Sea state A former commander of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force’s antisubmarine air wing has argued that Beijing wants to turn the disputed Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands into a ‘safe haven’ for Chinese nuclear submarines. Speaking to …
Boeing’s ‘loyal wingman’ unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) is a fine example of Australian industry and defence cooperation, and its promoted ability to project power and keep manned platforms out of harm’s way is seductive. …
Nuclear deterrence rests on the ability of strategic assets to survive an enemy’s first strike and to retaliate, ensuring mutually assured destruction. Nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs) are considered to be the most survivable of all …
Sea state The Indian and French navies have begun the 17th iteration of their annual bilateral naval war exercise off Goa. Varuna 19.1/19.2 features two aircraft carriers, FNS Charles de Gaulle and INS Vikramaditya, plus …
The world It’s the end of an era in Japan—literally. This week, the 30-year Heisei Era came to an end with the abdication of Emperor Akihito, and the Reiwa Era began with his son Naruhito’s …
The 2016 defence white paper and the decades-long integrated investment program will deliver a future force that includes 72 joint strike fighters, several hundred infantry fighting vehicles, nine new frigates and 12 new submarines. F-35 …
It’s hard to argue against the importance of a modern coastal city in Australia’s Top End to geopolitics, the economy and the nation’s security. Darwin’s long history as a military post attests to that. Populations …
Welcome to ‘The Strategist Six’, a feature that provides a glimpse into the thinking of prominent academics, government officials, military officers, reporters and interesting individuals from around the world. 1. As director of the Australian War …
Sea state Today marks the 70th anniversary of the formation of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy. Beijing has invited more than 10 countries to take part in a fleet review and is expecting naval delegations …
The beat Millions of New Zealanders flagged in police database An investigation by the Otago Daily Times has revealed that 40% of New Zealand’s population has been flagged in a police database—that’s nearly 2 million …
Sea state Chinese media have reported that the People’s Liberation Army Navy is testing a tactical laser system similar to the US Navy’s laser weapon system. They say that the weapon will be deployed on …
Sea state A Royal Australian Navy task group joined the Indian Navy last week in Visakhapatnam for the third iteration of the biennial Australia–India naval exercises. This year’s AUSINDEX goes until 14 April and will …