A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
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
Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein confirmed on October 9 that the government had selected the Leonardo ATR 72 and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Anka to meet the Royal Malaysian Air …
Malaysia Taps Leonardo, TAI to Meet Manned and Unmanned Maritime Patrol Requirements Read More
Negotiations for an expected 300-unit purchase of South Korean K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) have wrapped up, and a contract should be signed this week, according to Poland’s defense …
Poland Readies Buy of South Korean Multiple Rocket Launchers Read More
Consider a country on Europe’s easternmost fringes that once shared a larger border with the former Soviet Union. This country emerged from the dissolution of the USSR an independent state, …
A Tale of Two Former Soviet Republics (Or: How Much is Ukraine Getting in Trans-Atlantic Military Aid?) Read More
Switzerland has made its procurement of the F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft official. The country’s defense procurement agency, Armasuisse, signed the CHF6.035 billion ($6.25 billion) contract for 36 F-35 conventional …
Switzerland Concludes F-35 Purchase Read More