A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Two oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, following an attack last month that damaged four tankers in the same area. Both tankers sustained significant damage. …
Oil Tankers Attacked in the Gulf of Oman Read More
France remains one of the world’s leading defense exporters, with its place among the top three nations secured following a jump in sales last year amounting to 31 percent year-on-year …
French Arms Exports Spiked 31 Percent in 2018 Read More
Russian arms exports since the start of 2019 have totaled nearly $6 billion, according to Rosoboronexport chief executive Alexander Mikheyev. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June …
Russian Arms Sales at $6 Billion in First Half of 2019 Read More
The Pakistani military may accept a defense spending cut in the coming budget, due to be unveiled later this month. In a statement, Prime Minister Imran Khan indicated that the …
Pakistan Considering Defense Spending Cut for Upcoming Budget Read More
The government of New Zealand unveiled its latest budget on May 30 for the 2019-2020 fiscal year (which runs from July 1 through June 30), with defense in line for …
New Zealand Set for Defense Spending Hike Read More
The Trump administration is pushing new arms deals for key allies in the Middle East, amid Congressional resistance. On May 24, 2019, the U.S. State Department formally announced the approval …
Trump Administration Announces Approval for New Saudi, Emirati Arms Deals Read More
Guatemala’s military is tasked primarily with protecting the nation’s borders and fighting transnational criminal groups and drug traffickers. In recent years, the military has increased its focus on border …
Facing Continuing Threats, Guatemala Planning to Increase Defense Spending Read More
Beijing continues to build its stature as a global arms exporter, according to the Pentagon’s annual report to Congress on the military and security developments of the People’s Republic of …
China’s Arms Exports: Up, Up and Away Read More
Pakistan and Iran intend to create a joint force to fight militancy on their border. Reuters reported on April 22, 2019, that Pakistan and Iran will create a joint quick …
Pakistan, Iran Aim to Establish Joint Reaction Force Read More
by J. Kasper Oestergaard, European Correspondent, Forecast International. Greece might find itself joining the field of F-35 operators in the not-so-distant future as part of a larger effort to improve …
Greece Contemplates F-35 Acquisition to Replace Oldest F-16s Read More