A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Australian shipbuilding giant Austal shot down a takeover offer worth $662 million from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean. The deal was deemed unlikely to gain approval from regulators due to Austal’s …
Defense Contract Concerns Sink Hanwha Ocean’s Bid for Austal 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 Project 022 Houbei class fast attack craft-missile (FAC-M) of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is believed to have completed its known and projected production run with a total …
Chinese Missile Boats Operate on an Attack Swarm Principle Read More
The Dutch government has opted for a future submarine solution from French naval prime Naval Group per an announcement by State Secretary for Defense Christophe van der Maat on March …
Netherlands Selects Naval Group to Meet Future Submarine Needs Read More
The U.S. Navy’s selection of the Italian version of FREMM for its FFG 62 Constellation class frigate program can only be described as a stunning success for Fincantieri. This decision …
FFG 62 Constellation Class Frigate Program Running Late Out the Gate Read More
The standing of the Freedom class (LCS 1) in the naval world may best be summarized by saying that while it turned into a somewhat satisfactory class of ship, it …
U.S. Littoral Combat Ship Freedom Class Variant: Cheaper to Give Away Than Fix or Even Junk? Read More
The U.S. Navy submarine force structure calls for 66 SSN attack submarines (all classes) with a remote possibility of up to 72 SSNs. The projected Virginia class production run …
Can Virginia Class Submarine Procurement Demands Keep Up with Industry Infrastructure Capability Read More
On October 4, 2023, steel was first cut for Brazil’s future nuclear attack submarine Alvaro Alberto in a ceremony held by the Brazilian Navy and the Brazilian state-owned company Itaguai …
Construction Starts on Brazil’s First Nuclear Submarine Read More
The U.S. Navy’s Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) program provides a detect-to-engage layered torpedo defense capability. The four major systems that comprise the U.S. SSTD are the SLQ-25 NIXIE system, …
Only Thing Sailors Seem to Hate More Than Sharks is Torpedoes Read More
When is a monopoly not a monopoly? When it is a joint venture – until it’s not. Sonobuoy manufacturer ERAPSCO (a joint venture between Sparton and Ultra Maritime) announced on …
Sonobuoy Olympus Has Fallen Read More