Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Aja Melville
Vietnam’s Urgent Air Force Overhaul: Exploring Fighter Jet Options Amid Global Tensions
Vietnam’s People’s Air Force (VPAF) faces a critical challenge: replacing its aging fleet of fighter aircraft while simultaneously expanding its defense partnerships. The backbone of Vietnam’s air force, the Soviet-era Su-22 Fitter, is nearing obsolescence, with multiple recent crashes underscoring the urgency of modernization. While Vietnam also operates Su-27 and Su-30 fighters, these cannot fully compensate for the capability gap left by the Su-22s.
Drone Wars: Developments in Drone Swarm Technology
In January 2025, the Swedish Armed Forces unveiled a new drone-swarming program, developed by defense giant Saab. This cutting-edge software empowers soldiers to control up to 100 uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) simultaneously. Testing of the software is scheduled for March 2025 during the Arctic Strike Exercise and is expected to demonstrate the ability of the drones to adapt to reconnaissance, defense, and payload delivery tasks in complex environments.
China gains, US loses ground in Mideast arms market
What you need to know about the defense industry - in your inbox. email Insights & Reports December 2, 2024 06:17 PM ET Arms Industry Middle East The Middle East’s share of U.S. arms imports has declined in the past decade, thanks in large part to the U.S. policy of ensuring Israel’s qualitative military edge. From the five-year periods 2014-18 and 2019-23, the Middle East’s share of U.S. arms exports fell from 50% to 38%, according to a 2024 SIPRI report.
China gains, US loses ground in Mideast arms market
What you need to know about the defense industry - in your inbox. email Insights & Reports The Middle East’s share of U.S. arms imports has declined in the past decade, thanks in large part to the U.S. policy of ensuring Israel’s qualitative military edge. From the five-year periods 2014-18 and 2019-23, the Middle East’s share of U.S. arms exports fell from 50% to 38%, according to a 2024 SIPRI report. Restrictions linked to QME are a major factor in this decline.
US, Israel, China, and the Shifting Arms Trade in the Middle East
The Middle East’s share of U.S. arms imports has steadily declined, a trend largely influenced by the U.S. policy of ensuring Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME). This legally mandated policy, in place since 2008, guarantees Israel a technological and strategic advantage over its neighbors. However, this approach has strained relations with key regional allies such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, which seek advanced military capabilities often restricted under QME guidelines.
Boeing Pressured To Expedite F-15EX Production Amid Middle-East Conflict
Boeing is under increasing pressure from both the U.S. and Israeli governments to fast-track production of its F-15EX aircraft. In August 2024 the U.S. approved the possible sale of up to 50 new F-15IA (Israeli F-15EX variant) for Israel. The US$18.82 billion sale also included mid-life upgrades to Israel’s fleet of 25 F-15I fighters to the F-15EX avionics configuration. However, these aircraft may not be delivered before 2029.
AFRICOM Scrambles To Sustain Intel Operations In West Africa
The recent military coups in West Africa have severely impacted U.S. and French counterterrorism and intelligence operations in the region. Niger, a key ally in the fight against Islamist extremism, has been a strategic hub for AFRICOM, hosting critical drone bases that support ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions across the Sahel.
Nigeria Expands Army Aviation Amid Regional Security
In June, the Nigerian Army achieved a significant milestone by acquiring two UH-1H “Huey” helicopters, formally establishing its new Aviation Wing. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance air support capabilities, focusing on surveillance, reconnaissance, and med-evac missions.
Netherlands Enhances Nuclear Arsenal with F-35A: A New Era in NATO-Russia Tensions
On June 1, 2024, the Netherlands made history, becoming the first country to officially assign its F-35A stealth fighters to the nuclear strike role, a significant milestone for NATO’s military prowess. This follows the F-35 A’s certification to carry the B61-12 thermonuclear bomb in October 2023.
Nauru’s Diplomatic Shift Signals Increasing Chinese Dominance in the Indo-Pacific
In January, the archipelago nation of Nauru severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of formal relations with China, reducing the number of countries recognizing Taipei’s sovereignty to eleven. Nauru’s Beijing defection is one of 10 to occur since 2016. The increase in diplomatic reorientation favoring China threatens Western security assets, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, as the threat of a maritime dispute looms.
Russia exploits Western vacuum in Africa’s Sahel
Skip to Content Sponsor Message Sponsor Message Get all our news and commentary in your inbox at 6 a.m. ET. email April 23, 2024 03:00 PM ET Africa Russia Tension flared after a U.S. delegation visited Niger in March, prompting the country's military junta to terminate a pivotal military agreement with the United States. That followed Niger's earlier cancellation of two military contracts with the European Union that aimed to quell extremist violence in the Sahel region.
Russia Exploits Western Vacuum in Africa’s Sahel Region
Tension flared following a visit by a U.S. delegation to Niger in March, prompting Niger’s military junta to swiftly terminate a pivotal military agreement with the U.S. This decision follows Niger’s prior cessation of two military contracts with the European Union, intended to quell extremist violence in the Sahel region. Niger’s rejection of democratic ties coincides starkly with its embrace of Russian military assistance, an ongoing trend since July 2023 military coup.
