Current Events in Asia-Pacific

I know radar ranges are ever contested, and usually don't write about it to avoid irresoluble feuds. But the last week discovered one or some Korean Wikipedia editors have detailed some radar ranges compilations and number of T/R modules (From OSINT) on many radar types entries on Korean Wikipedia: https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN/SPY-1 And here Chinese radar ranges (Obviously South Koreans are very interested on it!): https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/346%EC%8B%9D_%EB%A0%88%EC%9D%B4%EB%8D%94

https://thediplomat.com/2022/02/what-a-19-year-old-study-tells-us-about-chinas-j-20/ https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/thediplomat_2022-02-14-191931.pdf

From Defense Aerospace Breakthrough in Japan for Stirling AIP (Source: Kockums AB; issued July 11, 2005) Kockums has signed a contract with Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) concerning delivery of Stirling engines for Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems of Japan’s submarine programme. The order has been placed following several years evaluation of Stirling engines aboard the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) training submarine. Japan has decided to adopt the AIP system that is based on Kockums' Stirling engine technology for its new submarines. “We are very pleased for the new orders for Stirling engines from Japan, including our long-term …

From Defence Talk Evolved Design Unveiled for Australia's Next Generation Air Warfare Destroyer Gibbs & Cox Tue, 8 Aug 2006, 12:43 ADELAIDE, Australia: The first images of the Evolved Design for Australia's Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) project were unveiled by the Minister of Defence Brendan Nelson in Adelaide at the opening of the new AWD Systems Centre. Three-dimensional animated vision has been released showing the advanced capabilities of the Evolved Design, with 360-degree protection for Australian troops against threats of air, underwater or missile attack. A series of detailed images of the Evolved Design from different angles has also been releas…

From ABC news service https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-19/planned-upgrades-to-collins-class-submarines-scaled-back/106698460?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

From Defense Aerospace INS Beas Joins the Indian Navy (Source: Indian Press Information Bureau; issued July 11, 2005) INS Beas, the latest Guided Missile Frigate built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata is being commissioned into the Indian Navy on 11 Jul 05 at Kolkata by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Arun Prakash. BEAS, a 3600 tonne warship, is 125 metres in length and a draught of 4.5 metres. The platform is densely packed with state-of-the-art weapons like Barak Anti Missile Defence system, four quad-packs of the URAN Surface-to-Surface missiles, one medium range 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount, four Close range 30mm AK 630 Guns, two…

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-08/why-new-zealand-plans-to-nearly-double-its-defence-spending/105151326?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

From DefenseNews Posted 03/21/07 08:40 South Korean Air Force Chief Resigns REUTERS, SEOUL, South Korea South Korea’s air force commander resigned March 21, becoming the latest leader in the country brought down in part by a golfing scandal. President Roh Moo-hyun accepted the resignation of Air Force Chief of Staff Kim Seong-il, a presidential spokesman said. In an abrupt announcement, Kim said he was offering to resign to take responsibility for air crashes that occurred during his tenure, an Air Force spokesman said. But he was also facing intense criticism for reportedly playing golf while the nation mourned the death of the first South Korean soldier kil…

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-24/us-navy-awards-contract-for-aukus-submarine-deal/106601042?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

From Defense News China To Have 800 Missiles Aimed at Taiwan in 2006: Defense Minister By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, TAIPEI The number of Chinese ballistic missiles targeting Taiwan is expected to reach at least 800 next year, the island’s defense minister Lee Jye said March 9. The People’s Liberation Army currently has 700 ballistic missiles deployed opposite Taiwan, Lee said in his first report to the new session of parliament. “The number is estimated to increase to 800 next year,” Lee warned, in a call for support of a new 480 billion Taiwan dollar ($15.24 billion) arms package aimed at deterring China. His report came one day after Taipei lodged wh…

A Special Report on Taiwan Defense (American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei)

http://thediplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2013/06/04/japan-mulls-a-preemptive-strike-capability/ (The Diplomat, Flashpoints blog)

US Poised To Release Perry Warships to Taiwan (DefenseNews)

From eDefense India Offered German U-214 Subs by Kenneth B. Sherman Jul. 13, 2005 India was believed as recently as June to be about to sign a $2-billion deal for six French Scorpene-class submarines, part of a fleet of 24 new boats to be obtained under Project 75. However, with that deal still stuck at the Cabinet level after two years, Germany has countered with an offer of its own – and one that may usher in a new threat to anti-submarine-warfare (ASW) aircraft. Germany last week offered U-214-class submarines, built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) (Kiel, Germany), for a relative bargain of $460 million per boat (including a 25-30% discount) – far b…

China's Arctic Aspirations (SIPRI)

Chinese UCAV takes flight (DefenseNews, Intercepts blog)

China's activities surrounding Japan's airspace (Japan Ministry of Defense)

From Army Times March 09, 2005 Base in Korea closes Associated Press CAMP PAGE, South Korea — Thumping helicopters streamed out of the U.S. military base Camp Page Wednesday, as soldiers packed trucks with equipment to prepare for moving as part of Washington’s plan to reduce its forces in South Korea. The base is to be closed and turned over to South Korea by the end of March in line with U.S. plans to restructure its deployment of overseas forces in order to focus more on anti-terrorism operations. Some 12,500 troops will depart by 2008, leaving 24,500 soldiers in this country as part of the military presence that the United States has maintained here …

It seems that some scens are getting an even more realistic background. May the fisherman RIP.

From Air Force Magazine, Feb 2012 issue [excerpt]