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The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Monka, an FPV drone operator from the third assault brigade, assembles an FPV drone in November, in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. Photo: AP
Ukraine war

Why more women are embracing combat roles in Ukraine’s military

Equipment such as drones has opened up new paths for women and helped them overcome resistance in the military.

France

Drones buzz French nuclear base amid Russian hybrid warfare fears

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Ukraine war

Chernobyl safety shield damaged, UN confirms. Ukraine blames Russian drones

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US-China relations

Trump recasts US allies as tools to counter China in security playbook: analysts

Plan urges wealthier partners to boost defence roles, align export controls and shoulder more regional responsibility.

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US President Donald Trump stands during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
War and conflict

Opinion | Welcome to a world where wars don’t end and sanctions don’t work

The age of ‘distributed multipolarity’ shows that superpowers alone can no longer dictate international affairs.

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India

Can India still rely on Russia as a ‘time-tested’ defence partner?

India has to balance meeting its defence needs from Russia and managing its trade ties with the US as tariffs continue to loom.

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US Navy

Investigations reveal combat stress a key factor in costly US Navy mishaps

Reports show mission against Yemen’s Houthis took a toll on the US Navy, highlighting a friendly fire incident, loss of three jets and a ship collision.

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A F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet preparing for launch from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier on March 16, 2025. Photo: US Navy via AFP
Australia

Aukus deal to move ‘full steam ahead’ after surviving Trump review

The Pentagon said the five-month evaluation ‘identified opportunities to put Aukus on the strongest possible footing’.

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China-Latin America relations

China says it is working ‘with all parties’ to prevent escalation in Venezuela

Beijing’s outreach comes amid a US naval build-up and a rare phone call between Trump and Maduro.

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United States

New York Times sues Pentagon over restrictive press policy, free speech rights

Lawsuit alleges the new policy violates free speech and limits access to vital military information. Dozens of outlets have rejected the terms.

A sign for The New York Times hangs above the entrance to its building in New York. Photo: AP
United States

US Institute of Peace renamed after ‘greatest dealmaker’ Trump

‘Donald J. Trump’ emblazes Washington headquarters of the US Institute of Peace in time for a peace deal signing.

US President Donald Trump’s name on United States Institute of Peace headquarters in Washington. Photo: AP
Taiwan

Opinion | Why peeling back layers of strategic ambiguity will only hurt Japan

The Japanese prime minister’s remarks are merely ripples that will soon disappear, needlessly inviting the very conflict she says she wants to prevent.

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US-China relations

Bessent calls Beijing an ‘ally’ after Trump signs bill on ties with Taiwan

US Treasury Secretary tries to ease further tension after Trump signs act aimed at regularly reviewing and updating guidelines with Taiwan.

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China-Latin America relations

China unlikely to aid Maduro if US acts, but may benefit from fallout: analysts

Beijing condemns US pressure on Caracas but offers limited support, prioritising its economic interests and long-term gains.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Moscow on the sidelines of the celebration marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War in May. Photo: Xinhua
United States

Hegseth’s Signal use posed risk to US forces, Pentagon review finds

White House ‘stands by’ Pentagon chief Hegseth, who is also under intensifying scrutiny over US strikes in the Caribbean.

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth uses a phone at the White House in February. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Russia says no Ukraine compromise reached after Putin meets Trump envoys

Before the talks, the Kremlin chief warned European powers that if they wanted a war, Russia would defeat them.

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Science

China’s ‘dirt cheap’ missiles could shake up global defence market: state media

The ‘cement-coated’ YKJ-1000 could prove ‘formidably competitive’ internationally if sold at the relatively cheap price of US$99,000.

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Science

‘Real Steel’: PLA unveils motion-controlled combat robot to 13 countries

Chinese and foreign military cadets test bomb disposal robot using voice commands and discuss ethical boundaries of AI in war: state media.

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Cadets from China and foreign militaries view a robot at the PLA Army Engineering University during the 12th International Army Cadets Week from November 3 to 9. Photo: Handout
India

As India prepares for missile test, presence of Chinese ships marks power jostle

At least four such Chinese vessels have been spotted in the strategic Indian Ocean recently, according to media reports.

North Korea

North Korea unveils new missiles, angles for Russian jets amid Ukraine war deal

Analysts say the event served a dual purpose: grooming Kim’s potential successor and angling for Russian jets as payment for Ukraine war aid.

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China-Japan relations

China bristles as Japan weighs missile export to Philippines

Japan’s possible sale of Type 03 missiles to Manila comes as Tokyo moves to loosen arms-export rules, raising fresh concerns in China.

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The Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile, the same model Japan plans to deploy on Yonaguni, an island just 110km (68 miles) from Taiwan. Photo: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The Philippines

Why Russia is targeting the Philippines with Ukraine mercenary claims

As Moscow wages an information war far from the battlefields of Ukraine, an improbable front has opened up in Southeast Asia.

A Filipino soldier demonstrates how to operate a missile system during a joint military exercise with the US in August last year. Photo: AFP
India

India’s looming BrahMos missile deal with Indonesia challenges US-China binary

New Delhi is emerging as a serious alternative security partner for Southeast Asia, offering hi-tech arms without ‘hegemonic baggage’.

India

India’s Modi to pitch arms deal to Russia, Putin despite US efforts

Modi has maintained India’s long-standing ties to Moscow, while reducing its reliance on Russian weapons by acquiring more arms from the US and Europe.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Trump’s world view offers Beijing a window of opportunity on Taiwan

As the US reframes the dynamics between allies and adversaries, Beijing may see an opportunity to advance its cross-strait goals.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Ukraine war

Kazakhstan tells Ukraine to stop Black Sea oil terminal attacks

Ukraine has mounted wave after wave of attacks on Russia’s oil refineries and crude oil terminals in an attempt to undermine the Russian war economy.

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This video grab taken from images released by the Security service of Ukraine (SBU) on Saturday shows smoke rising from a cargo ship in the Black Sea off the Turkish coast Ukraine says is transporting sanctioned Russian oil, on Saturday. Photo: AFP
North Korea

North Korean air force to gain ‘strategic assets’ amid heightened tensions

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says the air force will be entrusted with ‘a new important duty’ and play a role in nuclear war deterrence.

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Ukraine war

Russian drone strike kills 1 near Kyiv amid flurry of peace talks

A child was among the 11 wounded during the attack on Vyshgorod, regional governor said.

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