Germany Forges Path To Leadership Through The European Sky Shield Initiative
On Oct. 13, 2022, Germany and 14 NATO allies signed a non-binding letter of intent to pursue the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), an integrated air-defense and anti-missile system. The initiative gained support from 19 European states as of July 2023. However, notable NATO members including France, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Turkey have refrained from joining. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz proposed the ESSI in August 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Internal Politics Cause Chasm in Taiwan’s Defense Posture
In the complex landscape of Taiwanese defense politics, a stark divide has emerged between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of the Tsai administration, particularly concerning the adoption of an asymmetric warfare policy. The implications of this internal chasm go beyond ideological differences, impacting Taiwan’s strategic preparedness and its ability to navigate potential conflicts.
F-35 - A Litmus Test for U.S. Alliance Strength
In May 2023, the U.S. rejected Thailand’s bid to procure Lockheed Martin F-35A aircraft, citing production constraints and inadequate existing infrastructure on the receiving end. While partially true, other evidence suggests Thailand’s request was never seriously considered due in part to Bangkok’s tentative, yet growing relationship with China.
Army Aims To Field New Hypersonic Weapon This Year Despite Test Failures
The U.S. military plans to accelerate its fielding of hypersonic weapons despite a series of test issues. On Sept. 6, the Dept. of Defense postponed a planned test-firing of the U.S. Army’s Dark Eagle Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon System (LRHW). This was the third time that the trial, the second in a series supporting the LRHW and the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program, had been canceled.
Army Aims To Field New Hypersonic Weapon This Year Despite Test Failures
The U.S. military plans to accelerate its fielding of hypersonic weapons despite a series of test issues. On September 6, the Department of Defense postponed a planned test-firing of the U.S. Army’s Dark Eagle Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon System (LRHW). This was the third time that the trial, the second in a series supporting the LRHW and the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program, had been canceled.
From Crisis to Opportunity: Europe’s Defense Industry Transformation in the Post-Ukraine Crisis
By Aja Melville, Daniel Darling, and Derek Bisaccio The onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 awoke Europe from its post-Cold War slumber. Within a matter of months countries across Europe reconsidered their defense postures, calling for a near doubling of defense budgets and bringing long-time military non-aligned states to seek NATO membership. Plans for increased defense spending escalated into force structure overhaul and expedited equipment modernization programs.
From Crisis to Opportunity: Europe’s Defense Industry Transformation in the Post-Ukraine Crisis
The onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 awoke Europe from its post-Cold War slumber. Within a matter of months, countries across Europe were reconsidering their defense postures and calling for a near doubling of defense budgets. The invasion also propelled long-time militarily non-aligned states to seek NATO membership. Plans for increased defense spending escalated into force structure overhaul and expedited equipment modernization programs.
China Extends Its Grasp
Imagery of Near-Complete Chinese Military Naval Station in Cambodia. Image – Black Sky On July 24, BlackSky Technology, Herndon, Virginia, published a series of satellite images showing the rapid development of a large Chinese naval facility in Ream, Cambodia, from August 2021 to July 2023.
China Extends Its Grasp
Imagery of Near-Complete Chinese Military Naval Station in Cambodia. Image – Black Sky On July 24, BlackSky Technology, Herndon, Virginia, published a series of satellite images showing the rapid development of a large Chinese naval facility in Ream, Cambodia, from August 2021 to July 2023.
Defense Security Monitor
A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
Tug Of War In The Pacific
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has requested a review of a 2017 defense treaty with Australia, months after finalizing a security pact with China that permits Chinese troops to deploy to the island. Sogavare’s move has raised concerns in Australia and the U.S. about expanding Chinese influence in the Pacific region.
Tug Of War In The Pacific
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has requested a review of a 2017 defense treaty with Australia, months after finalizing a security pact with China that permits Chinese troops to deploy to the island. Sogavare’s move has raised concerns in Australia and the U.S. about expanding Chinese influence in the Pacific region.
XM30 Bradley IFV Replacement Detailed
The U.S. Army has announced the finalists in its competition to replace the aging Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). Formerly known as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), the service announced that the new vehicle will be designated the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle. The XM30 will be the Army’s first armored combat vehicle powered by a hybrid-electric engine.
China Seizes Arms Exporting Opportunity in the Middle East
The Chinese Wing Loon II armed drone, seen here at an air show, reportedly costs about $1 million. Low prices and few restrictions have allowed Chinese weapons to make inroads in the Middle East as well as in South-East Asia and Africa, but low quality and reliability have begun to concern some customers.
US Special Ops Command Goes for Loitering Munitions
Switchblade 300 is a back-packable and rapidly-deployable loitering missile system for use against beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) targets (AeroVironment photo) The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has made loitering technologies a priority in its efforts to support counter-violent extremist organization (C-VEO) operations and strategic competition. During SOF week in Tampa, Fla., recently, Col.
SOCOM Steps Up Drive For Loitering Capabilities
The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has made loitering technologies a priority in its efforts to support counter-violent extremist organization (C-VEO) operations and strategic competition. During SOF week in Tampa, Fla., recently, Col.
SOCOM Steps Up Drive For Loitering Capabilities
The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has made loitering technologies a priority in its efforts to support counter-violent extremist organization (C-VEO) operations and strategic competition. During SOF week in Tampa, Fla., recently, Col.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Aja
Contact Aja, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack