South Africa to Benefit from post-Brexit UK Defence Strategy?

09/25/2018
Jonathan Katzellenbogen The UK says it is making a renewed effort to build defence partnerships with South Africa. This comes after a lull in defence cooperation between the two countries in the wake of the delivery of equipment in the early 2000s, when BAE Systems supplied the Hawk and, together…

Leveraging Mobile Security: How To Shape a Way Ahead for a 5th Generation Military

09/23/2018
By Robbin Laird In my discussions at Penten, I learned of a very innovative approach to providing for the security for mobile systems.  They have developed an approach which allows the user to connect with a variety of security systems through a very innovative USB device which allows a mobile…

The Potential for Remotely Piloted Aircraft for the Australian Defense Force

09/23/2018
By Robbin Laird As Australia looks to expand its sovereign options, expanding the reach of its reconnaissance-strike enterprise is a key tool set to do so. As presenters suggested at the Williams Foundation conference, it was less a question of reaching and striking deep into potential adversaries’ territory and more…

The UK Goes on the Cyber Offensive

09/21/2018
An offensive cyber-force to combat hostile states, terrorist groups and domestic gangs will be set up by the Ministry of Defence and GCHQ, The Timesunderstands. The £250 million unit will comprise about 2,000 digital warriors, with experts recruited from the military, security services and industry. It will quadruple the number…

Space Tracking and Dealing with Space Debris: The Role of Two Innovative Smaller Companies

09/21/2018
By Robbin Laird When I was in Australia, I had a chance to meet with the Australian company EOS which has very innovative laser tracking technologies which provide for Australia and her allies a key space tracking capability. This technology has evolved to the point that not only can they…

A South African Perspective on Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI)

09/21/2018
By Guy Martin Saudi Arabia’s military industry is open for business – and hoping to secure South African ventures before the end of this year. Set up in May last year as part of Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman’s 2030 project to reform and modernise the kingdom, Saudi Arabian Military…

Constrainment, Australia and China: Working the Relationship with Papua New Guinea (Updated)

09/20/2018
Pushing back on the Chinese projection of power into the Pacific is a key priority for the US and the allies. At a recent Williams Seminar, a senior Australian Army official argued that China had already pushed its way out to achieve its first island defense strategy. Clearly, it is…

The Next Phase of Global Transit: Leveraging the Northern Passage

09/20/2018
Interestingly, a combination of a Danish transport company, Chinese shipbuilding and Russian clients have put together the next phase of global transit.  A Maersk ship has left Asia bound for Russia through the Northern Passage. "A brand new ice-strengthened containership is heading straight into the annals of maritime history. As…