A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
September and October have been experiencing a flurry of contract awards and contract modification increases for the United States Navy’s Virginia class submarine program. Below are two of the latest …
U.S. Virginia Class Submarine Program Sees Flurry of Contract Activity 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
A common enough saying amongst sailors that still exists today is that undersea warfare essentially boils down to two things, the predator – submarines – and the prey – targets. …
Undersea Warfare – Predator and Prey 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
In response to China’s growing aggression in the South Pacific – specifically the South China Sea – the U.S., in May 2023, approved future sales of its Surveillance Towed …
SURTASS & New T-AGOS Class Surveillance Ship Read More
Canada began construction of its future surface combatant, which has been named the River class destroyer. Canada plans to buy 15 warships, which will be variants of the Type 26 …
Canada Begins Construction of New Surface Combatant 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
China’s aircraft carrier program was already lagging due to an economic slowdown when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Technical issues with the design of the next group of carriers only exacerbated …
China’s Aircraft Carrier Program to Take Battle Beyond Its Shores Read More
Aware of the increasing stresses to its strategic environment, Australia is moving forward with its largest shipbuilding investment since the Second World War. The aim is to replenish and expand …
Australia’s Ambitious Warship Building Plan Raises Questions Read More
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed off on four weapons programs on April 26, comprising procurement of SM-3 missiles, a new air-to-air missile, frigates, and a Close-In Weapon …
South Korea Approves SM-3 Buy, Plus New Air-to-Air Missile and Fourth Batch of Frigates Read More