Current Events in Asia-Pacific

China's Navy Is Already Challenging the US in Asia (The Diplomat)

How China Could Quarantine Taiwan, Part 1 of a ChinaPower Series (CSIS, 5 June 2024) How China Could Blockade Taiwan, Part 2 of a ChinaPower Series (CSIS, 22 August 2024)

From Defence Talk Japan Launches First Defense Ministry Since WWII Agence France-Presse | Jan 10, 2007 Tokyo (AFP): Japan launched its first full-fledged defense ministry since World War II on Tuesday as part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to build a more assertive nation. Abe, Japan's first premier to be born after the war, made the creation of a defense ministry one of his top priorities. He aims eventually to rewrite the US-imposed 1947 constitution that declared Japan a pacifist country. "Since the Cold War ended, the national security situation facing Japan has changed dramatically," Abe said at a ceremony to mark the creation of a cabinet-level …

Anyone with this edition or access to the USNI website, a vey interesting article can be found pp 38-42 discussing current Indian naval strategies/concerns. It can provide outstanding scenario fodder. I believe that you need "access", but here is the link anyway. Find article here - hopefully. I could always post a copy if it is believed to be "ok"

From Defense Aerospace [excerpt]

From Navy Times Fallon seeks quick agreement on Kitty Hawk replacement Associated Press (Kyodo) The commander of U.S armed forces in the Pacific told Congress on Wednesday he wants to reach an early agreement with Japan on a replacement of the retiring Japan-based aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. ”I’d like to have some agreement on the issue with Japan,” Adm. William Fallon, commander of the Hawaii-based Pacific Command, told a House of Representatives Armed Services Committee hearing. With the Kitty Hawk slated for retirement in 2008, Congress is urging the military to quickly set out an overall naval deployment plan to offset China’s growing naval power in …

Submarine Corp to be sold off August 16, 2006 THE former Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC Pty Ltd) will be sold by the Federal Government. Finance Minister Nick Minchin announced today that following a scoping study into the possible sale of the company, the Government had decided to put it up for a competitive tender sale. He said the tender would most likely begin in late 2007, with a sale completed by the second half of 2008. The sale decision had been expected. Senator Minchin said a tender sale would protect the company's long term interests. "It is vital that ASC continue to have access to essential technical assistance from international …

From Defense Aerospace Launch of RSN's Fourth Frigate (Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence; issued July 15, 2005) The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) fourth frigate, RSS Tenacious was launched on 15 July 2005, by Mrs Lalitha Jayakumar, wife of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Law, Prof S. Jayakumar, at Singapore Technologies Marine yard. Prof Jayakumar officiated at the launching ceremony. The launch of RSS Tenacious marks another milestone for the Formidable-class frigate programme. She is the third frigate to be built locally. In the next phase, RSS Tenacious will undergo harbour and sea trials. The RSN stealth frigates’ sophisticated sen…

From the Summer 2011 issue of US Naval War College Review: PLA Doctrine and the Employment of Sea Based Airpower (PDF)

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

From australian ABC news service: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-22/japanese-ambassador-slams-china-over-raaf-laser-incident/100849886

From DefenseNews Chinese General Warns U.S. Over Taiwan By JOHN RUWITCH, REUTERS, BEIJING A Chinese general has warned that China was ready to use nuclear weapons against the United States if Washington attacked his country over Taiwan, the Financial Times reported on July 15. Zhu Chenghu, a major general in the People’s Liberation Army who said he was expressing his own views and did not anticipate a conflict with Washington, nevertheless said China would have no option but to go nuclear in the event of an attack. “If the Americans draw their missiles and position-guided ammunition onto the target zone on China’s territory, I think we will have to respon…

From the Summer 2011 issue of US Naval War College Review: A New Carrier Race? (PDF) A lengthy discussion about the JMSDF's new DDH Hyuga.

From Jane's Intelligence Watch Report 26 March 2007 Tamil rebels take to skies to attack Sri Lankan base EVENT On 25 March, the ethnic insurgent Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) became the world's first non-state armed group to undertake a bombing raid using its own aircraft without external support. The LTTE’s use of air power is not unexpected. The Sri Lankan government has long accused the rebels of developing an air wing, possibly called Vaanpuligal, stating in mid-2005 that the LTTE had built and was maintaining a 1,250 m air strip in Mullaitivu district. Photographs released by the LTTE on 26 March show the LTTE leader Prabhakaran with six a…

China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress (pdf, CRS)

Japan doubles the number of F-15J based at Naha, Okinawa, to some 40 planes, near disputed Senkaku islands: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/01/31/national/japan-doubles-number-f-15s-okinawa-amid-senkaku-incursions-china/#.VrXZevnhDIU

From BBC News Pirates have attacked a gas tanker in the Malacca Strait, kidnapping its captain and chief engineer for ransom, a watchdog said. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said about 35 pirates with rocket launchers stormed the Indonesian-owned MT Tri Samudra late on Saturday. They diverted the Belawan-bound vessel to a different part of Sumatra, before disappearing with the hostages. The shipowners are trying to negotiate the hostages' release, the IMB says. The narrow Malacca Strait between Indonesia and Malaysia is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and has long been a haunt of pirates. Some 37 acts of piracy were recorded ther…

A new RAND report: Shaking the Heavens and Splitting the Earth: Chinese Air Force Employment Concepts in the 21st Century Download the PDF file here

Admiral Says China Outnumbers US in Attack Submarines (DOD Buzz)