Military
[ Intelligencer ] U.S. Troops Have Reportedly Been in Taiwan for Over a Year
According to the Wall Street Journal, a small contingent American troops have been deployed in Taiwan for over a year, involving a special-operations unit of around two dozen and supporting Marines. U.S. officials told the Journal that the troops are working with local maritime forces on training missions involving small boats. DPA Notes: Curious that USA would actually…
Read More[ Forbes ] It’s Official: After A 75-Year Gap, The Japanese Navy Has An Aircraft Carrier
On Sunday, a pair of U.S. Marine Corps F-35B jump jets from the Japan-based Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 landed on, then launched from, the Japanese carrier JS Izumo. The proof-of-concept comes just months after the 813-foot Izumo, which the Japanese built as a helicopter carrier, completed the first of two rounds of modification—so far costing around…
Read MorePLA Navy to build anime-inspired aircraft?
According to Georgio Zagkas (@GZakas) on twitter, an aircraft concept of China’s People Liberation Army – Navy (PLAN) is revealed at Zhuhai 2021 / Airshow China 2021. In the tweet, it explains that the aircraft is meant to replace the Shenyang J-15, a reverse-engineered Su-33. However, for fans of Japanese anime/manga/games, especially those interested in…
Read More[ The Defenstar ] Argentina to buy inferior and more expensive JF-17 over FA-50 due to UK
Argentia has decided to buy 12 FC-1 ‘Xiaolong’ a.k.a. JF-17 Block-3 jets from China for 664 million USD (55 million per unit) rejecting other fighters on offer including the South Korean FA-50. India had not offered its Tejas fighter due to geopolitical reasons, however this deal helped to finally reveal the unit price of the…
Read MoreUK’s Babcock sell Arrowhead 140 (AH140) frigate design to PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) – 2 vessels licensed in the deal
Indonesia has acquired the rights and license to build 2 x Arrowhead 140 frigates with bespoke design modification for its Navy. The agreement was signed at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2021 event in London, on board HMS Argyll, by David Lockwood CEO Babcock and Kaharuddin Djenod, CEO PAL. And was witnessed by…
Read More[ PNA ] PH can’t get F-16 jets for now due to budget woes
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday said the Philippines is unlikely to acquire Lockheed Martin F-16 jet fighters for its multi-role fighter (MFR) program for now due to budgetary constraints. “For now, it is very unlikely that we will be able to acquire F-16s as our budget for (the MRF project) will only allow us…
Read More[ 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 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…
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