2015-03-24 The Italian military provides an important capability for Italy to respond to international crises but which are under pressure from economic stringencies. In testimony before the Italian parliament, Italian Defense Minister Pinotti highlighted the Italian efforts. According to a story on the Italian Ministry of Defence website published on…
2015-03-24 French forces along with several allied air and naval forces are joining in to aid the population of Vanuatu in the wake of a major natural disaster. The FAF based in Tahiti have sent CASA-235s to deliver aid to Vanuatu. The aircraft are bringing aid and personnel to assist…
2015-03-24 Last year, the Swedish forces sought to find a mini-sub last October operating in Swedish waters. As a result of this and other concerns with Russian activity in the region, Sweden is bolstering its defense efforts. Part of that effort is building new submarines. According to an AFP story…
2015-03-23 The 6th Soryu-class SSK, SS-506 Kokuryu, (meaning Black Dragon) was commissioned into service with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries shipyard in Kobe on March 9th. [caption id="attachment_75933" align="alignnone" width="300"] The 6th Soryu-class SSK, SS-506 Kokuryu, (meaning Black Dragon) was commissioned into service with Japan…
2015-03-20 By Kenneth Maxwell Brazil is facing the perfect storm. There is political gridlock in Brasília. Both in the Congress and in the Presidential Palace. On 19 March, Angeli, a cartoonist of the “Folha de São Paulo", which is Brazil's largest newspaper, portrayed President Dilma Rousseff, who was only re-elected…
2015-03-23 A key part of the transition in Afghanistan on the military side is enabling the Afghan forces to use airpower in the fight against Islamic insurgency. The Super Tucano is coming from the United States, and training on Soviet-era helicopters is part of that transition. And Western forces maintaining…
2015-03-22 By Gary Schaub Dateline: Copenhagen, Denmark Since Russia’s invasion and annexation of Crimea and, at a minimum, support for forces in eastern Ukraine that are attempting to secede and join Russia, belligerence in its foreign policy rhetoric is becoming more common, as are references to its nuclear capabilities. An…
03/22/2015: A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17A Globemaster III aircraft has embarked medical personnel and equipment as part of the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT). Approximately 20 civilian personnel and 15 tons of equipment including a field hospital and water purification system will be delivered by the C-17 from…