If NATO had standardised equipment what would it be?

[KingLorre]

I'm just going to have a go at this, please do mind that i am not an expert in what everybody has, this is just a go into seeing what i can come up as far as standardisation goes.

Small arms:
Assault Riffle:
This would probably be a riffle based on or around the M16. Some European countries do use the C7 which is of course based of the M16. Even tho some countries have produced riffles they would consider to be superior(I.E.: the German G36, French FAMAS, Czech CZ-something, UK L85.) and would probably not adopt an M16 platform. On another note I would put forward the HK416 however thus far I have not really seen a country that has fielded it in mass (Except for maybe Norway?) And I'm afraid the US would not adopt it.

Sub machine gun:
This would probably be the MP5 as practically every country in the world has this in one form or another. However the MP5 is getting quite old and if I where the say 'Leader' Of NATO I'd probably put forward the FN P90 because of its low recoil and high magazine capacity. Maybe a combination of the both. Trying to phase out the MP5 in the coming decade.

LMG:
I can quite easily say this would be the FN Minimi. I would however allow this to be licensed produced, redeveloped in other countries. Weapons like the MG4 and M249 would remain issued with there respective armies. I would also keep around the FN MAG and its respective variants for at least another decade or 2 allowing it to be locally produced as well.

HMG:
When speaking of HMG's I mostly think of vehicle mounted machine-guns, this is however not always correct as you people will know. So primarily I would put forward the M2 Browning. Weapons like the MG3 and other systems from former Communist countries would probably remain in service until Vehicles could be standardized (which would be never most likely :P)

Vehicles:
Tank:
Yes this one is definitely a tough one, If countries are proud of something it will be there tanks. That is why i would say is that we keep the tanks as is. But in the future work towards more cooperation in designs. Within Europe initially we should work towards getting the countries with older weapon systems Leopard 2's. I just feel that that Tank works, and since it is represented in the most of the EU mainland I think it should be the tank to use. I'm not saying the Brits should rid themselves of the Challenger, however in the long run work with the rest the EU to work towards a common vehicle. The US however is a whole different story I don't know if they would want to work towards a common system or not. So the primary Tanks within NATO would be the M1 series and Leopard 2 series. The Challenger will remain with the Brits. And in the future, NATO will have to work towards a common standardized system.

APC:
I quite sure about this one, This one would probably be a system based around the MOWAG Piranha allowing local licences and changes. We'd then result in using the Stryker/LAV3 in the America's, The Piranha in central and northern Europe. I will move the Boxer and KTO Rosomak into the same category as the Piranha. Even tho the systems are different it will just make alot of stuff alot easier.

IFV:
A tough one as well. In the US they would probably keep the Bradley for quite some more time. And in Europe you could say there are a number of vehicles available. I would go ahead in Europe and introduce the CV90 for a number of countries. The UK will keep the Warrior. What we should then try to do is instead of standardizing the vehicles is standardizing the systems and armament in these vehicles making 30 or 35mm Cannons a common standard. Be using the same systems and in the future working towards a common IFV.

General Purpose vehicle:
Both the G-wagon and the Humvee would be kept around as a general vehicle for use in many ways.

Trucks:
There is no way you would be able to make a standard in this I don't believe it.

Aircraft:

Fighter aircraft:
This will not be able to be standardized for another 20 years or so anyway. The US will start using the F22, the EU will be using either the F35 or the Euro fighter. For countries with not enough money to pay for this would probably buy the Saab Grippen or the F/A18.
Hell the F16 will probably be around by that time still.

Might add to this later.


Cheers!

[jerkzilla]

Originally Posted by KingLorre

Sub machine gun:
This would probably be the MP5 as practically every country in the world has this in one form or another. However the MP5 is getting quite old and if I where the say 'Leader' Of NATO I'd probably put forward the FN P90 because of its low recoil and high magazine capacity. Maybe a combination of the both. Trying to phase out the MP5 in the coming decade.

The cool thing with the P90 is that you can also issue the FiveseveN as a sidearm and thus have standard pistol ammunition across the board with improved armor-piercing capability.