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Defence

Defence
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The video included the first official reference to the “Little Six”. Photo: China Military Bugle
China's military weapons

What signal is China sending with official footage of sixth-generation fighter?

A fleeting clip of the new fighter – nicknamed ‘Little Six’ – featured in a video released by official military media over the weekend.

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Hong Kong politics

2 PLA navy ships to visit Hong Kong for 5-day port call

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Science

China conducts ground test of hypersonic ramjet that can change shape in flight

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Malaysia

Malaysia narrows hunt for replacement missiles after Norway axes contract

Turkey, South Korea and two unspecified European nations are in the frame to replace a cancelled Norwegian anti-ship missile.

A Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Naval Strike Missile is test launched from a ship. Photo: Kongsberg
Pacific nations

Vanuatu bans ‘foreign’ military bases in new security pact with Australia

The treaty is the latest in a string of Pacific deals Australia has signed seeking to curb China’s expanding security influence.

China's military weapons

How is China shaping up in the global competition to sell air defence weapons?

After Paris arms fair, analysts expect Chinese systems to do well in the Global South but question their entry into Europe.

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Pakistan

Pakistan rattles India with new Chinese-built stealth submarine

Half a century after a bruising naval defeat, Pakistan is signalling it can again challenge India on its eastern flank.

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PNS Hangor, the first submarine of the Chinese-built Hangor class, arrives in Karachi, Pakistan on June 11. Photo: X/DGPRPakNavy
US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iran after Trump says cargo ship attack violated ceasefire

US Central Command says missile, drone and radar sites were hit after Tehran was accused of targeting vessel in Strait of Hormuz.

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US, Israel war on Iran

When geography is destiny, Gulf states must diversify their defence, expert says

World Economic Forum meeting also told Iran’s leadership now views economic survival – not geopolitical ambition – as primary priority.

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United States

US and allies flex military muscle on China’s doorstep with multi-front drills

Analysts say the near-simultaneous exercises reflect a shift in US strategy that enables allies to play a greater role in regional security.

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About 10,000 personnel are taking part in Valiant Shield 2026 across Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and surrounding waters. Photo: X/US Navy
United States

Outside In | US the ultimate loser as Iran war ushers in global power upheaval

Defeated by asymmetric warfare and spurned by allies, the US has ended up boosting China’s economy and standing instead.

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US President Donald Trump arrives to deliver a speech at the Mack Trucks Lehigh Valley Operations facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania, on June 23. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
US-China relations

Asia defence spending

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies to raise military spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP at the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, saying that countries could no longer “free ride” on American taxpayers.

Malaysia

Malaysia demands US$257 million from Norwegian firm over axed missile deal

The country says it is asking Norway to mediate between the two parties so that the company can settle the claims.

US-China relations

Trump backs ‘Six Assurances’ to Taiwan but no arms sale timeline: US diplomat

Michael DeSombre confirms long-standing US policy still in place despite Trump’s apparent departure from it after Beijing meeting with Xi.

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The State Department’s top diplomat for East Asia, Michael DeSombre, said on Thursday that the long-standing US policy known as the “Six Assurances” to Taiwan is still operating. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

UN halts escort of ships through Hormuz after Singapore-flagged vessel attacked

A cargo ship was hit by a projectile close to Oman, testing a preliminary agreement to end the Iran war.

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Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on June 18. Photo: Reuters
South China Sea

US shifts South China Sea reconnaissance towards drones, Philippines: think tank

Reliance on close-in aerial reconnaissance over contested waters comes as large American vessels face growing constraints.

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US-China trade war

China vows to pursue US tariff cuts while decrying ‘malicious’ trade acts

Beijing targets ‘win-win’ ties, dangling a US$300 billion proposal while justifying fresh restrictions on American firms over a Pentagon blacklist.

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European Union

EU releases €3 billion loan for Ukraine’s recovery

The EU has provided €200 billion in support to Ukraine so far, and approved €90 billion more over the next two years.

The hall in which the Ukraine Recovery Conference is held in Gdansk, Poland. The event is both a fundraising forum and a message to Russia that Ukraine’s Western supporters are in it for a long haul. Photo: AFP
South Korea

As US wavers, ex-minister says Japan and South Korea ‘only have each other’

Former Japanese defence minister Taro Kono said Tokyo and Seoul ‘need to step up our own effort for stability in the region’.

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United States

General who was last US soldier out of Afghanistan suddenly steps down

Christopher Donahue, commanding general of US Army Europe and Africa, is the latest in nearly two dozen military leaders to depart.

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China's military weapons

PLA’s advanced carrier Fujian transits Taiwan Strait amid military drills

The vessel’s passage comes a day after island starts a five-day exercise to boost its combat readiness.

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A surveillance photo released by the Taiwanese defence ministry shows the Fujian, the People's Liberation Army's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, as it transits the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo
United States

Letters | US is not retreating from Asia. It’s rewriting the terms of its security umbrella

Readers discuss Washington’s message at the Shangri-La Dialogue, facilitating Central Asia’s economic integration, and Hong Kong’s sexual health clinics.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on May 30. Photo: Reuters
India

India wants a self-reliant military, but can its private defence firms deliver?

Private firms now drive nearly a quarter of domestic production, but analysts warn a lack of R&D leaves New Delhi tethered to foreign tech.

South Korea

Why North Korea prefers a ‘hostile’ neighbour to Seoul’s peace efforts

One way to break the deadlock is to revive talks between the two Koreas, China and the US to end the Korean war, an analyst suggests.

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North Korea

Kim says North Korea to arm navy with nuclear weapons, build bigger warships

The leader is aiming to construct two vessels a year, both of a larger class than the newly commissioned Choe Hon destroyer.

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Sailors salute during the commissioning ceremony of the Choe Hyon warship in the port city of Nampo in North Korea on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA via Reuters
US-China relations

Pentagon sued by Alibaba over ‘arbitrary’ military blacklist targeting Chinese firms

Technology giant says US defence department wrongly labelled it a Chinese military company without evidence.

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Alibaba has argued that its business operations are commercial in nature and unconnected to China’s military. Photo: Kyodo
Ukraine war

Ukraine war: Russia says US hasn’t delivered on Trump-Putin ‘understandings’

With Kyiv claiming to be turning the tide of the conflict, Moscow’s comments signal a growing frustration with Washington.

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Japan

How Japan seeks to win over allies by refuting China’s claims of militarism

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi questions the accuracy of China’s military spending data, contrasting it with Japan’s transparent approach.

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