Military
US, UK, Australia set for maritime drone drills in 2024, focus on AI
AI could improve Aukus buoys network in Indo-Pacific able to detect enemy subs and relay information to patrol aircraft, top defence officials explain.
China sees Russia partnership as crucial to its great-power ambitions: Pentagon
US Defence Department calls out Beijing for ‘providing material support’ to Moscow in Ukraine war and heaping military pressure on Taiwan.
Over 180 ‘coercive and risky’ PLA incidents against US since 2021: Pentagon
Declassified footage shows ‘reckless manoeuvres’ by PLA jets approaching lawfully operating US assets, says official overseeing Indo-Pacific security.
Taiwan arms boosted as US approves US$500 million in F-16 sensors
Latest sale of infrared search-and-track equipment built by Lockheed Martin deepens interoperability with American fighter-jet programme.
US Air Force holds China war drill rehearsing evacuation of thousands
US and six allies, including Australia and Japan, hold simulation of aeromedical operations under limited bandwidth and internet connectivity during two-week drill in Indo-Pacific.
How high will the fence be? China’s grave concerns over US tech investment curbs
China’s Ministry of Commerce hit out on Thursday after US President Joe Biden signed an executive order to restrict US venture capital and private equity stakes in Chinese firms in key areas, including semiconductors.
China’s military AI advances likely to raise risk of US armed conflict: report
Washington should take bold action to stem Beijing’s progress in AI for military purposes and negotiate risk reduction, says American think tank.
China envoy meets US Pentagon official, calls for removal of ‘obstacles’
Ambassador Xie says US must ‘prudently handle important issues such as the Taiwan question’ to resume military-to-military ties.
Xi undecided on whether to order Taiwan unification by 2027: Milley
Chinese leader wants PLA to develop capability by then and Pentagon must modernise to deter him, says Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman.
Explainer | How exposed is China’s C919 jet to US sanctions and could they clip its wings?
China’s C919 narrow-body passenger jet went into commercial operation this year, but relies on imported parts and technology, especially from the US, with Washington wary of American-made civil aviation products being diverted for military use.
US feels pressure to respond to China’s nuclear capability: Pentagon
Beijing’s drive to modernise its military weaponry compels Washington to ‘maintain deterrence’ alongside allies, says Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defence for Indo-Pacific security.
US slams Chinese warship’s ‘unsafe’ manoeuvres in Taiwan Strait
The incident over the weekend, just days after a close call between the two countries’ aircraft, ‘can lead to miscalculations’, says National Security Council spokesman.
China blasts US fly-bys after PLA jet accused of ‘aggressive’ move
Beijing responds to accusations that Chinese J-16 plane carried out risky manoeuvre, condemning Washington’s military reconnaissance activities as ‘root cause’ of maritime security issues.
Top military leaders of Quad nations meet for Indo-Pacific security
Faced with increasingly assertive China, Washington-led alliance poised to deepen security and defence cooperation in region.
US needs data reforms to keep military edge over China and Russia, Senate hears
Cybersecurity hearing elicits suggestion of allowing Pentagon to analyse data collected by hardware produced by its contractors.
Eyeing China, US-EU joint naval exercise touts ‘freedom of navigation’
Two-day military drill described as advancing ‘work towards practical maritime cooperation’ and supporting ‘a free and open Indo-Pacific’.
US-China war ‘not inevitable’, but helping Russia widens conflict: top general
Testimony by outgoing joint chiefs of staff chairman given as Pentagon seeks US$842 billion from Congress, up 3.2 per cent from 2023.
US bid to ‘outcompete’ China yields its largest-ever defence budget
Record US$842 billion meant to ensure Washington maintains ‘a ready, lethal, and combat-credible joint force with a laser focus’, Pentagon chief says.
US deterring Taiwan war by naming China top national security threat: Pentagon
Appraisal made as American military keeps up ‘freedom of navigation’ patrols in South China Sea to counter PLA’s growing strength and assertiveness
Chinese attack on Taiwan not ‘imminent’, predicting it unhelpful: US general
Cross-strait conflict is not ‘inevitable’ and American goal is to avoid military flare-up, says Air Force’s chief of staff.