India clears the way for landmark deal to acquire French Rafale jets
“India sees a kindred spirit in France because France also has always talked about retaining strategic autonomy," one analyst said.
Asia Pacific
China’s new maritime combat drone poised for global success: analysts
Beijing is positioning itself as a drone provider for certain countries, while the country's next-gen fighter jet faces more uncertain export prospects.
The US Army’s quiet rotation in the Philippines
The U.S. Army’s rotation in the Philippines is easy to overlook. Experts say that might be the point.
Shield AI, ST Engineering join forces on fine-tuning drone swarms
The companies will use artificial intelligence to optimize the interactions of drones with drones, and drones with humans.
Singapore is in line to get its first F-35 fighters later this year
Over 300 F-35s will be present in the Asia-Pacific region by 2030, according to manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
First US warship visit to Chinese-built port in Cambodia cements new drift for Phnom Penh
The recent port call by the USS Cincinnati came amid a warming of relations with Washington after a decade of sour ties that took an unwanted toll.
Indonesia selects Italian M-346 trainer jet
The Asian country is thought to be eyeing an order of 24 M-346 jets to replace aging Hawk aircraft.
F-15 progresses in Asia, but without Indonesia
“In terms of our partnership with Indonesia, it’s no longer an active campaign for us,” a Boeing executive said Tuesday.
Singapore inks deal for ST Engineering’s Titan 8x8 vehicle
The 27-foot-long Terrex s5 can carry a 13-ton payload and accommodate 12 troops.
Russian arms makers vanish from Asia’s largest airshow
Experts say the absence reflects the country’s shrinking and increasingly concentrated arms-export industry.
India and US maintain momentum in defense ties
But India’s caution has redoubled amid the global turbulence witnessed in the past year, according to analysts.
Taiwan’s Tron Future unveils AI-guided anti-armor rockets
Designed for unguided munitions, the device uses a variety of sensors and AI to instantly calculate and predict the projectile flight paths.
Taiwan-US ‘firepower’ center to hone asymmetric warfare tactics
Taiwan, for its part, would contribute “elite troops,” and Washington might assign personnel in Guam or elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region to help.
China appears set on militarizing another reef in the South China Sea
Beijing recently demonstrated the use of hundreds of fishing boats to support future combat operations against Taiwan.
India’s on-again, off-again aerial tanker saga edges closer to an end
In the meantime, the Indian Air Force’s tanker fleet comprising six Ilyushin Il-78MKI aircraft acquired from Uzbekistan in 2003-2004, is running on fumes.
Taiwan leaders face pushback on massive defense budget mechanics
Without approval of a special budget, analysts said, Taiwan’s government must shift money from other departments at the risk of upsetting constituents.
China calls Trump battleship ‘easier target’ amid mixed US reception
Some analysts have suggested the battleship proposal may ultimately not be realistic and instead a move by Trump to jolt awake U.S. shipbuilders.
