The military responded by scrambling fighter jets and issuing radio and flare warnings, Minoru Kihara told reporters.

“We confirmed today that a Russian Il-38 patrol aircraft has violated our airspace over our territorial waters north of Rebun Island, Hokkaido, on three occasions,” he said.

“The airspace violation is extremely regrettable and today we lodged a very serious protest with the Russian government via diplomatic channels and strongly urged them to prevent a recurrence.”

Top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi also said on Monday that “we will refrain from giving any definitive information on the intent and purpose of this action, but the Russian military has been active in the vicinity of our country since the invasion of Ukraine.”

Japan has supported the Western position on Ukraine, providing Kyiv with financial and material support and sanctioning Russian individuals and organizations after Moscow’s invasion of its neighbor.

Kihara said the new incident was “the first publicly announced airspace incursion by a Russian aircraft since June 2019,” when a Tu-95 bomber entered Japanese airspace in southern Okinawa and around the Izu Islands south of Tokyo.

In 2023, an aircraft believed but not confirmed to be Russian entered Japanese airspace, according to the defense ministry.

The Japanese foreign ministry meanwhile said that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York, where both leaders are visiting for the UN General Assembly.

Zelensky thanked Kishida for his support since Russia’s invasion, especially as G7 chair last year, and conferred upon him a top Ukrainian order of merit, a readout said.

Earlier this month, Japan had to scramble fighter jets when Russian aircraft flew around the archipelago for the first time since 2019.

The Tu-142 planes did not enter Japanese airspace but flew over an area subject to a territorial dispute between Japan and Russia, Tokyo said.

Russian and Chinese warships recently held joint drills in the Sea of Japan, part of a major naval exercise that Russian President Vladimir Putin said was the largest of its kind for three decades.

Japan scrambled fighter jets in August after the first confirmed incursion by a Chinese military aircraft into its airspace, with Tokyo calling it a “serious violation” of its sovereignty.

Then last week, a Chinese aircraft carrier sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan for the first time. Japan called that incident “totally unacceptable from the perspective of the security environment of Japan and the region.”

China said the passage complied with international law.

The post Japan Protests Airspace ‘Violation’ by Russian Patrol Plane appeared first on The Defense Post.

The Cook Barracks infrastructure project commenced in 2021 as part of Canberra’s bilateral cooperation with the South Pacific island nation to reinforce security in Oceania and support the partner’s commercial activity and local economy.

Through the effort, the site now incorporates modern accommodation and training facilities, engineering and vehicle workshops, roads, a medical center, a fire station, and a chapel.

The facilities will be managed by the Vanuatu Mobile Force and Police Force once it reaches operational capability.

Demonstrating ‘Commitment’

Cook Barracks’ launch followed the reopening of Vanuatu’s Tiroas Barracks in Espiritu Santo Province in March 2024 under the same framework.

The base includes a new armory and medical facilities for the nation’s defense forces as well as critical infrastructure for Vanuatu’s inter-island emergency network.

At the project announcement, Canberra noted that the entirety of the initiative planned to support approximately 200 employment opportunities.

“These major projects demonstrate the importance of Australia and Vanuatu’s longstanding relationship and continuing commitment to working together,” Australian Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles stated.

“Australia and Vanuatu’s security is intertwined and our partnership enhances the peace, prosperity, resilience and safety of our region for future generations.”

The post Australia Reopens Upgraded Port Vila Barracks for Vanuatu appeared first on The Defense Post.

The vehicles passed a series of tests conducted by the Royal Thai Navy and were deployed to the RTMC’s Assault Amphibian Vehicle Battalion in Sattahip, about 116 miles (187 kilometers) away from Bangkok. 

This delivery is part of the 448 million Thai baht ($13.5 million) contract signed in August 2023 for the vehicle’s development, construction, testing, and delivery scheduled within one year. 

