2015-10-21 By Robbin Laird During my visit to Eurofighter in Munich, Paul Smith explained the thrust of modernization of Eurofighter and the approach highlighted by Italian test pilot, Major Raffaele Beltrame. In this interview, Lars Joergensen explains the underlying approach to modernization. The Second Line of Defense team first met…
10/26/2015: An Osprey lands on HNLMS JOHAN DE WITT during exercise Trident Juncture 2015. Credit: Natochannel.:10/22/13 This was prepared for during training earlier this year. The speed and range of the Osprey is a key combat enabler. It also provides significant reach and range to connect US and allied warships into…
2015-10-12 By Robbin Laird On September 29, 2015, I had a chance to meet with and to discuss with Lt. General Preziosa, his perspectives on the evolution of 21st century airpower. This is the third time I have had the opportunity to meet with the Italian Chief of Staff, and…
2015-10-24 South Korea and US forces are working the offensive-defensive enterprise to deter North Koreans. One element is enhanced joint training in the ADA capabilities of the two ground forces. When a siren went off in the afternoon of July 15, Korean and U.S. soldiers moved to a launcher to…
10/23/2015: US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) successfully intercepted a ballistic missile in the North Atlantic Ocean during the Maritime Theater Missile Defense (MTMD) Forum’s At Sea Demonstration (ASD) Oct. 20, 2015. This is first time a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IA guided interceptor was fired…
10/15/2015: The Norwegians are serious about defense. And they are investing in capabilities to provide deterrence against their aggressive neighbor, the Russian bear. In the rollout of the first Norwegian F-35, Norwegian defense officials made it clear that there were focused on transforming their forces, with the F-35 as a…
2015-10-08 Whether discussing the evolution of airpower in Japan, South Korea, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, or Italy, there is little question that the F-35 is seen as not only a priority but a key element for reshaping or renorming airpower. The Norwegians have made this abundantly clear as…
2015-10-08 The Japanese released their 2015 White Paper in July and have published an English version as well. They also released a look back at defense activities in 2014. With regard to the security environment facing Japan the judgement is direct: “The security environment surrounding Japan has become increasingly severe,…