A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is preparing to launch a competitive procurement process to replace its aging Hawk T1 and T2 advanced jet trainers, a decision formalized by Defence …
Global Contenders Emerge for UK’s Next Generation Jet Trainer Read More
The future of U.S. military rotorcraft took another step toward tiltrotor technology following Bell’s recent down-select to develop a high-speed, hovering X-plane design for the Pentagon. As part of …
Bell’s DARPA X-Plane Win Signals Tiltrotor as the Future of Rotorcraft 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
The U.S. Air Force wants to retire its entire fleet of 162 A-10C Warthog attack jets during fiscal year 2026. This move is a component of a larger strategy to …
The Pentagon Offers Early Retirement for Remaining A-10 Fleet Read More
The Air Force is officially recommending the cancellation of the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail program in its new FY26 budget request, arguing that the aircraft cannot survive in contested airspace against …
USAF Cancels Boeing E-7A Wedgetail Program Read More
Despite a traditional focus on commercial aerospace, the 2025 Paris Air Show opened under defense-related controversy. Host nation France’s decision to shut down the displays of Israeli defense companies, Elbit …
Paris Air Show Closes Amid Global Conflict: A Defense Recap 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
With one of the most high-profile air shows of 2025 days away in Paris, discourse in aerospace circles is turning to anticipating the major storylines that will dominate the …
Paris Air Show Preview: The Defense Angle Read More
Following a record-breaking month of F-35 deliveries, Lockheed Martin is on track to reach the upper end of its annual delivery target of 170 to 190 aircraft. During a January …
Lockheed Martin On Pace For Record F-35 Deliveries In 2025 Read More
In aerospace defense circles, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has seized an outsized role in worldwide debate since the Trump administration took office, becoming a flashpoint topic for international …
Tariffs, Trust, and the F-35: Can Global Volatility Upend the JSF? Read More