Indo-Pacific

Latest in Indo-Pacific

Satellite imagery shows curious activity, including a cluster of crane barges, at a prominent shipyard in China over a period of several days in June 2024.

Odd Activity At Chinese Submarine Shipyard Draws Interest Odd Activity At Chinese Submarine Shipyard Draws Interest

By Joseph Trevithick

Jul 18 7:38 PM EDT

Chinese soldiers are taking part in maneuvers in Belarus, adding another new dynamic to the security situation in Eastern Europe, dominated by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the fallout surrounding it. While Belarus has been a staunch ally of Russia it has, more recently, made overtures toward China, with the aim of building closer relations with it, including in the military sphere.

Chinese Troops Begin Drills Along Poland’s Border In Belarus Chinese Troops Begin Drills Along Poland’s Border In Belarus

By Thomas Newdick

Jul 9 7:27 PM EDT

The Pentagon has made a new announcement about the first forward-deployments of Air Force F-35As and F-15EXs to Japan, as well as changes to the Marine Corps' F-35B force in that country.

USAF F-35As To Be Based In Japan Replacing Wild Weasel F-16s USAF F-35As To Be Based In Japan Replacing Wild Weasel F-16s

By Joseph Trevithick

Jul 3 7:21 PM EDT

In a bizarre turn of events, Chinese-made Wing Loong drones, apparently headed to Libya, have been seized by Italian authorities off the coast of southern Italy. The disassembled drones were in crates that were marked as containing parts for wind turbines, in what seems to have been an effort to evade a United Nations arms embargo imposed on Libya.

Chinese Wing Loong Drones Disguised As Wind Turbines Seized By Italy Chinese Wing Loong Drones Disguised As Wind Turbines Seized By Italy

By Thomas Newdick

Jul 3 3:59 PM EDT

The air-launched version of the hugely versatile SM-6 missile, also known as the RIM-174, has appeared on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters at the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the world’s largest international maritime exercise. We now also know the missiles are designated AIM-74B, indicating an air-to-air missile, although, as we have discussed in the past, the weapon also has the potential to strike high-priority ground targets, such as air defense sites, and warships, acting as a quasi-ballistic missile.

AIM-174 Super Hornet-Launched Variant Of SM-6 Missile Breaks Cover In Hawaii (Updated) AIM-174 Super Hornet-Launched Variant Of SM-6 Missile Breaks Cover In Hawaii (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Jul 3 3:00 PM EDT

Marines train with an ACV in 2022

USMC’s New ACV Amphibious Assault Vehicles Have Arrived In Japan USMC’s New ACV Amphibious Assault Vehicles Have Arrived In Japan

By Oliver Parken

Jul 2 4:54 PM EDT

North Korea says it has successfully tested a ballistic missile fitted with a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) payload — one that contains several warheads, each capable of hitting a different target. Meanwhile, South Korea claims that the test was a failure. Whether successful or not, the emergence of MIRV technologies is another indicator of North Korea’s rapidly developing strategic arsenal, which is growing in size and capabilities despite sanctions.

Conflicting Claims Surround North Korea’s Test Of Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle Conflicting Claims Surround North Korea’s Test Of Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle

By Thomas Newdick

Jun 27 2:55 PM EDT

Pacific Defender 24 will see European AirPower head to the Pacific.

European Air Power Teams Up For Pacific Mega Deployment European Air Power Teams Up For Pacific Mega Deployment

By Thomas Newdick

Jun 26 6:17 PM EDT

North Korea may send troops to Ukraine

Ukraine Situation Report: North Korea May Send Forces To Occupied Territories Ukraine Situation Report: North Korea May Send Forces To Occupied Territories

By Howard Altman

Jun 26 4:24 PM EDT

On June 16, 2024 3d Multi-Domain Task Force and 1-181 Field Artillery Regiment of the Tennessee National Guard employed the U.S. Army Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML) and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) as part of the Valiant Shield 24 Combined Joint SINKEX. The AML and PrSm engaged a maritime target alongside other joint assets during the SINKEX. The VS24 SINKEX is the first employment of both the AML and the PrSM outside of the U.S and is a significant milestone in the Army’s continuing development of long-range fires capabilities.

Army’s New PRsM Ballistic Missile Hits Moving Ship For The First Time In Pacific Test Army’s New PRsM Ballistic Missile Hits Moving Ship For The First Time In Pacific Test

By Thomas Newdick

Jun 24 1:56 PM EDT

A South Korean K1E1 tank participates in a joint river-crossing exercise in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi province on March 20, 2024. Russian’s President Putin has warned South Korea that it would be making “a big mistake” if it decided to supply weapons to Ukraine. While Seoul has so far condemned Moscow for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and provided Kyiv with economic and humanitarian, it has stopped short of sending arms.

South Korean Arms For Ukraine Would Be A Huge Deal And Putin Knows It South Korean Arms For Ukraine Would Be A Huge Deal And Putin Knows It

By Thomas Newdick

Jun 20 6:50 PM EDT

The US government has approved potential sales of Switchblade 300 and ALTIUS 600M loitering munitions to Taiwan.

Sale Of Over 1,000 Kamikaze Drones To Taiwan Points To Grand “Hellscape” Counter-China Plans Sale Of Over 1,000 Kamikaze Drones To Taiwan Points To Grand “Hellscape” Counter-China Plans

By Joseph Trevithick

Jun 19 5:14 PM EDT

A Chinese nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) has surfaced in the Taiwan Strait, prompting the Taiwanese defense ministry to issue a reassurance that it has a “grasp” of the situation. The appearance of the submarine follows recent activity by People’s Liberation Army aircraft and vessels around Taiwan, which Beijing views as a breakaway province that must eventually be reunited with the mainland. However, while uncommon, all signs point to the submarine’s presence in the strait as being part of a transit back to port.

Chinese Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine Surfaces In Taiwan Strait Chinese Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine Surfaces In Taiwan Strait

By Thomas Newdick

Jun 18 3:11 PM EDT

Type 074 sunk by wake homing torpedo by the Chinese Navy.

Chinese Submarine’s Torpedo Destroys Amphibious Landing Ship During Exercise Chinese Submarine’s Torpedo Destroys Amphibious Landing Ship During Exercise

By Tyler Rogoway

Jun 17 7:27 AM EDT

A pair of apparent mockups of the Chinese GJ-11 Sharp Sword uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) have emerged at a site just over a mile from where the country is building the first of its new monster Type 076 amphibious assault ships.

Mockups Of China’s Sharp Sword Stealth Drone Appear Near New Supersized Amphibious Warship Mockups Of China’s Sharp Sword Stealth Drone Appear Near New Supersized Amphibious Warship

By Joseph Trevithick

Jun 14 5:26 PM EDT

Does The U.S. Need To Be Building Hardened Aircraft Shelters For Its Combat Aircraft?

Does The U.S. Need To Be Building Hardened Aircraft Shelters For Its Combat Aircraft? Does The U.S. Need To Be Building Hardened Aircraft Shelters For Its Combat Aircraft?

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Jun 12 5:43 PM EDT