A proposed 6.6 percent cut in New Zealand’s defense budget could stall the Oceanian nation’s bid to join the AUKUS military alliance, according to a Reuters report on Wednesday. Wellington is planning to reduce its proposed defense spending for the year ending June 2025 to $3.03 billion from the current year’s $3.25 billion, based on...
Category: Asia
US Commerce Supports Launch of International Network of AI Safety Institutes
The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced its support for establishing an international network of artificial intelligence safety institutes to enable global cooperation in ensuring that the technology is used responsibly. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who made the announcement at the AI Seoul Summit, noted that such a network will mark a new phase in...
More US Defense Contractors Face Chinese Sanctions for Providing Weapons to Taiwan
China’s Commerce Ministry has announced sanctions against U.S. defense contractors Boeing Defense, Space & Security, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. and General Dynamics Land Systems. The ministry said the businesses were added to its “unreliable entity” list, including other U.S. companies Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Missiles & Defense, for supplying weapons to Taiwan. Listed organizations...
US-Japan Hypersonic Missile Collaboration Seeks to Advance Regional Defense Capability
The U.S. Department of Defense said it has signed the Glide Phase Interceptor Cooperative Development Project Arrangement with the Japanese Ministry of Defense to provide defense capability against hypersonic missiles while at their glide flight. Under the agreement, Japan will spearhead the GPI project’s rocket motors and propulsion parts development for the interceptor. DOD said...
Fluor Expands in India to Beef Up Global Operations Support; Dan Spinks Quoted
Global engineering and construction company Fluor has inaugurated its second office in India to enhance support for its projects worldwide. Located at Notus IT Park in Vadodara, western India, the new office adds about 300 employees to the Texas-headquartered company’s workforce. “Fluor’s expansion into Vadodara underscores our commitment to India, allowing us to grow our...
IBM, Honda Eye Joint R&D on Advanced Semiconductor Processes
Honda Motor and IBM are planning a long-term collaboration on research and development for advanced semiconductor processes, such as brain-like computing and technologies for lower-cost, high-performing chiplets, to support the production of software-defined vehicles. The companies outlined their plan in a memorandum of understanding that they jointly announced on Tuesday. According to the announcement, the...
UK, South Korea Conduct Joint Maritime Patrol to Enforce UN Sanctions Against North Korea
The United Kingdom said the Royal Navy recently conducted maritime patrols around the Korean Peninsula. British sailors on the HMS Spey offshore patrol vessel sailed the region alongside their South Korean counterparts to enforce the United Nations Security Council Resolutions against North Korea. Since 2006, the UNSC has imposed nine major sanctions on Pyongyang over...
Japanese Defense Minister Highlights Need for Anti-Drone Capability to Defeat UAS Threats
Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said his country is doubling down on anti-drone capability development efforts after a video analysis showed that a drone was used to capture footage of Japan’s defense-related activities and facilities. The footage, posted on a Chinese social media platform over a month ago, showed upgrades being made on the helicopter...
SSC Partners With Perigee to Develop Joint Orbital Satellite Launch Service
Swedish Space Corp. and South Korean rocket company Perigee have teamed up to offer a joint satellite launch service at Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden. SSC owns and operates the space center, which will host its first orbital flight in 2025 with Perigee’s Blue Whale 1 rocket. Under the partnership, SSC and Perigee will...
Malaysia to Acquire Modern Targeting Pods for F/A-18D Fleet
The United States has agreed to sell modern targeting systems for Malaysia’s fleet of F/A-18D fighters. Under a proposed $80 million agreement approved by the Department of State, the U.S. government will supply the Royal Malaysian Air Force with 10 AN/AAQ-33 Sniper advanced targeting pods. As requested by Kuala Lumpur, the deal will also provide...