A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
On December 17, in a ceremony overseen by President Xi Jinping, China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier was commissioned into service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Construction of …
China Commissions First Domestically Built Aircraft Carrier into PLAN Service Read More
A new defense policy bill Congress released this week gives the green light to establishing a new Space Force as the sixth Armed Service of the U.S. The new service will fall …
U.S. Defense Policy Bill Establishes Space Force Read More
Nearly two years after an earlier deal was nixed, the Czech Republic has reached a $125 million government-to-government deal with Israel for the procurement of eight ELM-2084 Iron Dome multimission …
Czech Republic Orders Eight Israeli Multimission Radars Read More
For this year-end podcast, our analysts examine Russia’s arms export numbers and overall performance within the broader global market. Items covered include rising competition within Russia’s traditional core markets, …
Russian Arms Trade in Review Read More
According to multiple reports, Spain has tapped the PC-21 turboprop trainer from Swiss company Pilatus as its preferred future replacement for the Spanish Air Force’s fleet of C-101 Aviojets. The …
Spain Selects PC-21 as Replacement for C-101 Aviojet Trainers Read More
The U.S. Navy has awarded a $22.2 billion contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat for nine Block V Virginia class submarines, of which eight will be equipped with the Virginia …
U.S. Navy Awards $22 Billion Contract for Nine Virginia Class Subs Read More
Romania plans to acquire five more F-16s from Portugal’s surplus stocks. Under a draft law passed on November 28, the Romanian government outlined the procurement, noting that the additional aircraft …
Romania to Add Five More F-16s from Portuguese Stocks Read More
Following the failure of an earlier merger attempt to combine with Ultra Electronics, a new suitor swept in and bought Sparton. This time it was a private equity firm, Cerberus …
Sparton Finds a New Home Read More
As expected, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a short-term spending bill on the evening of November 21 to avoid a government shutdown. The continuing resolution (CR) funds the federal government …
Stopgap Spending Bill Keeps U.S. Government Running Through December 20 Read More
The U.S. State Department has granted approval to a foreign military sale (FMS) proposal for the sale of five C-130J airlifters to New Zealand at the estimated cost of $1.4 …
Sale of C-130J to New Zealand OK’d by State Department Read More