The Role of II MEF Information Group: The Perspective of Its Commanding General

07/08/2021
By Robbin Laird During my most recent visit to Camp Lejeune, I had a chance to talk with the CG of the II MEF Information Group and his team. The meeting was suggested by the CG of II MEF, Lt. General Beaudreault, who underscored: “I think it would be hugely…

Shaping Crisis and Escalation Management Capabilities: 2nd ESG and II MEB Work the Challenges

07/07/2021
By Robbin Laird The strategic shift from the Middle Eastern land wars to the high-end fight revolves around effective crisis management. With the 21st century authoritarian powers working hard to make the world safe for authoritarianism, the liberal democracies need to focus on protecting and expanding their abilities to defend…

A French Defense Update from Minister Parly, July 2021

07/04/2021
By Pierre Tran Paris - It was natural for the U.S. president, Joe Biden, to encourage the Swiss authorities to opt for an American fighter jet in the Swiss competition, Florence Parly, armed forces minister said July 2. “There is nothing new under the sun,” she told the defense journalists…

Exercise Southern Jackaroo : An Update

07/04/2021
By Private Jacob Joseph With more than seven live-fire traces open simultaneously, the culminating activity of Exercise Southern Jackaroo, held from June 15-24, took months to plan, and included forces from the US Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defence Force. Private Brendan Hannam, from 5 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR), fired the first…

Australian Sovereign Industrial Capability: Shaping a Post COVID-19 World

07/02/2021
Our colleagues at the Institute for Integrated Economic Research Australia Ltd having been working with Global Access Partners Pty Ltd and Gravity iLabs, DMTC Limited 2021 on a series of workshops framing key issues for a way ahead for Australia in the post-COVID 19 world. A key element of shaping…

The Latest Member of the F-35 Global Enterprise: Switzerland Picks the Sensor-Fusion Wolfpack Flying Combat System

06/30/2021
Paris - Switzerland has picked the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet and Raytheon Patriot surface-to-air missiles, as these offered highest benefits at lowest cost, the Swiss government said in a June 30 statement. “The Federal Council is set to propose that parliament approve the procurement of 36 F-35A fighter aircraft…

Sea Breeze 21: Exercising in a Challenging Geo-Political Context

06/27/2021
On June 21, 2021, the U.S. Sixth Fleet announced the coming of Sea Breeze 21. U.S. Sixth Fleet formally announces participation in the upcoming annually held Exercise Sea Breeze 2021 (SB21) cohosted with the Ukrainian Navy, June 21, 2021. The exercise is taking place from June 28 to July 10…

The Bundestag Budget Committee’s Green Light on FCAS

06/25/2021
Paris - The German parliament approved Berlin’s share of a budget worth €4.5 billion ($5.4 billion) for development work on a European Future Combat Air System, an industry source said June 24. That long awaited June 23 vote by the Bundestag budget committee authorized funding for the German share of…