The Manila Times: ABOARD BRP DAVAO DEL SUR: The Philippine Navy on Wednesday tested the newly-acquired missile systems from Israel, which Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana described as “impressive.” Navy personnel were aboard the multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) that were armed with the Spike-ER missiles and weapons systems. Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, the Navy flag officer-in-command… read more
Defense News: NEW DELHI — India has officially selected Russian firm Rosoboronexport as the winner for Indian Army’s $1.5 billion Very-Short-Range Air Defence, or VSHORAD program, after months of delays over complaints made by other competitors in the competition. In a Nov. 19 meeting with the three finalists — Rosoboronexport, MBDA of France and Saab… read more
The Japan Times: The U.S. Navy’s Japan-based aircraft carrier arrived in Hong Kong on Wednesday, the military said in a statement, a day after the air force flew two B-52 bombers near disputed islands in the South China Sea. The port call came nearly two months after China denied a request by another U.S. warship… read more
Reuters: DUBAI (Reuters) – Houthi rebels in Yemen said on Monday they were halting drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and their Yemeni allies, responding to a demand from the United Nations. The Iranian-aligned group, which has been battling the Saudi-backed government for nearly four years, also said it was… read more
USA Today: SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea on Tuesday blew up some of its front-line guard posts as part of an agreement to ease tensions along its heavily fortified border with South Korea, Seoul’s Defense Ministry said. In September, the Koreas’ militaries agreed at a leaders’ summit in Pyongyang to eventually dismantle all guard… read more
The Asahi Shimbun: SEOUL–North Korea’s claim last week that it had tested an unidentified “ultramodern tactical weapon” highlighted its desire to upgrade its conventional arms and reassure its military even as talks are under way to end its nuclear program, analysts said. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un witnessed the test of a newly developed… read more
Reuters: RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s King Salman urged the international community on Monday to halt Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and reiterated the kingdom’s support for U.N. efforts to end the war in Yemen. The king’s annual remarks to the Shura Council, a top governmental advisory body, were his first public comments since… read more
The Barents Observer: In Vardø, a small fishing village on a little island on Norway’s coast to the Barents Sea, the huge military radar facility forms the skyline. In clear weather, if you look east across the water, you can see the shoreline of Russia’s Fishermen Peninsula, a northern appendix of the Kola Peninsula. Officially,… read more
The Yomiuri Shinbun: The first meeting to discuss new National Defense Program Guidelines (see below), scheduled to be drawn up by the government in December, was held by a task force of the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito in the Diet on Friday The government intends to work out the new… read more
Reuters: BERLIN/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Defense Department has delivered a report to Congress detailing implications of Turkey receiving 100 F-35 fighter jets, five people familiar with the report said, removing a key hurdle to concluding the deal. Turkey’s planned purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system has raised concerns in the West, since… read more