A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
With its latest budgetary earmark announced on February 1, India’s defense establishment can expect another year of limited military modernization. The FY25-26 allocation is set at INR6.81 trillion ($77.8 billion), …
India’s Defense Budget Rise Insufficient to Meet Strategic Requirements Read More
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
Kazakhstan has received a new batch of Su-30SM fighter jets from Russia, as seen in recent posts on the Kazakh Ministry of Defense’s Telegram page. Several posts from August 17-18 …
New Batch of Su-30s Delivered to Kazakhstan Read More
China’s aircraft carrier program was already lagging due to an economic slowdown when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Technical issues with the design of the next group of carriers only exacerbated …
China’s Aircraft Carrier Program to Take Battle Beyond Its Shores Read More
The Tajik parliament has ratified a defense cooperation agreement with Turkey covering the provision of security assistance to the Central Asian country. Tajikistan and Turkey originally inked the military cooperation …
Tajikistan Ratifies Turkish Military Assistance Agreement Read More
While the geopolitical focus of Washington policymakers currently appears firmly directed towards Ukraine and Gaza, the recent meeting between the leaders of Japan and the U.S. reinforced a growing security …
Joint Leader Statement Underlines Tighter U.S.-Japan Embrace Read More
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
France is looking to conclude sales of fighter jets to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, according to a report in French media. La Tribune reported on November 26 that French President Emmanuel …
France Pitches Rafale to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan Read More
The Uzbek government has published images of new military drones put on display for President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s recent visit to the Surxondaryo region. On November 16, President Mirziyoyev toured a …
Uzbekistan Shows Off Recent Drone Acquisitions Read More
The South Korean government has approved a Defense Ministry request to raise the topline defense budget by 4.5 percent nominally year-on-year in 2024. The government intends to submit the budget …
South Korean Government Plans 4.5 Percent Rise for 2024 Defense Budget Read More