Maritime USVs, UAVs and Reshaping ISR/C2: A Discussion with Lt. General (Retired) Steve Rudder

02/22/2023
By Robbin Laird To deal with the challenges in the Pacific, the United States has and will continue to have a significant shortfall in core platforms to implement a classic warfighting strategy. That is why I wrote a book with my colleagues published in 2013 entitled, Rebuilding American Military Power…

An Update on French Arms Exports: February 2023

02/21/2023
By Pierre Tran Paris - Close U.S. scrutiny of arms exports, Franco-German cooperation, and how the French procurement office is short changed are among areas considered in a report on French foreign sales of weapons by the national audit office. The head of the independent audit office approved on Jan. 24 publication…

The French Mistral: The Case of the Russian Sale and Its Aftermath

02/16/2023
By Pierre Tran Paris - France took a financial hit of €409 million ($440 million) as a result of  its 2015 cancellation of the sale of two helicopter carriers to Russia, the national audit office said in its report on French arms exports. “In total, taking into account the result…

The USCG in Pacific Defense: Let Us Support Them This Time

02/09/2023
by Robbin Laird I was fascinated to read an interview with the USCG Pacific Commander which was published by The Wall Street Journal. In an article by Mike Cherney, we learn that the Biden Administration wants the USCG to expand its footprint amid competition with China. The only problem with…

The Perspective of President Pavel: Shaping a Way Ahead for the Czech Republic

01/29/2023
"Retired army general, Petr Pavel, has been elected the next president of Czechia. Mr. Pavel won the runoff against former prime minister Andrej Babiš, by the biggest margin ever in the history of Czech presidential elections. With  all votes counted, Petr Pavel got over 58.3 percent of the vote, his…

The Way Ahead in European Defense Industrial Co-operation: The French Perspective with the FCAS as Incubator

01/26/2023
By Pierre Tran Paris - A project for a future combat air system (FCAS) backed by France, Germany, and Spain has sparked close interest elsewhere in Europe, the French armed forces minister, Sébastien Lecornu, said Jan. 23. “There are other European nations knocking at the door,” he told the Association…