COVID-19 and Live Virtual Constructive Training

02/26/2021
By Tony McCormack The world has changed rapidly over the past 18 months and the way Australia’s defence organisation trains its people needs to change with it, or skills and readiness will surely decline. A combination of the Australian Defence Force’s involvement in responding to natural disasters over the summer…

Japan-U.S. Bilateral Exercise “Forest Light“

02/26/2021
From December 7th to 18th, 2020, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) conducted the Japan-U.S. Bilateral Exercise “Forest Light” with the U.S. Marine Corps in Sekiyama Training Area, Somagahara Training Area and Camp Somagahara. “Forest Light” aims to enhance bilateral cooperation and improve bilateral response capabilities by conducting field training…

The Australian Defence Force Shapes a Way Head: From an Historical Perspective

02/24/2021
By Ed Timperlake Joint By Design, The Evolution of Australian Strategy is a very important new book by Robbin F.Laird. As the author sagely points out in his preface that  “this book although focused on Australia, is not just about Australia.” There is a strategic shift underway as land wars…

The French Government Launches Next Gen SSBN Studies

02/23/2021
By Pierre Tran Paris - France was launching design studies and starting to build first sections of a third-generation nuclear ballistic missile submarine, in a bid to maintain national sovereignty and military independence, the armed forces minister, Florence Parly, said Feb. 19. A new generation nuclear missile boat signals French…

The U.S. Navy and the Challenge of Operating Maritime Autonomy Systems

02/21/2021
At times, the advocates for maritime autonomy systems seem like a church. Believers, advocates and true believers expressing anger that the ghost fleet has not yet arrived. But for maritime autonomy systems to become key operating elements within the fleet, they will have to demonstrate their worth and that the…

The FCAS “Bras de Fer”: A February 2021 Update

02/19/2021
By Pierre Tran Paris - Dassault Aviation has insisted on protecting intellectual property rights over its fighter jet technology, while Airbus Defence and Space has sought full access to that privileged information, conflicting demands which have weighed on a Franco-German led project for a future combat air system. French president…

Re-Setting the Standard for V-22 Overhaul Time: Breaking the 300-Day Mark

02/19/2021
When interviewing the CO of 2nd Marine Air Wing, Major General Cederholm underscored the importance of the logs and maintenance side of his command to be "ready to fight tonight." We operate all over the globe. Right now, we have forces all the way from Europe into the Far East,…

UK Defence Co-Operation with Japan

02/18/2021
On February 3, 2021, the UK Ministry of Defence published an article which highlighted the coming deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth to the Pacific and how that deployment fit into a wider strategy. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab discussed the deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth during…