Peter Hartley

in 2005, the percentage of Unmanned Systems was just 5% of the US Military Aircraft. At the beginning of 2012, that number had risen to 31%. Given that the UK has set a strategy to keep operational all new air systems for circa 40–50 years, what value can be seen in committing now to spending on a new expensive manned combat aircraft?

One of the largest fleets in NATO, the German Navy appears to have escaped most of the recent cuts imposed by the government’s austerity plan, since construction of the new vessels and upgrades for existing platforms seems to continue. However, the planned reduction of 60 percent in its defense budget could have negative effect in the future, if the government decides to press on with the cuts.