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Defence

Defence
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Oyster Bay naval facility in Palawan province, the Philippines. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Philippines’ plan to fortify coastal defences: deterrence or target?

The plan to establish coastal defence assets in Palawan is unlikely to close the country’s military gap with China, analysts say.

Japan

Why Ukraine’s Patriot missile request may be a step too far for Japan

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The Philippines

Philippine military assures ‘no vacuum’ over top officer’s retirement

Ukraine war

Zelensky faces fury on Ukrainian streets after dropping defence minister

The air force’s deputy commander has resigned in protest, calling Mykhailo Fedorov’s removal ‘a great evil’ for Ukraine’s defence.

People protest against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to replace Mykhailo Fedorov as defence minister on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Climate change

Opinion | Fire in Spain, floods in China, war in Iran are symptoms of polycrisis

Even as disasters in Spain and China dominate headlines, demand for defence and investment spending is crowding out climate mitigation.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says Strait of Hormuz a ‘red line’, vows to fight till the end

Tehran warned of ‘existential war’ with America and threatened to block more energy exports from the Middle East.

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United States

Trump defence chief Hegseth unveils plan to test US troops for low testosterone

The Pentagon head says the screenings for those 30 and older will allow service members to operate at their ‘absolute best’.

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US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth addresses senior military officers at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia in September 2025. Photo: TNS
US-China relations

Trump intel pick to play ‘helpful’ role in agreeing economic strategy with China

Jay Clayton says US can still work together ‘on the world stage economically’ with Beijing despite the geopolitical challenges they face.

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South Korea

Sunk deals: why South Korea’s submarine exports are running aground

After losing bids in Canada and Poland, analysts say Korean shipyards are learning how strategic alignment can trump commercial merit.

South China Sea

How Beijing’s islands of control are reshaping the South China Sea

Ten years after the Hague’s tribunal ruling, Beijing’s island-building strategy has effectively eclipsed the 2016 decision, observers say.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump scraps Hormuz toll plan but presses ahead with Iran blockade

In latest flip-flop, US president says Gulf investment deals will replace shipping fee, while restoring blockade targeting Iranian trade.

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US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
ICBMs

Opinion | China’s missile test is a signal. How non-nuclear states respond matters

The reactions to Beijing’s ‘routine’ exercise put into focus a nuclear order that is rapidly fluctuating from Tehran to Tokyo.

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Ukraine war

Kyiv struck by Russian missiles hours after Paris summit

Ukraine capital targeted in early morning attack, but officials confirm no casualties.

Ukraine war

Ukraine allies meet in Paris to boost air defence, pressure Russia to end war

The 37-member Coalition of the Willing aims to develop ‘purely defensive’ anti-ballistic capabilities in Europe.

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French President Emmanuel Macron, left, greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky upon arrival for a summit of the Coalition of the Willing at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris on Monday. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

South China Sea: 10 years after Hague ruling, how has the Philippines’ stance evolved?

Officials and analysts say Manila’s deterrence strategies can now make China ‘at least hesitate’, even though there is still much to be done.

Ships identified by the Philippine Coast Guard as Chinese research vessels are seen at Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on June 15. Photo: AFP
South Korea

South Korean sailor missing on patrol found dead near North Korea sea border

Seoul had asked North Korea for help after fears the sailor might have drifted across the Northern Limit Line but received no response.

Ukraine war

Ukraine presses allies for resupply as Russia launches ballistic missiles

Russia launched six ballistic missiles, another ‌six cruise missiles and 121 drones, killing two and wounding 19 in Ukraine.

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New Zealand

New Zealand-India trade, defence pact celebrated despite criticism

Anti-immigration members of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s coalition and anti-Modi members of the Indian diaspora opposed the deal.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Sanctioned but defiant: Philippine defence chief says China talks ‘not possible’

Blacklisted by Beijing, a defiant Gilberto Teodoro Jnr demands China ‘get out’ of waters Manila claims.

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Donald Trump

Scare Force One? Security questions swirl over Trump’s new plane

The Secret Service advised the US president to switch from the luxury jet gifted by Qatar to an older aircraft, reports say.

India

Running on empty? Why India is struggling to plug its fighter fleet gaps

Analysts say a large defence budget will not ‘automatically’ resolve combat aircraft gaps that are affecting India’s overall air power.

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The Indian Air Force’s Tejas fighter jet prepares to take off during the “Aero India 2025” air show in Bengaluru on February 2025. Photo: AFP
United States

US plan to allow Turkey back into F-35 jet scheme faces Israeli opposition

Turkey was ejected from the American F-35 programme in 2019 after it bought Russian air-defence systems.

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A US military F-35 fighter jet flies overhead during Independence Day celebrations in Washington on July 4. Photo: AFP
War and conflict

Outside In | How AI is changing the nature of war and conflict

Latest Global Peace Index reflects a world progressively less peaceful as AI enables armies to kill more people more quickly and more cheaply.

The Philippines

Why the Philippines is turning to space for a military edge in South China Sea

Having dedicated satellites is ‘something that makes sense’ as it would give the military more control over its territory, experts say.

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Science

Up to 100 gigawatts: China unveils its high-power microwave weapon arsenal

Defence scientists say the technology could threaten low Earth orbit satellite networks such as Starlink at an extremely low cost.

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China displays a high-power microwave weapon system during the Victory Day parade in Beijing on September 3, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran ceasefire collapse revives risks of global inflation

Renewed conflict in the Middle East may lead to new oil shortages, a global economic slowdown and risks to China’s vital export industries.

Smoke rises after an explosion in Iran. Photo: Social media video screen grab via Reuters
South Korea

US hopes South Korea can help turn the tide in fight for naval dominance

While the US has a technological edge, it lags behind China, which has the world’s largest commercial shipbuilding industry, in fleet size.

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US-China relations

US says China gave only hours’ warning before Pacific submarine missile launch

Washington says Beijing’s notification of launch fell short of expected standard followed by other established nuclear powers.

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