Finnish Defence Minister Visits Japan: October 2022

11/20/2022
According to a story published by the Japanese Ministry of Defence, the Finnish Defence Minister visited Japan and met the Japanese Defence Minister on 26 October 2022. On October 26, 2022, Defense Minister Hamada and Defence Minister Kaikkonen held a Defense Ministerial Meeting from 10:15 for 45 minutes at the…

Finland Prepares to Come Into NATO: A Finnish Perspective

11/08/2022
During my visit to Euronaval on October 20, 2002, I had a chance to talk with Tuija Karanko, the Secretary General of the Association of Finnish Aerospace and Defence Companies. I will highlight what the Association does and focuses upon in the appendix to the interview, where I will republish…

The Perspective of VADM Mark Hammond on the Way Ahead for the Australian Navy

10/28/2022
At the recent Williams Foundation on the challenge of building out a more lethal and survivable ADR, the newly appointed Chief of Navy, VADM Mark Hammond provided his perspective on the way ahead of the RAN and the nation in meeting these challenges. His text delivered at the seminar follows:…

Shaping a Way Ahead for Australian Defence: It is Not Just About ADF Modernization

10/21/2022
By Robbin Laird After the Williams Foundation Seminar held on September 28, 2022, I had a chance to discuss some of the takeaways with regard to the way ahead for Australian defence with my colleague Air Vice-Marshal (Retired) John Blackburn. We started by focusing on how in reshaping the ADF…

Following up with Dr. Alan Dupont: Shaping a Way Ahead for Australian Defence

10/20/2022
By Robbin Laird Dr. Dupont provided the launch presentation for the recent Williams Foundation Seminar held on September 28, 2022. That seminar focused on key questions and challenges facing the ADF as it addressed the shift to focus primarily on the direct defense of Australia. In his presentation, Dupont provided…

The Australian Army in Transition: The Perspective of Lt. General Simon Stuart

10/19/2022
By Robbin Laird In his presentation at the recent Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference, the recently appointed Chief of Army, Lt. General Simon Stuart highlighted how he saw the way ahead for the Australian Army. “War is a national endeavour, and as a so-called middle power, we fight alongside…