WRITER PROFILE
The senior editorial advisor for SLDInfo.com, Dr. Robbin F. Laird is a a long-time analyst of global defense issues. He has worked in the U.S. government and several think tanks, including the Center for Naval Analysis and the Institute for Defense Analysis. He is a Columbia University alumnus, where he taught and worked for several years at the Research Institute of International Change, a think tank founded by Dr. Brzezinski. He is a frequent op-ed contributor to the defense press, and has written several books on international security issues.
Articles by this writer
It has been almost a year since Australia cancelled its diesel submarine contract with the French Naval Group, preparing to instead acquire nuclear powered attack submarines. The most significant aspect of that decision is that Australia had taken a path that has been quietly evolving for some time, launching its next phase of strategic development.
The North Atlantic is a core part of the global defence challenge. Under the leadership of U.S. Vice-Admiral Lewis and his Canadian as Vice Commander, the "new" U.S. 2nd fleet is breaking the mold to create a reconfigurable force that can seamlessly integrate with other fleets. This includes forging strong relationships, utilizing new technologies, and building innovative concepts of operations.
The focus on building resilience and enhanced sovereignty and security, made even more relevant by the pandemic, has led the current Australian government to invest $1B to fast-track the creation of a new Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise, intended to boost skilled jobs and help secure its sovereign defence capabilities.
The question of the direct defense in Europe today is broader than just the Russian challenge. More than ever before, global alliances allow nations to work together, and that achievement is key to creating multi-national coalitions of the willing and fortify real deterrents.
The shift from land wars to conflicts in contested air and sea spaces, means new concepts of operations and systems are developing, and this requires collaboration between the services.
The Royal Australian Navy plays a big part in Australia’s extensive transformation process. The new procurement approach has been labelled a “continuous shipbuilding process,” and has the potential to impact defence procurement processes of its allies.
The evolution of the role of fighters is at the center of the shift to recraft combat capabilities and operations as operational contexts change.
The Nordic perspective on the importance of the cross-border training and how it affects allied relationships across NATO.
The Nordic perspective on the importance of the cross-border training and how it affects allied relationships across NATO.
Expanded tool sets used by adversaries to influence culture, actions and decisions of liberal democracies is the focus of a new Centre of Excellence in Europe.
Adapting to anti-submarine warfare (ASW) requires mastering new technologies that provide capabilities to leverage reachback systems, robust networks, and distributed strike options.
Danish government has released a new defence agreement covering the next six years of defense expenditure and planning. It also defines the top two threats to focus on in terms of priorities and spending.
The rebuilding of Russia’s Northern fleet and its defense bastion built around the Kola Peninsula creates a direct challenge to Norway, and is of strategic interest to all of the Arctic Council States.
Norway is in an especially interesting and perhaps precarious situation or, put another way, is at the crossroads of 21st century history.
Several trends are underway at the same time, and they add up to a significant redefinition of the global scene, power and policy priorities.
DCNS will be working with Australia to ensure an evolving and integrated approach for the build and the sustainment of the submarine.
The Australian Navy will be acquiring new platforms and is looking closely at the “integrateability” of those new platforms with Army, Air Force – and space capabilities as well.
A look at Australia’s final choice to build a new class of advanced-capability diesel/electric-powered submarines. Innovative collaboration is changing the way major procurements are benefitting both buyer and seller.
It can be easy to overlook how revolutionary a vertical lift aircraft that can operate at supersonic speeds actually is.
U.S. Admiral Gortney talks of the need to widen the scope of the NORAD/NORTHCOM role.
Australia's Chief of the Army weighs in on the future of the joint environment. The core challenge is the co-evolution of ground, air and naval forces to deliver a timely capability.
To protect and exploit the valuable energy supplies on its continental shelf, Norway has established approaches and procedures for the future development of energy supplies in its key High North / Arctic region.
The Australian government has recently released a comprehensive new Defence White Paper, along with two accompanying documents, to create more than a platform shopping list.
With Putin aggressively reshaping Russia's place in the world, it will be crucial to shape a real policy towards deterrence of Russia, and it is worthwhile to revisit the Reagan strategy.
Leaders think in terms of logistics, but the operational enablers often fall victim to pointy-end procurement programs.
Air dominance needs to be established and ensured, rather than assumed.
How much more hybrid can you get than the current situation over Syria? Airpower needs to seamlessly operate in all airspace – uncontested, contestable and contested.
Recently, SLD published an article on the Turkish shoot-down of a Russian aircraft. A former USAF pilot commented.
When analysts and intelligence experts were highlighting the warming sun of the Arab Spring, there was much hope: democracy was in the air and many believed the gap between Islam and the West might be closing.
Training jumps the concept of interoperability and jumps straight into an unprecedented level of integration.
A strategy built around shaping innovative ways to integrate assets in support of air and joint operations.
The Aussies Shape a Path of Combat Innovation: Plan Jericho and the Way Ahead. I recently returned from Australia where the Royal Australian Air Force is put in motion what they call Plan Jericho. In effect, the RAAF is providing the Australian Defense Force with an approach to transform jointness, or how the various elements of the ADF can work together to enhance combat effect.
Using global lessons learned, the Brits are re-inventing the large deck carrier.
The case of the Airbus A400M. The tragic crash of an A400M during test flight, reminds us of how risky the introduction of new systems can be. An April tour of the Airbus facilities in Spain helps put risk and the drive to perfect into perspective.
The current Chief of U.S. Naval Operations, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, has focused considerable attention on digital operations in the re-set of the U.S. Navy and its approach to 21st century operations. From electronic warfare, to digital interoperability, to integrated fire support and cyber security, the Admiral has underscored that mastering the digital domain is an essential warfighting competence.
Unexpected new deployments to Iraq created some imperatives that helped pave the way for new RAAF efficiencies.
Pilots and maintainers of today’s and tomorrow’s fleets are handling more complex aircraft than ever before in history. For pilots, this requires significant proficiencies that go beyond simply being a competent “flyer” of an airplane.
Land wars of the past decade have led to a significant redirection of military forces, particularly in the United States. Will this new focus help thwart and destroy ISIS? Can supporting the Kurdish military win against the “Islamic State” jihadists?
America-class amphibious assault ships incorporate a number of visionary innovations.
Sustaining reach is a key operational objective for effective air power.
The vastness of the Pacific region exemplifies the need for, and amplifies the challenges of cooperation.
A recent RAAF-sponsored Air Power conference examined the evolving Aussie air combat approach.
Could the most significant post-Afghan development of unmanned vehicles be to shape cooperative relationships with indigenous forces in pursuit of shared counter-insurgency objective.
Canada could be in a pole position to shape allied efforts for an Arctic C2 and ISR grid to cover the High North.
For JSF pilots, increased situational awareness brings new combat options.
For maximum leverage in future acquisitions, Canada should find key opportunities in global supply chains.
Thinking back on the B-17 and commemorating the combat sacrifices of WWII's Mighty 8th.
With major acquisitions slated for the years ahead, some challenges to the assumptions underlying the Jenkins Report on Canadian defence requirements and industrial capability.
Airpower is central to 21st century security; but not by supporting aircraft with limited aviation tanking assets.
As the Arctic ice shrinks, the vulnerabilities grow. A conversation about Arctic strategy with Commander NORAD and NORTHCOM, U.S. General Charles Jacoby.
From troubled program to transformation reality, the Osprey has emerged to offer astoundingly flexible capabilities. Are new capabilities and proven frontline performance worth the price?
