Asia Pacific

Defense News offers premier news and analysis of defense programs and strategies in Asia Pacific to keep military and industry decision-makers informed.

China sends 39 warplanes toward Taiwan, largest in new year

The Chinese formation Sunday night included 24 J-16 fighter jets and 10 J-10 jets, among other support and electronic warfare aircraft.

3 days ago

US hits Chinese defense companies with sanctions

The United States announced penalties on three companies it said were engaged in unspecified “missile technology proliferation activities.”

5 days ago

Industry

South Korea inks largest arms export deal with UAE for missile interceptor

Valued about $3.5 billion, the contract for the Cheongung II KM-SAM weapons was singed Jan. 16 during a meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Emirati Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai as they discussed economic cooperation.

N. Korea fires short-range missiles in 4th launch this year

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the missiles did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to its allies.

10 days ago

Can Pakistan counter India’s new S-400 air defense system?

Overconfidence in its newly acquired S-400 air defense system may give India a false sense of invulnerability and increase the likelihood of a military miscalculation involving archrival Pakistan, analysts warn.

10 days ago

Taiwan adds minelaying ships to defenses against China

Such technologies are part of a strategy to deter any possible invasion from China, with its huge military and vast superiority in numbers of aircraft, ships and other weaponry.

12 days ago

India, China talks on border standoff end in stalemate

The previous round of commander-level talks in October also ended in a stalemate, with China accusing India of sticking to “unreasonable and unrealistic demands, adding difficulties to the negotiations.”

13 days ago

Indian, Chinese army commanders discuss border impasse

The 14th round of talks is being held on China’s side of the Moldo meeting point and is likely to conclude late Wednesday or Thursday, the Indian Army says.

2 weeks ago

India’s Navy, private shipyards flounder as government gives preference to state-owned firms

The Indian Navy is unlikely to meet its goal of having a 175-ship fleet in the next five years due to a lack of funds and the government’s preference to award contracts to state-owned shipyards over private businesses, service officials have told Defense News.

2 weeks ago

US, Japan agree to two defense pacts amid China worries

The U.S. and Japan are close to signing a new five-year pact for Japan to support U.S. military forces in the country and a new agreement to research and develop new defense technologies.

3 weeks ago

South Korea grounds F-35A fleet after belly landing

A landing gear malfunction with the advanced fighter jet led to the emergency landing, and an investigation is now in the works.

3 weeks ago

China denies US report it’s rapidly growing its nuclear arms

A senior Chinese arms control official denied Tuesday that his government is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal.

3 weeks ago

Japan, Australia ink deal to make military drills run more smoothly

This is the first such agreement Japan has signed with a country other than the United States.

3 weeks ago

North Korea says it has tested hypersonic missile, launched from Russian-made vehicle

It’s the second known test-flight of a hypersonic missile since North Korea first tested such a weapon last September.

3 weeks ago

Pakistan confirms Chinese ‘Firebird’ fighter acquisition

Pakistan has officially confirmed its long-speculated acquisition of the Chinese J-10C “Firebird” fighter, which will arrive in time to take part in the March 23 Pakistan Day parade.

3 weeks ago

China transfers secondhand submarine to Myanmar

China has transferred a former People’s Liberation Army Navy diesel-electric attack submarine to Myanmar, marking the first transfer of such equipment between the two countries.

4 weeks ago

Army SOF to continue work in Pacific, Eastern Europe in 2022

Amid rising tensions, the Army's special operations troops continue their work overseas.

4 weeks ago

Despite defense buildup, Japan’s arms industry struggles

Big Japanese defense manufacturers are struggling to sell 20th century tanks, aircraft and ships.

4 weeks ago

Malaysia keen on buying Kuwait’s Hornet fighter jets

Malaysia is hoping to buy Kuwait’s entire fleet of Boeing F/A-18 Hornet multi-role fighter jets, although discussions between both governments over the sale have yet to begin.

5 weeks ago

Britain and Japan join forces on next-generation fighter engine

The two governments have signed a memorandum of cooperation enabling teaming to take place on the engine demonstrator and possibly other, as yet, unspecified areas of technology, the British Ministry of Defence said in an announcement confirming the tie-up.

5 weeks ago

Indonesia gives up on Russian aircraft purchase, instead turning to US and French options

Indonesia has admitted defeat in its attempt to buy Russian fighter jets and will now decide between the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II and the Dassault Rafale.

5 weeks ago

Pakistan tests homegrown missile with additional range

The missile’s extended range further enhances nuclear-armed Pakistan’s military capability.

5 weeks ago

Japan passes record $317B extra budget. Here’s what it includes

Japan’s parliament has approved a record extra budget of nearly 36 trillion yen for the fiscal year through March that includes additional military spending.

5 weeks ago

India fines French firm Dassault Aviation over offset delays

The Indian government imposed a fine on French company Dassault Aviation last month over delays in offset obligations that were part of a 2016 deal for 36 Rafale fighters, Defense News has learned.

5 weeks ago

Year in review: Top stories from 2021

Taliban weapons seizures, aircraft competitions and Chinese military modernization projects: Here are the top stories from the year.

5 weeks ago

Australia buys K9 howitzers from South Korea’s Hanwha Defense

The deal is worth about $730 million, representing the highest-valued export of Hanwha’s K9 self-propelled howitzer, nicknamed Thunder and known in Australia as the AS9.

6 weeks ago

India’s military chief, 12 others killed in helicopter crash

Television images from the crash site showed plumes of smoke billowing from the debris as local residents tried to put out the fire and remove bodies from the wreckage.

7 weeks ago

Australia’s defense industry minister: The importance of AUKUS and a strong economy

The Indo-Pacific region is now at the center of strategic competition, and military modernization is occurring at an unprecedented rate. It is vital that Australia maintains its capability edge.

7 weeks ago