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Explainers: Military
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Explainers: Military. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
PLA amphibious armoured vehicles on exercise in Fujian province on Tuesday. Photo: CCTV
China’s military drills

PLA runs amphibious landing drill in strait as Taiwanese leader marks first year

The 73rd Group Army exercises tactics and skills of near-shore driving and landing operations with armoured amphibious vehicles.

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US-China relations

Pentagon urges faster militarisation of space, citing China’s advances

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US-China relations

China sees Russia partnership as crucial to its great-power ambitions: Pentagon

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Taiwan

Explainer | What PLA spy drone flights around Taiwan could mean for cross-strait conflict

Military analysts say Beijing’s long-range UAVs could play crucial role in surveillance, blockades, strikes and assassinations.

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The PLA’s TB-001 drone, nicknamed the “Twin-Tailed Scorpion”, can carry bombs and missiles. Photo: Handout
China’s 20th Party Congress

Explainer | What is China’s Central Military Commission and why is it so powerful?

During the 20th party congress in Beijing this week, all eyes will be on who CMC chairman Xi Jinping chooses to join the top brass.

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US-China relations

Explainer | What defence dialogues did Beijing cancel after Pelosi’s Taiwan trip?

Three important meetings between the People’s Liberation Army and the US military were cancelled as part of Beijing’s retaliation measures.

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Indonesia

Indonesian colonel sentenced to life for killing teens

After knocking them over with his car, Colonel Priyanto and two of his subordinates tossed their bodies into the river – but one of the victims was still alive.

Colonel Priyanto stands in a courtroom during his trial at the military court in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: AP
Japan

US naval officer in Japan faces prison over deadly crash – family say he had mountain sickness

Ridge Alkonis’ car veered into cars and pedestrians striking an elderly woman and her son-in-law, both of whom died. His parents say it was a terrible accident but prosecutors claim deadly negligence.

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Iran

Mystery accident at Iran military site kills engineer

Iran’s defence ministry said the incident occurred at a research centre in the Parchin military complex, scene of a giant unexplained blast in 2020, and where Iran is suspected of conducting tests on nuclear weapons’ triggers.

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Russia

Russia ramps up military moves around Japan as Tokyo faces energy dilemma

Japan is holding back from reacting to Moscow’s ‘sabre-rattling’ around the disputed Northern Territories, as Tokyo grapples with protecting its energy security while pressuring Russia to end its Ukraine invasion.

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A Russian warship passes through ice fields in La Perouse Strait from the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk. The Russian military has launched a series of drills amid tensions with the West over Ukraine. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP
Ukraine

Explainer | Russia is accused of using ‘vacuum bombs’ in Ukraine. Why are they so feared?

Thermobaric weapons suck up oxygen, then create a blast wave that ‘obliterates’ victims and is especially destructive in enclosed spaces.

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The Russian army’s TOS heavy flamethrower system can be armed with thermobaric rockets. Photo: Shutterstock
Russia

How big is the gap between the forces of Ukraine and Russia?

With one of the largest and strongest armies in the world, Russian power dwarfs neighbouring Ukraine on every measure.

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Ukraine

Ukrainian soldier kills 4 fellow servicemen, 1 civilian

Artemiy Ryabchuk, aged 20, was on guard duty at a military factory in the city of Dnipro when he opened fire on his colleagues killing five people and wounding five more.

China's military weapons

Explainer | What are hypersonic weapons, and why is there a race to develop them?

Security experts have warned that the escalating competition between China, the US and others could end in military conflict.

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China’s DF-17 medium-range ballistic missile, which is equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle, was revealed during a military parade in 2019. Photo: Weibo
Taiwan

China’s army conducts drill near Taiwan Strait after US lawmakers’ visit

American lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Thursday offering support for the island’s authorities, who Beijing accuses of seeking independence.

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US Representative Mark Takano, left, is greeted by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Taiwan on November 26. Five American lawmakers met with her in a visit intended to reaffirm US support for the self-ruled island. Photo: Taiwan Presidential Office via AP
Aukus alliance

Explainer | What is the Aukus alliance, and what does it have to do with China?

The Aukus alliance, a three-party security pact between Australia, the UK and the US, will equip Australian forces with the know-how to build nuclear-powered submarines.

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China’s military

Explainer | What are China’s theatre commands and service branches?

The People’s Liberation Army has been reshaped since major reforms began in 2015 to modernise the world’s largest military.

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Cybersecurity

Explainer | What are the hacking accusations against China?

Several countries accuse ‘cyber actors’ backed by Beijing of hacking the Microsoft Exchange email server, as allegations of Chinese cyberattacks mount.

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A broad group of countries have accused China of state-backed hacking. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Explainer | US vs China: who has the stronger military?

China has the weight of numbers on its side, but America has various technological and financial advantages.

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China's military weapons

Explainer | How China grew from buyer to major arms trade player

China’s inventory consists of weapons from several countries, primarily Russia.

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China’s Communist Party turns 100

Explainer | Why China’s Communist Party maintains a tight grip on the military

The party and the PLA are entwined and in the early years of its rule, all Communist Party leaders had military experience.

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President Xi Jinping headed a commission to shake up the PLA and in 2016 he was named “commander-in-chief” of the armed forces. Photo: Xinhua via AP
China-India border dispute

Explainer | India-China border: is peace really on the horizon?

Beijing and New Delhi may have agreed to ease tensions but with political relations still sour and troops remaining eyeball-to-eyeball at the border, are the nuclear-armed neighbours really on the road to resolution?

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Indian army vehicles move along a highway leading to Ladakh. Photo: APA
Donald Trump

What war powers does Trump have?

Democratic lawmakers have questioned the legality of killing top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and warned Donald Trump does not have authority to march the United States into a war.

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North Korea

Explainer | How Kim built North Korea’s nuclear arsenal while appearing to seek peace

Of North Korea’s six atomic tests, Kim was responsible for four. Experts estimate North Korea has assembled 20-30 nuclear warheads.

Syrian conflict

Explainer | Why are Syria’s Kurds accusing the US of betrayal?

Earlier this year, Kurdish-led forces, with backing from a coalition made up of the US and dozens of other countries, took Isis’s last territory in Syria and eliminated its caliphate.

Fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces march during a demonstration against possible Turkish military operations. Photo: AP
The Philippines

Explainer | Philippines’ communist rebellion is Asia’s longest-running insurgency

The rebels have never politically controlled any province or even a single city. However, from bases in the forests and mountains across the country, guerillas have waged Asia’s longest-running insurgency.

Fighters of the New People’s Army. Photo: EPA
Explainers: Politics

Explainer | How a sea between Japan, South Korea and Russia became a flashpoint

Joint patrol carried out by China and Russia may have been designed to send a message that their collaboration is ‘a force to be reckoned with militarily in East Asia’.

Espionage

APT10: What do we know about the alleged Chinese hacking group?

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