A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
China appears to be sleepwalking toward a conflict over Taiwan. In response, East Asia has begun to prepare for a war that could start as early as 2026. While some …
East Asian Rearmament – The Red Line Podcast Read More
In a step announced on December 9, three nations – Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom – announced a joint agreement on a trilateral future fighter development project called the …
Japan Merges with Anglo-Italian Fighter Initiative to Form Global Combat Air Program Read More
For nearly half a century, the one constant in Japan’s defense approach remained its budgeting. Year-in, year-out, regardless of government, Japan has earmarked no more than 1 percent of its …
Japan Prepares for a New Era in Defense Approach and Investment Read More
The decision by Australia to scrap its $66 billion deal to purchase French-designed submarines in favor of a nuclear-powered option enveloped within a broader three-nation security pact with the U.S. …
The Fallout from Australia’s Submarine Decision and Other Ramifications of the AUKUS Pact 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
The COVID-19 pandemic cast global markets into a period of uncertainty as it moved across the globe in early 2020. The impact of the virus is beginning to make its …
Mitsubishi Pulls Back on SpaceJet in Face of COVID-19 Pressures Read More Japan remains open to partnership on its F-X Future Fighter program with both the United States and the United Kingdom, per a statement by its Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency …
Japan Leaves Door Open to U.K. Partnership in Its F-X Fighter Program Read More
A notification of approval by the U.S. State Department for a government-to-government foreign military sales (FMS) request by Japan for the upgrade by Boeing of 98 of its F-15J fighters …
Japan F-15J Upgrade Request OK’d by U.S. State Department Read More
by Thomas Dolzall, Defense Analyst, Forecast International. On September 10, the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) under the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that it had selected the three …
Japan Lines Up Contenders for Its New Armored Personnel Carrier Read More
Japan’s government is eyeing the launch of a satellite interceptor as a means to counter attack satellites under development in China and Russia. A formal decision is expected by the …
Japanese Government Considers Launching a Satellite Interceptor Read More