Current Events in Asia-Pacific

France's DCNS Wins Australia's $50 Billion Future Submarine Contract (The Diplomat)

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

Air Defense Options for Taiwan: An Assessment of Relative Costs and Operational Benefits (RAND, pdf)

The submarine problem - deeper than meets the eye (Australian Defence Magazine)

Plain and clear situation, from the New York Times (even show clearly Jane's Fighting Ship's open in the bridge on page 144 in "Chinese Frigates", depending on open source intelligence, possible they've a reconnaissance book with parallel failures to this of US Army recent warplanes reconnaissance guide): http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/31/world/asia/south-china-sea-us-navy.html?_r=0

Indian Navy Sea Harriers retired and going to museums from March 2016: http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/naval-aviation/2016/03/21/indian-navy-retires-sea-harriers/82070296/

China Makes Advance Payment for Russia’s S-400 Missile Defense Systems (The Diplomat)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLUhqyapKo4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ5wVpf4OHc

NIDS China Security Report 2016 (National Institute for Defense Studies (Tokyo), pdf)

ADIZ Update: Enforcement in the East China Sea, Prospects for the South China Sea, and Implications for the United States (US China Commission, pdf)

PLAN Type 901 integrated supply ship (Admiralty Trilogy, pdf)

A Glimpse Into China's Military Presence in the South China Sea (Stratfor)

China Reclaimed Land for South China Sea Anti-Submarine Helicopter Base Near Vietnam (USNI News)

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

How FP Stumbled Into a War With China — and Lost (Foreign Policy) Discussion of a simulated conflict in the East China Sea.

China’s First Domestic Aircraft Carrier Almost Certainly Under Construction (USNI News) With commentary from our man Chris Carlson.

The PLA Navy: New Capabilities and Missions for the 21st Century (pdf, ONI)

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

US ‘Steadily Retreating’ In South China Sea Dispute (Breaking Defense) Ouch.