A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has submitted a budget request of ¥8.54 trillion ($59.76 billion) for fiscal year 2025 (FY25). The requested total marks a 7.5 percent increase over the current …
No Going Back: Japan Continues to Hike Defense Spending Read More
Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un traveled northwards to Russia for a nearly week-long visit, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top officials, as well as touring …
Russia’s DPRK Outreach Read More
The South Korean government has approved a Defense Ministry request to raise the topline defense budget by 4.5 percent nominally year-on-year in 2024. The government intends to submit the budget …
South Korean Government Plans 4.5 Percent Rise for 2024 Defense Budget Read More 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 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 Trump administration is leveling a weighty demand at South Korea in order to exact more funding for the basing of American troops on South Korean soil. The administration is …
Trump Administration Demands South Korea Pay $1 Billion for Stationing of Troops Read Moreby Shaun McDougall, Military Markets Analyst, Forecast International. The historic meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore resulted in the signing of a joint statement …
Historic Summit Has Major Implications for U.S. Military Read More