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Indo-Pacific (Page 5)

Latest in Indo-Pacific

More North Korean Artillery Troops Heading To Russia: Ukraine Intel Chief
North Korea

More North Korean Artillery Troops Heading To Russia: Ukraine Intel Chief

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

Rendering of a Medium Landing Ship.
China

Navy Now Seeking Commercial Ship Design To Propel Its Long-Delayed Medium Landing Ship Program Forward

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Jan 15, 2025

Analysis of china's new stealth tailless fighter aircraft
China

What China’s Next Generation Stealth Jet Reveal Really Means

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 15, 2025

An image has appeared showing a Chinese commercial roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ferry linked to a temporary pier via a barge with jack-up supports. This follows the emergence of satellite imagery showing multiple similar, but different jack-up barges in various stages of construction at a shipyard in southeastern China.
China

Chinese Barge Usable For Potential Taiwan Beach Landings Seen In Action In New Image

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 15, 2025

The new Tempest configuration, this time with Japan Air Self-Defense Force markings.
China

UK Emphasizes Need To Arm Tempest Stealth Fighter With Larger, Longer Range Air-To-Air Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

Chinese SAM Launch
China

Air Force Predicts Enemy Anti-Air Missiles With 1,000-Mile Range By 2050

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

A North Korean-made mobile surface-to-air missile system has appeared for the first time in the Ukraine conflict. The air defense system, the name of which remains unknown, is the latest example of Pyongyang’s military assistance for Moscow’s war. Ironically, however, its presence in the fighting was disclosed by a video shared by Russian military bloggers, showing it being attacked by a Russian drone, in an apparent ‘blue on blue’ incident.
North Korea

North Korean Air Defense System Revealed In Ukraine By Russian Friendly Fire Strike

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 13, 2025

The U.S. Navy's Ohio class guided missile submarine USS Michigan made notable use of uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUV) in the course of operations between October 2022 and January 2024 it has emerged. During that time, the boat and its crew completed at least three secretive "national security" missions, as well as ones involving special operations forces, "in hostile and challenging environments."
China

Ohio Class Guided Missile Submarine Deployed Underwater Drones On Award Winning Secret Missions

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 9, 2025

The arsenals of the U.S. Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II combat jets look set to grow with the addition of stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM).
China

Stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles To Arm F-15EX, F-15E

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 9, 2025

A new independent report says that U.S. airbases have been left worryingly vulnerable, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, by a lack of investment in new hardened aircraft shelters, or even unhardened ones.
Indo-Pacific

Lack Of Hardened Aircraft Shelters Leaves U.S. Airbases Vulnerable To China New Report Warns

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 8, 2025

A recent satellite image shows what looks to be yet another fighter-esque airframe or test article at Shenyang's main plant in the city of the same name in China.
China

Tailless Fighter-Like Airframe Appears At Chinese Jet Manufacturer Shenyang’s Main Plant

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 7, 2025

Taiwan suspects China of latest attack on undersea cables.
China

Taiwan Coast Guard Blames Chinese-Owned Ship For Cutting Undersea Communications Cable

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 6, 2025

Chinese Underwater Sea Glider Drone Caught By Fisherman In The Philippines
China

Chinese Underwater Sea Glider Drone Caught By Fisherman In The Philippines

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 2, 2025

North Korea's new warship with VLS and phased array radar.
North Korea

North Korea’s New Warship Appears To Be Designed For Vertical Launch System, Phased Array Radar

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 30, 2024

Pictures have emerged of what looks to be the first known example of a new Chinese airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the four-engine Y-20 cargo plane commonly referred to as the KJ-3000.
China

China’s New Domestically Developed Y-20 Airborne Early Warning Jet Spotted

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 27, 2024

China has held a launch ceremony for its first super-sized Type 076 amphibious assault ship, now named Sichuan, but the vessel does not look to have gone into the water yet. Chinese Internet capture via X
China

China’s Monster Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship Seen Like Never Before At Launch Ceremony

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 27, 2024

6th gen flying wing aircraft china
China

China Stuns With Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet’s Sudden Appearance (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Dec 26, 2024

It appears that another new Chinese combat aircraft design has entered flight testing. Imagery of the previously unseen aircraft began to circulate on social media today, only a matter of hours after the first appearance of a remarkable diamond-shaped tailless combat aircraft design, thought to be a Chengdu product.
China

Yes, China Just Flew Another Tailless Next-Generation Stealth Combat Aircraft

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 26, 2024

North Korea may be preparing to send additional troops and weapons to Russia to help its fight against Ukraine.
North Korea

