A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
The decision by Australia to scrap its $66 billion deal to purchase French-designed submarines in favor of a nuclear-powered option enveloped within a broader three-nation security pact with the U.S. …
The Fallout from Australia’s Submarine Decision and Other Ramifications of the AUKUS Pact Read More
In a surprise move, Australia has opted to cancel its plans for 12 French-designed conventional submarines and instead utilize American and British nuclear-powered technology for its future fleet as part …
Going Nuclear: Australia Joins U.S.-U.K. for Future Submarine Solution Read More
The U.S. State Department has approved a Philippines government-to-government Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request for F-16 Block 70/72 combat aircraft, with notification of the proposal delivered to Congress on June …
Guns and Diplomacy: Philippines’ F-16 FMS Request Approved by U.S. Read More
The race was too close to call on election day, but former Vice President Joe Biden has unseated incumbent Donald Trump in the presidential election, multiple news outlets are reporting. …
How the Biden Win Impacts Defense Read More
Just a few weeks before the U.S. presidential election, the Trump administration has cleared yet another billion-plus-dollar Foreign Military Sales package for Taiwan. The latest FMS package involves three sales …
Taiwan Cleared for $1.8 Billion Worth of FMS Purchases Read More
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper outlined plans to build a Navy fleet consisting of over 500 manned and unmanned ships by 2045. The planned fleet features a larger submarine component, …
Esper Charts Course for Future Navy Fleet Read More
Japan’s abrupt decision to suspend deployment of U.S.-produced AEGIS Ashore missile defense systems amid cost and technical concerns came as a bit of a surprise. Announced by Defense Minister Taro …
Japan’s AEGIS Ashore Deployment Suspension Raises Questions Read More
China has announced a defense budget for 2020 that will result in a year-on-year nominal increase of 6.6 percent, the lowest such figure since the first half of the 1990s. …
China’s Defense Budget Set to Grow at Slower Pace Read More
Iran has called the U.S. effort to extend the arms embargo on Iran “illegitimate.” In a statement on Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Abbas Mousavi, said, “Iran is not seeking …
Iran Dismisses American Effort to Extend Arms Embargo Read More
Back on April 14, the International Monetary Fund announced the expected when it noted that the global economy is in a tailspin as entire economies are brought to a standstill …
For These Two Countries, the Strategic Calculus in the Indian Ocean Region Remains Unchanged Read More