India boosts domestic arms industry and looks West to pare back Russia reliance
India has become the world’s largest arms importer with purchases steadily rising to account for nearly 10pc of all imports globally in 2019-23.
DEFENCE & SECURITY
China allegedly deploys deafening sonic device versus Philippine Coast Guard ship
China Coast Guard (CCG) 3103 used the device apparently to deter the PCG’s BRP Cabra from getting closer to the Chinese ship, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea…
Japan may sit out meeting on treaty to ban nuclear weapons
As the security environment surrounding Japan is becoming increasingly severe, PM Ishiba concluded it would be appropriate to take a pragmatic approach based on the importance of…
Four Mekong nations plan further joint river patrols
The 149th China-Laos-Myanmar-Thailand cooperation meeting reviewed the current state of cooperation in border protection, such as enforcement of the joint water patrol law along…
President Prabowo thanks India for Indonesia’s BRICS accession, vows to strengthen security ties
Despite expressing earlier reluctance to join the economic bloc, Indonesia has become the first Southeast Asian country to become a permanent member, surpassing Malaysia and…
Japan intends to boost defence capabilities on Yonaguni Island off Okinawa
Yonaguni Island is located at Japan’s westernmost point and is close to Taiwan, about 110 kilometers away, and island residents fear a Taiwan contingency. The Self-Defense…
China urges the Philippines to protect Chinese national’s rights after suspected ‘sleeper agent’ arrest
Last January 20, National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago identified the arrested Chinese national as Deng Yuanqing, a technical software engineer allegedly…
US President Trump courting South Korea for naval shipbuilding efforts
The rise of China’s naval forces may trigger the Trump administration to outsource building military ships in Korean shipyards.
US aircraft carrier joins Philippines in West Philippine Sea patrols
Security engagements between the two allies have soared under President Marcos, who has pivoted closer to Washington, allowing the expansion of military facilities that American…
Seoul eyes revival of US-North Korea, inter-Korean talks under Trump 2.0
The Foreign Ministry stated it will "establish an early and robust consultation channel with the second Trump administration to strengthen cooperation on North Korea's nuclear…