Indo-Pacific(Page 2)

Latest in Indo-Pacific

Satellite imagery shows China has been building at least two facilities featuring hardened shelters with retractable roofs along its heavily disputed border with India.
China

China Building SAM Sites That Allow Missiles To Be Fired From Within Bunkers

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 29, 2025

Second J-36 prototype has major alterations compared to the first.
China

China’s Massive J-36 Stealth ‘Fighter’ Gets Major Design Tweaks With Second Prototype

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Oct 28, 2025

Nimitz hornet and seakhawk crash
Indo-Pacific

“Bad Fuel” May Have Caused Back-To-Back Nimitz Aircraft Crashes: Trump

By Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 27, 2025

South Korea has launched its biggest and most ambitious submarine yet, the Jang Yeong-sil, as the first of the second batch of its locally designed and built KSS-III program.
South Korea

South Korea Has Launched Its Most Advanced Submarine Ever

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 23, 2025

Singapore today launched the first of its drone motherships, or Multi-Role Combat Vessels (MRCV). The largest and most complex ship in the Republic of Singapore Navy, the Victory is the first of a planned six of these vessels. These will replace the existing Victory class missile corvettes (MCV), which entered service in 1989, and will form the cornerstone of its fleet modernization effort.
South China Sea

Singapore Launches Its Biggest And Most Capable Warship Ever

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 21, 2025

Iranian-made Shahed-136 'Kamikaze' drone flies over the sky of Kermanshah, Iran on March 7, 2024. Iran fired over 100 drones and ballistic missiles on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in retaliation to an attack on a building attached to the country's consular annex in Damascus that killed the guards, and two generals of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on April 01, 2024. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack on April 5, 2024 in Tehran.
Indo-Pacific

Army “Absolutely Needs” Drones Like Russia’s Shahed-136: 25th Infantry Division Commander

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Oct 16, 2025

The next stage in the evolution of the Gray Eagle Short Takeoff and Landing (GE STOL) drone sees General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) team up with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, for co-development and co-production of the uncrewed aircraft system, with work set to begin immediately. A demonstrator for the medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone has already operated from a South Korean assault ship, but the new partnership will see production of the Gray Eagle STOL for all customers taking place in South Korea.
South Korea

General Atomics’ Gray Eagle STOL Drone Will Be Made In Korea

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 14, 2025

China’s Stealth Sharp Sword Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles Deployed To Operational Airbase
China

China’s Stealth Sharp Sword Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles Deployed To Operational Airbase

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 10, 2025

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Oyashio-class submarine JS Mocishio transits with ships assigned to Rim of the Pacific 2010 combined task force as part of a photo exercise noerth of Hawaii. RIMPAC, the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise is a biennial event which allows participating nations to work together to build trust and enhance partnerships needed to improve maritime security.
Japan

Japan Will Arm Its Submarines With Long-Range Cruise Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 9, 2025

North Korea has unveiled what it says is a new hypersonic missile dubbed Hwasong-11Ma, designed to be fired from a 10-wheeled transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) that can carry two of the weapons at once.
North Korea

New North Korean Hypersonic Missile Unveiled At Pyongyang Arms Expo

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 6, 2025

Sikorsky has announced a whole family of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones, all using a tail-sitting design powered by twin proprotors. While the company has previously showcased and tested this ‘rotor blown wing’ configuration, the new Nomad family includes much larger aircraft, all the way up to a size broadly equivalent to the S-70 Black Hawk medium-lift helicopter and intended for a variety of naval and land-based missions.
Indo-Pacific

Sikorsky Unveils Nomad Family Of Scalable VTOL Drones

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 6, 2025

A company in China recently unveiled a containerized system it says is capable of quickly launching and recovering thousands of small quadcopter-type drones at the touch of a button.
China

China’s New ‘Drone Light Show In A Box’ Massive Swarm Launcher Speaks To Evolving Threats

