Ending US Dependence on Russian Rocket Engines: The Danger of Further Delays

04/23/2019
By Richard Weitz The U.S. Congress has a welcome opportunity to end U.S. dependence on Russian rocket engines for its national security satellites. However, Congress needs to proceed with the existing agreed timetable to avoid unnecessary deals that risk U.S. national security. Members recognize that the United States can leverage…

Military Logistics: The Bedrock or Quick Sand of Sustained Operations in a Crisis

04/21/2019
By Robbin Laird The Australian Defence Force (ADF) shaped a joint force which was able to self-deploy to the Middle East.  With the RAAF's new force package of advanced tanker, the C-17 and Wedgetail, the ADF experienced a joint capability which it had not had before, one which was featured…

Norwegian Cyber Strategy, 2019

04/20/2019
Norway has accelerated plans to scale up its national security infrastructure against threats emanating from the cyber domain. In late January 2019, the Norwegian government released two documents highlighting its approach. "This strategy is intended to address the challenges that will inevitably arise in conjunction with the rapid and far-reaching…

Space Norway Adds Arctic Coverage

04/20/2019
The Norwegians are pursuing enhanced satellite coverage for Arctic defense and security. In a press release issued last year on March 23, 2018, the requirement was identified. Today, broadband coverage in the High North is poor and unstable. The Government now wants Norwegian satellites to make broadband communications available in…

Reworking the Franco-German Arms Export Policies: A Crucial Challenge Facing FCAS

04/19/2019
By Pierre Tran Paris, France France and Germany need to update a 1972 joint agreement on arms exports, a bilateral pact which has economic bearing on a planned European fighter jet, the future combat air system or FCAS. Eric Trappier, chairman of GIFAS, highlighted the challenge at the GIFAS press…

Australian Defence Policy in Flux: The Perspective of Brendan Sargeant

04/18/2019
By Robbin Laird The strategic shift from the land wars in the Middle East to the challenges of facing the 21st century authoritarian powers has recast the defense challenges facing the liberal democracies. Direct defense has returned as the core challenge facing the European states, even while the EU is…

The Indian and Vietnamese Navies Conclude Bilateral Exercise

04/18/2019
By India Strategic New Delhi: In the backdrop of the growing maritime engagement between India and Vietnam, the Indian Navy undertook the second edition of the bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Vietnam Peoples’ Navy at/ off Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam from 13 to 16 Apr 19. The maiden…

French Naval Group and the Australians: Working the Cultural Challenges

04/17/2019
By Pierre Tran Paris Naval Group (NG) is implementing a change in employee communications and behavior, in a bid to smooth out cultural differences between French and Australian staff working on a US $34 billion (A $50 billion) program to build submarines for the Australian Navy, senior executives said. That…