North Korea To Send More Troops To Fight For Russia Against Ukraine: South Korean Intel

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 23, 2024

US Navy ship in maintenance.
China

What’s In The Bill That Aims To Revitalize America’s Decaying Naval Industry

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Dec 23, 2024

Marine Corps Medium Landing Ship.
China

Marine-Moving Medium Landing Ship Critical To China Fight Put On Hold Again By Navy

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

PLA Navy is expanding its reach warns the DoD.
China

Pentagon Warns Of China’s Increasing Capacity To Project Naval Power Far From Home

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber Unlikely To ‘Debut’ Until 2030s, According To U.S. Intel
China

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber Unlikely To ‘Debut’ Until 2030s, According To U.S. Intel

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

Top Pentagon officials offered new insights into the state of play on the battlefield, the role of North Korean troops there and how it will be paid for.
North Korea

Pentagon’s Assessment Of North Koreans Fighting In Kursk, Rate At Which Ukraine Is Losing Ground

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

North Korean Troops in Kursk, Russia are now fighting more actively on the front.
North Korea

North Korean Troops Launched Large-Scale Combat Operations In Kursk: Officials

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

A video and pictures have emerged showing testing of Chinese high-flying and high-speed uncrewed air vehicles related to a design called MD-22, including aerial releases from a TB-001 drone and a high-altitude balloon.
China

China Launches Hypersonic Test Planes From Drones, Balloons

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 16, 2024

Taiwan has received its first batch of M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks as it continues its drive to modernize its armed forces, which face an expanding military threat from Beijing. While the upgrade for the Republic of China Army (ROCA) — which was still operating 1950s-era M41A3 Walker Bulldog light tanks until the last couple of years — is obvious, there are still questions over how suitable the big and heavy Abrams is for the island’s defensive requirements.
Taiwan

M1A2 Abrams Tanks Arrive In Taiwan

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 16, 2024

Any plans the Air Force might have for new hardened aircraft shelters or other physical defenses at bases are prominently absent from a new infrastructure modernization strategy rolled out today.
China

Plans For New Hardened Aircraft Shelters Notably Absent From New USAF Base Modernization Strategy

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Mk 41 launcher MDA Guam
Indo-Pacific

Tilting Mark 41 Launcher Emerges During Guam’s First Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test

By Geoff Ziezulewicz, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

North Korea is set to receive MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-27 Flanker fighter aircraft from Russia in return for Pyongyang having sent thousands of troops to fight in Moscow’s war in Ukraine. This is the assessment of the commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), after much speculation about the nature of the support that might be headed to North Korea to reward that country for its growing military backing of Russia. The prospect of fighter aircraft being transferred by Russia is something that TWZ has discussed in the past.
North Korea

Russia Giving North Korea MiG-29s And Su-27s Isn’t That Straightforward

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

HMAS Brisbane fires a Tomahawk Weapon System off of the cost of San Diego, United States of America.
Australia

Australian Navy Fires Tomahawk Cruise Missile For The First Time

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Dec 9, 2024

Recent satellite imagery shows a curious white-colored object at the end of the runway at a remote airstrip in northwestern China.
China

Mysterious Object Appears At Remote Chinese Airfield Linked To Spaceplane Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 4, 2024

The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) recently commissioned the first of its new KDX-III Batch 2 destroyers, also known as the Sejong Daewang class. Among the many advanced features incorporated in these warships, especially striking is the latest version of the Korean Vertical Launch System — KVLS-II — which is initially planned to hold surface-to-air missiles, but which could well also add land attack cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
South Korea

South Korea’s New Destroyer Is Designed To Fire Ballistic Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 3, 2024

South Korean military forces have descended on the country's parliament building and other parts of the capital Seoul following President Yoon Suk Yeol's unexpected declaration of martial law.
North Korea

Surprise Martial Law Declaration Throws South Korea Into Turmoil (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 3, 2024

Additional photos provide a much more detailed look at the mysterious Chinese flattop that TWZ was first to report on, and which recently went to sea, apparently for its first trials. While the function of this vessel remains unknown, the recently published photos do confirm that it’s intended to operate rotary-wing aircraft (perhaps in addition to fixed-wing drones), but there are no obvious signs of catapults or arrester cables of the kind that would be used for operating heavier fixed-wing types. There is also no indication that the vessel has a floodable well-deck like those found on many amphibious warfare ships.
China

