The E.U. (and by relation N.A.T.O.) countries have defense procurement budgets too. It's just that the E.U. countries apparently use on average 90% of the procurement budget on the process itself rather than on equipment, while the U.S. uses only 1/3.

Imagine 17 U.S. states having their own military and different standards and you get the idea.

Latest news is that R-R is getting some GBP 250 mm in launch aid for the new line of Trent engines for the 747X and A380. I would have thought R-R is big enough to go it alone.

[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 02-14-2001).]