Tag: South China Sea

The U.S. Navy on Tuesday sent a guided missile destroyer within 12 miles of a disputed island in the South China Sea where China has built an airstrip — prompting China to scramble fighter jets and dispatch warships to “expel” the American ship. “USS William P. Lawrence exercised the right of innocent passage while transiting […]

China’s military will carry out more military exercises in the South China Sea this month involving advanced warships and submarines, state news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday, terming the drills routine. China claims almost all of the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of maritime trade passes each […]

Russia offered support for China’s opposition to U.S. actions in two of Asia’s biggest security flash points amid mounting tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the South China Sea. Foreign ministers from China and Russia expressed “grave concern” about the possible U.S. deployment of the Thaad anti-missile system in South Korea to defend against […]

We can’t say we’re too surprised, but this is still a move that does nothing to alleviate the strain in relations between China and the U.S. Next week, a US Navy aircraft carrier strike group was due to make a port call in Hong Kong, but the Chinese government has decided to keep that from […]

The Air Force is preparing to move a special operations squadron of 10 CV-22 Ospreys to a base in Japan, where they will be on the frontlines of the United States’ mounting standoff with China and North Korea. The first three tilt-rotor aircraft are expected to arrive at Yokota Air Base, just west of Tokyo, in the second half of 2017, with another […]

U.S. Pacific Command’s Air Contingent began flying operations at Clark Air Base, Philippines, April 19, with the successful launch of four A-10C Thunderbolt IIs and two HH-60G Pave Hawks. The aircraft are part of the newly stood up Air Contingent here conducting operations ranging from air and maritime domain awareness, personnel recovery, combating piracy, and […]

SOFREP recently covered UUVs that are set for deployment in the South China Sea. – A Florida woman was charged with conspiring to illegally export U.S. technology used in underwater drones to a Chinese state-owned entity, according to an indictment unsealed on Thursday. Amin Yu, 53, of Orlando, Florida worked from 2002 until February 2014 […]

India and the United States have been militarily courting for the past two years, following a prolonged freeze in defense diplomacy and U.S. sanctions after India’s nuclear-weapons testing in 1998 . U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has recently returned from a three-day visit to India, his second trip this year. Mr. Carter discussed logistical requirements for […]

The Stennis Carrier Strike Group is back on patrol in the South China Sea amid simmering tensions over China’s move toward building a man-made island within striking distance of the Philippines. The carrier John C. Stennis has been in the region for two weeks, conducing flight operations, training and working with partners, according to U.S. Pacific Fleet. […]

A-10 Ground Attack Jets, H-60G Pavehawk Helicopters, MC-130H Combat Talon Special Forces Infiltration Aircraft along with 200 Crew Members – Will take part in 10 days of joint drills. This exercise is conducive with U.S. – Phillippines joint-nation patrols that began last month.  Last month a show of force exercise that included a joint U.S. […]

China’s expressed anger on Tuesday after foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies said they strongly opposed provocation in the East and South China Seas, where China is locked in territorial disputes. “We urge the G7 member states to honor their commitment of not taking sides on issues involving territorial disputes,” China’s […]

Senior military commanders are being dissuaded from publicly discussing Chinese actions in the South China Sea, multiple defense officials told CNN Friday. The White House has sought to cut down on any airing of differences between the Defense Department and the National Security Council on the sensitive issue, the defense officials said, though they noted […]