The Coming of the Barracuda Attack Submarine to the French Navy

07/19/2019
By Pierre Tran Paris - There will be much national pride and honor when French industry hands over July 12 to the Navy the first nuclear-powered Barracuda attack submarine, a new-generation boat three years late and generating an initial loss in the contract worth €9.1 billion ($10.2 billion)  for six…

Glimpses of RAF Modernization: July 2019

07/19/2019
The RAF is in the throes of a modernization process, which involves becoming fifth generation enabled, with legacy upgrades to its Typhoons, and the return to ASW operations with regard to introducing its new P-8 as well. And recently, it was announced that the RAF would add the unique battle…

Visiting the Paris Air Show, 2019: A Retrospective

07/19/2019
By Robbin Laird The challenge of visiting a large exhibition like the Paris Air Show is a bit like the challenge of visiting the Louvre.  It is so big, and so diverse that unless you focus on some core aspects, the panorama overwhelms you. You come away with a blur…

The Case of Indian Acquisition of Mig-29s: Why Buy a 40-Year Old Aircraft?

07/18/2019
By Lt Gen VK Saxena (Retd) It was reported in the media in Apr 2019 that the Indian Air force (IAF) was in talks with Russia to purchase 21 MiG-29 combat jets which were actually built in late 1980s for the then Soviet Air Force but were never assembled and…

The UK Prepares for F-35 Expeditionary Operations

07/18/2019
By Robbin Laird Last year, the Dambusters squadron flew from Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station to RAF Marham and began its operational life in the UK. I have had the chance over the past few years to visit both Beaufort MCAS and RAF Marham as well as RAF Lakenheath and…

Baltic Protector

07/17/2019
RAMSTEIN, Germany The two months long Exercise Baltic Protector culminated recently in Estonia. Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft based at Ämari Air Base, Estonia as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, conducted a series of flights over participating maritime assets, HMS Albion and HMS Kent. The exercise tests the Joint Expeditionary Force’s…

The Australian Defence Minister Visits the UK: July 2019

07/16/2019
Recently, the new Australian Defence Minister visited the UK to discuss common ground as the two regional powers discussed ways to enhance their collaboration in the period ahead. In an article by Stephen Kuper published on July 10, 2019, the focus of the Minister’s visit to the UK was the…

USMC and US Army Work HIMARS Live Fire Demonstration in Australia

07/16/2019
The Marines are working to shape a more effective and integrated force. An example is their work on the integration of HIMARS with the F-35. Currently in Australia, the Marines and US Army have brought HIMARS to Australia as part of this years TS-19 exercise. According to a story by…