A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has submitted a budget request of ¥8.54 trillion ($59.76 billion) for fiscal year 2025 (FY25). The requested total marks a 7.5 percent increase over the current …
No Going Back: Japan Continues to Hike Defense Spending Read More
The U.S. Army’s search for a longer-range howitzer remains in motion. The service initially planned to integrate a long-range cannon with the M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer but scrapped the effort …
The Search for Range: How the U.S. Army is Rethinking Howitzers Read More
The recent military coups in West Africa have severely impacted U.S. and French counterterrorism and intelligence operations in the region. Niger, a key ally in the fight against Islamist extremism, …
AFRICOM Scrambles To Sustain Intel Operations In West Africa Read More
The latest Defense One Radio episode delves into the key takeaways from the recent Farnborough International Airshow. This episode’s guests are Forecast International’s Dan Darling and Defense One’s own Ben …
Farnborough Air Show Wrap Up on Defense One Radio Read More
As naval competition picks up in the Indo-Pacific, Australia has launched several initiatives to modernize and expand the Royal Australian Navy (RAN)’s maritime capacities. Complementing the oft-covered trilateral AUKUS deal …
The General Purpose Frigate: An Opportunity for Japan and Australia Read More
In June, the Nigerian Army achieved a significant milestone by acquiring two UH-1H “Huey” helicopters, formally establishing its new Aviation Wing. This move is part of a broader strategy to …
Nigeria Expands Army Aviation Amid Regional Security Read More
With the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow just around the corner the usual question begins to emerge: What will be the hot topics, the major focuses during airshow week? Prior to …
Farnborough Airshow Week: A Preview from the Defense Angle Read More
With the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow approaching next week, global aerospace and defense firms are gearing up to present their innovations on the world stage. One such effort, sure to …
Competing Visions for NATO’s NGRC Enterprise Read More
A recent failed coup attempt in Bolivia has sparked outrage, concern and a conflict of narratives, as some observers doubt the origin of the uprising. Swirling allegations in a country …
Bolivia’s Controversial Coup Attempt Underscores Internal Tensions Read More
On June 1, 2024, the Netherlands made history, becoming the first country to officially assign its F-35A stealth fighters to the nuclear strike role, a significant milestone for NATO’s military …
Netherlands Enhances Nuclear Arsenal with F-35A: A New Era in NATO-Russia Tensions Read More