The UK Carrier Strike Group Reaches Initial Operating Capability

01/13/2021
According to an article published by the UK MoD on January 4, 2021, the new UK carrier strike group built around its unique strike carrier, the Queen Elizabeth, has reached IOC status. The CSG has reached Initial Operating Capability (IOC), meaning all elements of the group from fighter jets to…

The UK MoD Contract for Spear 3 Weapons for the F-35B

01/12/2021
Paving the way for other F-35B customers globally, the UK has issued a contract for its procurement of the innovative strike missiles for the fifth generation aircraft. According to a January 6, 2021 article published by the UK MoD: Known as SPEAR3, the next-generation missile can travel long distances at…

UAE Prepares for Commercial Nuclear Operations

01/11/2021
By India Strategic ABU DHABI. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, ENEC, has announced that its operating and maintenance subsidiary, Nawah Energy Company, Nawah, has successfully achieved 100% of the rated reactor power capacity for Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. This major milestone brings the Barakah plant one…

The German State Buys Significant Stake In Hensoldt

01/09/2021
by Reuters/defenceWeb Germany’s government has decided to buy a 25.1% stake in defence supplier Hensoldt at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Reuters reported last week that the government aimed to purchase the stake from private equity company KKR for 464 million euros ($562 million). Sources with knowledge of the matter…

Multiple Basing, Kill Webs and C2: Shaping a Way Ahead

01/07/2021
By Robbin Laird As the United States and core allies build out the way ahead for an integrated distributed force, a key challenge is shaping C2 systems which fully enable such a force. C2 and ISR have been historically treated as separate terms but increasingly the sensor networks are integrable…

An Update on the CH-53K from VMX-1: The Perspective of Lt. Col. Frank

01/05/2021
By Robbin Laird During my visit to 2nd Marine Air Wing during the first week of December 2020, I had a chance to visit New River Marine Corps Air Station and meet with Lt. Col. Frank, VMX-1, to get an update on the coming of the CH-53K. Lt. Col. Frank…

Visiting MAG-26: The Perspective of Col. Spaid

01/04/2021
By Robbin Laird During my visit to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and to New River Marine Corps Air Station, I had a chance to visit Marine Aircraft Group 26. Over the years, I have had a chance to come often to MAG-26 and to discuss the MV-22B Osprey, its introduction,…

Exercise Deep Water: Working the Integrated Distributed Insertion Force

12/31/2020
By Robbin Laird Last July, North Carolina-based Marines organized an exercise in which they called Deep Water. In a press release from November 5, 2020, this is how II Marine Expeditionary Force described the exercise: “Marines with 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing are…