China tests new modular air defense system
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV-7 has released footage of a previously unseen air defense system during a recent live-fire training exercise in the Gobi Desert. The system, likely a short-range air defense platform, was shown launching surface-to-air missiles in what appeared to be high-precision strike tests. The new complex features a modular launcher mounted on a [β¦]
Japan has begun informal discussions with the Philippines over the possible export of the Ground Self-Defense Forceβs Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile system, known as Chu-SAM, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichiβs government advances plans to end long-standing restrictions on defense exports. According to a report by Kyodo News published on November 30, several government sources [β¦]
Japanβs Ministry of Defense reported new Chinese naval movements near Okinawa and the Miyako Strait, confirming that multiple Peopleβs Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) shipsβincluding the aircraft carrier Liaoning (16) βoperated close to Japanβs southwestern islands between December 5 and December 6. According to the ministry, at approximately 2:00 p.m. on December 5, the Japan Maritime [β¦]
Japan has asked the United States to step up its public support for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi following a series of threats from China over her recent comments about Taiwan, according to officials in both countries familiar with the discussions. The Japanese government was reportedly disappointed by what it views as insufficient backing from senior [β¦]
Japanβs Ministry of Defense has accused Chinese military aircraft of locking radar on two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15 fighters over international waters southeast of Okinawa on December 6, escalating tensions in the East China Sea region. According to the Ministry of Defense, Chinese J-15Β fighters launched from the aircraft carrier Liaoning directed radar at [β¦]
A Chinese military spokesperson on Thursday said a newly released white paper on arms control underscores Chinaβs commitment to strategic stability, global disarmament efforts, and responsible military conduct. The document, titled βChinaβs Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation in the New Era,β was issued by the State Council Information Office. At a press briefing in Beijing, [β¦]
The Australian government is reviewing a Ukrainian request to transfer retired Tiger attack helicopters as it prepares a new round of defense aid to support Kyivβs ongoing war with Russia. According to a report from ABC News Australia, the potential transfer of European-built Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters comes as Canberra finalizes an additional military support [β¦]
Japan is moving forward with live trials of its new 100-kilowatt-class laser weapon system aboard a military test ship. The high-energy laser was recently installed on the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forceβs (JMSDF) testbed vessel Asuka and is now being readied for sea-based testing at Japan Marine Unitedβs shipyard. The newly fitted laser systemβdeveloped by the [β¦]
The Royal Thai Air Force has selected the BARAK MX air and missile defense system from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) as part of its plan to upgrade national base protection under its Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) program. The procurement contract, valued at 3.44 billion baht (approx. $107 million), includes one full BARAK MX unit, [β¦]
Images of a new prototype attack helicopter in Chinaβdesignated the Z-21βhave surfaced on Chinese social media, showing what appears to be a twin-seat, twin-engine platform closely modeled after the American AH-64 Apache. The Z-21, painted matte black and bearing the tail number 6232, was photographed during a new test flight. Based on visible design features, [β¦]
China and Egypt have agreed to cooperate on the local production of armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), signaling a new stage in bilateral defense ties. The deal was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed today between Egyptβs Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) and Chinaβs NORINCO, officially known as the China North Industries Corporation. According [β¦]
China has developed a new βMeyu Arrowβ high-altitude unmanned helicopter and confirmed that the aircraft recently completed its first live-fire missile trial at an altitude of above 4,000 meters. According to China Central Television (CCTV), the βMeyu Arrowβ high-altitude unmanned helicopter, developed by Sichuan-based Tengden Technology, is now entering a new phase of flight-test expansion [β¦]
China appears to be expanding its experimentation with directed-energy weapons at sea, after new images circulating on Chinese social media showed the LY-1 laser system mounted on the open deck of a civilian roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel. The photos depict a camouflaged carrier vehicle strapped to the shipβs deck with heavy chains, topped by a large [β¦]
Pakistan has carried out a successful at-sea test of its new SMASH Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile, a weapon described by Islamabad as an indigenous Mach-8-class system designed for rapid, high-energy strikes against surface targets. According to information released by Pakistani defense sources, the test marked the first operational launch of the SMASH missile from a naval [β¦]
South Koreaβs Hanwha Systems has opened a major new defense manufacturing complex in Gumi, unveiling a large-scale expansion aimed at strengthening its radar and combat systems production capacity as exports continue to grow. The company held a completion ceremony on Tuesday for the new site, which was built with an investment of 2.8 trillion won [β¦]
It became known that U.S. forces shot down their own MQ-9 Reaper drone off South Koreaβs west coast. The aircraft, part of a squadron permanently assigned to the peninsula amid ongoing regional tensions, was brought down on Monday after it experienced a malfunction during a routine mission. The MQ-9 was involved in an incident while [β¦]
Japanβs Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi defended the planned deployment of surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni Island, calling the move a protective measure aimed solely at strengthening the countryβs air defense posture. His remarks came after Beijing accused Tokyo of escalating regional tensions. Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Defense, Koizumi said the missiles [β¦]
Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy moved one step closer to a major milestone in their joint next-generation fighter program this week, as the three defense ministers met by video conference to advance the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). The Japanese Ministry of Defense said the meeting took place on Nov. 25 from 5:00 p.m. [β¦]
Japanβs Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has released new details on an advanced uncrewed aircraft research program designed to enable future drones to operate alongside manned combat aircraft. The update comes after ATLA published footage on Nov. 21 showing flight tests involving an experimental uncrewed aircraft and a manned helicopter. According to ATLAβs Aeronautical [β¦]
Japan scrambled fighter jets on Monday after a Chinese high-altitude surveillance drone passed between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan, prompting a response from the Japan Air Self-Defense Forceβs (JASDF) Southwest Air Defense sector. According to the official statement from the Joint Staff Office of Japanβs Ministry of Defense, βOn Monday, November 24, a presumed Chinese unmanned [β¦]