2018-02-17 By Robbin Laird Helsinki, Finland My last official interview in Finland was with the former head of the Finnish Air Force and now Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy for the Finnish Defence Forces, Lt. General Kim Jäämeri. In my discussions in Helsinki, I was increasingly persuaded that a number…
2018-03-02 By Robbin Laird According to an Airbus Defence and Space press release dated March 1, 2018, Belgium's decision to acquire the A300MRTT has highlighted. Madrid, 1 March 2018 – Airbus Defence and Space has received a firm order for an Airbus A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport from Europe’s…
2018-02-18 By Robbin Laird This week’s Wall Street Journal Saturday essay is on the crippling consensus which has descended on American campuses with the withering of relevant debate to shaping a way ahead for the liberal democracies. In a world where universities think it is somehow acceptable to have safe…
2018-02-16 By Danny Lam Firepower, Mobility and Protection are universal concepts that applies to any combat platform on land, at sea, underwater in air or space. Efficiency and effectiveness, however, are difficult concepts. General Deptula’s combat cloud concept was based on a look at cost per desired effect which often…
2018-02-19 UK forces have been present in various exercises in Asia and the UK and the Australians are working closely together as the two countries shape a 21st century combat force. There is a clear interactivity between the RAAF and the RAF rethink about 21st century air combat power as well.…
2018-02-19 Recently, the UK Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with the US to support RAF C-17 heavy lift transport aircraft into the next decade. According to a story published on the UK Ministry of Defence website: The Foreign Military Sale agreement will provide support for the RAF’s fleet of eight…
2018-02-16 By Robbin Laird Helsinki, Finland The Finnish government is set to acquire 64 new fighter jets for its air force. This is occurring as Nordic defense is being reworked, and the Northern European states are sorting out how to deal with what the Finnish Defense Minister Jussi Niinistö has referred…
2018-02-19 By Guy Martin South Africa’s shipbuilding industry produces hundreds of vessels every year, with more than 90% being exported, and this includes naval vessels, from rigid-hulled inflatables to large patrol boats. South Africa’s naval shipbuilding industry took off during the Second World War, when ships up to 14 000…
