Indo-Pacific

Latest in Indo-Pacific

As part of its seemingly never-ending search for new fighters, the Indian Ministry of Defense says it wants to team up with one of the two rival European next-generation combat aircraft programs.

India Joining One Of Europe’s Fighter Programs Is Anything But Easy

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 19, 2026

Japan's ugly EC-2 surveillance aircraft.

Japan’s EC-2 Electronic Warfare Jet, Arguably The World’s Ugliest Aircraft, Just Flew For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 17, 2026

The latest addition to the legendary X-plane family is Bell Textron’s demonstrator for the Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) program. The chosen X-76 designation (for the year 1776) is intended to reflect the 250th anniversary of the United States. Meanwhile, there is much hope that HSVTOL could eventually provide the U.S. military, and potentially other operators, with a high-speed, runway-independent special operations airlifter.

Bell’s X-76 Fold-Away Rotor Aircraft Is DARPA’s Newest X-Plane

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 9, 2026

U.S. Airmen assigned to the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing arrive for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Feb. 10, 2026. The 125th Fighter Wing accelerated its readiness timeframe ahead of a mission conversion deadline by deploying eight F-35A Lightning II aircraft, establishing joint-component interoperability with two active-duty U.S. Air Force units under the ACE concept.

Former Air Force Fighter Pilot And F-35 Instructor Charged With Training Chinese Military

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 26, 2026

A top U.S. Space Force general sees a clear need to be able to attack threats in space, not just to protect friendly satellites, but to challenge China's dramatically expanded surveillance capabilities in orbit.

China’s Growing Armada Of Spy Satellites Is Pushing Space Force To Go On The Offensive

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 26, 2026

What looks to be a new 155mm naval gun has been installed on a Chinese weapons trials ship.

China’s Largest Modern Naval Gun To Date Just Appeared On A Test Ship

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 19, 2026

DOW making naughty or nice list of defense contractors.

Pentagon Is Making A Naughty Or Nice List Of Defense Contractors

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 11, 2026

The head of U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) has downplayed the current significance of Chinese efforts to develop new long-range strike aircraft with more global reach.

China “Just Not There Yet” On H-20 Stealth Bomber: Global Strike Command’s Top General

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 10, 2026

China is testing nuclear warheads: US

China Secretly Testing Nuclear Weapons And Covering Its Tracks, U.S. Alleges (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 6, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II flies over the Gulf of America, September 16, 2025. The F-15EX, from the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is one of the first F-15EXs in the Air Force, and is going through developmental and operational test series at Eglin to prepare the platform to be delivered to the warfighter.

F-15EX Buy Dropped By Indonesia

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 3, 2026

One of the most enigmatic weapons in the arsenal of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the PL-17 very long-range air-to-air missile, appears to have been shown for the first time at close quarters.

China’s Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

Australia has taken the next step in its wide-ranging program to overhaul its air force with the arrival of its first MC-55A Peregrine. The platform, configured for “airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare” (AISREW), is a highly modified version of the Gulfstream G550 business jet, an increasingly popular choice for adaptation for these kinds of specialist missions.

Australia Just Took Delivery Of One Of Its Most Powerful Weapons

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 22, 2026

A new long-range anti-ship cruise missile in development in Japan can be seen executing a series of barrel rolls in an official video clip.

Japan’s New Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Barrel Rolls To Evade Defenses

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 19, 2026

A Transporter erector launcher carrying the Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missiles, capable of carrying an 8-9 ton warhead and destroying underground bunkers, are featured during a ceremony marking the 76th Armed Forces Day held at Seoul Air Base. South Korea showcased its largest ballistic missile for the first time as it marked Armed Forces Day in an apparent warning against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The ground-to-ground missile, dubbed a monster for its size, had been shrouded in secrecy due to its strategic importance. It is known to be able to carry a warhead weighing about 8 tons and capable of destroying underground bunkers. The transporter erector launchers crawled across the air base, each of them carrying a massive canister, apparently housing the "high-power" and "high-precision" missile known to be able to target anywhere in North Korea.

Ballistic Missile With Absolutely Massive Bunker-Buster Warhead Fielded By South Korea: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 19, 2026

China has converted a cargo ship to a arsenal ship and drone carrier.

Chinese Cargo Ship Converted To Launch Advanced Combat Drones Emerges (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jan 2, 2026

China’s latest live-fire drills around Taiwan appear to have prompted the movement of the island’s secretive Hsiung Feng IIE (HF-2E) land-attack cruise missile. While the development of this important weapons is understood to date back at least to the early 2000s, it has only very rarely been seen since then, which makes its public appearance now all the more interesting.

Secretive Taiwanese Land Attack Cruise Missile Seen On The Move

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 31, 2025