A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Switchblade 300 is a back-packable and rapidly deployable loitering munition system for use against beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) targets. Image – AeroVironment, Inc.Loitering munitions, often dubbed “kamikaze” or “suicide drones,” are a …
The Evolving Landscape of Loitering Munitions Read More
On Oct. 13, 2022, Germany and 14 NATO allies signed a non-binding letter of intent to pursue the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), an integrated air-defense and anti-missile system. The …
Germany Forges Path To Leadership Through The European Sky Shield Initiative Read More
In the complex landscape of Taiwanese defense politics, a stark divide has emerged between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of the Tsai administration, particularly concerning the …
Internal Politics Cause Chasm in Taiwan’s Defense Posture Read More
In May 2023, the U.S. rejected Thailand’s bid to procure Lockheed Martin F-35A aircraft, citing production constraints and inadequate existing infrastructure on the receiving end. While partially true, other evidence …
F-35 – A Litmus Test for U.S. Alliance Strength Read More
The U.S. military plans to accelerate its fielding of hypersonic weapons despite a series of test issues. On September 6, the Department of Defense postponed a planned test-firing of the …
Army Aims To Field New Hypersonic Weapon This Year Despite Test Failures Read More
By Aja Melville, Daniel Darling, and Derek Bisaccio The onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 awoke Europe from its post-Cold War slumber. Within a matter of …
From Crisis to Opportunity: Europe’s Defense Industry Transformation in the Post-Ukraine Crisis Read More
Imagery of Near-Complete Chinese Military Naval Station in Cambodia. Image – Black Sky On July 24, BlackSky Technology, Herndon, Virginia, published a series of satellite images showing the rapid development …
China Extends Its Grasp Read More
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has requested a review of a 2017 defense treaty with Australia, months after finalizing a security pact with China that permits Chinese troops to deploy to …
Tug Of War In The Pacific Read More
The U.S. Army has announced the finalists in its competition to replace the aging Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). Formerly known as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), the service announced that the new …
XM30 Bradley IFV Replacement Detailed Read More The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has made loitering technologies a priority in its efforts to support counter-violent extremist organization (C-VEO) operations and strategic competition. During SOF week in Tampa, …
SOCOM Steps Up Drive For Loitering Capabilities Read More