Chaiseri AWAVs

Powered by a 711 hp engine, the amphibious vehicle has a maximum speed of 105 kilometers (65.2 miles) per hour on land and 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) per hour on water, with a combat range of 600 kilometers (372.8 miles). 

Each AWAV is equipped with the Spanish company Escribano Mechanical & Engineering’s Guardian 1.5 Remote Weapon Station, which operates a 12.7 mm machine gun.

Additionally, it has 76 mm smoke grenade launchers as secondary armaments. 

It has a ballistic protection level of STANAG 4569 Level 3 and Level 3a/3b for mine protection to withstand threats in hostile environments. 

Each AWAV is 9.2 meters long (30.2 feet), 3 meters tall (9.8 feet), 3.1 meters wide (10.2 feet), and around 25.7 tons.

It can carry 11 troops, plus a crew of three comprising a gunner, commander, and driver.

The vehicles were developed based on the prototype model unveiled at the Defense & Security 2023 exhibition in Bangkok and will serve in the RTMC’s current fleet together with its other amphibious platforms. 

The post Thai Marines Receive Seven Amphibious Vehicles From Chaiseri appeared first on The Defense Post.

Requested for fiscal year 2025, the initiative aims to advance plans to replace the service’s aging Lockheed EP-3 Orion fleet.

The new system is expected to boost the military’s signals, jamming, and support capabilities, matching the force’s effectiveness against modern electronic warfare threats.

The initial budget for Japan’s upcoming platform was revealed in 2023 at 14.1 billion yen ($98.1 million).

During the first funding request, the Japanese Ministry of Defense highlighted that the new fleet would be utilized for complex electromagnetic scenarios across multi-domain operations.

／
#１枚でわかる防衛省・自衛隊 ！
＼
第42回目は「電磁波領域の動向について」の第二弾です
防衛省では電磁波領域の優勢を確保するため、相手方のレーダー利用や通信を無効化する能力を有する装備品を整備するなど、電子戦能力の強化に取り組んでいます。#電磁波 #電子戦 https://t.co/cTSWv1Vn2c pic.twitter.com/mCbSrbNcZb

— 防衛省・自衛隊 (@ModJapan_jp) March 28, 2024

The P-1 Patrol Aircraft

The Kawasaki P-1 entered into service under the JMSDF in 2013. Unlike the military’s previous aircraft, the maritime patrol plane was purpose-built without other civilian counterparts.

The P-1 is operated by three pilots and up to an eight member mission crew. It measures 38 meters (125 feet) long and has a wingspan of 35 meters (115 meters).

Alongside its main electronic countermeasures, sonar, and radar suite, the platform can be armed with air-to-ground close support and air-to-surface anti-ship missiles, depth charges, mines, sonobuoys, and anti-submarine torpedoes.

The P-1 is equipped with four IHI F7 turbofan engines for a top speed of 996 kilometers (619 miles) per hour and a range of 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles).

The plane has a maximum takeoff weight of 79,700 kilograms (175,708 pounds) and a service ceiling of 13,520 meters (44,357 feet).

Airborne Fleet Expansion in Japan

Japan’s P-1 development follows the US State Department’s $4.1 billion foreign military sale of KC-46A Pegasus tankers to the country in September.

American aerospace company Boeing received a contract one year earlier to equip advanced electronic warfare systems aboard Tokyo’s locally made F-15 Eagle fleet.

In May 2023, the US Special Operations Command announced a potential teaming strategy with the Japanese military to co-develop a C-130 transport aircraft in a maritime configuration.

The East Asian government awarded a separate contract to Boeing in December 2022 to produce two additional KC-46A refuelers.

The post Japan Announces More Funding for Next-Gen EW Aircraft Based on Kawasaki P-1 appeared first on The Defense Post.

This is part of the 2024 Navigation Plan (NAVPLAN) for America’s Warfighting Navy, which Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti described as “overarching strategic guidance to make our Navy more ready.”

