DefenceTalkFiji’s military ruler said Sunday he would meet Beijing’s leaders in China this month, a week after unveiling an official trip to Russia, as he looks beyond strained regional ties in the South Pacific. Voreqe Bainimarama has been banned from Australia and New Zealand since seizing control in a 2006 coup. His announcement that he […]https://www.defencetalk.com/fiji-turns-to-russia-china-amid-strained-regional-ties-47821/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. government believes a Chinese missile launch this week was the first test of a new interceptor that could be used to destroy a satellite in orbit, a U.S. defense official told Reuters on Wednesday. China launched a rocket into space on Monday, but no objects were placed into orbit, the Pentagon said on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-sees-china-missile-launch-as-test-of-muscle-47808/

DefenceTalkHawkish Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday Tokyo could mount a military response if foreign submarines enter its territorial waters while underwater, as Japan and China continue to squabble over islands. Abe’s comment came after Japan’s Defence Ministry said a submerged vessel was spotted in the contiguous waters — a 12 nautical mile strip outside […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-pm-warns-of-possible-military-response-to-subs-47783/

DefenceTalkA carrier-borne aviation force has been formally established as part of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, military sources said on Friday. The forming of the force, approved by the Central Military Commission (CMC), demonstrates that the development of China’s aircraft carriers has entered a new phase, the sources said. The force comprises carrier-borne fighter […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinas-navy-forms-first-carrier-borne-jet-force-47733/

DefenceTalkPlans to expand the American naval presence in the Pacific with new ships and hi-tech weaponry will go ahead despite steep budget cuts, the US Navy chief said before a trip to the region. Admiral Jonathan Greenert told AFP in an interview he will seek to “reassure” partners during a nine-day trip to Japan, Singapore […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-shift-to-asia-on-track-despite-budget-cuts-admiral-47720/

DefenceTalkA Defense Department report released today describes China’s military modernization and the Chinese army’s interaction with other forces, including those of the United States, a senior Pentagon official said today. The annual report — titled “2013 Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China” — went to Congress today and covers China’s security […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-report-on-china-details-military-modernization-47704/

DefenceTalkBeijing on Tuesday dismissed an annual Pentagon report that accused it of widespread cyberspying on the US government, rejecting it as an “irresponsible” attempt to drum up fear of China as a military threat. The paper came as concerns in Washington have grown over Beijing’s double-digit rises in defence spending and a steady hacking campaign […]https://www.defencetalk.com/beijing-says-us-defence-report-hypes-china-threat-47724/

DefenceTalkNorth Korea’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities and development of long-range ballistic missile programs make it one of the most critical U.S. security challenges in Northeast Asia, according to the Defense Department’s first report to Congress on that nation’s military development. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel delivered the report, titled, “Military and Security Developments Involving the Democratic […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-report-north-korea-still-critical-us-security-threat-47698/

DefenceTalkChina sees American sea power in East Asian waters as threatening to itself, its regional aspirations, and possibly its global access. So it is mounting a challenge with anti-ship missiles, submarines, and a growing fleet of its own. However, the United States will not relinquish its sea power, which it sees as needed to maintain […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sea-power-and-american-interests-in-the-western-pacific-47639/

DefenceTalkThree U.S.-made Patriot antimissile air defense batteries will be deployed in southern Taiwan, in addition to the one already in northern Taiwan, Deputy Defense Minister Andrew Yang said Thursday. Responding to lawmakers’ questions in the Legislative Yuan’s Foreign and National Defense Committee, Yang said the three Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile batteries will be used […]https://www.defencetalk.com/taiwan-to-deploy-3-more-pac-3-antimissile-batteries-47632/