Current Events in Asia-Pacific

A great and detailed article in the US amphibious air wing, centered on the its current and future use as "Lightning Carriers" with F-35B (many ideas for scenarios): https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/27253/u-s-amphibious-assault-ship-in-south-china-sea-with-unprecedentedly-large-load-of-f-35bs

Image Emerges Of What Could Be A Chinese Knock-Off Of Russia's Su-34 Fullback (Foxtrot Alpha)

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/16/politics/chinese-warship-underwater-drone-stolen/index.html All civilian crew? http://gcaptain.com/usns-bowditch-little-known-critical/ Seems less inflammatory than collecting towed arrays. What do you all think?

US to hold mammoth naval exercise in Pacific (AFP) Updated: 2006-02-15 13:49 ChinaDaily WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US military has said it is to hold one of its biggest naval exercises in the Asia Pacific this summer. The large-scale operations will involve several carrier strike groups, each of which includes at least three warships, an attack submarine and a support ship. Four carriers would be involved in three military maritime exercises -- one of them touted as the world's largest -- between June and August in the region, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet Admiral Gary Roughead said in Washington. Two of the exercises are expected to be largely confined …

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/did-russian-built-stealth-submarine-sink-navy-nuclear-attack-24567

From ARES Another North Korea Alert Drill for GMD? Posted by Michael Bruno at 2/24/2009 4:38 AM CST There doesn't seem to be any official word from U.S. defense officials online yet, but if North Korea is preparing for another missile launch, then the Ground-based Midcourse Defense System of ballistic interceptors based in Alaska and California probably is on alert. The New York Times is reporting that North Korea said today it was preparing to send a satellite into orbit in what U.S. and South Korean officials believe will be a provocative test of a long-range missile capable of reaching parts of North America. CNN is reporting it too. A statement from P…

From DefenseNews Guessing Game: How Large Is China’s Defense Budget? By PETER HARMSEN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BEIJING While everyone knows China is a rising power, one can only guess at how strong its armed forces are, or how much it is spending to build its military might. The issue of the size of China’s defense budget re-emerged this week as U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visited Beijing. He used every opportunity to voice concern over his host nation’s military expansion, which he said was sending “mixed signals” about China’s intentions. “Many countries … have questions about the pace and the scope of China’s military expansion,” he said a…

Timeline: A Brief History of North Korea’s Nuclear Weapon Development (USNI News)

From Defense Aerospace Antony Favours Brahmos Model to Develop World-Class Defence Products (Source: Indian Ministry of Defence; issued Dec. 28, 2006) Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has favoured more BrahMos-type cooperation with industry to develop world class defence products for the country. Speaking to a large number of scientists, industrialists and service personnel from both Russia and India after his maiden visit to the missile centre here today, Shri Antony said the fastest supersonic cruise missile BrahMos has given a boost to the country's defence preparedness with its speed, precision and power. He desired the quick development of the air versi…

Shifts in Pacific Force U.S. Military To Adapt Thinking New Plans Reflect Reaction To China's Growing Power By Edward Cody Washington Post Foreign Service Saturday, September 17, 2005; A01 ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- A dull-gray B-2 bomber sat poised in a typhoon-proof air-conditioned hangar, its bat wings stretching 172 feet across. The bomb bay was fitted for 80 GPS-guided bombs, at 500 pounds each, that could be delivered to any target in Asia within a few hours. The hulking stealth aircraft is a symbol of new times in the Pacific. "Having this airplane in theater sends a message to the world," said Air Force Lt. Col. Tom Bussiere, of St. Joh…

How does China's first aircraft carrier stack up? (CSIS)

If China Invades Taiwan, This Is What The Fleet Could Look Like (Forbes)

