DefenceTalkDefenceTalkSOUTH CHINA SEA: The Nimitz Carrier Strike Force celebrated Independence Day with unmatched sea power while deployed to the South China Sea conducting dual carrier operations and exercises in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. High-end integrated exercises build unmatched flexibility, endurance, maneuverability, and firepower in an all-domain warfighting environment. These efforts support enduring […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dual-carrier-strike-groups-in-south-china-sea-reinforce-us-commitment-to-freedom-75842/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkThe Pentagon said Thursday it was “concerned” about Chinese military exercises around a disputed archipelago in the South China Sea, noting the maneuvers will “further destabilize” the region. “The Department of Defense is concerned about the People’s Republic of China (PRC) decision to conduct military exercises around the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-china-military-exercises-will-further-destabilize-s-china-sea-75831/

DefenceTalkSOUTH CHINA SEA: The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) and the Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable-class multi-role stealth frigate RSS Steadfast (FFS 70) conducted a bilateral exercise in the South China Sea, May 24-25. The events were an opportunity for Gabrielle Giffords and Steadfast to practice and enhance bilateral interoperability between […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-singapore-navies-conduct-joint-exercise-in-south-china-sea-75672/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy came together for operations in the South China Sea starting April 13. HMAS Parramatta (FFG 154) began sailing with Ticonderoga-class guided missile-cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) then rendezvoused with amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) and Arleigh-Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) April […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-royal-australian-navy-team-up-in-the-south-china-sea-75242/

Beijing said Sunday it is “ready to work” with Southeast Asian nations on a code of conduct in the flashpoint South China Sea, where it is accused of bullying fellow claimants and building up military installations. China claims most of the resource-rich waterway, a major global shipping route and long a source of tension among […]

DefenceTalkRoyal Navy warship HMS Argyll joined the US Navy for a two-day combined workout in the South China Sea. The Plymouth-based frigate linked up with American destroyer McCampbell, underlining the Royal Navy’s return to the Pacific Rim as Britain looks to broader horizons after Brexit. After spending Christmas just outside Tokyo in the US Navy’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/royal-navy-frigate-joins-us-destroyer-in-south-china-sea-72056/

DefenceTalkRecent satellite imagery appears to show China is completing structures intended to house surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) on a series of artificial islands in the South China Sea, a Washington think-tank said Thursday. According to images published by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, the structures are being installed on Fiery Cross Reef, Mischief Reef and Subi […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-continues-steady-pattern-of-south-china-sea-militarization-experts-69262/

DefenceTalkCarrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, including Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, began routine operations in the South China Sea, Feb. 18. Prior to their operations in the South China Sea, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/carrier-strike-group-1-conducts-south-china-sea-patrol-69189/

DefenceTalkChina warned Washington Tuesday that it would not back down over its claims in the disputed South China Sea, following vows by the Trump administration to defend US and international interests there. China’s artificial islands in the sea, some with the potential for military use, are considered a potential flashpoint and tough comments from White […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-says-it-will-not-back-down-on-south-china-sea-68911/

DefenceTalkNew satellite imagery shows China has apparently installed “significant” defensive weapons on a series of artificial islands it built in the South China Sea, a US-based think tank said Wednesday. Beijing has created seven islets in the Spratly Islands in recent years, built up from much smaller land protuberances and reefs. Although Beijing has said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-boosts-defenses-on-s-china-sea-islets-us-experts-68667/