By Pierre Tran Paris French Armed Forces minister Florence Parly announced Jan. 14 the award of a €1.9 billion ($2.2 billion) development contract to upgrade the Rafale fighter jet to an F4 standard, while evoking national sovereignty, operational capability and exports as key factors. That budget was agreed after close…
Social media, tweeting, and various other coms tools are largely being used either to shape and reinforce self-defined communities or to provide the means to attack “them” while we define “us.” John Stuart Mill would not thrive in this environment. He who knows only his own side of the case,…
The Royal Australian Air Force has deployed a contingent of approximately 370 personnel to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada for Exercise Red Flag 19-1, taking place from 22 January to 15 February 2019. [maxgallery id="123523"] Up to 6 F/A-18A Hornet aircraft from Number 77 Squadron, an E-7A Wedgetail from…
The Australian Defence Force assisted Coles and Woolworths supermarkets in the delivery of urgently needed fresh product and household items to flood ravaged North Queensland. Due to these extreme weather conditions and unprecedented rainfall, it was difficult for the road and rail movement of groceries. Approximately 70 tonnes of produce…
An Italian AV-8B Harrier takes off from the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is on a scheduled deployment as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group in support of maritime security operations, crisis response and theater security cooperation, while also providing a…
We have been looking at the strategic shift for the liberal democracies from a primary focus on the land wars in the Middle East to the challenge of dealing with crisis management involving peer competitors who can engage in force-on-force conflict. We have done so both with regard to the…
By Robbin Laird Having just returned from my latest trip to Germany to discuss the significant challenge facing Germany in shaping a credible force to provide for its direct defense and to contribute effectively to NATO’s overall collective defense, it is clear that for the near to mid term the…
After drawing down the bulk of its engagement in their forces operating in the Middle East, the RAAF has rotated their advanced air battle management aircraft or their advanced tanker to the Middle East. When we say advanced, were are referring with reference to the US or other allied air…