From ARES Malaysia Takes Delivery of Its First Ever Submarine Posted by Christina Mackenzie at 1/27/2009 9:39 AM CST Malaysia took delivery today of its first ever submarine: a Scorpene built by French military shipyard DCNS in partnership with Spanish shipyard Navantia. The submarine, named the Tunku Abdul Rahman (after Malaysia's first Prime Minister following independence in 1957), completed its sea tests at the end of December and was handed over to Admiral Dato'Sri Aziz Hj Jaafar, chief of staff of the Royal Malaysian Navy at a ceremony in the Mediterranean port of Toulon. The vessel will sail to Malaysia in the summer and meantime the crew will comp…

Taiwan frigates sent into disputed waters By Kathrin Hille in Suao and Reuters Published: June 22 2005 01:31 | Last updated: June 22 2005 01:31 FT.com Taiwan yesterday sent two navy frigates armed with anti-ship missiles to disputed waters in the East China Sea after its fishermen complained of harassment by Japanese patrol boats. The unprecedented move, aimed at silencing domestic criticism that the government is too timid in enforcing the island's fragile sovereignty, risks disturbing relations with Japan, Taiwan's most important unofficial ally in Asia. The trip to waters close to the archipelago called Diaoyutai in Chinese and Senkaku in Japanese and c…

From Defense Aerospace Russia Likely to Lease 'Shchuka-B' Class Nuke Subs to India (Source: ddi Indian Government news; issued Dec. 15, 2008) Russia could lease 'several' 'Shchuka-B' class nuclear attack submarines to India in coming years though the delivery of the first of the two nuke subs reportedly contracted by India is far behind schedule. The Russian offer comes as Indian Navy has formulated a 20 year plan to produce indigenously 24 conventional submarines. At the same time, the official had ruled out any plans by Moscow to strike similar deals with China. "Yes, there is a real possibility of leasing for ten years several of our nuclear powered mu…

From DefenseNews Posted 03/19/07 17:29 Analysis: Strains Show in Complex China-Russia Relations By WENDELL MINNICK, TAIPEI During the Cold War, the Russian-Chinese relationship was watched by Western intelligence analysts like hawks on mice. What if Moscow and Beijing form an alliance? What if there is another border dispute between them? What if Russia provides advanced fighters to North Korea? How would the United States respond to a Russian attack on Japan? Today, the relationship is far more transparent, yet still very complicated. “Despite all the recent joint exercises between Russia and China, as well as continuing arms trade between the two, Japan see…

Washington Times December 22, 2005 Pg. 15 Official Sees China As 'Considerable Threat' TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso told a press conference early today that China is beginning to pose a considerable threat, referring to its military buildup. China is "a neighbor equipped with nuclear bombs and has expanded its military outlays for 12 years in a row," Mr. Aso said. "It is beginning to be a considerable threat." The remarks appeared to signal a new approach in the way Tokyo looks at its giant neighbor. Japan normally emphasizes accommodation, not criticism, in its comments on China. Mr. Aso's remarks come against a rapidl…

How North Korea evades UN sanctions (South China Morning Post)

From Defence Talk US, China set for stand-off on NKorea AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE October 13th, 2006, 05:00 China and the United States looked set for a stand-off over North Korea after Beijing signalled it would take a softer line on sanctions against the North for testing an atom bomb. Just hours before more UN Security Council talks on a US draft resolution to tighten the screws on Pyongyang for its nuclear test, China said it wanted to resolve the crisis peacefully rather than aim for exacting revenge. "Punishment is not the goal," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said. "As to what measures to take, I think the measures themselves are not punitive …

Walking softly and sticking to big carriers The U.S. military is more cautious than wary as China rearms and challenges for regional dominance 2005-11-20 / The Christian Science Monitor / By Robert Marquand TaiwanNews An F/A-18C Hornet attempts an arrested landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in this file photo. The Kitty Hawk is based in Yokusuka, Japan. / Knight ridder This 30-mile-long volcanic island appears on a map like stray bit of tropical spackling flung out in the Pacific. Honolulu is eight hours east, Tokyo four hours north, Hong Kong and Jakarta four hours west and south. The rest is ocean. Guam has been a sleepy supply …