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Defence

Defence
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A US Army air defence artilleryman conducts maintenance on an MIM-104 Patriot missile system at an undisclosed location in the Middle East, in an image released in June. Photo: US Army via AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

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

In the event of a Russian ballistic missile assault, Nato could be forced ‘to take punch after punch in the mouth’.

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India

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

Ukraine war

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

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.

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The era of open oceans could be drawing to a close, says academic Di Dongsheng, who urges Beijing to prepare “for struggle in a coming contest over sea power and the security of shipping routes”. Photo: Getty Images
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.

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.

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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.

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Experts say China has tested a variant of the YJ-18A anti-ship cruise missile with a black stealth coating that will improve the penetration of the ship-launched missile. Photo: CCTV
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.

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.

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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.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
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.

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Chinese fighter jets have returned to Egypt for combat training with their Egyptian counterparts in a joint exercise. Photo: CCTV
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.

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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.

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.

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Taiwanese officials have warned that the sustained presence of mainland Chinese government vessels across parts of the first island chain aims to establish a “new status quo”. Photo: Xinhua
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.

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A Strong Bow anti-ballistic missile defence system could serve as the outermost layer of Taiwan’s planned T-Dome network, according to the defence ministry. Photo: NCSIST
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.

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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.

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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.

Russian servicemen march during the Victory Day military parade on the Red square in Moscow on May 9. Photo: EPA
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.

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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.

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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.

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Japan Ground Self-Defence Force soldiers fire a howitzer during a live fire exercise in Gotemba in June. Photo: AFP
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.

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South Korean soldiers join in an anti-terror drill as a part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise between the US and South Korea in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: AP
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.

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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.

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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.

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US President Donald Trump (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meet at the demilitarised zone in June 2019, the third of their three face-to-face meetings during Trump’s first term. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
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’.

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China’s next-generation stealth fighter is unofficially known as the Chengdu J-36. Photo: X / Rupprecht_A
The Philippines

US defence chiefs tour Asia to calm fears as Trump’s drill remarks sow doubts

Visits to Manila, Seoul and Tokyo seek to reassure, even as the Iran war drains assets and White House rhetoric rattles allies.

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South Korea

US, South Korea slash joint military drills by half as Trump eyes Kim summit

The allies will complete the first, defensive phase and cancel next week’s counter-attack phase.

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