frigate: the FREMM (Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission)
Because: a multi-role frigate designed for a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and surface warfare. Its design incorporates stealth features and advanced technology. Plus the US Navy chose it as the base for its Constellation class design, before Navy had a brain fart and went back to the drawing board.
Submarine: Astute class nuclear attack submarine (runner up, Type 212 diesel-electric)
Because: the Astute class are the best bang for the buck nuclear submarines in any navy right now, bar none. Prove me wrong. Or just read this.
OK we could keep doing this all day, which is also the scary part. Which mortar/grenade/anti-tank rifle, land attack missile, which anti ship missile, which air to air missile, which mobile artillery, which short range anti air, which long range anti air, which ballistic missle defense.... It gives you an idea of the headaches facing those championing the idea of an Armed Forces Europe (l'armée d'Europe), but that's not to say it shouldn't be done!
They got themselves into this situation, they have to get themselves out of it. And FAST!
But what kind of threat are they facing? Read Antarctica STORM and find out! Preorder now and save 50%.
https://www.amazon.com/Antarctica-STORM-Aggressor-Inc-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0DNZBLM3X