Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

Defence

Defence
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
US marines stand in front of the Marine Air Defence Integrated System and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa last year. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

US base dispute hangs over Japan’s Okinawa governor election

The LDP is mounting an all-out campaign to unseat the incumbent, wagering cash promises can quiet anti-base opposition.

6
Asean

Opinion | Why Southeast Asia isn’t buying the US’ offer of ‘flexible realism’

videocam
4
US, Israel war on Iran

US Patriot missile shortage in Europe ‘beyond critical’ due to Iran war

7
India

India’s missile tech transfer to firms signals defence self-reliance on track

Despite the forthcoming transfer from a state agency, Indian firms are still years away from being able to make advanced missiles.

India’s BrahMos missile system on show during its Republic Day parade in New Delhi last year. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

‘Playing with fire’: Russia slams UK, France over Ukraine missile tech transfer

Moscow warns of potential strikes on British military targets, urging London to change its stance on supporting Kyiv.

US-China relations

What China can do to secure trade routes in its coming high-seas struggle with US

Di Dongsheng argues it could take three decades for China to dominate access to ports, straits, canals and shipping lanes around the world.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The Philippines

Philippines’ rising military pensions risk triggering budget ‘time bomb’

The surge in pensions may weaken the country’s push to buy modern military assets to strengthen its deterrence.

Philippine military servicemen take part in a live fire exercise during the annual US-Philippines joint Balikatan exercise in Rizal, Palawan, last year. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Why Philippines is betting on drones to boost maritime security

Manila plans to use drones as force multipliers, but analysts warn building a credible deterrence network will require multi-year investment.

videocam
China's military weapons

Did the Chinese navy fire a radar-absorbing YJ-18A anti-ship missile in sea trial?

Black radar-absorbing finish on upgraded ship-launched weapon would improve penetration and visual camouflage over deep water, say analysts.

videocam
South Korea

South Korea scrambles jets after Russian military planes enter air defence zone

This is the second incursion in weeks since over 10 Chinese and Russian military jets entered the zone in late June.

Two US Air Force F-22 fighter jets (front) fly with two South Korean Air Force F-35As during a joint air drill ion May 16, 2024. Photo: South Korean Defence Ministry/AFP
China’s rocket force

China seeks public tips on procurement violations in PLA Rocket Force probe

Authorities asked for clues about problems in PLARF’s purchases spanning all stages of the process and different forms of procurement.

videocam
The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force was established in 2015 and oversees some of the Chinese military’s most important assets. Photo: Xinhua
Middle East

Opinion | Could Mecca defence pact be first step to new Middle East order?

As security deal shakes up calculations for the US, China and Russia, a regional order shaped by regional states is no longer unthinkable.

6
China-Middle East relations

China’s J-16s face off against Egypt’s Rafales in combat drills as Iran war rumbles on

PLA pilots test strategic reach in 6,000km mission as Middle East conflict pushes Cairo and Beijing closer.

videocam
15
South Korea

South Korea pledges to help Trump revive talks with North Korea’s Kim

Trump’s recent olive branch to Kim and criticism ‌of Seoul have raised concerns of a strain on long-standing Asian alliances.

4
US soldiers set up a floating bridge on a river at a military training field in Yeoncheon on Thursday during joint US-South Korean military exercises. Photo: Yonhap/AFP
Ukraine war

UK’s Burnham plans US trip to lobby Trump on Ukraine Patriot missiles

Following his first international visit to Kyiv, the new UK leader seeks a multi-nation deal to secure vital interceptors for Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham inspects destruction near the Lukanivska market in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Mainland China’s ship activity near Taiwan hits record for third month in a row

Beijing has ramped up its law-enforcement and survey operations around island since Tokyo and Manila announced boundary talks.

videocam
14
Taiwan

Taiwan unveils Strong Bow anti-ballistic missile specs in defence funding push

Developers disclose details of Chiang Kung hypersonic interceptor with active radar to convince lawmakers to approve funding.

videocam
4
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Britain

UK PM Andy Burnham to visit Kyiv as Ukraine marks independence anniversary

On his first international visit as UK leader, Burnham will co-chair his first Coalition of the Willing meeting of countries supporting Kyiv.

videocam
Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in Portsmouth, UK on July 27. On Monday, Burnham will travel to Kyiv for a meeting with Zelensky. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Zelensky details rift with Ukraine’s dismissed defence minister Fedorov

The president said inaccurate defence ministry information contributed to an awkward encounter with Trump over the use of Starlink in Russia.

videocam
Ukraine

Putin wants to draft 300,000 new troops for war, Ukraine’s Zelensky says

Russia could draft more troops in 2027 to reach its goal of 500,000 and aims to produce up to 1,300 ballistic missiles per year, he adds.

Cambodia

Why Cambodia is reviving US military drills despite close China ties

Restarting Angkor Sentinel drills lets Phnom Penh signal strategic autonomy without abandoning Beijing, analysts say.

videocam
US Under Secretary of Defence Elbridge Colby (left) shakes hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet before a meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on August 14. Photo: AKP / AP
India

How a German submarine deal could test ‘Make in India’ ambitions

The deal is expected to give India critical design and engineering know-how to help build a long-term domestic submarine industrial base.

5
A submarine is docked in a shipyard of warship maker TKMS in Kiel, Germany, in April. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Why Japan is eyeing a record US$56 billion defence budget

Major outlays are being planned for drones, AI-enabled command systems, long-range missiles and support for the domestic defence industry.

23
South Korea

US drill cuts threaten South Korea’s wartime command plans

By cutting Ulchi Freedom Shield short, Washington may have set back Seoul’s bid to reclaim wartime military command delegated decades ago.

videocam
US-China relations

Golden Dome may not fully protect US from Chinese and Russian threats: experts

Experts warn Trump’s missile defence plan could fuel an arms race while leaving the America vulnerable to a large-scale attack.

videocam
24
The Trump administration’s Golden Dome concept is expected to identify incoming projectiles, calculate their trajectories, and deploy interceptor missiles to destroy them mid-flight. Photo: Lockheed Martin
Diplomacy

Opinion | Trump’s blunt remarks offer South Korea an opportunity

Reduced US-South Korea drills complicate Seoul’s security dilemma but are also a low-cost goodwill signal to Pyongyang that could create room for dialogue.

videocam
US Army armoured vehicles gather to cross a river at a training field in Yeoncheon, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, on August 17. Photo: AP
United States

Trump says he plans to meet Kim Jong-un this year, citing good relationship

US president says North Korea has 57 ‘very powerful’ nuclear weapons, as Pyongyang denies direct communication between the two leaders.

videocam
8
Science

China’s J-36 fighter jet designers report danger of military AI hallucinations

Content generated by artificial intelligence models can ‘defy basic physics, design principles or operational constraints’.

videocam
26
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement