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Top Philippine and US Marine officers take part in the opening ceremony of the Kamandag 2024 military exercise at Fort Bonifacio in Manila on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Philippines says ‘no specific threat’ over military drill involving more allies

This year’s Kamandag exercise involves troops from the Philippines, the US, Japan, Australia, the UK and South Korea, along with observers.

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Australia to spend up to US$245.8 billion by 2055 on Aukus shipyard

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North Korea claims army swells as 1.4 million young fighters clamour to join

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Opinion | China’s ICBM test may well redraw the global security landscape

More than a show of tech strength, it represents a shift in nuclear strategy and alliance stability that could redefine global security.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens

Beijing could elaborate law for ‘non-peaceful’ Taiwan reunification

Cautionary remarks by former US envoy, Taipei lawmaker come after PLA unleashes blockade drills over speech by island’s ‘separatist’ leader.

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Singapore scrambles fighter jets after bomb threat on Air India Express plane

Two F-15s escorted the aircraft away from populated areas before it landed safely at Changi Airport.

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US tells Israel to improve Gaza aid situation or risk weapons funding

Israel told to take specific actions within 30 days, in the strongest US warning since the Gaza war began a year ago.

An Israeli strike started a fire on a tent area in a Gaza hospital courtyard on Monday. Photo: AP

Editorial | Drills that blockaded Taiwan a reminder of Beijing’s red lines

Island’s leader William Lai continues to test Beijing’s patience with inflammatory talk, a situation that serves no one’s interests.

China accuses Philippine ships of violating sovereignty after latest collision

Both sides have accused the other of being to blame for the incident which took place near the Philippine-held Tithu island.

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Taiwan agrees to buy nearly 1,000 US killer drones as PLA stages combat drills

Taipei signs deals with Washington’s de facto embassy to buy loitering munitions as Beijing retaliates over William Lai’s remarks.

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A member of the US Marine Corps launches a Switchblade 300 drone during a drill in California in September 2020. Photo: Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group

Most Filipinos won’t support pro-China candidates in 2025 elections: survey

Such views are driven by concerns over the South China Sea dispute and pro-China candidates undermining national security, an analyst says.

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Voters pass by campaign posters outside a polling centre in Quezon City in 2022. More than 66 million registered Filipinos will cast their votes for over 18,280 candidates vying for posts across the country during midterm elections next May. Photo: AP

Russia could be able to attack Nato by 2030: German intelligence

Russian armed forces are likely to be ‘capable of carrying out an attack against Nato by the end of the decade at the latest’.

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North Korea blows up roads connecting to South

The destruction follows North Korea’s accusations of South Korean drones flying over its capital, Pyongyang.

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Opinion | Why China is North Korea’s ‘closest comrade’, not Russia

Moscow had no use for Pyongyang until the Ukraine war, but Beijing has quietly supported and bankrolled the Kim regime for decades.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens

Russia’s protest over Japan-US military drills fall on deaf ears in Tokyo

Analysts say Russia fears Japan’s growing ties with Nato nations – and is especially concerned about US missile deployments.

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Ships from the US, Japan and Canada sail in formation in waters off Japan for Keen Sword drills in 2020. Photo: US Pacific Fleet

Opinion | As attacks on Chinese workers in Pakistan grow, how will Beijing respond?

In the wake of deadly attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan, Beijing looks likely to get more directly involved in counterterrorism.

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‘I don’t see that’: Philippines doubts Beijing’s South China Sea sincerity

Manila’s defence minister voiced scepticism on Monday about China’s intention to negotiate a South China Sea code of conduct.

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PLA wraps up day of joint force blockade drills around Taiwan

Joint Sword-2024B exercise focused on sea-and air-combat readiness patrols, and ability to block key ports.

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The Liaoning aircraft carrier was part of PLA drills around Taiwan on Monday. Photo: PLA Navy

US to send THAAD missile defence system to Israel to deter Iran

THAAD is a critical part of the US military’s layered air defence systems and adds to Israel’s already formidable anti-missile defences.

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Is Taiwan ‘a US sucker’? Weapons price gouging revealed on National Day

Taiwanese defence ministry blames manipulation by anti-US forces for claims published on mainland China’s most significant holiday.

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Japan’s leader is calling for nuclear sharing with the US. Will it deter China?

If Shigeru Ishiba’s proposal becomes a reality, it will raise tensions and could drive Beijing to ‘push further on its own nuclear build-up’.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has called for an “Asian version of Nato”. Photo: Kyodo

India, Pakistan fuel Central Asian arms race with sales to Armenia, Azerbaijan

The influx of military hardware is shifting the military balance in the region, potentially undermining fragile peace efforts.

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A Pakistani JF-17 Thunder wraplane performs a fly-by in 2018. Photo: AFP

Biden skips Southeast Asia summits – is it a snub or strategy shift?

Biden’s absence does not necessarily indicate weaker US interest in Southeast Asia but rather a shift in engagement strategy, analysts say.

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PLA sends planes, ships near Taiwan as Lai’s speech continues to cause ripples

Taipei’s defence ministry reports that in 24 hours to 6am Friday, the PLA sent at least 20 aircraft and 10 vessels to patrol near island.

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Philippine defence: what’s so special about the Typhon missile system?

Beijing is wary as Manila can enhance its external defence with the Typhon to counter increasing Chinese assertiveness, analysts say.

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US soldiers launch a Tomahawk missile from the Mid-Range Capability or Typhon launcher at a base in California last year. Photo: Handout via US Army

My Take | Japan’s Ishiba to focus on security ties with South Korea to counter Pyongyang

Shigeru Ishiba’s ‘progressive’ views on thorny historical issues have raised hopes that ties between Japan and South Korea could improve.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (middle) oversees a launch of a ballistic missile at an undisclosed place in North Korea. The threat from North Korea is expected to be a key focus in Shigeru Ishiba’s engagement with Yoon Suk-yeol. Photo: AP

New Zealand slams ‘armchair admirals’ for attacking sunken ship’s woman captain

Defence minister Judith Collins said Commander Yvonne Gray, who faced a barrage of online abuse, was ‘appointed on merit, not gender’.

Opinion | Asean neutrality remains key to regional peace amid US-China rivalry

As next Asean chair Malaysia shows, an open door to all, even with intensifying great power competition, is vital to stability and development.

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Defence
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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