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 3, 2025

South Korea has selected an L3Harris Global 6500 bizjet-based solution for its new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. As we discussed at the time, Seoul launched its search for a new plane back in 2020, to bolster its current fleet of four Boeing E-737s, South Korean versions of the E-7 Wedgetail that has been selected by the U.S. Air Force and NATO, among other customers. Reports from earlier this year suggested that Boeing had already been eliminated or dropped out of the new South Korean competition, something that the company appeared to deny.
South Korea

South Korea Has Chosen Its Next Airborne Early Warning Radar Jet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 30, 2025

apan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG 176) steams in close formation as one of 40 ships and submarines representing 13 international partner nations during Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
Japan

First Japanese Destroyer Heads To U.S. For Tomahawk Missile Modifications

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 30, 2025

India’s then-controversial decision to buy the MiG-21 ushered in an era in which Soviet (and latterly Russian) fighters were dominant in the Indian Air Force, a situation that continues to this day. While India buying arms from Moscow is now well established, the Fishbed helped kick off this trend. The delta-winged fighter was selected in favor of Western designs to revamp the Indian Air Force. A key driver was the need to field a fighter that would challenge the F-104 Starfighter that the Pakistan Air Force was then operating.
India

India’s Iconic MiG-21 Blasts Off Into Retirement

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 26, 2025

India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the country’s main military research and development agency, announced the successful test firing of an Agni-Prime from a rail-based mobile launcher system, on September 24. The test, which the DRDO says involved a “full operational scenario,” was carried out at an undisclosed site in the country in collaboration with India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
India

India Just Launched A Ballistic Missile From A Train

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 25, 2025

A long-range kamikaze drone that U.S. firm Kratos is working on together with Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) is set to make its maiden flight early next year.
Taiwan

Jet-Powered Kamikaze Drone Kratos Is Developing With Taiwan To Fly Next Year

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Sep 24, 2025

What looks to be a previously unseen low-observable flying-wing drone variant with a ‘cranked kite’ planform has emerged in a satellite image from China’s secretive test base near Malan in the country's far western Xinjiang province.
China

Large Stealth Flying Wing Appears At Chinese Test Base

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Sep 18, 2025

Taiwan has officially rolled out a new anti-ballistic missile system called Chiang Kung, or Strong Bow, which it says is now in production.
China

Taiwan Just Unveiled Its Own High-Altitude Anti-Ballistic Missile System

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 17, 2025

The Chinese aviation industry has been developing an expanding array of flying-wing uncrewed aircraft, including as uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) and high-altitude intelligence-gathering platforms, often in cooperation with state-run research institutions.
China

New Chinese Flying Wing Drone Design Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 16, 2025

The U.S. Army’s Typhon ground-based missile system has, for the first time, been deployed in Japan, in what’s being seen as a clear message to China. The system, which can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 multi-purpose missile, is a growing feature of U.S. military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, with a first live-fire exercise having taken place in Australia in July, as you can read about here.
China

Army Deploys Typhon Missile System To Japan For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 15, 2025

Japan's Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has released new pictures from testing of a prototype electromagnetic railgun aboard the testbed warship JS Asuka earlier this year.
Japan

Japanese Warship Fires Railgun At Target Vessel For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 11, 2025

A RAAF P-8A Poseidon supports sea trials for the NUSHIP Hobart in the Gulf St Vincent off the coast of Adelaide.
South China Sea

P-8 Poseidon Officially Selected By Singapore As Its Next Maritime Patrol Aircraft

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 10, 2025

F-22s over alaska
China

Homeland Needs To Be Able To Survive A “Punch In The Nose” According To Former NORAD Chief

Howard Altman Howard Altman

Posted on Sep 5, 2025

China officially unveiled a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) called the JL-1 at its sprawling military parade in Beijing yesterday.
China

