By Robbin Laird When visiting Australia, a key point of entry into the security and defense modernization process is the way the Aussies are reshaping their defense industrial base. They are a country the size of the United States with a population of just under 30 million people, with an…
One of NATO’s naval groups visited Trondheim on Friday (10 August 2018), and from there it will go on to search for sea mines dating back to World War II. The operation will make the waters safer for fishermen and shipping in the area. Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group…
The security of Australia’s maritime borders will be significantly strengthened with another major military investment. The Turnbull Government will invest $1.4 billion and acquire the first of six MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft through a cooperative program with the United States Navy. The Triton will complement the surveillance role of…
According to an article published by the Italian Ministry of Defence on June 12, 2018, the role of the Italian Navy recently participated in a recent counter-piracy operation in the Indian Ocean. The first counter-piracy exercise conducted in the Indian Ocean - which saw the participation of Italian Navy Frigate…
Recently, we received a note from a company called DroneShield which highlighted not only its product but its assessment of the importance of the new Austrian defense export strategy in supporting its efforts. The note follows: 8 June 2018, Sydney Australia – The Australian developer and manufacturer of cutting-edge high…
After being awarded a United States Coast Guard (USCG) contract award, Insitu’s ScanEagle UAS will be used to provide small UAS ISR services aboard the entire U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter fleet. Valued at approximately $117 million, the service contract covers the installation and deployment of small UAS for…
By Robbin Laird (Updated) With the all the focus on the Russian intervention in the last US presidential elections, it is useful to take a broader view of the challenge focused by the new technologies and approaches. During my recent visit to Helsinki, a visit the European Centre of Excellence…
We have written for years about the impact of the decline of the icebreaker force in the USCG on US Arctic policy. We referred to the US as the "reluctant Arctic power." In our interview with the USCG Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft we focused on the need to shift policy…
