Over the years - 34 to be precise – armada International’s editorial target has been rather unique, providing as it did the quintessence of modern defence technologies to its readers. In other words, explain how sophisticated systems operate, and why they are necessary. And this not only to the three traditional services, but also to the benefit of decision makers, defence ministers and universities where our reports tend to be quite in demand judging from the requests for reprints that we receive.
Such fame does not happen by chance. It mostly results from the fact that armada International’s writers and reporters all have strong technological training (some actually are former industry engineers) or in-the-field experience – or both. Another key factor is intelligibility. There is no point in printing articles that can only be fully understood by top English-speaking readers. By producing articles in good, plain English, we also cater to those, around the entire world, for whom this is not their mother tongue. That is why we are truly international.
armada International is also innovative. Every issue comes with a supplement called Compendium entirely devoted to a specific subject of defence. Some of these have also introduced quite a novelty in the defence media circles in the form of large, fully illustrated fold-out posters. Demand is so high that some of our issues will now carry two such supplements.
Defence may not always be a rejoicing subject, but at least we try to make it interesting – or at least useful. It’s our mission.
Eric H. Biass Editor-in-Chief
armada readers around the globe turn to the magazine because of our :
· Top quality print and layout · Reference quality retainability · Pull-out, wall-mountable tables and charts · Award-winning journalism by industry-recognised authors · Researched, unbiased reporting focusing on the technical issues · Complete Guides - the most sought-after in-depth reference series to ever complement a defence journal · Simulation Approach sections synergistically melded to main articles
armada is used by industry specialists as a reference but nevertheless remains accessible to readers with a more general interest.
armada focuses on the technical aspects of defence equipment and services, and is widely respected for its well-researched and authoritative feature articles. These unbiased market surveys and technical reports are dedicated to an area of technology rather than a single product.
armada helps to establish a direct link between the reader and the manufacturer.
Serving the international defence community since 1976
Core Team
Caroline Schwegler Publisher
followed in the footsteps of her late husband, Mathias, as the Publisher of Armada International. She also heads the Board of Directors of Karl Schwegler AG, Zurich-based printers and sole owners of armada International.
Thomas Schneider Advertising and Production Manager
after graduation and services in the Swiss military, he started working as editor for a local radio station in Winterthur, Switzerland, already having worked part-time for several daily newspapers. He stayed in the broadcasting field for five years, thereafter he wrote "Who is Who in Winterthur?" while working for weekly newspapers. In January of 1999, Thomas joined the armada International team, where he manages the advertising administration and the print production.
Eric Herbert Biass Editor-in-Chief of British father and French mother, was brought up in London, New York and Rome. He studied mechanical engineering at the Geneva Technical School, then English literature in London, followed by Spanish at the University of Salamanca. With English, French, Italian and Spanish feathers in his cap, he worked as an international conference interpreter until the aviation bug caught up with him completely (both his uncle and father are former Royal Air Force pilots) and he accepted a job as an editor with Interavia Publishing Group in Geneva in 1979. Eric, author of two reference books on helicopters and aircraft armament and a book on investment opportunities in the Franco-Swiss region, joined armada International in 1988 and subsequently became Editor-in-Chief of this publication.
John (Johnny) Keggler Communications Editor/Art Director
hails from a strong military background, having spent seven years in the US military creating and developing training, news and command information programs. Skydiver, scuba diver and motorcycle enthusiast, Johnny has spent over seven years in the Middle East and Turkey, two in Central America and five in Europe in the journalism, multimedia and video production fields. He was the editor/copywriter for two large software companies in the US, and after moving to Zurich was working as a freelance multimedia producer before signing on with armada International in August of 1998.
Roy Braybrook Aviation Affairs Editor (Freelance Writer)
graduated in mechanical engineering at Manchester University in 1954, and went on to complete a two-year apprenticeship with a leading British aircraft manufacturer. From 1956 to 1958 he served in the Royal Air Force National Service, on loan to the Royal Aircraft Establishment Farnborough to plan and assess air-to-air guided weapon trials in the United Kingdom and Australia. Roy returned to the aircraft industry in 1958 as a senior project engineer responsible for design studies of future jet trainers and combat aircraft. He was elected as Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1963, and in the same year became a Chartered Engineer. In 1968, he was appointed as the design department representative for marketing and subsequently, as technical marketing advisor. Roy resigned from this position in 1980 to concentrate on freelance consultancy and writing. He has written 16 books on military aviation. Roy's collaboration with armada International began with an article that was published in early 1984.
originally trained as an electronics engineer and worked in the defence industry for more than 20 years. He was formerly editor for Flight International and for Military Technology and now works as a freelance journalist covering virtually every type of defence equipment, from small arms and ammunition to military aircraft and submarines. Doug has written 21 books on aerospace and defence topics, most of which have been published in British and American editions. Several have also been published in French and German editions, and some have appeared in other languages, including Portuguese and Japanese. Doug has been contributing articles to armada International since 1988.
Thomas Withington Naval Affairs Editor (Freelance Writer)
A defence journalist, writer and historian, he has published over one hundred articles looking at comtemporary and historical defence issues in magazines and newspapers based in North America, the United Kingdom and continental Europe. He has authored books and documentaries on twentieth century military history and is a frequent commentator on defence issues for the international media. Also a Research Associate at the Centre for Defence Studies, King's College, London, he joined the armada International editorial team in 2007.
