A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
With global tensions continuing to heat up, the Chinese government has announced its intention to increase its defense budget by 7.1 percent year-on-year for 2022. The official topline figure will …
China Plans Defense Budget Increase of Over 7 Percent for 2022 Read More
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has given rise to uncertainty about the broader security situation in Europe, and raises questions about U.S. defense investment as Washington weighs its response options. With …
Will Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Change the U.S. Defense Budget Calculus? Read More
The Senate Appropriations Committee released its version of the FY22 defense spending bill earlier this week. The committee recommends adding billions of dollars to the FY22 defense spending bill, mirroring …
Senate Recommends Additional Defense Spending in Draft FY22 Appropriations Bill Read More
Australia’s cancellation of its contract with France’s Naval Group for 12 Shortfin Barracuda class submarines (the Shortfin being a conventionally powered variant of the nuclear-powered Barracuda) in favor of …
Australia’s Surprise Decision and the Dynamics of the World Submarine Market Read More
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