2015-10-12 By Robbin Laird During my visit to Europe in the early Fall of 2015, one of the subjects of interest was the cross cutting modernization of the Eurofighter with the introduction of the F-35. Clearly, the Royal Air Force and the Italian Air Force are key players in this…
2015-10-12 In certainly a unique movement of military hardware, the Mistrals purchased by Russia, and then cancelled due to French reconsiderations are now going to Egypt. According to a story by our partner defenceWeb published on October 12, 2015: Egypt on Saturday signed a contract with French shipbuilder DCNS to…
2015-10-07 By Gulshan Luthra http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories4097_Rafale_Contract_by_end_2015_says_Air_Chief_Arup_Raha.htm Dateline New Delhi and Paris In an interview with India Strategic and at remarks at his annual pre-Air Force Day briefing here October 3, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha observed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) was “terribly short” of…
2015-10-06 By Robbin Laird The F-35 is not only not simply a replacement aircraft, but it is a global aircraft. And with the allies buying around 50% of the aircraft over the next few years, while Washington sorts out its strategy, the innovation driven by the allies will be significant…
2015-09-20 By Robbin Laird In 2008, the USAF selected the Airbus A300MRTT tanker. It was a clear winner from the standpoint of what the USAF wanted from a tanker. But politics and the anomalies of the US acquisition process intruded and the next Administration picked a Boeing tanker, one which…
2015-09-19 In June, the French Air Force received its 7th A400M. The aircraft delivered to France was the 13th production aircraft of 174 currently on order Then this month, the Royal Air Force received its 7th A400M. [caption id="attachment_80698" align="alignnone" width="300"] MSN 24, the 7th RAF A400M. Credit: Airbus Defence…
2015-08-03 By Robbin Laird The importance of manufacturing for national power and security is clear. The need to support a manufacturing renaissance is also clear for Americas’ future. And it remains a foundation for providing for American defense and security. No case is clearer than that of the Osprey. The…
2015-07-27 A key aspect of the F-35 global supply chain is suppliers from a variety of nations building parts which become elements of other nations airplanes. It is not simply about Australia building parts for Australian F-35s; it is about building for the global fleet. An example are the vertical…
