Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has unveiled Taipei’s plan to increase its supplementary defense budget to $40 billion in an op-ed published by The Washington Post. According to Lai, the sum will fund Taiwan’s purchase of new weapons from the United States and accelerate the development of T-Dome, an integrated defense system that would protect the...
Category: Asia
Hanwha, EDGE Group to Expand Strategic Defense Cooperation
Abu Dhabi-based EDGE Group and South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace have signed a memorandum of understanding to examine potential joint work in several advanced defense areas. What Defense Areas Are Covered by the EDGE-Hanwha MOU? The MOU outlines an intent to assess collaborative opportunities across a wide range of capabilities, including air and missile defense, long-range...
Indonesia Receives First Airbus A400M to Boost Military Transport Capabilities
Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence has received the first of two A400M aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space, advancing the country’s efforts to modernize its military transport capabilities. Ordered in 2021, the second unit is scheduled for delivery in 2026, Airbus said Monday. Indonesia is the 10th operator of the A400M. What Are the A400M’s Capabilities?...
Canada Forges Status of Visiting Forces Agreement With Philippines
Canada and the Philippines have signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, or SOVFA, setting the framework for closer military collaboration between the two countries. SOVFA will facilitate joint exercises, training and participation in multinational operations in each other’s territories, according to a Canadian government announcement released Sunday. SOVFA builds on the two countries’ Defence...
US, China Trade Deal Eases Tariffs, Suspends Export Controls on Rare Earth Minerals
President Donald Trump has struck a deal with China’s President Xi Jinping to ease trade tensions between the two countries, with Washington promising to lower tariffs on Chinese exports and Beijing committing to suspending export controls on rare earth minerals. The two leaders agreed on a trade and economic deal during a meeting in South...
US Navy, Brunei Military Strengthen Joint Capability to Defend Asia-Pacific Stability During 31st CARAT Exercises
The U.S. Navy and Royal Brunei Armed Forces strengthened interoperability to deter and defeat threats in the Indo-Pacific region during the 31st iteration of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, or CARAT, held in Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei and the South China Sea. The event, which lasted two weeks, featured both shore-based engagements and sea-phase...
US, Indian Navies Work on P-8 Aircraft Interoperability in Joint Training Exercise for Anti-Sub Warfare, Multi-Domain Awareness
The U.S. Navy and Indian Navy conducted a joint maritime patrol and reconnaissance training exercise in the Indian Ocean, near Diego Garcia, from Oct. 22 to 28 to boost their interoperability and coordination. A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from Commander, Task Force 72 joined an Indian Navy P-8I aircraft for bilateral anti-submarine...
Malaysia Inks Major US Trade Deals, $3B Natural Gas Purchase Included
The White House has announced a series of trade and commercial deals between the United States and Malaysia during President Donald Trump’s attendance at the 13th US-ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. One agreement calls for Malaysia’s removal or reduction of tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports, as well as lifting non-tariff barriers on...
Japan’s New Prime Minister Vows Defense Buildup, Stable China Ties
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi vowed to accelerate defense spending and introduce sweeping economic reforms while stressing the importance of stable relations with China in her first policy address to parliament on Friday, Anadolu Ajansı reported. What Are Japan’s New Defense Priorities? Takaichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to raise defense spending to 2 percent of gross...
AV, Korean Air Partner to Adapt JUMP 20 MUAS for South Korean Defense
AeroVironment has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korean Air, establishing a partnership focused on integrating and adapting the JUMP 20 medium unmanned aircraft system to meet South Korea’s defense requirements. The agreement provides a framework for future joint research, innovation and local production in support of the Korean Ministry of National Defense’s ongoing efforts...