Project 33 aims to help in “prioritizing raising our level of readiness for potential conflict with the People’s Republic of China by 2027 while also enhancing the Navy’s long-term warfighting advantage.”

Project 33

The seven key areas start with readying the force by eliminating ship, submarine, and aircraft maintenance delays.

Next comes scaling robotic and autonomous systems “to integrate more platforms at speed,” as the US Navy created a new job focused on drones and robotics warfare in February this year and commissioned a new unit for unmanned operations in the Middle East in January.

The remaining key areas include creating command centers for success on a distributed battlefield, recruiting and retaining talented people, delivering quality service, investing in warfighter competency, and restoring critical infrastructure that sustains and projects the fight from shore. 

The NAVPLAN was released at the Naval War College on September 18.

The post US Navy Unveils ‘Project 33’ to Prepare for Conflict With China in 2027 appeared first on The Defense Post.

The country’s air force department head Col. Hovhannes Vardanyan discussed possible areas of cooperation with Indian Armed Forces Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan at the International Defence Aviation Exposition 2024 in Jodhpur in early September. 

“We are looking at modernising our Su-30s with the help of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as it has a lot of expertise in the field,” Vardanyan told Hindustan Times.

Though the talks are still in the early stages, an unnamed source from India’s defense ministry informed The Print that Yerevan was looking to upgrade their Su-30s and integrate Indian-made weapons, including guided air-to-surface munitions.

The source noted that first addressing missile export protocols and the regional conflict surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh is crucial.

Tensions in the South Caucasus

Armenia and Azerbaijan, both former Soviet republics, have been engaged in a long-standing territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh that has resulted in significant civilian displacement.

Russia acted as a broker for ceasefires and deployed peacekeepers in affected areas.

In the two countries’ 44-day war in 2020, Baku launched a military offensive that was backed by Turkey and also reportedly by Pakistan. 

Meanwhile, Yerevan failed to deploy its four Su-30s bought from Moscow due to their lack of firepower, which significantly contributed to Baku’s ability to regain control over the region. 

The results of this loss, coupled with the landlocked country’s frustrations with delayed Russian imports, prompted its push to diversify its defense partnerships.

India looked to supply arms to Armenia to boost its growing self-reliant defense industry and counterbalance Turkey and Pakistan’s influence in the region.

Since 2020, they have enhanced their military relationship through various arms agreements and announced plans to appoint defense attachés in each other’s countries. 

In the same year, Armenia signed a $40-million defense deal and a $2-billion military partnership with India that included provisions for various Indian-made weapon systems.

Among various munitions supplied recently, India sold its first indigenously designed Pinaka Multiple-Barrel Rocket Launchers to Armenia for around $265 million, facilitated through transfers via Iran. 

“The former Soviet Republic of Armenia has become the largest importer of weapons from India after concluding deals on the purchase of Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems and Akash anti-aircraft systems,” according to an Indian Finance Ministry report. 

Azerbaijan’s Concerns

In July 2023, the assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department Hikmat Hajiyev urged Indian Ambassador Sridharan Madhusudhanan to reconsider how their actions may contribute to Armenia’s militarization and impact ongoing peace negotiations between the two South Caucasus nations.

Hajiyev emphasized that India’s arms supply contradicts its stated foreign policy principles grounded in international law and the Bandung Principles of the Non-Aligned Movement, of which the South Asian country is a member.

In response, Madhusudhanan acknowledged Hajiyev’s concerns while underscoring the necessity for dialogue among involved parties.

The post Armenia Seeks India’s Support to Modernize Air Force: Report appeared first on The Defense Post.

Some of the Australian Army’s obsolete patrol vehicles, troop carriers, and Land Rovers are on eBay-style auction websites, inviting “off-road enthusiasts” to place their bids, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

The phrase “there’s a vehicle to suit every adventure” can be seen in the postings to promote the military-grade products.