China’s JL-1 Air Launched Ballistic Missile’s Official Debut Is A Big Deal

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 4, 2025

South Korea has presented, for the first time, imagery of its Hycore hypersonic cruise missile, showing the future weapon during its flight testing. The Hycore is part of a fast-growing arsenal of advanced weapons that Seoul is developing, primarily to counter North Korea. As well as the hypersonic cruise missile, South Korea is notably also working on an air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) and increasingly capable sea-based ballistic missiles, including for launch submarine launch.
South Korea

South Korea’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Emerges In New Test Photos

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 4, 2025

The massive military parade in Beijing yesterday has provided us with a much closer look at some of the country’s new air combat drones, the gradual emergence of which, in the run-up to the event, prompted much discussion. Of these drones, one, in particular stands out, this being a stealthy tailless design that is also notably large, and which is overall indicative of high performance.
China

China Unveils Large Unmanned Stealth Fighter Design During Military Parade

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 3, 2025

A very large directed energy laser weapon was among the new capabilities officially rolled out for the first time at a massive military parade in China.
China

China’s Imposing LY-1 High-Power Laser Weapon Unveiled At Huge Military Parade

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 3, 2025

China’s New DF-61 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Breaks Cover
China

China’s New DF-61 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Breaks Cover

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 3, 2025

The U.S. Air Force's top officer in the Pacific says a key takeaway from China's huge military parade tomorrow will be that "we are not deterred."
China

Top USAF General In Pacific “Not Deterred” By Drones, Missiles To Be Showcased At Huge Chinese Parade

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 2, 2025

Kratos has confirmed it is working together with Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) on a derivative of its jet-powered MQM-178 Firejet target drone called the Chien Feng IV.
Taiwan

Taiwan Teams Up With Kratos On Jet-Powered Kamikaze Drone

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 29, 2025

Chinese HIMARS mock-up revealed.
Taiwan

China Has Modified These Trucks As HIMARS Lookalikes

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 27, 2025

A short-range air defense (SHORAD) vehicle that can be loaded with up to 96 small interceptors at a time has been spotted amid ongoing preparations for a huge Chinese military parade in the country's capital, Beijing, next week.
China

Check Out China’s Short-Range Air Defense Vehicle Capable Of Packing A Whopping 96 Mini Interceptors

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 26, 2025

The U.S. Navy says the impacts from a fire that burned for approximately 12 hours aboard the USS New Orleans earlier this week are limited to forward areas of the ship, though a full assessment of the damage is still ongoing.
Japan

New Details On Status Of USS New Orleans After Fire

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 22, 2025

S-97 Raider clone flying in China
China

China Has Cloned Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider High-Speed Helicopter

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Aug 21, 2025

The U.S. Navy's San Antonio class amphibious warfare ship USS New Orleans suffered a fire today while it was anchored off White Beach in Uruma City on the Japanese island of Okinawa.
Japan

Fire Aboard USS New Orleans Burned For 12 Hours Before Being Extinguished (Updated)

Howard Altman Howard Altman

Updated on Aug 20, 2025

A recently emerged image shows a very large, low-observable, flying-wing aircraft flying in China. While the identity of the aircraft cannot be definitively established, it matches, in many respects, the appearance of the huge drone that TWZ was first to identify in satellite imagery dating from earlier this summer, and which you can read more about here.
China

Large Stealth Flying Wing Aircraft Photographed Over China

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 20, 2025

An apparently previously unknown tiltrotor aircraft has appeared in China and is already undergoing flight testing. While the program remains mysterious, it’s further evidence of growing Chinese interest in this class of aircraft. Although previous such Chinese projects have typically been pitched for civilian missions, tiltrotors have clear military applications as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to expand its reach across the Indo-Pacific region.
Indo-Pacific

China’s First Crewed Tiltrotor Aircraft Is Flying

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 18, 2025

New views of Chinese ‘loyal wingman’ type drones, or at least mockups thereof, that are set to make their debut at a major upcoming military parade have emerged.
China

Glimpses Of China’s New Air Combat Drones Emerge Ahead Of Massive Military Parade

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 17, 2025

A former top government insider opens up about the role of foreign adversaries in U.S. base drone incursions.
China

