A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
by Stuart Slade, Senior Naval & Marine Power Systems Analyst, Forecast International. Canada’s decision to select the BAE Systems/Lockheed Martin bid for the Canadian patrol frigate replacement has sent shock-waves …
Type 26 Now Rivals FREMM as Major Frigate Program Read More
The Russian military will acquire dozens of Su-57 fighter jets under plans announced by President Vladimir Putin. Speaking at a meeting on May 15, 2019, President Putin discussed the status …
Russia to Acquire 76 Su-57s Through 2028 Read More
The House Appropriations Committee has released a draft version of the FY20 defense appropriations bill. The bill passed the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense by voice vote, and heads to …
House Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2020 Defense Funding Bill Read More The Air Force’s FY20 budget request totals $204.8 billion, reflecting a 5.4 percent increase over the $194.3 billion provided for the service in FY19. However, it is important to remember …
FY20 Budget Overview, Part 3: Air Force Programs Read More
The Belarusian military has received a new batch of Yak-130 combat jet trainers from Russia. On May 11, 2019, Belarus received its third grouping of Yak-130s from Russia. The four …
Belarus Receives Third Batch of Yak-130s Read More
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) is still working to improve its profitability, which has been flat for the past three years. Much of this decline is due to the effects of …
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Works Its Way Through the Doldrums Read More
The Indian Air Force on May 10 received the first of 22 Boeing AH-64D Apache Block III Longbow multirole combat helicopters in a formal ceremony at Boeing’s production facility in …
First Apache Attack Helicopter Handed Over to Indian Air Force Read More
The Pentagon has laid out a $205.6 billion budget for the Navy in FY20, an increase of around 5.1 percent compared to the FY19 enacted level of $195.6 billion. Mirroring …
FY20 Budget Overview, Part 2: Navy Programs Read More
French human rights activists have attempted to block the loading of French weapons onto a Saudi cargo ship docking in France today. On May 9, 2019, the human rights group …
French Human Rights Activists Seek to Block Saudi Arms Delivery Read More
India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared a procurement of 10 Russian-made Kamov Ka-31 Helix airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) helicopters for the Indian Navy. The acquisition is intended …
More Ka-31 Helicopters on Tap for Indian Navy Read More