Japanese Face Significant Military Integration Challenge as They Modernize Their Forces

09/06/2019
The Japanese forces have been classically stoved-piped ones going forward. Now the Japanese are about to pass their 8th budget in a row increasing defense spending. The Self-Defense Force wants record spending power next year to help pay for major upgrades to the nation’s defenses, as Tokyo continues to perceive…

Dassault’s Perspective on the Way Ahead on European Defense Projects

09/06/2019
By Pierre Tran, Paris European industry needs much patience as key nations have yet to agree on requirements and budgets for a planned Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier said Sept 4. France, Germany and Spain have yet to sign contracts for technology…

Jihadism, Globalization and Reshaping of the Euro-Med Region: A Work in Progress

09/05/2019
By Robbin Laird When one talks about globalization, its benefits and its challenges, the discussion usually is upon the global economy. But with globalization has come the opening of borders, legally and not, to the migration of peoples.  In fact, we are experiencing one of the most significant periods of…

The International Fighter Conference, 2019: Networked Lethality and Shaping an “Integrated Distributed Force”

09/03/2019
Last year’s International Fighter Conference provided a chance for the participants and the attendees to focus on the role of fighters in what we have been calling the strategic shift, namely, the shift from the land wars to operating in higher intensity operations against peer competitors. It is clear that combat…

HMS Queen Elizabeth Sets Sail for the US for Next Phase of Operational Trials

08/31/2019
While the winds of Brexit pick up speed, HMS Queen Elizabeth heads to the United States for the next phase of its preparations for its first operational engagements in the early 2020s. According to a story published on the Ministry of Defence website on August 30, 2019, the event was…

Reinvigorating the US-Australian Alliance: How Trump and Morrison Could Do More Than Just Have Dinner

08/31/2019
When President Trump arrived in Japan for the G-20 earlier this summer he had dinner with the newly elected Australian Prime Minister. He was especially keen to understand how the PM pulled off an upset victory. Now the President will host the Australian PM for dinner next month in the…

Russian Nuclear Explosion Highlights Need to Reduce Dependence on Moscow’s Rockets

08/29/2019
By Richard Weitz The August 8 nuclear explosion of the new Russian Burevestniks cruise missile doubly reminds us of the need to end the U.S. dependence on Russian rocket boosters. America’s reliance on Russian rockets presents a major security and safety vulnerability that must be eliminated as soon as possible.…

The Potential Impact of 3D Printing on the Military Supply Chain

08/25/2019
3 D Printing is in its infancy in terms of providing parts for the military. A challenge for the military is of course the need for parts reliability and ruggedness at very high standards. This is why the term "military grade" was invented. But as 3D printing becomes part of…