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Defence

Defence
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The test-fire of an improved Hwasongpho-11 Ra surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea on Sunday. Photo: EPA/KCNA
South Korea

‘Intelligence leak’ claims expose trust gap in US-South Korea ties

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young rejects accusations he leaked sensitive information about North Korea’s Kusong nuclear facility.

United States

Asian Angle | The Thucydides Trap is a lie created to justify a US-China war

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Donald Trump

Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies

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Mexico

Mexico mends ties with Spain in first presidential visit in 8 years

Relations deteriorated after Mexico’s former president in 2019 demanded an apology for abuses committed during Spain’s ⁠colonial rule in Mexico.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum (left) greets Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the “Meeting in Defence of Democracy” in Barcelona on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan, Australia finalise contracts to deliver first 3 of planned frigates

This comes as Japan is set to ease rules on defence equipment exports, which have strict limits on exporting weapons with lethal capability.

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Japan

Japan ditches decades of arm export curbs as US reliability wavers

From drones for Ukraine to warships for Australia, ‘peace-loving’ Japan is fast pivoting towards arming the world.

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North Korea

Nuclear defiance: North Korea’s Kim signals he won’t be the next Iran

Kim Jong-un’s increased appearances at military drills show his confidence in Pyongyang’s nuclear deterrence, analysts say.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits to observe the test launches of missiles at an undisclosed place on Sunday. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AP
South China Sea

Opinion | Without restraint, Beijing and Manila can’t deliver the South China Sea code

Much hinges on how China and the Philippines manage the distrust between their frontline maritime forces.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Will China arm Iran during the ceasefire?

Pentagon says Beijing offered assurances as US tightens blockade and warns Tehran talks could quickly give way to renewed strikes.

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Indonesia

Chinese drone exposes Indonesia’s ‘insufficient’ undersea capabilities

Indonesia is likely to resolve the drone issue through ‘quiet diplomacy’ and not escalate it into a major row, analysts say.

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A torpedo-like object, discovered by a fisherman near the Lombok Strait, is towed ashore onto a beach on Gili Trawangan, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, on April 6. Photo: AFP
Japan

Why Japan will remain the most trusted power in Asean despite military push

A survey by ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute shows respondents trusted Japan more as a power than the EU, the US, China and India.

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Japan’s National Defence Academy students participate in a parade in Yokosuka, Kanagawa prefecture on April 5. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

US warns of China’s ‘invasion rehearsals’ as Trump seeks record military budget

Washington puts spotlight on Beijing’s Taiwan, space operations during hearing on US military’s combat readiness for next year.

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North Korea

Opinion | After years of neglect, China emerges as North Korea’s ‘top priority’

In a world of shrinking options and rising risks, Pyongyang recognises its alliance with Beijing is too important to ignore.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine unit says it has launched over 100 robot attacks on Russia’s forces

President Zelensky says the ground drones – used in place of human infantry – have helped capture a Russian position.

A Ukrainian serviceman prepares a machine gun on a combat ground drone during training. Ukrainian Armed Forces via AFP
The Philippines

Why Southeast Asian nations are skipping major US-Philippine Balikatan drills

Given the rivalry between Washington and Beijing, joining the annual military exercise may risk being seen as picking the US, analysts say.

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Philippine Navy Colonel Dennis Hernandez (left) looks on as United States Marines Colonel Robert Bunn speaks during a Balikatan briefing on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Indonesia

Leaked plan for US military overflights triggers sovereignty row in Indonesia

Internal warnings reveal a government split over risks that blanket access for US warplanes could drag Indonesia into foreign conflicts.

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China’s military

Chinese rocket force scientist Major General Feng Yufang dies aged 63

Feng advocated for self-reliance, once saying ‘core technologies cannot be bought and relying on imports will not get us far’.

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Taiwan

As I see it | KMT chief shows way forward to avoid blind confrontation with Beijing

Instead of betting the ranch on an ever more unreliable Washington, like William Lai, Cheng Li-wun is wisely reaching out to mainland China.

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KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun leaves a press conference in Beijing, on April 10, during a six-day visit to mainland China. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

US-Philippines ties enter ‘more mature’ phase with planned fuel depot

The facility in Davao signals that defence ties are now focusing on sustainment, endurance and operational continuity, analysts say.

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Indonesia

Why Indonesia’s Prabowo is in Russia – and what he needs from Putin

The visit aims to secure discounted crude as global prices soar, even as Jakarta holds high-level defence talks with Washington.

Ukraine war

‘Failing to help’: Ex-UK PM Boris Johnson criticises ‘timidity’ over Ukraine

Johnson’s three-day trip to Ukraine is the subject of a feature-length documentary called ‘Into The Kill Zone’.

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Britain’s former Prime Minister Boris Johnson stands surrounded by Ukrainian national flags and flags of military units as he visits the frontline town of Orikhiv in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. Photo: via AP
US, Israel war on Iran

US begins blockade of Iranian ports amid fragile ceasefire

Trump says Beijing ‘would like to see this ended’ as the US moves to stop vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports.

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A giant billboard reading ‘The Strait of Hormuz remains closed’ in Tehran, Iran. Photo: AFP
2026 Trump-Xi summit

Could Trump’s Hormuz blockade derail China summit with Xi Jinping?

US president’s move forces China into political dilemma and could create a flashpoint ahead of his meeting with Chinese leader, analysts say.

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Australia

‘Deeply historic’: Australia appoints first-ever female army chief

Susan Coyle will become the first woman to lead the army in 125 years as the military aims for one in four personnel to be women by 2030.

Ukraine war

Easter truce between Ukraine and Russia ends after thousands of violations

A brief 32-hour lull in the war is shattered as Kyiv and Moscow trade accusations of drone strikes, artillery and tank fire.

An Orthodox priest blesses Russian conscripts during a ceremony in Bataysk, in the Rostov region of Russia on Friday. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

‘Blown to hell’: Trump announces US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

The US plans to block ‘all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports’ starting on Monday.

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US President Donald Trump says the American navy will block entry to the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: TNS
US-Venezuela conflict

‘Eager to explore’: Chinese migrants return to Venezuela after Maduro’s capture

A large chunk of Venezuela’s Chinese community fled overseas during Maduro’s rule. Now, many are returning as they see ‘new opportunities’.

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US, Israel war on Iran

‘We have no trust in the other side’: Iran blames US as talks end with no deal

Tehran’s lead negotiator hits out at Washington after Islamabad talks, while Vance says sticking point was lack of nuclear commitments.

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