By Robbin Laird On March 12, 2020 I had a chance to visit HMAS Sterling and to visit the HMAS Rankin, one of the Collins class submarines homeported at HMAS Sterling on Garden Island. When I informed a senior U.S. Navy Admiral that I was going to visit the Royal…
In a March 5, 2020 article published on the UK Ministry of Defence website, it was announced that "a review that will revitalize the UK’s defence and security industrial sectors and improve productivity has been launched." The review will identify how the government can take a more strategic approach to ensure…
By Robbin Laird This week I have had the opportunity to visit Western Australia. I visited both the Henderson shipyard and HMAS Stirling, the Collins submarine base. I will write in detail about those visits and discussions at the two facilities in the near future. These visits when combined with…
By Pierre Tran Paris - Political support has been vital for a European medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, and even with that backing, years have passed before a program contract appears to be in reach, analysts said. France expects to green light a deal by mid year, which would clear…
A NATO anti-submarine warfare exercise began off the coast of Italy in late February 2020. Dynamic Manta (DYMAN20) involves ships, submarines, aircraft and personnel from nine NATO countries. The aim of the exercise is to provide all participants with complex and challenging warfare training, to enhance their interoperability and proficiency…
While the USAF is still waiting for its new tanker, the RAAF has been using the original tanker downselected by the USAF 12 years ago. In the slideshow, the KC-30A is seen operating in this year's Cope North exericse. In a story published on February 29, 2008. the award of…
Arctic Edge 2020 has concluded. Units from multiple services along with international partners practice survival skills and test combat capabilities in extreme conditions in exercise ARCTIC EDGE 20 Feb. 26 - March 6 2020 across Alaska. Approximately 1,000 U.S. military personnel participated in the multi-service exercise along with members of…
The occasion of President Jair Bolsonaro's visit to Miami with President Trump and then to SOUTHCOM provides an opportunity to discuss the challenges facing Brazil in 2020. Prior to providing that assessment by Kenneth Maxwell, it is important to highlight the historic visit of Brazil's President to SOUTHCOM. The video…