FAA Insider Opens Up About Drone Incursions Over Military Bases

By Howard Altman

Updated on Aug 15, 2025

A pair of B-2 bombers touched down at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska yesterday, and more may now be headed in the same direction.
Indo-Pacific

B-2 Bombers Arrive At Alaskan Airbase Putin Will Land At (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 15, 2025

Taiwan's armed forces have developed a launch system for AGM-114 Hellfire missiles concealed inside what otherwise looks to be a civilian truck.
Taiwan

Hellfire Missile Launcher Disguised As Civilian Truck Breaks Cover In Taiwan

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 14, 2025

Taiwan is testing a new external electronic countermeasures pod, reportedly due to be integrated on its F-CK-1 Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF). The multirole combat aircraft has undergone a comprehensive upgrade in recent years, but until now has not had anything approaching a comprehensive electronic warfare self-protection capability. This requirement is now even more urgent, as the threat from the China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to grow.
Taiwan

Electronic Warfare Pod For Taiwan’s F-CK-1 Fighter Is In Testing

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Aug 14, 2025

South Korea is looking to develop a new air-launched ballistic missile, joining a group of nations that are looking to introduce this capability, or which already have systems of this kind in operational service. If successful, the program would likely see the weapon fielded on South Korea’s locally developed KF-21 fighter jet, which you can read more about here.
North Korea

South Korea Has An Air-Launched Ballistic Missile Program

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 13, 2025

A Chinese Coast Guard cutter chasing a Philippine Coast Guard cutter when it was rammed by a Chinese guided missile destroyer in the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal.
Indo-Pacific

Chinese Destroyer Rips Bow Off Chinese Coast Guard Cutter During Intense Harassing Maneuvers

By Howard Altman

Updated on Aug 11, 2025

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has provided us with a look at the future, stealthier version of its KF-21 fighter, which is now known as the KF-21EX. Concept artwork of the refined version of the jet has been released, with internal weapons carriage being its distinguishing feature. This is part of an effort to make the KF-21 more survivable in the face of ever more capable air defense systems, although the resulting aircraft will not offer the same level of low observability as the F-35, which is also operated by South Korea.
South Korea

South Korea’s KF-21 Fighter To Get Stealthier With Internal Weapons Bays

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 6, 2025

The latest addition to China’s growing family of Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter series, the J-15DT electronic warfare version, appears to have entered operational service. Crucially, this electronic attack Flanker is equipped for operations aboard catapult-equipped aircraft carriers like the Fujian, which recently began to host fixed-wing aircraft trials. Progress with the J-15DT points not only to China’s the scope of carrier aviation ambitions, but the growing focus on catapult assisted takeoff but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) operations, which offer many advantages.
China

Our Best Look At China’s New J-15DT Carrier-Based Electronic Warfare Jet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 5, 2025

Another chinese stealthy tailless combat jet emerges.
China

New Chinese Stealth Tactical Jet Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 5, 2025

An upgraded derivative of Japan's Mogami class frigate has won a competition to become the Royal Australian Navy's next major surface warship.
Australia

Japan’s Futuristic Mogami Frigate Will Be Australia’s Next Warship

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 5, 2025

Signs are growing that China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is close to demonstrating its ability to launch and recover aircraft from its first catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, if it has not done so already.
China

China Teases First Catapult Launches From Its New Carrier Fujian

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 1, 2025

A Royal Thai Air Force F-16 takes off from the Korat Air Base runway during Exercise Thai Boomerang 2015.
Indo-Pacific

Thai F-16 Strikes As Border Dispute With Cambodia Erupts

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 24, 2025

Russia is now using decoy drones made up entirely of Chinese components according to Ukrainian intelligence.
China

New Russian Drone Made Completely Of Chinese Components: Ukrainian Intelligence

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 22, 2025

Satellite imagery of preparations for a major upcoming military parade in China points to the possibility that one or more 'loyal wingman' type drones, or at least mockups thereof, are set to be revealed.
China

