By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Denmark, I have a chance to meet with Admiral (Retired) Nils Wang, a dialogue partner for several years in my visits to the country. He has provided the readers of Second Line of Defense with many key insights not only with regard…
We consider the evolution of the Australian-Japanese relationship as one of the most critical ones which can affect the reshaping of deterrent capabilities and relations in the Pacific. Both countries are pushing out their defense perimeters to deal with the expanded reach of the Chinese. Both are introducing new capabilities,…
By Robbin Laird October 11, 2018, the Danish Atlantic Treaty organization hosted a conference sponsored by our partner Risk Intelligence entitled, “Threat Perception 2018: The Northern European Perspective.” The hosts will provide a full report of the proceedings of the day. The conference provided a detailed look at the presentations…
The UK is in the process of developing and then building a new anti-submarine frigate. And the UK received the good news earlier this year that their new ship would be adopted as well by the Royal Australian Navy which would increase significantly the build of the new type of…
New Delhi, October 7, 2018 Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships Kaga, an Izumo Class Helicopter Destroyer and Inazuma – a Guided Missile Destroyer arrived at Visakhapatnam on 07 October 2018. The JMSDF Ships under the command of Rear Admiral Tatsuya Fukada, Commander, Escort Flotilla-4 (CCF-4), would be participating…
By Robbin Laird In our work on Northern Europe, we have focused in several trips and reports on how, why and in what ways the Nordics are cooperating more closely and effectively to enhance their joint security. We have highlighted how we see this as part of a broader trend…
By Stephan Frühling The presidency of Donald Trump makes this a difficult time for any ally to contemplate closer institutional links to the United States. Nevertheless, strengthening the US–Australia alliance has strong bipartisan support in Australia. Polls indicate that recognition of the importance of the US alliance, and support for…
For Australia and its quest for enhanced defense industrial sovereignty, submarines are identified in the government’s report on defense industrial capability as the number one and two items. The first item involves the approach to Collins class submarine maintenance and technology upgrades. And the second involves the new build submarine…
