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Defence
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A ring of telescopes at the European Southern Observatory’s La Silla observation site in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Photo: ESO/Handout
US-China relations

Chinese embassy in Chile accuses US of ‘hegemonism’ over Trump nominee’s remarks

Nominee to serve as top American envoy to Santiago would try to ‘restrict’ Beijing’s access to resources, especially in space and technology.

Middle East

Iran ‘not far’ from having nuclear bomb, UN watchdog chief says

Science

China’s new tech boosts sub hunt capabilities near Alaskan waters

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Russia

Denmark mulls sending soldiers to train in Ukraine

Earlier in the day, the head of the Danish army said Denmark intended to send unarmed soldiers to Ukraine for training.

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Ukrainian servicemen from an anti-drone mobile air defence unit in the Donetsk region on Tuesday. Denmark’s training plans have caused discontent at the Russian embassy in Copenhagen. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippines warns US tariffs could jeopardise US$5.6 billion fighter jet deal

The proposed tariffs’ impact on global supply chains is likely to raise the already hefty price tag on the jets, analysts say.

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Japan

Trump claims Japan security treaty is ‘one-sided’. What does he really want?

The US president’s ‘one-sided deal’ rhetoric is aimed at extracting trade concessions and higher defence payments from Tokyo, observers say.

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The Philippines

5 drones with ‘Chinese markings’ found in Philippine waters: navy official

The drones were used to collect data for various applications, including for ‘underwater warfare’, a Philippine navy spokesman said.

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Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, a Philippine Navy spokesman, said investigations were under way on five submersible drones recovered in the country’s waters from 2022 to 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE
Australia

Indonesia won’t host Russian military aircraft, Australia says

Canberra’s defence minister said he had received ‘unequivocal’ assurances over reports of a Russian request for access to a Papua airbase.

US-China relations

Opinion | Like Cixi, Trump has made the mistake of declaring an ill-advised war

Soon after the empress dowager declared war on foreign powers in 1900, the Qing dynasty collapsed. Trump’s tariffs reflect the same delusion.

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The Philippines

Philippines vows ‘Super Bowl’ of exercises in coming military drills

The exercises will feature ‘an interesting mix of equipment’, including the China-opposed Typhon missile system.

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Philippine Army Brigadier General Michael Logico (left) and US Marine Corps Colonel Doug Krugman during a press briefing for the Balikatan drills at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Italy

‘Selfish’ UK rebuked for not fully sharing fighter jet tech with Italy, Japan

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said sharing expertise when making investments together was crucial to a ‘serious relationship’.

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The Global Combat Air Programme’s sixth-generation fighter jet concept design on display at an air show in the UK last year. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan’s warships to visit China-funded Cambodian port in sign of ‘friendship’

Cambodia said it was giving priority to Japanese ships to enter the Ream Naval Base as a tribute to the mutual trust between the two sides.

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The Philippines

Manila praises Google’s move to put ‘West Philippine Sea’ on the map

A senator says the move by Google Maps proves the correctness of Manila’s policy to defend its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea.

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United States

US envoy claims ‘on the verge’ of Ukraine peace deal after Putin meeting

Donald Trump’s special envoy also hinted at ‘compelling commercial opportunities’ for the US following his meeting with Russia’s president.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) shakes hands with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, before talks in Saint Petersburg on Friday. Photo: Sputnik, Kremlin/AP
Middle East

Houthis say US air strikes kill 6, claim Reaper drone shot down over Yemen

The rebels said a ceramics factory in Sanaa was hit overnight, as they reported their fourth downing of a US drone in two weeks.

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The wreckage of an American MQ-9 Reaper drone is seen in April last year after the Houthis said they had shot it down. Photo: Houthis Media Centre/EPA-EFE
China’s military

Opinion | How China’s military-industrial complex is reshaping geopolitics

As China’s defence posture alters spheres of influence and trade, its allies and rivals are recalibrating their own military policies.

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US-Iran tensions

US Pentagon chief says military ready to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear bomb

Pete Hegseth said Trump hoped to avoid military option ‘but if we have to, we will to prevent the nuclear bomb in Iran’s hands’.

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Japan

Opinion | Will Trump’s economic tsunami undermine the US-Japan security partnership?

Tariff shocks have eroded the tentative confidence that the alliance was on a strong footing under Trump’s second administration.

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US President Donald Trump meets Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House in Washington, US, on February 7. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

US looks to South Korea as it tries to revive shipbuilding and catch up to China

American and South Korean shipbuilders agree to cooperate in move analysts say could strengthen US power projection in the Indo-Pacific.

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India

India’s new submarine base targets China’s growing sea power

The Rambilli base’s network of pens aim to provide India’s submarines with an undetected gateway to the Bay of Bengal – and beyond.

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Nato

UK carrier strike group set for 8-month collaborative Pacific deployment

In ‘global messaging’ move, 12-nation force set for drills in waters near India, Southeast Asia, South Korea and Japan.

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The HMS Prince of Wales (foreground) with F-35B Lightning jets on deck, RFA Tidespring (right) and USS Gettysburg (left). Photo: Handout
Ukraine war

Ukrainian F-16 pilot killed in combat, Zelensky says

The aircraft was reportedly shot down by Russian missiles, making it the second advanced Western fighter jet Kyiv’s forces have lost.

A Ukrainian Air Force F-16 flies in an undisclosed location in Ukraine in August 2024. Photo: AP
Britain

UK ‘naive’ to trust Chinese firm with British Steel: minister

But Jonathan Reynolds said he did not suspect China of trying to tank the Scunthorpe plant, the UK’s last factory able to make steel from scratch.

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Middle East

US in hurry for nuclear deal, Iran says after high-stakes talks, Trump threats

Iran’s foreign minister briefly spoke face-to-face with the US president’s special envoy, and says discussions will resume next week.

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European Union

EU begins defence fund talks to ease debt concerns

The European Defence Mechanism was proposed as a way of addressing how highly-indebted countries could pay for costly military equipment.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas talks to journalists as Defence ministers from the “coalition of the willing” nations, who are some of Kiev’s closest allies, meet at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday. Photo: dpa
Canada

‘Hard on the body’: Canadian troops train for Arctic defence

Canada is making a significant push to boost its military strength in the Arctic amid climate change and growing risk of confrontation with rivals.

Canadian soldiers interact with a local dog during a community engagement event at a community centre, during Operation Nanook in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada, on February 28. Photo: AFP
United States

Head of US Space Force base in Greenland fired after Vance visit

Colonel Susan Meyers sent a base-wide email showing support for Greenland and Denmark, amid Trump’s repeated threats to annex the territory.

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China's military weapons

Chinese weapons giant develops anti-drone barrage system to beat wartime swarms

Bullet Curtain can also intercept cruise missiles, rockets, mortar shells and aircraft, lending versatility in combat: Norinco designer.

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