A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Since the reimposition of 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum by President Donald Trump in early 2025, the U.S. shipbuilding industry has found itself at a critical juncture. Originally …
Ripple Effects: Steel Tariffs and U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Read More
In a show of shipbuilding force, the Indian Navy commissioned three separate vessels at once on Jan. 15, in a ceremony at the state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai. The …
Indian Navy’s Triple Commissioning Signals Ambitious Future Read More
Introduction As Forecast International prepares to attend WEST 2025—the premier naval conference and exposition on the West Coast—we’ve prepared this blog to illuminate one of the most critical topics for …
Steel and Strategy: America’s Shipbuilding Plans Enter Stormy Waters Read More
As naval competition picks up in the Indo-Pacific, Australia has launched several initiatives to modernize and expand the Royal Australian Navy (RAN)’s maritime capacities. Complementing the oft-covered trilateral AUKUS deal …
The General Purpose Frigate: An Opportunity for Japan and Australia Read More
The Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) has proposed adding $4.6 billion to the Navy’s shipbuilding budget for FY25, setting the stage for a conflict with House appropriators who recommended reducing shipbuilding …
Conflict Ahead: Senate and House at Odds Over Navy Shipbuilding Funding Read More
The U.K. Royal Navy intends to purchase up to six new-build multirole support ships (MRSSs) as well as provide its future Type 26 and Type 31 frigates with ship-to-shore land-attack …
British Royal Navy to Purchase Six Multirole Support Ships, Bolster National Shipbuilding in Process Read More
The U.S. Navy released its latest long-range shipbuilding strategy, which outlines construction and retirement plans for the service’s fleet over the next 30 years. The strategy document encompasses two potential …
U.S. Navy Releases New Long-Range Shipbuilding Strategy Read More
The Department of Defense once again finds itself operating at reduced funding levels due to a continuing resolution (CR) enacted at the start of the 2024 fiscal year. A CR …
U.S. Navy Shipbuilding Programs Impacted by Continuing Resolution Read More
So far this year, four defense committees in Congress have put their own unique spin on the FY23 defense budget while taking the administration’s request and other funding recommendations into …
How FY23 Defense Legislation Will Impact DoD Acquisition Programs Read More
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday released a public version of his 2022 Navigation Plan (NAVPLAN) that includes details of the Navy’s desire for a fleet of 373 battle …
New Details Emerge about U.S. Navy’s Desired Fleet Size Read More