Since 1947, U.S., British and Canadian technicians have been exploring ways & means of standardizing their nations’ weapons and military training. A U.S. mission, dubbed “Nuts & Bolts,” journeyed to Britain, made recommendations to British industry for common designs in key armaments (which were never fully achieved even in World War II).
This week Washington, London and Ottawa announced that the vast standardization project had been formally approved. “Tripartite arrangements,” said the announcement, “will insure that in time of necessity there will be no material or technical obstacles to full co-operation among the armed forces concerned.” Successful standardization, in the framework of the North Atlantic pact, might prove one of the most momentous steps in Western military history.
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