A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
U.S. lawmakers released the final version of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this past Saturday, omitting a significant funding boost recommended by the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier …
Defense Authorization Bill Abandons Senate’s Proposed Topline Increase Read More
Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) formally inked contracts for the production of two new-build naval destroyers being equipped with the AEGIS air warfare battle management system. The new vessels – …
Japan Orders Two Additional Aegis-Equipped Destroyers Read More
To say the U.S. FY24 budget process has been tumultuous would be an understatement. In addition to the commonplace continuing resolutions that are needed to avoid shutdowns when Congress is …
A Preview of FY24 U.S. Congressional Defense Budget Negotiations Read More
U.S. Congressional defense committees have been hard at work marking up their versions of FY24 defense legislation. Thus far, we’ve seen drafts released from the House Armed Services Committee and …
FY24 Congressional Budget Markup Process in Full Swing Read More
The FY24 budget request (PB24) changed significantly from projections in last year’s spending plan (PB23), for a variety of reasons. Some programs were increased in scope, some were scaled back, …
Biggest Gains and Losses in the Pentagon’s FY24 Budget Read More
With a total of four Arihant class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) planned, an Indian sea-based deterrent force is now an established reality. These submarines are being supported by large-scale investment …
India Levels Up in Nuclear Submarines Read More
Last year’s FY23 defense budget request received significant pushback from Congress. The administration originally requested $773 billion for the Pentagon and projected a defense budget of $801 billion in FY24, …
A Look Inside the Pentagon’s FY24 Acquisition Budget Request Read More
Global militaries rely on satellites to provide communications, reconnaissance information, and navigation and weather data, plus other services. This need for satellite capabilities has led to large space budgets, especially …
2023-2032: A Glimpse into the Military Satellite Market Read More
The nuclear submarine program of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is fraught with contradictory information, speculation, and propaganda. The lack of valid and verified information is a vivid reminder …
China’s Nuclear Submarine Program: Fact vs. Fiction Read More
AM General has succeeded in beating incumbent Oshkosh Defense for an $8.7 billion Joint Light Tactical Vehicle recompete contract. Two other previously identified competitors, GM Defense and Navistar, bowed out …
AM General Beats Oskhosh Defense in JLTV Recompete Upset Read More