The United States and Indonesia have opened a two-week joint military exercise to build trust and interoperability and strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations amid China’s efforts to increase its influence in the South China Sea. The annual exercise, called Super Garuda Shield, began on Monday in East Java, Indonesia, with over 4,500 personnel from Australia,...
Category: Asia
US Clears India’s Request to Purchase Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonobuoys
The U.S. Department of State has authorized the potential foreign military sale of anti-submarine warfare sonobuoys and related equipment to India. The proposed FMS, valued at $52.8 million, includes the procurement of AN/SSQ-53G, AN/SSQ-62F and AN/SSQ-36 high-altitude anti-submarine warfare sonobuoys, U.S. government and contractor engineering and technical support, and other related logistics and program services...
US Unveils List of Critical Sectors, Key Goods for Consideration Under Indo-Pacific Supply Chain Agreement
The United States has listed the energy, health, and transportation and logistics industries and as critical sectors and semiconductors, aerospace components and nuclear energy materials as key goods for potential cooperation under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity supply chain agreement. Under the IPEF agreement, all parties committed to creating such a list to be...
Taiwan Defense Budget Soars, With $4.66B Allotted for Military Equipment Acquisition
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s Cabinet has approved a record-high $20.29 billion for its 2025 defense budget, with an allocation of $4.66 billion for arms procurement, including payments for U.S. military equipment purchases. According to a Defense News report, the budget ratification comes as Chinese intrusions into Taiwanese air space hit an annual record of 1,739...
JAXA Taps Astroscale Japan for Phase 2 of Debris Removal Technology Demonstration
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has awarded orbital debris removal solutions provider Astroscale Japan a contract for Phase II of the Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration program. The two organizations began their collaboration with Phase I, where Astroscale’s ADRAS-J conducted a controlled fly-around observation of the debris. Under the new deal, the company will showcase...
US, Allies Publish Cyber Information Sheet on Best Practices for Event Logging
The United States and its allies have released a joint cybersecurity information sheet that provides best practices for event logging and threat detection in cloud services, enterprise networks, mobile devices and operational technology networks. The National Security Agency, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the cybersecurity centers in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, New...
SKorea’s $3.5B Plan to Buy Apache Helicopters Gets All-Clear From US State Department
The South Korean government has received U.S. approval over its plans to acquire 36 AH-64E Apache helicopters and related support services from Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The AH-64E, Boeing’s latest iteration of the Apache, incorporates a network-centric, fully integrated weapon system and improved sensors, software and weapon performance. According to a notification from the Defense...
US, Indonesia Build Naval Interoperability to Address Indo-Pacific Security Challenges
The Indonesian Navy and a U.S. Naval Special Warfare unit participated in a combined training exercise to improve bilateral relations, strengthen defense capabilities and promote interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region. The activity, which took place from July 1 to 26, included maritime tactics, close-quarters combat, sniper shooting, tactical combat casualty care, evacuation procedures and mission...
GA-ASI Receives Japan Order for Two SeaGuardian Aircraft
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. will deliver two SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft to the Japan Coast Guard in 2025 under a newly awarded contract. SeaGuardian, a variant of GA-ASI’s MQ-9B, is a medium-altitude, long-endurance system that can fly over the horizon via satellite for 24 hours or more, depending on configuration, and uses maritime-specific sensors...
Reducing Classification Barriers to US Space Programs Can Boost International Collaboration, SSC Official Says
Easing the classification of some U.S. military space programs and missions can help strengthen the international space supply chain, an effort that Space Systems Command is now working with U.K. and Canadian stakeholders, SSC spokesperson Edgar Nava told Defense News. Nava said SSC also expects to collaborate with other countries in creating the space supply...