By Robbin Laird I first reported that the Aussie-Sub deal was facing significant negotiating challenges last month. I discovered this when focusing on Collins class and its sustainment and modernization efforts and then discussed the dynamics since 2016 of the new sub contract. In discussions in Australia, I learned that…
The Japanese Self Defense force rarely mentions the operations of their submarines, short of participating in an exercise with the United States. But in a recent announcement by the Japanese, they highlighted that the Kuroshio, the helicopter carrier Kaga and two other destroyers, the Inazuma and Suzutsuki, conducted an antisubmarine…
Clearly, Europe is in the throes of fundamental change. Clusters of states such as the Northern European states are sorting out paths forward within an evolving European context, while Brexit and the crisis of integration of Europe along the lines set in the 1990s atrophies. Clearly, a new nationalism has…
By Richard Weitz The inaugural meeting of the U.S.-India ‘two-plus-two’format that met on September 6, 2018 in New Delhi made substantial progress in deepening and broadening the bilateral defense relationship. Now the challenge is to seize the opportunities generated by the new format. The September 6 meeting brought together Indian…
The Finnish Air Force will participate for the first time in a Red Flag exercise held by the United States Air Force in Alaska from 4 to 19 October 2018. Finland will deploy six F/A-18 Hornet multirole fighters to the exercise. The Finnish detachment consisting of around 70 personnel at…
Trident Juncture 2018 is both a major NATO exercise to be operating from Norway and a major test of how the Norwegian Total Defense Concept can support Norwegian-Allied joint efforts in the defense of both Norway and the key countries in the Northern Flank of NATO. According to an article…
By Kenneth Maxwell It is summer time in the UK. The politicians are away from Westminster but political intrigue remains at fever pitch. The fixation continues to be Brexit. The deadline for the UK exiting the European Community is fast approaching. But the Conservatives and the Labour Party are deeply…
By Robbin Laird Research Fellow, The Williams Foundation Canberra, Australia As the Chinese challenge grows, Australia is clearly concerned about expanded Chinese influence within Australia and with regard to Chinese efforts to reshape the external environment to expand the influence and power of the Chinese authoritarian state. Clearly the United…
