France and the Sale of Rafale to Egypt: Sans Meteor

03/03/2021
By Pierre Tran Paris - France withheld the sale of the Meteor long-range, air-to-air missile to Egypt in response to a request from Israel, an arms specialist said. That French decision to forego an order for the Meteor missile differed from an initial withholding of the Scalp cruise missile to…

First Flight of Australia’s First Locally Constructed Defence Aircraft in over 50 years

03/02/2021
The Boeing/RAAF Loyal Wingman has had its maiden flight. This marks the first flight of an Australian locally constructed defence aircraft in more than 50 years. “The Loyal Wingman’s first flight is a major step in this long-term, significant project for the Air Force and Boeing Australia, and we’re thrilled…

Leveraging an African Opportunity for the Counter-Terrorism Fight

03/01/2021
By Murielle Delaporte Sahel is among the worst nightmares for any counter-terrorist expert and planner. It feels like the old saying of getting rid of an enemy through the door before it comes back – regenerated or under a different form – via the window. In some ways the level…

Looking Back and Looking Forward with Regard to Airpower: Don’t Ignore Organizational Culture in Sorting Through Mastering the Targeting Enterprise

02/28/2021
By Robbin Laird In his book, Selling Schweinfurt, Col. Brian D. Vlaun discusses how combat leaders, supported by their structures that provide cross-cutting assessments of target effectiveness, sorted through the challenge of how to use the World War II European-based bomber force. The core effort was pretty straightforward — attrite…

Colonel Perrin Provides an Update on the CH-53K: February 2021

02/27/2021
By Robbin Laird A year ago, I visited Pax River and had a chance to discuss the progress of the CH-53K with  Colonel Jack Perrin Program Manager, PMA-261 H53 Heavy Lift Helicopters, US Naval Air Systems Command at Pax River Naval Air Station. And this week, he provided an update…

COVID-19 and Live Virtual Constructive Training

02/26/2021
By Tony McCormack The world has changed rapidly over the past 18 months and the way Australia’s defence organisation trains its people needs to change with it, or skills and readiness will surely decline. A combination of the Australian Defence Force’s involvement in responding to natural disasters over the summer…

Japan-U.S. Bilateral Exercise “Forest Light“

02/26/2021
From December 7th to 18th, 2020, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) conducted the Japan-U.S. Bilateral Exercise “Forest Light” with the U.S. Marine Corps in Sekiyama Training Area, Somagahara Training Area and Camp Somagahara. “Forest Light” aims to enhance bilateral cooperation and improve bilateral response capabilities by conducting field training…

The Australian Defence Force Shapes a Way Head: From an Historical Perspective

02/24/2021
By Ed Timperlake Joint By Design, The Evolution of Australian Strategy is a very important new book by Robbin F.Laird. As the author sagely points out in his preface that  “this book although focused on Australia, is not just about Australia.” There is a strategic shift underway as land wars…