Engine problems may cost China’s J-20 its title as a ‘5th generation’ fighter

Last week, as the Chengdu J-20 entered into service, China became the second nation on the planet to field a fifth generation fighter platform… or at least that’s what they’ve claimed. New reports in Chinese media, however, indicate that issues with the advanced fighter’s intended power plant, combined with the Chinese government’s hurry to get […]

China now has combat operational J-20s and Su-35s

Within the defense aerospace industry, it’s not uncommon to hear terms bandied about like “fifth generation fighter” when describing America’s two crown jewel air platforms: the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the F-22 Raptor. That “fifth generation” moniker is a standard naming convention allotted to the world’s next generation platforms, and while there has been […]

China’s military is turning its aggressive South China Sea tactics on Japan

China actively wants to change the status quo in the Pacific and poses a more immediate threat to Japan. Russia has also been building up its Pacific fleet to be a formidable force in the region. Most of Japan’s response has been geared towards Japan’s acquisition of more military equipment and systems. China and Russia […]

New narrative: China now claims expansion in South China Sea is response to US

After years of aggressive expansion throughout the South China Sea, government-owned media outlets within China are now working to establish a new narrative to justify the building and militarization of islands within contested waters. China’s waterway enveloping claims have long been associated with the massive amounts of commercial travel and extremely valuable natural resources held […]

Surveillance under the sea: how China is listening in near Guam

The cutting-edge acoustic sensors – some of which have a listening range of more than 1,000km – are being used for scientific research such as studying earthquakes, typhoons and whales, according to the Chinese government. But security experts say the sensors can also track the movement of submarines in the South China Sea and intercept […]

With an eye on China, India is looking to buy more US-made advanced sub-hunting planes

India has bought 12 advanced sub-hunting planes to beef up its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. India is looking to boost its military in response to a growing Chinese presence in the region, particularly under the waters of the Indian Ocean. New Delhi is seeking out billions of dollars in foreign military hardware, including subs, ships, planes, […]

China has begun construction on a third aircraft carrier

China is continuing its rapid expansion of naval assets with the construction of what promises to be their third aircraft carrier, according to reports out of the region. Currently, China has only one operational carrier, the Liaoning, which is technically a sister ship to Russia’s troubled Admiral Kuznetsov. The hull of the Liaoning was purchased […]

China turns to automation, set to triple ammo, bomb production within the decade

“Automation” has become a bit of a hot button topic here in the United States. Many industry leaders and experts alike agree that the world of the near future will likely involve significantly fewer factory jobs for human employees, and a far more robotic workforce taking hold, raises concerns about employment and even tax revenue… […]

Could 2018 usher in a new world war? Here are the hot spots to keep an eye on

Over the past two decades, war has become an ever-present affair for the United States, and despite declarations of victory over ISIS in Iraq and Syria recently, it doesn’t look like that’s bound to change any time soon.  We can expect to see a broader approach to combat operations in Afghanistan in the coming year, […]

China and Vietnam agree to ‘maintain peace and stability’ in disputed South China Sea

China and Vietnam released a joint statement saying that they would work together to maintain “peace and stability” in the South China Sea.  Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Vietnamese Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi after the disputed waterway was widely discussed at the ASEAN summit over the weekend.  Both nations had clashes at sea in […]