Pakistan wields Chinese weapons against India, and analysts take notes
Besides long-range aerial fights, both sides also launched drones and cruise missiles against enemy infrastructure, bringing air-defense systems into play.
Asia Pacific
US Typhon missile system in Philippines is a subtle headache for China
Officials in Manila have said they want to acquire similar systems in the future as part of military modernization.
Top US general in Korea talks maps, China, and getting Patriots back
“It begins with looking from an enemy’s perspective and then seeing where you are and how you might array your capabilities,” Gen. Xavier Brunson said.
Target vessel sank before it could be hammered at drill in Philippines
While the vessel took itself out before it could be hit by missiles, Balikatan organizers conducted other elements of the planned live-fire event.
Safety fears keep most of India’s go-to military helicopters grounded
The grounding has strained the military’s fleet and forced the leasing of civilian helicopters as gap fillers.
India tops up its Rafale warplane buy with 26 carrier-capable jets
The Indian Navy will become the first international user of the French jet's naval variant, underscoring the strategic ties between the two countries.
With Indo-Pacific undersea cables at risk, companies tout their tech
Taiwan has reported five cases of seabed cable damage this year already, compared with just three each in 2023 and 2024.
Marines deploy drone-killing MADIS system for Balikatan drills
The exercise marks the first time the aerial defense system has been deployed outside the U.S. with a U.S. Marine Corps unit.
US, Philippines to simulate ‘full-scale battle’ in Balikatan drills
Thousands of allied American and Filipino forces have opened annual combat drills that will include simulating the defense of the Philippines.
Train like you fight: Taiwan comes to grips with an old military adage
Military planners have vowed to inject a greater degree of realism into military training, as China readies new tactics for a potential invasion.
US Forces Korea commander defends troop levels amid talk of cuts
About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, but the White House is considering changes to that military footprint.
Turkey’s STM starts construction of corvettes for Malaysia
The ships represent Turkey’s first corvette export to the Asia-Pacific region.
New Zealand vows to play catch-up on defense investments
“Just because we’re small doesn’t mean we’re insignificant,” said Minister of Defence Judith Collins. “We’re a maritime nation.”
Australia sizes up a continent-size gap in air defenses
Military leaders are prizing sensors over interceptors in what will be Australia’s future network of weapons for defending would-be targets.
Japan develops new missiles designed to repel an invasion
The long-range missiles could target vulnerable parts of ships and traverse Japan’s mountainous terrains to hit land-based targets, officials said.
US approves sale of F-16s to the Philippines in $5.5bn weapons package
The move follows U.S. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth’s trip to the Philippines last week and comes ahead of the annual, joint Balikatan exercise.
US, Japan, Philippines stage naval drills in disputed South China Sea
A Chinese military ship monitored the maneuvers off the Scarborough Shoal from a distance.
