DefenceTalkChinese president Xi Jinping has set a timeline for his nation’s military to be capable of taking Taiwan by 2027 — just five years from now. Recent events in the Taiwan strait have some questioning the strategic situation and prospects of a near-term invasion.  Colin H. Kahl, the undersecretary of defense for policy, said that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-may-draw-lessons-from-russian-failures-in-ukraine-79362/

DefenceTalkColombia’s Navy put on a show of force at the weekend in a town whose population is at the mercy of two warring gangs. The “Shottas” and “Spartanos” gangs have been fighting for months over control of Buenaventura’s drug trafficking trade, and other illegal activities such as micro-trafficking, extortion and kidnappings. But the military has […]https://www.defencetalk.com/navy-taking-on-gangs-in-colombias-biggest-port-79345/

DefenceTalkAn Iranian naval flotilla briefly seized two American military unmanned research vessels in the Red Sea before releasing them, Iranian state media reported on Friday. The Iranian navy’s “Jamaran destroyer encountered several American military unmanned research vessels on the international shipping route on Thursday while carrying out a counter-terrorism mission in the Red Sea,” state […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-briefly-seizes-two-us-navy-drone-vessels-in-red-sea-79313/

DefenceTalkAn Iranian naval flotilla foiled a pirate attack on an Iranian merchant vessel in the Red Sea, the navy said, following a similar incident last month. “A suspicious boat with 12 armed people on board approached the Iranian merchant ship in Bab al-Mandab” strait on Thursday, the state news agency IRNA said, citing a statement […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-navy-says-thwarted-pirate-attack-on-ship-in-red-sea-79303/

DefenceTalkIndia debuted its first locally made aircraft carrier on Friday, a milestone in government efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign arms and counter China’s growing military assertiveness in the region. The INS Vikrant, one of the world’s biggest naval vessels at a length of 262 metres (860 feet), will formally enter service after 17 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/india-unveils-first-homemade-aircraft-carrier-with-eye-on-china-79299/

DefenceTalkAcross the Asia Pacific region, nations are investing heavily in coastal surveillance and capabilities to protect their people, assets and interests. Surveillance and patrolling capabilities are upgraded to maintain control of national waters and economic exclusion zones (EEZ). With Thailand’s newest addition to their coastal surveillance capabilities, the Royal Thai Navy, responsible for coast guard […]https://www.defencetalk.com/thailand-strengthens-coastal-surveillance-with-terma-scanter-radars-79276/

DefenceTalkTwo United States warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, the American navy said, the first such transit since China staged unprecedented military drills around the island. In a statement, the US Navy said the passage “demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.” Tensions in the Taiwan Strait soared to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/two-us-navy-warships-transit-through-taiwan-strait-79263/

DefenceTalkAn Iranian naval flotilla thwarted an overnight attack on an Iranian vessel in the Red Sea, a senior commander said Wednesday. “The escort flotilla of the naval arm of Iran’s armed forces, headed by the destroyer Jamaran… promptly deployed to the scene last night after receiving a request for help from an Iranian ship in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-navy-says-repelled-attack-on-ship-in-red-sea-79193/

DefenceTalkChina fired ballistic missiles and deployed fighter jets and warships on Thursday as it held its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan, a show of force sparked by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island. Pelosi was the highest-profile US official to visit Taiwan in years, defying a series of stark threats from Beijing, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-fires-missiles-around-taiwan-in-major-military-drills-79172/

DefenceTalkIran’s navy on Friday unveiled its first division of ships and submarines capable of carrying armed drones, as US President Joe Biden tours the Middle East. The United States and Israel, the sworn enemies of Iran, have previously accused the Islamic republic of using drones and missiles to attack US forces and Israel-linked ships in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-unveils-naval-drone-division-as-biden-tours-mideast-79087/