DefenceTalkWashington is in talks to station its strike bombers in Australia, according to a US general, amid concern about China’s military expansion in the South China Sea. General Lori Robinson, commander of US Pacific Air Forces, said negotiations were under way to have American B-1 bombers and aerial tankers temporarily stationed in northern Australia. “We’re […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-in-talks-to-base-long-range-bombers-in-australia-67024/

DefenceTalkSOUTH CHINA SEA: The John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) is conducting routine operations in the South China Sea. The ships transited the Luzon Strait March 1 and have maintained a location in the eastern half of these international waters for four days. USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), USS Stockdale […]https://www.defencetalk.com/the-great-green-fleet-operates-in-the-south-china-sea-66964/

DefenceTalkThe People’s Republic of China has yet again pushed forth their militarisation of the South China Sea despite much objection from the United States and the countries involved, this time by sending fighter jets to a lengthened airfield on the contested Woody Island. This development comes amid rising tensions after China set up eight HQ-9 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-sends-combat-aircraft-to-paracels-66827/

DefenceTalkChina has stationed fighter jets on Woody Island in the South China Sea, US officials have said. The news come days after Beijing installed surface-to-air missiles on the same disputed island. Citing two unnamed US officials, Fox News reported Tuesday that US intelligence services had spotted Chinese Shenyang J-11 and Xian JH-7 warplanes on Woody […]https://www.defencetalk.com/beijing-deploys-fighter-jets-in-south-china-sea-66834/

DefenceTalkThe People’s Republic of China (PRC) has made yet another increasingly assertive and militaristic move in the South China Sea, by delivering and setting up Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) systems on the much-disputed Woody Island. This comes just five months since China’s president Premier Xi Jinping stated that his country will not militarise the South China […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-deploys-sams-in-south-china-sea-66784/

DefenceTalkChina has deployed a surface-to-air missile system on one of its contested islands in the South China Sea, a report said Tuesday just as President Barack Obama called for “tangible steps” to reduce tensions in the region. Fox News said that images from civilian firm ImageSat International show two batteries of eight missile launchers and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-deploys-missiles-on-disputed-south-china-sea-island-66762/

DefenceTalkThe Philippines has called for joint patrols with the United States in the disputed South China Sea, where Manila has festering territorial dispute with Beijing, a defense department spokesman said Thursday. The remarks came after the Philippine’s Supreme Court upheld a 10-year security agreement opening the door for the US to operate more troops and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-seeks-joint-patrols-with-us-in-south-china-sea-66374/

DefenceTalkSOUTH CHINA SEA: The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) transited the Straits of Malacca and conducted routine operations in the South China Sea as part of a deployment to the Western Pacific Nov. 7-10. The ARG’s flagship, the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), conducted the patrol as the amphibious transport dock USS […]https://www.defencetalk.com/essex-amphibious-ready-group-operates-in-south-china-sea-65840/

DefenceTalkThe US military will continue to operate “wherever” international law allows, including in the South China Sea, a top US admiral said in Beijing on Tuesday, a week after America infuriated China by sailing close to artificial islands it is building in the contested waters. “International seas and airspace belong to everyone and are not […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-to-operate-wherever-law-allows-in-south-china-sea-65735/

DefenceTalkThe United States will “help” the Philippines in the event that China occupies disputed islands in the South China Sea, the US Chief of Naval Operations said Thursday. Admiral Jonathan Greenert also stressed that the US would honour its mutual defence treaty with the Philippines amid a seething territorial conflict with China over the resource-rich […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-would-help-philippines-in-south-china-sea-navy-chief-50717/