A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
In aerospace defense circles, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has seized an outsized role in worldwide debate since the Trump administration took office, becoming a flashpoint topic for international …
Tariffs, Trust, and the F-35: Can Global Volatility Upend the JSF? Read More
As of March 2025, the United States remains the world’s largest arms exporter, accounting for 43% of global arms exports. But even as demand for American-made defense equipment surges amid …
Trump Tariffs Hammer U.S. Artillery Market Despite Export Dominance Read More
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
At a press event on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump hinted at a defense budget request “in the vicinity” of $1 trillion for Fiscal Year …
Trump Teases $1 Trillion Defense Budget—But What Does That Actually Mean? Read More
After the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War, national governments suddenly realized that their weapons inventories were insufficient to meet the demands of a modern war. Of course, this situation has …
The Unspoken Cost of Rebuilding Western Arsenals Read More
Denmark made waves on March 30, when the Defense Ministry announced an ambitious plan for the significant modernization of the country’s naval forces. As part of this new plan, the …
Denmark Unveils Major Naval Modernization Plan Read More
Hanwha plans to establish an arms factory in Romania’s Dambovita county within two years, aiming to create a regional hub for the production, maintenance, and repair of its K9 and …
Hanwha to Build Arms Factory in Romania, Targeting European Hub Read More
Even by the already busy ticker of news regarding the advancement of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) technology, recent weeks have seen an intense flurry of reported events related to the …
A March of Progress for Counter-UAS Technology Read More
The highly-anticipated selection of the prime builder for the U.S. Air Force’s future sixth-generation fighter took place this past Friday. In an Oval Office announcement, President Trump, joined by top …
Boeing Takes the Helm for U.S. Air Force Next-Gen Fighter Read More
Canada has announced plans to purchase a new Arctic over-the-horizon radar (A-OTHR) system from BAE Systems Australia for more than CAD 6 billion ($4 billion). The system, known as the …
Canada Buying $4 Billion Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar from Australia Read More