Misawa Air Base: The USAF and JSADF Cooperation

07/29/2020
According to a Japanese Ministry of Defence article published in July 2020, a recent exercise by the USAF and the JASDF was highlighted. Misawa Air Base is the Koku-Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force)`s only air base operated jointly with the United States. The joint use started in 1958. Currently, there…

Maritime Remotes and Maritime Kill Webs: The Case of an Integrated Counter Mine Autonomous System

07/28/2020
By Robbin Laird During my recent visits to Jax Navy, Mayport, Fallon Naval Air Station and to North Island Naval Air Station, I had a chance to meet with a wide range of Navy officers focused on reshaping air-maritime capabilities to have a more effective and lethal combat force. The…

Indian Air Modernization Takes a Significant Step Forward: First Rafales Depart France for the Indian Air Force

07/27/2020
By Pierre Tran Five Rafales took off July 27 from Mérignac, southwest France, with Indian air force pilots starting a 7,000 km flight to India, with a further five units  staying in France for pilot training, the Indian embassy said in a statement. “India took a significant step in strengthening…

Navigating the COVID-19 World: Shaping a Way Ahead for the International Fighter Conference 2020

07/27/2020
By Robbin Laird I have attended the International Fighter Conference for the past two years in Berlin. I provided several analytical pieces on presentations and discussions at those two events as well as reports covering the events as well. I was certainly looking forward to coming to Berlin and seeing…

JSDF Participates in Anti-Piracy Operations with the EU Naval Force Somalia

07/26/2020
According to a story published in July 2020 by the Japanese Ministry of Defence, the Japanese Navy is participating in the EU anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden. On June 12th and 21st, JS Onami conducted an anti-piracy joint exercise (including communications training, firearms exercises, etc.) with the Spanish Navy Frigates “Numancia”…

The Next Phase of Australian Defense Strategy Development: A Discussion with Brendan Sargeant

07/24/2020
By Robbin Laird Last month, the Australian government announced its new defense strategy and force development plan for the decade ahead. It represents both continuity and change from the 2016 strategy, but clearly expresses a recognition of the new strategic environment within which Australia finds itself. It also expresses both…

An Update on the Integratable Air Wing: A Discussion with the US Navy’s Air Boss

07/23/2020
By Robbin Laird Last February, I visited San Diego and met with Vice Admiral Miller, the US Navy’s Air Boss. During that meeting, we discussed a shift from what I call the integrated to the integratable air wing and its impact on innovation for the fleet and the joint force.…

The RAAF Adapts to Covid-19: Exercise Virtual Pitch Black 2020

07/23/2020
By Flight Lieutenant Bel Scott. Generated from the Air Warfare Centre’s – Distributed Training Centre (AWC-DTC) at RAAF Base Williamtown, training audiences from Amberley and Williamtown were virtually connected in the Northern Territory airspace and ranges between Darwin and Tindal from June 29 to July 10. For the first time,…