A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
China will raise its defense budget topline by 7.2 percent for 2024 as per a government announcement on March 5 during the second annual session of the 14th National People’s …
China Set to Increase Military Budget by 7.2 Percent Read More
Azerbaijan’s Air Force may be taking steps to fill a long-standing requirement for fighter aircraft. On February 22, Azernews reported that Azerbaijan’s Air Force inked a $1.6 billion deal with …
Azerbaijan JF-17 Rumors Resurface Read More
South Korea’s onward march as growing global defense supplier continues apace. The latest major sale involves a $3.2 billion deal with Saudi Arabia that was signed back in November, but …
South Korea Nets Big Export Win with $3.2 Billion Air Defense System Deal with Saudi Arabia Read More
More than 12 years after disbanding its last two tank battalions and mothballing and selling off the entire Royal Netherlands Army fleet of upgraded Leopard 2A6 tanks, Dutch defense officials …
The Netherlands Hope of Resurrecting a Lost Defense Capability Faces Hurdles Read More
The U.S. Senate released a proposed $118 billion national security supplemental spending bill, stemming from the administration’s request last fall for new funding to support Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and U.S. …
U.S. Military Aid Bill Faces Hurdles in Congress Read More
The U.S. and Iraqi governments have begun the process of discussing a timeline of withdrawal for the U.S. and allied military personnel stationed in the Middle Eastern nation, according to …
Iraq Withdrawal Talks Present Watershed Moment Read More
President Biden promised to respond to an attack in northeastern Jordan that killed three U.S. troops and wounded at least another 34 close to the Syrian border. Of those injured, …
President Biden Promises Response to Attack that Killed Three U.S. Troops in Jordan Read More
On Oct. 13, 2022, Germany and 14 NATO allies signed a non-binding letter of intent to pursue the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), an integrated air-defense and anti-missile system. The …
Germany Forges Path To Leadership Through The European Sky Shield Initiative Read More
The Belarusian government has drafted a new military doctrine that, for the first time, accounts for the usage of nuclear weapons. The new doctrine will reflect the rapid change in …
Belarusian Military Doctrine Updated for Nuclear Weapons Read More As long as there are people there will be corruption. A lot of things people do are awful low (name that movie quote). War provides corrupt individuals with irresistible opportunities …
Corruption, Not the U.S., is the Peoples’ Liberation Army’s Greatest Challenge Read More