The international military community

SecDef’s olive branch for Europe

By Philip Ewing on Monday, February 6th, 2012

SecDef’s olive branch for Europe

Panetta and Secretary of State Clinton reinforced the U.S. commitment to Europe amid the planned pullouts.

The murky way forward in Afghanistan

By Philip Ewing on Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

The murky way forward in Afghanistan

Monocles dropped into martinis when SecDef appeared to move up the U.S. timetable. Then things got confusing.

Reports: India selects Rafale as next fighter

By Philip Ewing on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Reports: India selects Rafale as next fighter

France’s flagship wins India’s competition, beating Lockheed, Boeing and others — but the deal isn’t quite closed yet.

CSBA: Our weapons mix is ‘out of whack’

By John Reed on Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

CSBA: Our weapons mix is ‘out of whack’

The Pentagon must continue to tweak its weapons mix if it wants to meet the military challenges of this century, a study concludes.

SNA: Return of the phantom frigate

By Philip Ewing on Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

SNA: Return of the phantom frigate

Huntington-Ingalls is not giving up on a naval export version of its Coast Guard cutter. Trouble is, does anyone want to buy one?

US to help UK rule the waves

By Philip Ewing on Friday, January 6th, 2012

US to help UK rule the waves

SecDef signs a deal with his British counterpart agreeing to help with the Royal Navy’s new carriers.

Boeing shuttering Wichita plant

By John Reed on Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Boeing shuttering Wichita plant

In what may be a harbinger of the immediate future for the aerospace industry, Boeing just announced that it’s closing its Witchita, Kansas facility, home to its B-52 and KC-767 military programs, citing high operating costs and a lack of new business for its maintenance and modifications division.

Updated: U.S., Saudis ink deal for Boeing F-15s

By Philip Ewing on Thursday, December 29th, 2011

Updated: U.S., Saudis ink deal for Boeing F-15s

After a recent loss in Japan’s fighter competition, Big B comes roaring back with a $29.4 billion deal with Saudi Arabia.

Report: High cost prompts Israel to reject LCS

By Philip Ewing on Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Report: High cost prompts Israel to reject LCS

Israel reportedly has waved off on buying littoral combat ships and instead wants something cheaper.

Lockheed hopes to press F-35 momentum

By Philip Ewing on Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Lockheed hopes to press F-35 momentum

Despite problems and criticism in the U.S., the company thinks it can add still more new customers to Club F-35.

Japan is the latest F-35 customer

By John Reed on Monday, December 19th, 2011

Japan is the latest F-35 customer

Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter scored a major victory when it was officially chosen to become Japan’s latest fighter.

Washington’s next move

By Philip Ewing on Monday, December 19th, 2011

Washington’s next move

If no one outside North Korea knows what it will do next, at least the U.S. can decide what its new strategy might be, analysts said.

Transition for the North

By Philip Ewing on Monday, December 19th, 2011

Transition for the North

After the death of the Dear Leader, the world holds its breath as it waits to see what’s next.

Boeing: F-35 hasn’t yet won in Japan

By John Reed on Friday, December 16th, 2011

Boeing: F-35 hasn’t yet won in Japan

Big B says, hey, hold on, this thing ain’t over yet: Its Super Hornet could still be Japan’s new fighter.

U.S. SF troops ‘deployed forward’ in central Africa

By Philip Ewing on Thursday, December 15th, 2011

U.S. SF troops ‘deployed forward’ in central Africa

American troops are in place and will begin to spread out alongside local host-nation militaries.

Blakey: 2011 was a good year, but…

By John Reed on Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Blakey: 2011 was a good year, but…

The head of the Aerospace Industries Association worries about tough times in the near future.

China still wants ‘explanation’ of U.S.-Aussie plans

By Philip Ewing on Friday, December 9th, 2011

China still wants ‘explanation’ of U.S.-Aussie plans

Beijing’s apparent concern about the American-Aussie Marine rotation plans hasn’t worn off. Yet.

The Iran problem

By Philip Ewing on Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

The Iran problem

A new report says that despite the “unacceptable” rhetoric, the world may well accept a nuclear Iran.

Amb: Russia won’t veto Euro-missile shield

By Philip Ewing on Monday, December 5th, 2011

Amb: Russia won’t veto Euro-missile shield

America’s ambassador to NATO says Russia won’t “drive” what happens with European missile defense.

Russia vows to rise again. Again.

By Philip Ewing on Monday, November 28th, 2011

Russia vows to rise again. Again.

Moscow declares it will rearm and it could try to make a play against the West.