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Defence

Defence
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
People in Seoul watch a news broadcast about a North Korean missile launch on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
North Korea

North Korea missile launch hints at upgraded weapons exports to Russia

North Korea usually reports launches but its silence in the recent launches raises the possibility they involved a top-secret new missile.

Vietnam

Vietnam’s To Lam eyes trade, defence boost during trip to Australia, New Zealand

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India

‘Islamic Nato’? Why Pakistan’s new defence pact has India on edge

Asean

US swaps ideology for ‘flexible realism’ and deterrence in Southeast Asia

Pentagon’s Colby urges allies to invest more in defence as Washington prioritises pragmatic Indo-Pacific partnerships over moral values.

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Troops from New Zealand, Philippines, the US and Australia pose with their national flags after taking part in live-fire exercises in the Philippines. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

South Korea faces quandary over Ukraine’s air defence system request

If South Korea were to agree to Zelensky’s request, it could further strain ties with Russia and impair its own defence, analysts say.

Taiwan

Why Taiwan is conducting its first-ever mobile network throttling exercise

Critics question value of tests as authorities aim to prepare public for outages caused by war, cyberattacks or natural disaster.

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The Philippines

As US marks 75 years of defence pact with Philippines, can it stay the course?

Despite increased drills between the two allies, there are concerns that Washington’s aversion to conflict could weaken its commitment.

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Philippine marines conduct a military operation as part of the Rim of the Pacific exercises held at Bellows Air Force Station in Waimanalo, Hawaii, in June. Photo: Reuters
United States

US ‘digging in’ to Asia but seeks partners ‘not dependency’: Pentagon

Senior official Elbridge Colby tells Manila audience the US is committed to the Indo-Pacific but expects allies to invest in defence.

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Pakistan

Pakistan says ‘purely defensive’ Mecca accord is open to others

Egypt is likely to join the defence deal, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey amid rising tensions between the US and Iran.

Ukraine war

Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes, leaving 7 dead and dozens injured

Reciprocal strikes hit Belgorod and Kharkiv while drone incidents in Bulgaria and Moldova highlight war spillover.

A clothes shop in Belgorod, Russia damaged during a Ukrainian overnight drone attack. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Yemen’s Houthis attack Saudi refinery, testing new defence pact

Rebel strikes hit Jazan oil complex and kill seven in Mocha as Saudi Arabia seals security alliance with Turkey and Pakistan.

A drone launching from an undisclosed location in Yemen. Photo: Houthi Military Media Centre via EPA
Japan

Opinion | Japan’s defence white paper is the opening move in a longer game

Japan’s latest defence white paper confirms Chinese strategists’ fears that post-war pacifist guard rails are being dismantled under the guise of ‘self-defence’.

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Saudi Arabia

How Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact acts as ‘insurance’ over US disengagement

The Mecca deal may emerge as a third geopolitical ‘centre of gravity’ in the Middle East, with more members joining, analysts say.

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Germany

German arms giant boss says no ‘chickening out’ amid alleged Russian threats

‘These jobs must be done and anyone that can’t take the pressure doesn’t belong in this job,’ Rheinmetall’s Armin Papperger says.

Bavaria’s state Premier Markus Soeder holds a grenade launcher as Rheinmetall’s CEO Armin Papperger (left) watches during a ceremony in southern Germany last month. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Ukraine denies targeting Bulgaria, as drone explodes near pipeline

The blast caused no casualties, but Bulgarian PM Radev said the device was carrying a ‘significant’ amount of explosives.

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Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev speaks at the Nato leaders’ summit in Ankara, Turkey, in July. Photo: Reuters
India

India’s Kusha missile test signals step closer to self-reliance for air defence

The locally made missile system is set to be a key part of India’s goal to create a multilayered national defence umbrella by 2035.

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US-China relations

US judge blocks Pentagon’s ‘Chinese military’ label for WuXi AppTec

Court finds defence officials misread evidence involving a state-linked fund, Chinese universities and a PLA hospital.

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US-China relations

US unveils critical minerals deals in latest push to counter China

Trump administration seeks Beijing-free supply chains for key defence materials as Iran war strains US weapons stockpiles.

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US President Donald Trump speaks at a mining industry round table in Washington on Friday. Photo: AFP
Germany

Bus driver kicked explosive drone out of the air at German airport

His act potentially prevented an attack at an airport that served as a major Nato hub.

Middle East

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign joint defence deal

The nations are particularly concerned by the increasingly aggressive military stances of both Israel and revolutionary Shiite Iran.

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The Philippines

Philippines’ South China Sea education push blurs ‘teaching the truth’ lines

The push by several Philippine lawmakers is to counter what they say are efforts to support pro-Beijing positions over the maritime row.

A Chinese coastguard ship fires a water cannon at a Philippine vessel in South China Sea, as seen in this screengrab of a video released on July 23. Photo: Jay Tarriela/X/Handout/Reuters
China-Latin America relations

US sanctions Cuba’s military representative in Beijing over China procurement

Measures target officials and firms accused of obtaining military equipment from China and Russia for Cuba’s armed forces.

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Left to right: Cuban Ambassador to China Alberto Blanco Silva, Chinese Major General Ye Jiang and Cuban First Colonel Waldo Perez Cortes pose during a 65th anniversary celebration in Beijing in September 2025. Photo: Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX)
The Philippines

Philippine sailor on South China Sea outpost under investigation for drug use

The sailor had served in a key position aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, then was involved in resupply runs to the outpost.

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US-China relations

China competition looms large in 2027 US defence bill

Taiwan, AI and supply chains headline House and Senate proposals as lawmakers broaden efforts to counter Beijing on multiple fronts.

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US-China relations

US hawks push Trump on multibillion-dollar Taiwan arms deal ahead of Xi summit

Observers say US leader may be ‘miscalculating’ if he attempts to use the US$14 billion package to ramp up pressure on Beijing.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) attends a welcome ceremony for US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on May 14, 2026. Photo: EPA
China-Japan relations

Japan tests long-range missile as counterstrike capability against China grows

First public flight test of upgraded Type 12 variant marks milestone in efforts to counter Chinese naval power.

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A Mitsubishi F-2B fighter jet was spotted carrying two inert air-launched Type 12 anti-ship missiles under its wings during a flight test at Gifu airbase in central Japan on July 30. Photo: Handout
North Korea

North Korea vows to teach ‘war criminal state’ Japan lesson over missile test

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister denounced Tokyo’s military expansion, saying ‘we should make it regret’.

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Taiwan

How Taiwan is preparing for a PLA sea blockade in its biggest war games

Taipei to move weapons production, prepare for internet outages and adopt US ‘back briefs’ during Han Kuang drills.

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