A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
As Germany begins its surprising about-face on matters pertaining to defense and security policy, it will undertake procurement of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II new-generation combat aircraft to fill …
In a Reversal, Germany Taps F-35A to Fill Nuclear Deterrent Role Read More
The launch of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, represents a test for Europe. Will the comfortable, economically developed countries that formed the backbone of the European …
The Great European Defense Reset Now Begins Read More
With global tensions continuing to heat up, the Chinese government has announced its intention to increase its defense budget by 7.1 percent year-on-year for 2022. The official topline figure will …
China Plans Defense Budget Increase of Over 7 Percent for 2022 Read More
With war raging in Ukraine, the Polish government is readying a procurement of an undisclosed number of MQ-9 Reaper medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones. The MQ-9 Reaper is capable of conducting …
Alarmed by Events in Ukraine, Poland Opts for Accelerated MQ-9 Reaper Purchase Read More
Jarred awake from its 30-year slumber by events in Ukraine, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced in a special session of the Bundestag on February 27 that a massive shift in …
Confronting Reality, Germany Pledges a Stronger Military Read More
“I believe that the European Union more accurately reflects what the world will look like at the end of history than the contemporary United States. The EU’s attempt to transcend …
The End of the End of History: War Comes to Europe Read More
With his aggressive speech on Monday, February 21, effectively nullifying the increasingly defunct Minsk accords and laying the groundwork for absorbing a large swathe of eastern Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir …
Russia Recognizes Ukrainian Separatists, Western Allies Respond Read More
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on February 17 that the U.S. State Department had approved a government-to-government Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request by Poland for M1A2 …
U.S. State Department Approves Poland’s Request for Abrams Tanks Read More
Greece’s parliament has cleared the way for two military procurement programs involving French-produced frigates and combat aircraft. Following approval on February 15, the Ministry of Defense may now finalize pending …
Greek Parliament Green-Lights Arms Deals with France Read More
Making official a long-rumored deal, Indonesia has announced an order for 42 French-built Dassault Rafale multirole combat aircraft, with a first phase firm order of six fighters. The signing ceremony …
Indonesia Pulls the Trigger on Rafale Order Read More