The US State Department has announced the approval of foreign military sale (FMS) to Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECO) in the United States. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of possible sale December 16. If no US Congressional objection is raised prior to expiration of the 30-day […]
US approves military sale to Taiwan
The US State Department has approved eight possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Taiwan. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of possible sale December 16. Among the approved FMS are: TOW 2B Missiles, ITAS Launchers, and technical support worth $268 million with Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS) as principal contractor. Also […]
China insists situation in WPS stable, no problem with navigation, overflight freedom
The Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry made comments after US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift said that the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute could start an arms race in the region; and an Australian military aircraft conducted flight mission over WPS. “China stays unswervingly committed to peacefully resolving relevant disputes with countries directly concerned through […]
China to Japan, India: Respect regional countries effort in maintaining peace
The Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry made a reaction after Japan and India called to halt all unilateral actions in West Philippine Sea that could lead to tensions in the Indo-Pacific. “We hope countries outside the region would respect the efforts of regional countries in maintaining peace and stability of the South China Sea, instead of […]
Japan, India want halt on actions leading to tensions in West PH Sea
Japan and India are calling to halt all unilateral actions in West Philippine Sea that could lead to tensions in the region. This was stated in a joint communiqué after Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi’s meeting in India. Abe was in India for an […]
China, South Korea holding bilateral negotiations to solve overlapping maritime claims
China and Republic of Korea (South Korea) are set to hold first round of maritime demarcation talks in Seoul, South Korea next week December 22. Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry is hoping that this bilateral negotiation will becoming fruitful to set an example in solving territorial disputes in the region. Chinese and South Korean presidents announced […]
Russian destroyer fires warning shots at Turkish vessel
Russian Navy Kashin-class guided missile destroyer Smetlivy fired warning shots on a “Turkish seine vessel” December 13, the Russian Ministry of Defence (MOD) said. The Russian ministry the warship was anchored 22 kilometers from the Lemnos Island in the northern part of the Aegean Sea and that the warning shots were necessary to prevent collision. […]
China naval taskforce sent to West PH Sea for training
A People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy taskforce was recently sent for a training exercise in South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) by sailing through the West Pacific Ocean, the Information Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) said today. No information regarding when it was held, […]
South Korea Navy fires warning shots at Chinese vessel
The Republic of Korea (South Korea) Navy has reportedly fired a warning shots at a patrol boat of Chinese fishery administration that crossed the Northern Limit Line of maritime border between South and North Korea December 8. South Korean military said the vessel retreated while warning shots were being fired. The country’s Ministry of National […]
Largest US Navy destroyer comes out for sea trials
The United States Navy largest stealth guided missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) has come out for its sea trials. The tests and trials started December 7 in the Atlantic Ocean. Upon commissioning, the multimission ship will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces, and operate as an integral part of joint […]
China hits US for deploying patrol aircraft in Singapore
The Chinese government hits the United States government for deploying a P-8 Poseidon aircraft in Singapore which is reportedly flying to West Philippine Sea for patrols. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying questioned if military deployment and regional militarization by the US is in line with aspiration shared by countries in East Asia for peace, […]
US, Singapore sign EDCA: P-8 Poseidon deploys in Singapore
Singapore and the United States America have entered into an enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA). US Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen met December 7 in the Pentagon to sign the said agreement. “Under the enhanced DCA, both sides agreed on a broad framework for defense cooperation in five key […]
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan completes 2015 patrol
The only forward deployed Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) of United States Navy has returned to its homeport, December 3, at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, (CFAY) after completing her 2015 patrol. Ronald Reagan became the US Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier after a hull swap with USS George Washington (CVN 73) […]
Japan, US test air, surface, sub-surface, cyber war-fighting skill sets
Japan and United States have tested their joint war-fighting skills in the recently concluded Annual Exercise (AE) 16. AE16 is the largest training exercise that allows US and Japan forces to practice and evaluate coordination and cooperation required to effectively and mutually respond to the defense of Japan or to a regional crisis in the […]
Russian S-400 now combat ready to protect fighter jets in Syria
The Russian Ministry of Defence (MOD) confirmed that an AA missile complex S-400 was delivered, deployed and put on combat duty at the Hmeymim airbase in Syria. This move aims to protect Russian warplanes operating in Syria against terrorists. “Now the Russian Ministry of defence will ensure the safety of the aircraft of the Russian […]
China: PH initiated arbitration ‘will lead to nothing’
China Foreign Affairs Ministry said November 25 that Philippines’ effort to solve maritime dispute through arbitration will lead to nothing. China is not accepting nor participating in the arbitration initiated by Philippine government. “The Philippines’ attempt to negate China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea through arbitral proceeding will […]
Russia cuts military communications with Turkey
Russian military has implemented at least three additional security measures in Syria following the downing of its Su-24 aircraft by Turkish Air Force November 24. The Russian government has maintained that the downed aircraft did not violate the Turkish airspace. Among the additional security measures for Russian airbase in Syria the General Staff of the […]
China stands firm: We will not accept nor participate in arbitration
“Our position is crystal clear: we will neither accept nor participate in the arbitration,” this was stated by China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei today. The Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration started its hearing on the Philippines’ case challenging China’s enormous claim on disputed West Philippine Sea today and will last until November 30. “In […]
Russia confirms SU-24 warplane downed
The Russian government confirmed that one SU-24 warplane part of Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic crashed. “Today an aircraft from the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic crashed on the territory of Syria supposedly shot down from the ground,” the Russian Ministry of Defence said. Media reports said it was […]
Turkey F-16 jets shot down Russian warplane
Turkish F-16 fighter jets have reportedly downed a Russian warplane near the Turkish-Syrian border. The aircraft was shot down after it violated Turkish airspace near the Turkish-Syrian border by F16 Fighting Falcon, a Turkish military official said as reported in Express.co.uk. Report says that warning was issued before the deployment of Turkish jets. Two pilots […]