A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
For nearly half a century, the one constant in Japan’s defense approach remained its budgeting. Year-in, year-out, regardless of government, Japan has earmarked no more than 1 percent of its …
Japan Prepares for a New Era in Defense Approach and Investment 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 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
The COVID-19 pandemic cast global markets into a period of uncertainty as it moved across the globe in early 2020. The impact of the virus is beginning to make its …
Mitsubishi Pulls Back on SpaceJet in Face of COVID-19 Pressures Read More Japan remains open to partnership on its F-X Future Fighter program with both the United States and the United Kingdom, per a statement by its Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency …
Japan Leaves Door Open to U.K. Partnership in Its F-X Fighter Program Read More
A notification of approval by the U.S. State Department for a government-to-government foreign military sales (FMS) request by Japan for the upgrade by Boeing of 98 of its F-15J fighters …
Japan F-15J Upgrade Request OK’d by U.S. State Department Read More
by Thomas Dolzall, Defense Analyst, Forecast International. On September 10, the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) under the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that it had selected the three …
Japan Lines Up Contenders for Its New Armored Personnel Carrier Read More
Japan’s government is eyeing the launch of a satellite interceptor as a means to counter attack satellites under development in China and Russia. A formal decision is expected by the …
Japanese Government Considers Launching a Satellite Interceptor Read More
Japan’s government plans to bring 20 large, unmanned aerial helicopters into service with the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) as a force-multiplying means to monitoring China’s maritime expansion and operations around …
Japan Plans to Add Unmanned Helicopters to Maritime Self-Defense Force Capabilities Read More
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) is still working to improve its profitability, which has been flat for the past three years. Much of this decline is due to the effects of …
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Works Its Way Through the Doldrums Read More