A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Just a few weeks before the U.S. presidential election, the Trump administration has cleared yet another billion-plus-dollar Foreign Military Sales package for Taiwan. The latest FMS package involves three sales …
Taiwan Cleared for $1.8 Billion Worth of FMS Purchases Read More
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper outlined plans to build a Navy fleet consisting of over 500 manned and unmanned ships by 2045. The planned fleet features a larger submarine component, …
Esper Charts Course for Future Navy Fleet Read More
Japan’s abrupt decision to suspend deployment of U.S.-produced AEGIS Ashore missile defense systems amid cost and technical concerns came as a bit of a surprise. Announced by Defense Minister Taro …
Japan’s AEGIS Ashore Deployment Suspension Raises Questions Read More
China has announced a defense budget for 2020 that will result in a year-on-year nominal increase of 6.6 percent, the lowest such figure since the first half of the 1990s. …
China’s Defense Budget Set to Grow at Slower Pace Read More
Iran has called the U.S. effort to extend the arms embargo on Iran “illegitimate.” In a statement on Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Abbas Mousavi, said, “Iran is not seeking …
Iran Dismisses American Effort to Extend Arms Embargo Read More
Back on April 14, the International Monetary Fund announced the expected when it noted that the global economy is in a tailspin as entire economies are brought to a standstill …
For These Two Countries, the Strategic Calculus in the Indian Ocean Region Remains Unchanged Read More
The U.S. is calling for an extension of the U.N. arms embargo on Iran, which is due to expire later this year. In a statement on his Twitter page over …
U.S. Calls on Security Council to Extend Iran Arms Embargo Read More
Frozen out from other markets, Pakistan is taking another look at the Chinese-made Z-10 attack helicopter. An agreement between the two countries on the supply of the helicopters would deepen …
Pakistan Takes Another Look at Chinese Attack Helicopter Read More
Confronting an unfavorable fiscal picture unlikely to change in the short term, the Indian Navy is shrinking its procurement ambitions as it re-scopes future force goals. According to senior officials, …
Budgetary Pressures Induce Indian Navy Rethink Read More
Iraq will send military delegations to Russia, Ukraine, and China to discuss the potential purchase of air-defense weapons, an Iraqi lawmaker has said. On January 20, 2020, Badr al-Ziyadi, who …
Iraq Examining Russian, Ukrainian, Chinese SAM Systems Read MoreSign up for the latest blog posts and products sent straight to your inbox.