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Defence

Defence
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
US sailors preparing to taxi an F/A-18F Super Horneton the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in May. Photo: US Navy via AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

US House votes to stop Iran war in rebuke to Trump

The vote will not end US military attacks on Iran, but shows how isolated the president has become as the unpopular conflict drags on.

War and conflict

Opinion | Asia has to learn the lessons of war while it still can

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Ukraine war

Ukraine drone strikes causing ‘panic’ for Kremlin, EU’s Kallas says

New Zealand

Is New Zealand a ‘freeloader’? Wellington rebuffs Hegseth’s Shangri-La remark

Analysts say the US defence secretary’s taunts ring hollow given Washington’s own record of undermining alliance obligations.

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Delegates watch US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s speech on a screen at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Editorial | Shangri-La Dialogue has outlived its usefulness for China

While Washington and Beijing softened their rhetoric this year, the US-dominated forum is exhausting its function as a space for engagement.

Indonesia

Prabowo’s overseas visits spark debate in Indonesia over benefits for citizens

Several deals signed in Paris have led to discussions on their merit and the frequency of Prabowo’s official trips around the world.

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Malaysia

‘Norway caused the problem’: Malaysia chases scrapped missile deal refund

Defence Minister Khaled said the government was exploring alternatives from other countries, including Italy, France and South Korea.

Visitors gather next to a display of a Naval Strike Missile made by Kongsberg at the 2014 Euronaval show in France. Photo: AP
South Korea

US general’s ‘dagger’ remark tests South Korea’s China balancing act

A top commander’s blunt remark spotlights a fundamental disagreement over the true purpose of the 28,500 US troops based in South Korea.

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Taiwan

2 Taiwan air force pilots die in T-34C crash, spurring probe and aircraft debate

Island’s air force suspends all T-34C flight training operations and orders fleet-wide inspections following accident at Gangshan Air Base.

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Japan

Is UK a ‘reliable partner’? Fighter jet delays test Japan’s patience

Tokyo is concerned as its ageing fighters need to be replaced and the project lacks a clear development plan and schedule, analysts say.

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The Global Combat Air Programme booth seen at the DSEI Japan 2025, a biennial, large-scale defence and security exhibition held in Japan. Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Asean

Opinion | Will the US’ Pax Silica deliver for the Philippines?

The Pax Silica plan to make the Philippines a vital node in a US-led tech supply chain is built on seemingly speculative promises and risks riling China.

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US President Donald Trump meets Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in the Oval Office at the White House on July 22, 2025, in Washington. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
Malaysia

‘We are a small country’: why Malaysia is resisting US defence spending call

Malaysia faces a dilemma in modernising an ageing military without overwhelming public finances or appearing to choose sides, analysts say.

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US-China relations

Hegseth tones down China rhetoric on return to Asia

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth adopted a noticeably less hostile tone towards China in his address at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue.

US-China relations

Shangri-La Dialogue: what China, US and Japan said

Speeches by the US, Chinese and Japanese delegates to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Photo: Singapore’s Ministry of Defence
Singapore

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

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Participants speak at the Shangri-La Dialogue defence forum in Singapore on Sunday. Photo: Singapore’s Ministry of Defence
Technology

Opinion | For SpaceX, global dominance may not be written in the stars

Space is not an ordinary, commercial, open market but a strategic domain tied directly to sovereignty, security and industrial policy.

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Malaysia

Malaysia blasts ‘conspicuously muted’ response over axed Norway missile deal

Defence Minister Khaled told the Shangri-La Dialogue that Oslo’s move was ‘destructive’ to the credibility of the rules-based global order.

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China-Japan relations

Japanese minister rejects ‘new militarism’ label from China in Shangri-La speech

‘Every country must be able to choose its future by its own will,’ Shinjiro Koizumi says at Singapore defence forum.

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Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said: “This region must remain open to all countries that respect our shared rules and principles”. Photo: AP
India

India seals BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam, eyes Indonesia next

A senior Indian defence ministry official made the announcement at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

South Korea

From submarines to trade, South Korea and US remain deadlocked ahead of talks

The two allies are also expected to discuss the transfer of military control and a data breach involving a US firm at their talks next week.

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New Zealand

New Zealand tells US it lacks billions ‘under the couch’ to boost defence

Finance Minister Willis takes a jab at Hegseth, says his demands ‘would be extremely challenging’ for New Zealand.

Troops from New Zealand, the Philippines, Australia and the US pose with their national flags after taking part in the Balikatan drills in the Philippines last month. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

Singapore’s Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing (centre) with representatives from 16 partner countries during the launch of the Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday. Photo: Singapore’s Ministry of Defence
Singapore

US senator warns of Indo-Pacific risks as Hegseth stresses ‘quiet’ tactics

Hegseth told the Shangri-La Dialogue that the US remained committed to the region as Duckworth criticised his policy and burden-sharing demands.

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The Philippines

How Philippines and Japan future-proofed ties amid China tensions, US wavering

Manila and Tokyo forge a comprehensive strategic partnership, boosting defence and economic cooperation, as Indo-Pacific challenges mount.

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Asean

Opinion | Why the Philippines walks a delicate balance as Asean chair

Manila’s success at the helm will depend on its ability to make the Association of Southeast Asian Nations more operational than before.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Singapore

Vietnam’s To Lam warns of 3 crises converging in Asia-Pacific security

In the Singapore forum’s keynote address, the Vietnamese president urges a strategic framework for trust building to avert such threats.

Vietnamese President To Lam gives a keynote address during the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Friday. Photo: Reuters
China-South Korea relations

How will South Korea’s nuclear submarines alter balance near first island chain?

Analyst cites further Indo-Pacific nations eyeing SSNs, with potential to ‘tie together with the broader US alliance system in the region’.

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US-China relations

Hegseth at Asia defence gathering, China-EU tensions, Computex

This week: US allies wait to hear from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Singapore, EU works on China trade measures and Huawei announces chip advance. Next week: Computex is held in Taiwan, China reveals PMI, UK foreign minister visits Beijing, and more.

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