Current Events in Asia-Pacific

From Defense Aerospace U.S., South Korea Plan Anti-submarine Exercise (Source: U.S Department of Defense; issued September 24, 2010) YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea --- South Korean and U.S. forces will conduct an anti-submarine warfare exercise in the waters west of the Korean peninsula Sept. 27 to Oct. 1. The exercise is part of a series of combined naval training events that are defensive in nature and enhance interoperability, officials said. The exercises also are designed to send a clear message of deterrence to North Korea, they added, while improving the overall anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the U.S.-South Korean alliance. Participating uni…

From RIA Novosti [excerpt] CV32: In light of this kind of resurgence and the pace of Chinese fighter advances, the failure to offer the F-22 to the JASDF continues to be a head scratcher.

South Korea Selects the Taurus KEPD 350 Cruise Missile (Defense Update)

China's Evolving Nuclear Deterrent (RAND, pdf)

Sea MiGs: The Next Generation of Indian and Russian Naval Aviation (Defense Media Network)

War and Conflict Flying Tigers strike Jaffna military base Apr 24, 2007 Separatist Tamil Tiger rebels flying light aircraft bombed a military airbase on Sri Lanka's northern peninsula of Jaffna on Tuesday, killing at least six people, officials and the guerrillas said. If confirmed it would be the second air attack in two months by the Tigers, although it was denied by the defence ministry who said the rebels only fired artillery. Guerrilla spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiriyan said two light aircraft from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) headed toward the Palaly military air field in the Jaffna peninsula just after midnight. "We have carried out o…

New Chinese Outpost Riles The Philippines (USNI News)

Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2015 (pdf, US DOD)

Diesel-electric subs can pressurize China: official (updated AM 00:15) 2005/3/25 The China Post staff In a bid to drum up further support for a controversial billion dollar U.S. arms deal, a defense ministry official yesterday said eight diesel-electric submarines in the U.S. weapons package would be able to attack crucial Chinese supply lines if a war broke out. The official's comments came as the Legislature prepares to deliberate a special NT$480 billion budget for purchasing the diesel electric submarines along with anti-submarine aircraft and patriot anti-missile systems from America. U.S. officials say the purchase is vital for Taiwan's friendship with…

China working on second carrier (Jane's) Chinese Admirals Spill the Beans on New Aircraft Carrier (The Diplomat)

This is how nuclear war with North Korea would unfold (Washington Post) CV32: There is an underlying political message (of course!) but at least the scenario is interesting.

Unveiled Chinese factory elaborating metamaterials for cloak J-20. Short but interesting article and video: http://www.newsweek.com/china-says-it-can-make-fighter-jets-invisible-cloaks-made-metamaterials-842167

Chinese attack sub encounter puts Taiwan's navy on alert Mainichi Daily News TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan's military was investigating a news report Saturday that a nuclear submarine from rival China surfaced and nearly collided with a patrol of navy vessels off a Taiwanese-held island. The Chinese attack sub -- a Han-class nuclear-powered vessel -- suddenly surfaced and appeared to be heading for five Taiwanese ships near Kinmen island on July 25, according to Saturday's edition of the Apple Daily, which didn't cite any sources. The Taiwanese ships spotted the submarine and prepared for a confrontation. Three speedboats equipped with missiles were called in to a…

New North Korean Helicopter Frigates Spotted (38 North)

Through a glass, darkly: Chinese, American, and Russian anti-satellite testing in space (Space Review) PDF version of the above article China Secretly Tested an Anti-Satellite Missile (The Diplomat, Flashpoints)

For all of you scenario writers contemplating a South China Sea scenario, this one is already available in the HCDB. From DefenseNews [excerpt]

China Confirms Y-7 for AEW for Carrier Ops (DefenseNews, Intercepts blog)

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…

North Korea: Test Stand for Vertical Launch of Sea-Based Ballistic Missiles Spotted (38 North) Is North Korea Developing Sea-Based Ballistic Missiles? (The Diplomat)

North Korea says it's ready to detonate H-bomb, but skepticism abounds (Stars and Stripes)