South China Sea

After China was disinvited from international Navy exercise they sent a spy ship instead

In May, it was announced that the United States was “disinviting” China from participating in the annual Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) training exercise that aims to increase interoperability between allies national Navies in the Pacific. At the time, the U.S. cited China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, rapidly expanding their military presence and […]

US Suspects China of Hitting US Military Jets With Lasers Over Pacific

U.S. planes have been increasingly hit with lasers while operating in the Pacific. Since September of 2017, there have been 20 incidents and military officials suspect that the source of these lasers is the Chinese. The latest incident occurred within the last two weeks, the official said. None of the incidents have resulted in any […]

France’s Military Pushing Back Against China in Pacific

France is increasing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, sending warships through the South China Sea and planning air exercises to help counter China’s military build-up in disputed waters. In late May, the French assault ship Dixmude and a frigate sailed through the disputed Spratly Islands and around a group of reefs that China […]

In Pictures: Secretary of Defense Mattis coordinating with Thailand

U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis traveled to Thailand recently to meet with General Prawit Wongsuwan, Thailand’s Minister of Defense. Secretary Mattis was there to discuss security in the Indo-Pacific, a subject he has spoken with to several of Thailand’s neighbors. This includes trips from January, like to Vietnam where he also discussed the POW recovery mission […]

Admiral tapped to head Pacific Command warns Senate about Chinese spies stealing defense tech

Defense Secretary James Mattis has tapped Admiral Phil Davidson, a four star admiral with expertise in anti-submarine and electronic warfare, to take command of the U.S. Navy’s troubled Pacific Fleet. With what some have characterized as a “grueling” operational tempo and a rash of tragic and embarrassing incidents involving surface vessels in the Pacific over […]

US Aircraft Carrier docks in Vietnam for first time since Vietnam War

For the first time since the Vietnam War, a U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, has docked in Danang, Vietnam — with a cruiser and a destroyer in tow. This has been part of the ongoing efforts to bolster the relationship between the United States and Vietnam, and the DOD says that its mission […]

Chinese ambassador warns US, ‘it’s dangerous to advocate’ confrontation with China

As the two most formidable Pacific powers, one might argue that confrontation between the United States and China is inevitable, though throughout rising tensions, senior officials on both sides of the divide have continuously argued that degrading relations isn’t assured, and through diplomatic efforts, the growing military presence employed by each nation in the Pacific […]

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 […]