A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
In 2023, the Pentagon announced the Replicator Initiative with fanfare, aiming to field vast numbers of affordable, expendable drones as a strategic counter to China. However, by 2025, the program …
A New DAWG in the Fight: The Pentagon’s $54 Billion Bet on Autonomous Warfare Read More
Ground demonstration of the Barracuda 500M air-breathing autonomous cruise missile. Source: Anduril Anduril has expanded its role within the U.S. missile production ecosystem, emerging as the country’s third solid …
Barracuda-500M Affordable Cruise Missiles at Scale Read More
German defense industrial giant Rheinmetall has submitted a non-binding bid to acquire German Naval Yards Kiel (GNYK), a key shipyard on the Baltic Sea coast. The bid, announced by company …
Rheinmetall’s GNYK Bid Raises Stakes in German Naval Shipbuilding Race Read More
Since the start of military operations against Iran, U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft have been participating in multiple missions, launching from the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald …
A Multi-Billion Dollar “Ghost” and the Rise of Electronic Attack Read More
The White House recently released a historic $1.5 trillion national security budget that sets out expansive investment plans for munitions, shipbuilding, drones, and emerging technologies, while also pouring billions into …
Inside the Pentagon’s Historic $1.5 Trillion FY27 Budget Request Read More
Demonstration of the PAC‑3 Missile Segment Enhancement integrated into the Aegis Combat System. Source: Lockheed Martin The U.S. Navy is set to become the second U.S. service branch to operate …
PAC‑3 MSE Integration and the Future of U.S. Naval Missile Defense Read More
During the first quarter of 2026, the U.S. government approved over $45 billion in potential Foreign Military Sales (FMS) with the overwhelming majority supporting Middle Eastern allies. Of total global …
War Dividends: Potential U.S. Arms Sales to the Middle East Surge in Q1 2026 Read More
Image – Forecast International (AI-generated) South Korea’s defense planning is increasingly shaped by a constraint that is not military but demographic. As the country’s population ages and its pool of …
Manufacturing Capacity, Not Manpower: South Korea’s Quiet Defense Pivot Read More
The Context On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran. The conflict that followed has caused a tremendous strain on the global …
Strait of Hormuz Under Threat of Mines: Are Littoral Combat Ships the Solution? Read More
AI as Organizational Technology In his 2025 book, AI, Automation, and War, Anthony King implores the reader to understand artificial intelligence (AI) as a phenomenon most closely related to organizational …
AI in Iran: It’s Not (Just) About Capabilities Read More