Detailed Deck View Emerges Of China’s Mysterious Aircraft Carrier-Like Ship

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 2, 2024

The Royal Australian Air Force, or RAAF has experimented with a new rapidly laid temporary surface, making it easier to conduct expeditionary aircraft operations, something that is of increasing relevance across the Indo-Pacific region. The trial, which used a temporary surface known as Dura-Base, involved an RAAF F-35A stealth fighter at RAAF Base Tindal, in Australia’s Northern Territory.
Australia

Australian F-35 Tests Expeditionary Base Concept

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 27, 2024

A mysterious Chinese vessel with a large open flight deck, which TWZ was first to report on, looks to have made its maiden voyage.
China

China’s Wacky And Puzzling New Aircraft Carrier Has Set Sail

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 27, 2024

ideos purporting to show a Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian oil refinery may actually have been of a wayward civilian An-2 biplane.
North Korea

An-2 Biplane Caused Major Scare When Russians Thought It Was A Long-Range Kamikaze Drone

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 27, 2024

The Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) arrives onboard U.S. Naval Base Guam, Nov 26. Minnesota, the first Virginia-class fast-attack submarine to be forward deployed to Guam, joins four Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines forward deployed in the Pacific. Regarded as apex predators of the sea, Guam's fast-attack submarines serve at the tip of the spear, helping to reaffirm the submarine forces' forward-deployed presence in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Justin Wolpert)
Indo-Pacific

Submarine Presence In Guam Gets Boost With Its First Forward-Based Virginia-Class

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Updated on Nov 26, 2024

A U.S. Army High Mobility Rocket System (HIMARS).
China

Marine HIMARS Deployment To Southern Japanese Islands During Taiwan Crisis Detailed In Report

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Nov 26, 2024

Anti-aircraft missile system S-400 parade on Dvortsovaya (Palace) Square during the Victory Day ceremony devoted to the 71th anniversary of the end of World War II in St.Petersburg on May 9, 2016.
North Korea

North Korea Getting New Air Defenses In Return For Supporting Russia In Ukraine: Official

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 22, 2024

The U.S. military has not seen demonstrable evidence of North Korea successfully testing a re-entry vehicle capable of bringing a nuclear warhead back down to Earth through the atmosphere, according to America's top officer in the Pacific region.
North Korea

ICBM Reentry Vehicle Capability Still Unproven By North Korea, U.S. Military Says

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 20, 2024

The Chinese ship, the bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 (R) is anchored and being monitored by a Danish naval patrol vessels in the sea of Kattegat, near the City og Granaa in Jutland, Denmark, on November 20, 2024. Denmark's navy said on November 20, 2024 it was shadowing a Chinese cargo vessel in the Baltic Sea, a day after Finland and Sweden opened investigations into suspected sabotage of two severed undersea telecoms cables. "The Danish Defence can confirm that we are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3," the military wrote in an email to AFP, adding that it would make no further comment for the time-being.
China

Danish Navy Shadows Chinese Cargo Ship After Baltic Sea Cable Damage

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 20, 2024

The U.S. military risks going into a potential major fight with China with insufficient stocks of Patriot surface-to-air interceptors and other key munitions due to obligations in the Middle East and Ukraine, the top officer in the Pacific has warned.
China

Conflicts ‘Eating Into’ Critical Munitions Stockpiles Needed For China Fight, Top U.S. Officer In Pacific Warns

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 20, 2024

Flight testing of the U.S. Air Force's Stand-In Attack Weapon (SiAW) missile is now set to begin following the delivery of an initial test article.
Indo-Pacific

First Stand-In Attack Missile Delivered To USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 18, 2024

The Biden Administration will allow Ukraine to use ATACMS deep inside Russia.
North Korea

Ukraine Now Allowed To Use Long-Range Missiles Deep Into Russia: Reports

By Howard Altman

Posted on Nov 17, 2024

North Koran drones
North Korea

North Korea’s Kim Orders Mass Production Of Kamikaze Drones

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 15, 2024

Taiwan experts tell us what the next Trump presidency could mean for U.S. relations with the Island nation.
China

Taiwan Experts On Chances Of Chinese Invasion Under New Trump Administration

By Howard Altman

Posted on Nov 14, 2024

A photo has emerged showing examples of the North Korean-made self-propelled artillery system under transport in Russia, the clearest suggestion so far that Pyongyang is also now providing Moscow with these kinds of weapons for its war in Ukraine. That would hardly be a surprise at this point, with North Korea having supplied Russia with huge amounts of weaponry, as well as having committed to the deployment of thousands of troops for the conflict.
North Korea

