Pentagon chief sounds ‘alarm’ over China’s buildup, urges allies to boost defense spending
Hegseth urged Asian allies to ramp up military spending to counter China’s growing power.
Naval
South Korea goes full steam ahead on nuclear-powered submarines
Seoul plans to launch its first boat in the mid-2030s and commission it in “the late 2030s,” the government proclaimed.
How COVID-19 has impacted South China Sea defense spending and procurement
The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the Asia-Pacific region's defense acquisitions and investments will mostly be a short shock followed by a reversion to long-standing trends.
Eliminate ambiguity over Taiwan, or risk unravelling regional credibility
If China has indeed lost respect for the U.S., how long until it has neither fear nor hesitation — the point at which deterrence fails?
India, Australia cleared to buy $4.3B in US military gear
India wants more P-8s, and Australia wants more ground vehicles and Chinooks.
China says US increasing military activity directed at it
China routinely objects to the U.S. military presence in the South China Sea, which it claims virtually in its entirety, as well as the passage of Navy ships through the Taiwan Strait.
South Korea chooses locally built marine helicopter over foreign offers
Still, there are lingering worries over the shipborne operational capability of KAI’s marine attack helicopter modified from the ground-based KUH-1 utility helicopter.
US State Department clears Australia to buy MQ-9B drones
The deal would allow Australia to buy up to 12 MQ-9B SkyGuardians.
China simultaneously commissions three warships on Navy anniversary
China commissioned 60,000 tons worth of major vessels earlier this month, officially putting into service a new nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, a guided-missile cruiser and an amphibious helicopter carrier on the 72nd anniversary of its Navy.
The world spent almost $2 trillion on defense in 2020
The U.S. and China made up more than half of all military spending in 2020.
Indonesia says 53 crew of lost sub are dead, wreckage found
An underwater robot equipped with cameras found the lost submarine lying in at least three pieces on the ocean floor.
