US Marines help gun down beach invaders in simulated Philippines defense
Afterwards, as the repulsed “enemy” withdrew in disorder, a coup de grace was delivered by an explosive-laden, first-person-view drone.
Asia Pacific
India races to boost conventional, nuclear submarine combat punch
The induction of a third SSBN brings the number of such boats to three, enabling the deployment of a continuous at-sea nuclear counterstrike force.
Global military spending surges and reaches record high
In addition to providing the latest numbers, SIPRI researchers also raised a concern about transparency.
Massive frigate buy from Japan jolts Australian warship program
Hughes explained the aim is to have as few Australianized changes as possible, because that “would delay the delivery of the ship.”
Australia awards contracts for counter-drone tech based on lasers, interceptors
Both products will eventually integrate into a command-and-control system developed under the Army’s umbrella Land 156 counter-unmanned aerial system push.
Opinion
Inside China, artificial intelligence is a snake eating its own tail
AI researchers refer to this as “model collapse,” a phenomenon in which models trained on their own synthetic outputs degrade over successive generations.
US commander warns Taiwan not to ‘starve the chicken’ on defense
Adm. Samuel Paparo stressed the importance of Taiwan passing its stalled defense budget.
Australia signals greater defense investment, but is urgency still lacking?
“All the things are positive, but I think what we’ll need to do is move faster and acquire capability more quickly," one analyst commented.
China turns Taiwan’s own voices against it in information war
As Chinese warships and fighter jets staged massive drills around Taiwan in December, a parallel action was unfolding on smartphone screens.
Australia refines its defense strategy and investment plan
The government has laid out an aim for defense spending to reach 3% of GDP by 2033-34.
Rattled by Trump, US allies eye Japan’s biggest arms opening since WWII
Japan’s imminent easing of arms export rules has sparked strong interest from Warsaw to Manila.
Australia touts first GMLRS artillery rocket assembled Down Under
Lockheed's rocket is the poster child for Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, which seeks make strike weapons locally.
New Zealand defense minister to help shepherd military-integration push with Australia
Chris Penk is the first defense minister to have previously served with both New Zealand and Australian forces.
Outpaced by the US, China’s military places selective bets on artificial intelligence
China may have surpassed the United States in AI for drone swarms, one Taiwan-based analyst said.
India to acquire more air defense systems and drones for modern warfare
India will boost its inventory of Russian S-400 air defense systems, which were deemed effective during last year's brief war with Pakistan.
Japanese destroyer can now fire Tomahawk missiles, extending nation’s combat punch
Japan’s Tomahawk orders are unlikely to be affected immediately, but longer military campaigns in the Middle East could cause setbacks, one analyst said.
Japan sprinkles fresh missiles across its islands to fend off would-be attackers
Japan’s standoff capability buildup includes deploying homegrown missiles and acquiring Tomahawk cruise missiles to be launched from Aegis destroyers.