According to local reports, a long-range patrol vehicle used by the Special Air Services in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars was sold for 113,000 Australian dollars ($77,246).

These vehicles are now reportedly being used for camping, off-road driving, and commercial purposes.

“The Australian government would rather auction off military equipment than offer it to Ukraine,” retired army major-general Mick Ryan wrote on X. “A story of parsimony and mean spiritedness towards a country in need… Shameful!”

‘A Default Position’

Australia’s Senate’s foreign affairs and defense committee has urged the government to establish a “default position” for handling its decommissioned military assets.

The committee suggests that defense materiel being retired or disposed of should be automatically gifted to Ukraine unless there is a “compelling case.”

As the Senate Inquiry I chaired said in our report this week, Australia should as a default position be providing retiring or surplus defence equipment to Ukraine. https://t.co/codclw9r4X

— Senator Claire Chandler (@SenatorClaire) September 19, 2024

Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations co-chair Kateryna Argyrou said it was a “short-sighted and baffling” move to see retired military equipment being sold online when they could be useful for Ukraine on the battlefield.

“Ukrainian soldiers are outnumbered, exhausted and working with whatever they are given, so it’s upsetting that this equipment hasn’t been considered for Ukraine,” she lamented. “Our community is in touch with frontline troops every day, who tell us these ex-ADF platforms are exactly what they need.”

In addition to adopting a “default position,” the committee is calling for the re-opening of an Australian embassy in Kyiv to oversee military aid.

Support for Ukraine

Despite the controversy, the Australian government maintains its “unwavering support” for Ukraine, having donated over $1.1 billion in military aid since the invasion began in February 2022.

In July, it announced its “largest military aid” package to Ukraine, totaling 250 million Australian dollars ($168.5 million), which included air defense missiles, anti-tank weapons, and guided weapons.

The Australian defense industry has also committed to helping the war-torn nation with EOS Defence Systems, expressing its interest in launching arms production in Kyiv.

The post Australia Puts Obsolete Military Vehicles for Sale Despite Ukraine’s Interest appeared first on The Defense Post.

Wellington Koo, a strong advocate for building a multi-level deterrence capability, acknowledged on Wednesday that the country may not have enough time to respond to a “potential sudden contingency.”

He noted that the scale of Beijing’s military activities around Taiwan is getting larger, making it difficult to detect signs of an impending attack.

To address this, Koo said that Taipei needs to quickly “differentiate between peacetime and wartime” and develop the ability to respond to sudden attacks.

The Taiwanese military has already simulated a scenario in which China suddenly escalates one of its regular military drills into a full-scale invasion.

In the first three quarters of 2024, the Ministry of National Defense reported a record 2,076 “illegal” incursions by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Observe PLA Behavior

The largest PLA incursion occurred on July 9 when 66 Chinese military aircraft were detected inside Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.

Earlier this month, Beijing also conducted one of its largest amphibious landing drills on a coast opposite Taiwan, a move widely seen as a rehearsal for an invasion.

The Asian military superpower previously stated that its drills around Taiwan were meant to test its ability to seize power over the self-ruled island.

Koo suggested that the Taiwanese military needs to enhance its monitoring of PLA behavior to detect potential attacks and develop scenarios for its own exercises.

In July, the defense ministry pledged to conduct “unscripted” drills to develop capabilities for a swift response in real combat situations.

The post China’s Growing Military Activities Hinder Taiwan From Spotting Invasion: Minister appeared first on The Defense Post.

The agreement will provide the five-bladed variant of the aircraft to the state-owned aerospace firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), which will lead the distribution to the service.

The local firm will manage reassembly of the mission equipment and other specialized configurations at its center in Bandung prior to the commissioning.

Upon deployment, the fleet will be used for light search and rescue missions as well as training programs.

“We are honoured by Indonesia’s selection of the country’s first Airbus H145 for its new training fleet,” Airbus Helicopters Asia-Pacific Head Vincent Dubrule stated.

