The Next American Administration and Canadian Defense: Australia Has Set the Bar

09/25/2016
2016-09-24 By Danny Lam Whether it is Hillary Clinton or Donald J. Trump who is the next President, Canada's current defense capabilities will come into the cross hairs. Post-election, an incoming President or Prime Minister will “settle in” as campaign rhetoric and realities collide on inauguration.   Abrupt shifts in policy,…

Rollout of the First Japanese F-35

09/24/2016
2016-09-24  Senior Japanese and U.S. government officials joined Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) to celebrate the roll out of the first Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) F-35A Lightning II, marking a major milestone in Japan’s enhanced national defense and strengthening the future of the U.S-Japan security alliance. The ceremony was…

The F-35 and the Japanese Self Defense Force: The Context of the Rollout of the First Japanese F-35

09/24/2016
2016-09-24 With traditional Japanese taiko drums providing a dramatic aural backdrop, Kenji Wakamiya, State Minister of Defence, Japanese Government, came to the stage to discuss the significance of the rollout of the first F-35 for Japan. The State Minister of Defense Japan on the Roll Out of the First Japanese F-35…

Unmanned Aerial Systems in Civil Airspace: Shaping a Way Ahead

09/23/2016
2016-09-23 In a recent press release from Airbus Defence and Space, dated September 22, 2016, it was announced that Airbus Defence and Space had reached an agreement with the European Aviation Safety Agency for the design and development of unmanned aerial systems intended for certification in civilian operations. “After more…

A Norwegian F-35 Pilot Provides an Update: Shaping New Combat Capabilities in the Northern Edge of NATO

09/22/2016
2016-09-22  Kampflybloggen (The Combat Aircraft Blog) is the official blog of the Norwegian F-35 Program Office within the Norwegian Ministry of Defence. The author of this post, Major Morten “Dolby” Hanche, has more than 2200 hours behind him in the F-16, he is a U.S. Navy Test Pilot School graduate, and on…

The Egyptian Navy Takes Delivery of Its Second Mistral Class Amphibious Ship

09/22/2016
2016-09-22 Earlier, Second Line of Defense has raised the question several times about whether the execution of the Mistral deal made any sense in light of Russian actions in Europe. As Steve Blank noted in 2014: Whatever the logic of negotiating a deal with Russia in 2011, the strategic situation has changed dramatically.  The seizure…

Shaping a Way Forward for the Canadian Air Force: Putting the Fighter Decision in Context

09/21/2016
2016-09-21 By Danny Lam The Canadian Air Force along with the entire Canadian Defence Force faces a tough transition. The challenges to Canada associated with developments in both Europe and Asia or what the recent NORTHCOM/NORAD Commander referred, as threats from the 10 and 2 O’clock are going up, not down.…