A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Confronted with a severe financial crisis, the government of Sri Lanka has announced plans to slash its armed forces over the course of the year in an effort to get …
Sri Lanka Announces Major Cut to Armed Forces Read More
France’s defense procurement agency, the DGA, announced on January 12 the earlier awarding on December 22 of a pair of 18-month, €10.9 million ($11.8 million) contracts for the study of …
France Awards Maritime Patrol Aircraft Study Contracts to Airbus, Dassault Read More
As 2022 draws to a close, the European defense environment has shifted as dramatically as at any time since the end of the Cold War. Beginning with the launch of …
The European Defense Environment Year in Review, and a Peek Ahead Read More
In a step announced on December 9, three nations – Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom – announced a joint agreement on a trilateral future fighter development project called the …
Japan Merges with Anglo-Italian Fighter Initiative to Form Global Combat Air Program Read More
For nearly half a century, the one constant in Japan’s defense approach remained its budgeting. Year-in, year-out, regardless of government, Japan has earmarked no more than 1 percent of its …
Japan Prepares for a New Era in Defense Approach and Investment Read More
Following up on an earlier Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request for M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, a second purchase solicitation by Poland for a potential buy has been given the …
Second Polish M1A1 Abrams Foreign Military Sales Request Approved by State Department Read More
The British Ministry of Defence has awarded BAE Systems a GBP4.2 billion ($4.97 billion) contract for a second batch of Type 26 frigates destined for the Royal Navy. The new …
U.K. Defence Ministry Orders Type 26 Batch 2 Frigates Read More
The effective use of the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) by Ukraine against invading Russian forces continues to generate interest – and budding orders – for Lockheed Martin. …
Add Lithuania to the List of Eager HIMARS Buyers Read More
Australia has received the green-light from the U.S. State Department for a potential buy of 24 C-130J tactical transport aircraft from Lockheed Martin via the government-to-government Foreign Military Sales (FMS) …
Australia Cleared by U.S. State Department for C-130J Purchase Read More
Under new defense spending and equipment plans laid out by Sweden’s defense chief, Gen. Micael Byden, Sweden plans to follow the lead of neighboring Norway and retire its existing fleet …
Sweden Plans to Axe NH90 Fleet Read More