“We are fully confident that the highly versatile H145 will make a positive impact in enhancing its military pilot training and at the same time be a critical enabler for its search-and-rescue operations.”

Continuing Partnership

The latest contract continues Airbus’ approximately five decades of partnership with PTDI and the Indonesian government.

After Jakarta’s first helicopter procurement from the French company in the 1970s, Airbus eventually became a “key supplier” of rotorcraft fuselages and airframes for the country.

Airbus inaugurated its local full production operations in Indonesia in 2011 and expanded its manufacturing, maintenance, and overhaul support for the nation’s specific helicopter fleets six years later.

“This collaboration not only strengthens the long-standing partnership between PTDI and Airbus, but also showcases our commitment to providing innovative and reliable solutions for national operational needs,” PTDI President Director Gita Amperiawan commented on the latest deal.

“Through this close partnership, PTDI will not only support the delivery of the H145 helicopters but will also enhance our capabilities in terms of integration and assembly at our facilities.”

“We are confident that this cooperation will create new opportunities for the development of the national aerospace industry and further sustain the long-term relationship between PTDI and Airbus, which we continue to strengthen for a more advanced future.”

The Airbus H145

The H145 has an overall length of 43 feet (13 meters) and a wingspan of 36 feet (11 meters).

It can carry up to 10 personnel and cargo weighing up to 3,500 pounds (1,588 kilograms).

The aircraft is equipped with a twin Turbomeca Arriel 2E engine and has a fuel capacity of up to 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms) for a top speed of 143 knots (265 kilometers/165 miles per hour) and altitudes up to 12,550 feet (3,825 meters).

Through Airbus’ proprietary HForce weapon suite, users can equip the helicopter with helmet-mounted sight and display solutions, an electro-optical target tracking and firing system, cannons, rockets, machine guns, as well as laser-guided, air-to-ground, and air-to-air missiles.

The post Airbus to Deliver H145 Helicopters to Indonesian Air Force appeared first on The Defense Post.

“This is the first time that an aircraft carrier belonging to the Chinese Navy has been confirmed to have sailed through the waters between Yonaguni and Iriomote,” the defense ministry’s joint staff said in a statement.

The Liaoning carrier and “two Luyang III-class missile destroyers” were seen sailing southwards between the islands in southern Okinawa region from Tuesday to Wednesday, it said.

Public broadcaster NHK and other media, citing unnamed defense sources, reported that it was the first time a Chinese aircraft carrier had entered Japan’s contiguous waters.

Contiguous waters are a 12-nautical-mile band that extends beyond territorial waters. The ministry was unable to immediately confirm these news reports.

Taipei’s government also said a Chinese naval formation led by the Liaoning sailed through waters northeast of self-ruled Taiwan on Wednesday and continued towards Japan’s Yonaguni Island.

China’s growing economic and military clout in the Asia-Pacific region and its assertiveness in territorial disputes — most recently with the Philippines — has rattled the United States and its allies.

Tense incidents have involved Japanese and Chinese vessels in disputed areas, in particular the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, known by Beijing as the Diaoyus.

Tokyo has reported the presence of Chinese coastguard vessels, a naval ship and a nuclear-powered submarine around the remote chain of islets.

Japan this month voiced “strong concern and protest” when a Chinese naval ship entered its territorial waters.

In August, the Japanese government slammed the first confirmed incursion by a Chinese military aircraft into its airspace as a “serious violation” of its sovereignty.

Japan is ramping up its defense spending with US encouragement, moving to acquire counter-strike capabilities and easing rules on arms exports.

Tokyo is also providing funding and equipment such as patrol vessels to other countries in the region.

In July, Japan agreed on a deal with the Philippines allowing troop deployments on each other’s soil.

The post Chinese Navy Sailed Between Japanese Islands Near Taiwan: Tokyo appeared first on The Defense Post.