China’s New Drone Wingmen Look Set For Military Parade Unveiling

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 21, 2025

A new photo suggests that China’s Shenyang J-35, its next-generation carrier-based fighter, has now entered limited series production and is also in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The photo joins a succession of imagery showing some of China’s latest military aircraft in great detail, including previous views of the same type of jet, although still in prototype form, as you can see in our previous coverage here.
China

China’s J-35 Naval Stealth Fighter Looks Set For Service

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 19, 2025

NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia — 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF) conducts the first Mid-Range Capability live fire exercise outside of the continental United States successfully sinking a maritime target with a Standard Missile-6 Force during Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 on July 16, 2025. The successful strike validated combined joint targeting and command-and-control interoperability between 3MDTF and the combined-joint force. The demonstration highlights the strength of the Australia–U.S. Alliance and the rapidly advancing capability and capacity of 3MDTF and the 10th Australian Brigade to deploy advanced, land-based maritime strike capabilities in support of regional security and stability. Talisman Sabre is a bilateral exercise that reflects the close military relationship between Australia and the United States, with multinational participation.
Australia

SM-6 Fired At Target Ship Down Under By U.S. Army’s Typhon Launcher

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 16, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II, assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., taxis on the runway after landing to participate in exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025 at Andersen AFB, Guam, July 11, 2025. REFORPAC is a large-scale contingency response exercise, which prepares service members to maintain readiness and execute missions under stress.
Japan

F-15EX Arrives In Japan For The First Time As Part Of Massive Pacific Exercise

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 15, 2025

Taiwanese forces, including personnel armed with Stinger shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, have used the subway to maneuver around the capital city of Taipei as part of a major annual exercise for what looks to be the first time.
China

Taiwanese Troops Train To Use Subway To Their Advantage During Chinese Invasion Of Taipei

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on Jul 15, 2025

While the J-20S was officially unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow last year, there are rumors that it might be publicly unveiled as an operational PLAAF asset in September of this year, when the PLAAF marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II.
China

China’s Two-Seat J-20 Stealth Fighter Poised To Enter Operational Service

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jul 8, 2025

A South Korean AH-64 Apache helicopter fires rockets during a combined live-fire exercise between the South Korean and US armies at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon on October 30, 2024. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
South Korea

South Korea Canceling AH-64 Apache Order A Sign Of What’s To Come

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 8, 2025

There are several ways Russia could complicate U.S. efforts to defend Taiwan should China invade
China

How Russia Could Complicate U.S. Efforts To Defend Taiwan

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 7, 2025

The unique RF-5E Tigergazer reconnaissance aircraft operated by the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) has been stood down from service. The retirement of Taiwan’s RF-5Es comes after the country bid farewell to its F-5E Tiger II fighters at the end of 2023, after almost half a century of operations. With high levels of tension between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China, the ROCAF’s future tactical reconnaissance needs will be handled by drones and pod-equipped F-16 fighters.
Taiwan

Taiwan’s RF-5 Tigergazer Reconnaissance Jets Have Retired

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 7, 2025

Chinese WIG aircraft.
China

China’s Mysterious Ekranoplan Seen In Full For First Time

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jul 5, 2025

New pictures have emerged showing work being done on the Japan Self-Defense Forces' prototype electromagnetic railgun currently installed on the test warship JS Asuka.
Japan

Railgun Installed On Japanese Warship Seen In New Photos

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 1, 2025

A new photo provides our best view so far of the Shenyang J-35, China’s next-generation carrier-based fighter. It’s part of a relative flurry of imagery showing some of China’s latest military aircraft. In sharp contrast to the blurry or heavily edited shots we have become familiar with out of China in the past, these various higher-quality images provide a fascinating snapshot of the breadth of developments taking place right now in China’s military aerospace realm.
China

China’s J-35 Naval Stealth Fighter Seen Like Never Before

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 20, 2025