Japanese PM Kishida condemns North Korea’s bevy of missile launches
The government also protested to North Korea via diplomatic channels in Beijing.
Defence & Security
Russia consolidates hold on Ukrainian city; US to give Kyiv advanced rockets
In a boost for Ukraine, the US announced a US$700 million weapons package for Kyiv that will include advanced rocket systems with a range of up to 80km.
Japan’s de facto aircraft carrier Izumo to be dispatched to Indo-Pacific from mid-June
The deployment includes other vessels, such as the destroyers Takanami and Kirisame and a submarine, and aerial units including a P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, and will run…
Philippines joins Rimpac naval exercise, biggest in the world
Thirty-eight ships, four submarines, nine national land forces and more than 170 aircraft from 26 countries will participate in the naval exercise.
US sending missile systems to Ukraine, but unclear if they’re a game-changer
The new rockets enable Ukrainians to strike key targets more precisely, however, President Biden said, “we are not going to send to Ukraine rocket systems that can strike into…
More seek gun training in Taiwan as Ukraine war drives home China threat
Since the war in Ukraine started, bookings for combat skills training companies have nearly quadrupled in Taiwan, urging them to weigh whether to extend compulsory military…
Nature of war in Asia headed for quantum leap
Aircraft carriers are starting to look obsolete considering the advances being made in defence technology in multiple domains.
Draft of Japan’s economic, fiscal reform policy hints at 2% increase in defense spending
Defense outlays total about ¥5.4 trillion in the fiscal 2022 budget, or about 0.96% of Japan’s GDP. If this were to be raised to 2% of the GDP, it would reach about ¥11…
South Korea sends largest-scale naval fleet to US-led exercise
This will also be the first time South Korea sends a one-star Navy official to the exercise since 1990.
Even as govt and TTP agree on ceasefire extension, prospects of peace remain bleak
Simply put, if the TTP's demands were to be met, it would amount to a surrender of the state’s authority over parts of the erstwhile tribal belt where the militants are active.