A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Japan’s Defense Ministry released its latest Defense White Paper back on July 15, noting from the outset that the country finds itself in the most severe and complex security environment …
In its Latest Defense White Paper, Japan Warns of Stormy Times Ahead Read More
The Republic of Korea Navy (RoK Navy) recently outlined an ambitious vision for the future of its fleet during a seminar at the National Assembly. Central to this plan is …
South Korean Navy’s Fleet Plans are the Wave of the Future Read More
The Spanish Ministry of Defense has confirmed to news outlets that it will not seek to replace any of its combat aircraft fleet with the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter. Instead, …
Spain and the F-35 Read More
On June 25, leaders of 31 nations belonging to the NATO Alliance gathered in The Hague to reaffirm their commitment to each other, paper over differences, and try to ignore …
The Hague Summit Declaration and NATO’s New Spending Targets Read More
Israel’s recent air war with Iran ended over six weeks ago and military analysts are still dissecting its successes, failures, and tactical innovations. The Wall Street Journal featured a deep …
Israel-Iran Air War: Lessons from a Brief but Intense Conflict Read More
On August 5, the Australian government announced its decision to adopt Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class frigate design to fulfill the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) requirement for a new class of six …
Silent Currents: The Strategic Significance of Australia’s Frigate Choice Read More
South Korea’s plan to acquire 36 additional AH-64E Apache Longbow attack helicopters has come under scrutiny as funding within the country’s second supplementary budget has been slashed. The financial cut …
South Korean AH-64 Apache Top-Up Order in Doubt After Budget Cut Read More
On June 11, Turkey announced that Indonesia had agreed to purchase 48 Kaan fifth-generation fighter jets, marking the first export commitment for the Turkish Aerospace (TAI)-developed aircraft. The announcement, tied …
Indonesia’s Kaan Jet Fighter Deal with Turkey: Symbolism or Substance? Read More
On Monday, June 2, the British government released a new Strategic Defence Review (SDR), the first such review implemented by a Labor government since 1998. It arrives at a time …
Transformative or Mirage? Examining the U.K. Strategic Defense Review Read More
As the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to reshape the global economic landscape through tariffs and the creation of alternative supply chains, a critical vulnerability within the U.S. defense industry …
Tariffs and Retaliation: Exposing the U.S. Defense Industry’s Rare Earth Weakness Read More