A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Making official a long-rumored deal, Indonesia has announced an order for 42 French-built Dassault Rafale multirole combat aircraft, with a first phase firm order of six fighters. The signing ceremony …
Indonesia Pulls the Trigger on Rafale Order Read More
As the adage goes, sooner or later everything old becomes new again. This certainly applies to the situation in Ukraine, where European countries bordering Russia are watching a military buildup …
Ukraine Tensions and the Idea of European Strategic Autonomy Read More
European military vehicle producer KNDS (KMW + Nexter Defense Systems) completed its restructuring in 2021, with a new streamlined governance structure put into place. The new structure aligns the firm …
KNDS Looking to Expand Into Italy Following Restructuring Read More The French defense procurement agency, the Armament General Directorate (DGA in French acronym), awarded a roughly EUR9 billion ($10.17 billion) contract to Airbus Helicopters on December 22 for the development …
France Orders Development and Production Contract for H160M Guepard Joint Light Helicopters Read More
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) sent a notification to Congress on December 21 that the U.S. State Department has cleared a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to France of …
U.S. State Department Clears France FMS Request for EMALS and AAG 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
France has agreed to procure an additional MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 unmanned aerial vehicle via the U.S. government-to-government Foreign Military Sales (FMS) channel. The $79.42 million contract, announced on June …
France Orders Additional Reaper Block 5 UAV Read More
by J. Kasper Oestergaard, European Correspondent, Forecast International. According to a government report submitted to the German parliament, new European partners are expected to join the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System …
Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) – Status and Path Forward Read More
A quick examination of recent Egyptian arms contracts, or a look at the country’s military force structures, demonstrates quite clearly that the Egyptian military prefers to remain flexible in its …
Gunboats and Diplomacy Read More