North Korean Long-Range Self-Propelled Artillery Appears In Russia

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 14, 2024

Giant Uncrewed Submarine Put Forward By Chinese Shipbuilder, Possibly Linked To Existing Design
China

Giant Uncrewed Submarine Put Forward By Chinese Shipbuilder, Possibly Linked To Existing Design

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 14, 2024

The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) Gray Eagle STOL drone has undertaken its first experimental operations from a warship, taking off from the deck of the South Korean amphibious assault ship Dokdo. Gray Eagle STOL — which we have discussed in depth in the past — incorporates technology first demonstrated on the company’s Mojave, which was specifically developed with the ability to perform short takeoffs and landings, including from rough fields, with minimal support. The latest development adds to the aviation-capable warships that the wider family of Q-1 lineage drones have now operated from.
South Korea

Gray Eagle STOL Drone Flies From South Korean Amphibious Assault Ship

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 13, 2024

The W5000, the world's largest unmanned cargo plane, is shown at The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, China, on November 12, 2024.
China

China’s New W5000 Cargo Drone Is The Biggest Yet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 12, 2024

Chinese Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicle Concept That Launches Its Own Weapons Emerges
China

Chinese Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicle Concept That Launches Its Own Weapons Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 11, 2024

Visitors view a model of the aviation industry J-35A stealth fighter jet at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Expo in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China, on November 10, 2024.
China

New Version Of Chinese PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Tailored For Stealth Fighters Revealed

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 11, 2024

Clearer views of a new Chinese trimaran uncrewed surface vessel (USV) have emerged, highlighting a number of interesting low-observable (stealthy) and other features.
China

China’s New Stealthy Trimaran Drone Ship: Our Best Look Yet (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Nov 9, 2024

The curious North Korean Type 73 machine gun is getting new attention as a result of the Hermit Kingdom's expanding support for Russia's war in Ukraine, which now includes the deployment of thousands of troops.
North Korea

North Korea’s Wacky Type 73 Machine Guns May Be Entering The Fight In Ukraine

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 9, 2024

China’s mysterious CH-7 stealthy flying-wing drone seems to have reappeared, although with a notably different look to it and a very impressive size.
China

China’s Stealth CH-7 Long-Endurance Drone Emerges

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 8, 2024

Massive Chinese Anti-Drone High-Power Microwave Weapon Emerges
China

Massive Chinese Anti-Drone High-Power Microwave Weapon Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 7, 2024

A new large jet-powered Chinese armed drone said to have a 10-ton maximum takeoff weight, or a mockup thereof, has emerged, and the design looks to be at least configurable to be a swarm mothership.
China

New Heavyweight Chinese Jet Drone Looks To Be A Swarm Mothership

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 6, 2024

J-15T fighter jet arrives in Zhuhai ahead of the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2024, on November 6, 2024 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition will be held in Zhuhai from November 12 to 17.
China

China’s J-15T Enhanced Carrier-Based Flanker Officially Unveiled

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 6, 2024

China’s J-35A Stealth Fighter Officially Breaks Cover
China

China’s J-35A Stealth Fighter Officially Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Nov 5, 2024

The arrival of two Su-57 Felon prototypes for the upcoming Airshow China has provided a good look at details of the next-generation fighter, although the most interesting has been a first up-close view of its small wing-root weapons bays. At TWZ we have previous examined this feature as well as the air-to-air missiles that are understood to be accommodated in the bays. While long known about, the weapons bays had long remained something of a mystery.
Indo-Pacific

We Finally Get A Clear Look At The Su-57 Felon’s Side Weapons Bays

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 5, 2024

North Korea has tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that it claims is its longest-ranged so far. The announcement of the test of the Hwasong-19 comes amid large-scale U.S.-South Korean military maneuvers during which their aircraft have bombed mock-ups of North Korean ballistic missile launchers.
North Korea

North Korea’s New ICBM May Have Biggest Transporter-Erector-Launcher We’ve Ever Seen

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 1, 2024

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN has for the first time conducted dual-carrier operations in the South China Sea. The drills, involving the country’s first two in-service carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, as well as at least 11 other vessels, also showcased the PLAN’s fast-growing air wing, with a flyby conducted by a dozen J-15 carrier-based multirole fighters. While clearly engineered for public consumption, the photo opportunity also points to the very rapid progress made by the PLAN in developing its aircraft carrier and wider blue-water capabilities.
China

Two New Versions Of China’s J-15 Carrier Fighter Now Appear To Be Operational

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 31, 2024