The Global Partnership Supporting Arms For Ukraine: Secretary of State Blinken Visits France

04/02/2024
By Pierre Tran Versailles, France - The U.S. defense industry had much to gain if Congress approved swiftly a stalled $61 billion package of military and financial aid for Ukraine, in its fight against “Russian aggression,” the American secretary of state said April 2. Antony Blinken was speaking at the…

DeGaulle, France and the War Economy: A March 2024 Update

03/29/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - The two French frigates on patrol in the Red Sea have fired 22 Aster missiles against drones and ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militia against western shipping, the armed forces minister, Sébastien Lecornu, told March 26 a high profile news conference. The minister disclosed…

The Commander of CSG-4 Discusses Operations, Innovation and Training

03/23/2024
By Robbin Laird The U.S. faces a vastly different world than when it primarily focused on land wars post-9/11. Today it faces a multi-polar authoritarian world, with adversaries and competitors with both shared and competing interests, capabilities, and approaches to the use of military force to achieve objectives. With that…

Return to Brazil: Professor Kenneth Maxwell Looks Back at Brazil and Its Evolution

03/21/2024
By Robbin Laird Professor Maxwell is returning to Brazil for a notable conference to be held there soon. This is his latest trip to Brazil with his first one coming nearly 60 years ago. Recently, we published a book of essays by him entitled, Brazil in a Changing World Order…

MBDA and the Arsenal of Democracy: A March 2024 Update

03/17/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - MBDA seeks to build missiles faster and in larger numbers, while keeping costs under control, with client nations rebuilding weapon stocks in response to major world conflicts, Eric Béranger, chief executive of the European missile maker, said March 13. “We see 2023 was an extraordinary…

The US Navy Adds to its Kill Web Capability: The Triton Comes to Italy

03/11/2024
By Robbin Laird The Triton is a key member of the Navy, joint and allied forces shaping a kill web maritime force. It is so important in my view for the maritime forces that I put a graphic highlighting the Triton coming to the Royal Australian Air Force. Yes RAAF!…

The Coming of Maritime Autonomous Systems: A New Book for 2024

03/10/2024
By LtGen Steve Rudder (Retired) The Ukraine employment of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) in attacks on the Russian Black Sea Fleet represents a window into the lethality of swarming and autonomous unmanned surface vessels. Because of their small radar cross-section, high speed, and agile maneuverability, USVs are likely going to…

An Update on the CH-53K and Shaping a Way Ahead: The Perspective of Col Fleeger

03/08/2024
By Robbin Laird Col Kate Fleeger is the head of NAVAIR’s PMA-261 which manages the cradle to grave procurement, development, support, fielding, and disposal of the entire family of H-53 heavy lift helicopters. Col Fleeger has an impressive background in working acquisition issues, and she and her team are providing…