Archive for September 2021
[ The Sydney Morning Herald ] Australia, the US and UK to announce landmark new defence pact
Australia, the United States and Britain will unveil a landmark new security pact to share advanced technologies, including nuclear submarine technology, in a major international announcement on Thursday morning. As part of the pact, to be known as AUKUS, the US would help Australia develop a nuclear submarine capability, which could result in Australia dumping…
Read More[ Business Insider ] First US Navy carrier strike group to deploy with F-35C stealth fighters sails into the South China Sea
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group sailed into the South China Sea this week carrying stealth fighters. The Carl Vinson is the first US Navy aircraft carrier to deploy with F-35Cs. Chinese state-affiliated media criticized the carrier’s arrival, calling it a “provocative deployment.” A deployed US Navy aircraft carrier sailed into the South China Sea…
Read MoreIndia militarises highways as emergency landing strips; 20 under construction
Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently constructing/repurposing 20 stretches of national highway as emergency landing strips, with the first just completed in January this year. This is announced at Barmer by India’s Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari where they inaugurate the first of its kind at Satta-Gandhav stretch of the National Highway 925 on…
Read More[ TODAY / AFP ] North Korea test-fires new ‘long-range cruise missile’: KCNA
North Korea test-fired a new “long-range cruise missile” over the weekend, state media reported Monday, calling it a “strategic weapon of great significance” amid a long standoff with the United States over its nuclear programme. The test launches took place on Saturday and Sunday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The missiles travelled…
Read MorePhilippines Air Force to decide between the Fighting Eagle (FA-50PH) and the Fighting Falcon (F-16C/D)?
On June 24 this year (2021), US State Department had approved the sale of 12 x F16 Block 70/72 fighters to the Philippines – 10 x single seat F16C and 2 x two seater F16D…. although collectively, Block 70/72 are also known as F16V “Vipers”. However, the Philippines defense secretary, Delfin Lorenzano told the Philippines…
Read MoreSingapore to donate 60,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Batam, Indonesia
According the Antara News, the Batam Mayor Muhammad Rudi announced that Singapore government plans to provide 60,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to the Singapore’s neighbouring island of Batam, a major city of Riau Islands, Indonesia. According to the Mayor, Singapore’s requirement for reopening of the Batam-Singapore border depends on Batam reaching 80% vaccination of…
Read More[ RT ] The last pipe of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 has been welded, operator announces
The final pipe of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project has been welded and will be lowered into the seabed of the Baltic Sea, the operator of the Russian project, Nord Stream 2 AG, said on Monday. According to the company, it will now dock the German section with the Danish one and will proceed…
Read More[ Manila Times ] 2 ranking NPA leaders surrender in Isabela
Local supporters of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) have turned over their firearms following the surrender of two high ranking NPA rebels to the Army’s Fifth Infantry Division (5th ID), according to Maj. Jekyll Julian Dulawan, 5th ID public affairs officer. In a report released on Tuesday, Dulawan said Alias Rence and Alias Maki, both…
Read MoreGuinea coup: China’s bauxite conundrum?
According to worldatlas.com, Guinea is the 4th biggest exporter of bauxite, an alumnium ore. With 19.3 million metric tons produced annually, Guinea is also reputed to be the largest bauxite deposits in the world. (these numbers from worldatlas.com are outdated by the way ; but included for now just for context) With the economic warfare…
Read MoreKazakhstan joins the Airbus A400M club, becomes the 9th country to operate the aircraft
According to the press release by Airbus, the Republic of Kazakhstan has placed an order for 2 Airbus A400M, to become the 9th operator of the aircraft, after Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey, Malaysia and Luxembourg. The delivery of the first aircraft is schedule for 2024. The deal includes a complete suit of maintenance…
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