Known as AUKUS, the alliance aims to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific and enhance defense capabilities through technology sharing. The initial phase of the partnership involves working on nuclear submarines for Canberra.

According to Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair, Ottawa wants to join a second pillar of the alliance, which involves collaboration on emerging military technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.

“There have been important discussions about processes and platforms on a project-specific basis on where other nations, including Japan and ourselves, might participate,” he said during his first visit to Tokyo as defense minister.

“I would respectfully wait until they’ve come to their determination, but I’m very optimistic.”

Expanded Alliance?

Talks about potentially expanding the AUKUS alliance began when Japan signified its intent to become a fourth member.

The founding nations have confirmed they were considering Tokyo’s involvement in “specific Pillar 2 defense projects,” given its substantial investments in cutting-edge military technologies.

South Korea and New Zealand have also shown interest in contributing to the second pillar, offering their expertise in areas such as AI, autonomy, undersea capabilities, electronic warfare, and cyber operations.

The US previously said it was open to allowing more countries to participate in AUKUS’ technological activities, noting its appreciation for the interest from various allies.

“I think all three countries have made clear that under the appropriate circumstances we would be prepared to work collaboratively with other partners who bring capacity to the challenge,” US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said.

Increasing Threats

China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific has led many countries to view it as the biggest threat in the region.

Its aggressive stance in the South China Sea, marked by multiple maritime confrontations with Philippine Navy vessels and its mounting pressure on Taiwan, has heightened regional tensions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping previously warned against a resurgence of Cold War-era tensions in the Asia-Pacific due to increasing military cooperation among its adversaries.

The post After Japan, Canada Wants In on AUKUS Alliance to Counter China appeared first on The Defense Post.

Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, said during his visit to Manila that assisting the Philippines to conduct missions in the disputed territory is an “entirely reasonable option” under their 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

However, he pointed out that such a move should be “within the context of consultations” to properly address the problem.

Last month, Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. revealed that Washington had already offered its assistance to conduct resupply missions, but Manila turned it down.

“They asked us how they could help,” he told Reuters. “We try to exhaust all possible options that we have before we ask for help.”

Maritime Collisions

China and the Philippines have recently experienced maritime altercations while asserting their rights in the South China Sea.

Last week, a Chinese coast guard ship and a Philippine vessel collided near the disputed Sabina Shoal, causing minor damage.

Beijing said the collision occurred when its Philippine counterpart refused to comply with control measures while attempting to perform a resupply mission.

Manila slammed China’s comment as “completely unfounded,” saying it was the Chinese vessel that “deliberately” rammed and fired water cannons at Philippine boats.

In June, a maritime collision also occurred between the two countries that resulted in the brandishing of weapons and a Philippine Navy sailor losing his thumb.

China Warning

The US has repeatedly condemned China’s dangerous actions in the South China Sea, saying it has resorted to escalatory measures to enforce its “unlawful” claims.

But Beijing was quick to dismiss Washington’s remarks, arguing that the US is not a party in the South China Sea and therefore has no right to intervene in maritime disputes between China and the Philippines.

“The US should stop provoking confrontation in the South China Sea, not disrupt regional stability and not escalate tensions,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

The post US Military Could Escort Philippine Ships in South China Sea: Admiral appeared first on The Defense Post.

China and the Philippines have had repeated confrontations in the vital waterway in recent months, including around a warship grounded years ago by Manila on the contested Second Thomas Shoal that hosts a garrison.

Beijing has continued to press its claims to almost the entire South China Sea despite an international tribunal ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

China Coast Guard spokesperson Geng Yu said a Philippine vessel had “deliberately collided” with a Chinese ship early Monday.

“Philippine Coast Guard vessels… illegally entered the waters near the Xianbin Reef in the Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government,” Geng said, using the Chinese names for the Sabina Shoal and the Spratly Islands.

“The China Coast Guard took control measures against the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law,” Geng added.

Manila’s National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea, meanwhile, said two of its coast guard ships were damaged in collisions with Chinese vessels that were conducting “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” near the Sabina Shoal.

The confrontation “resulted in collisions causing structural damage to both Philippine Coast Guard vessels,” Manila said.

China claims the Sabina Shoal, which is located 140 kilometers (86 miles) west of the Philippine island of Palawan, the closest major land mass.

Manila and Beijing have stationed coast guard vessels around the shoal in recent months, with the Philippines fearing China is about to build an artificial island there.

‘Dangerous’

Footage purporting to show the incident attributed to the Chinese coast guard and shared by state broadcaster CCTV showed one ship, identified as a Philippine vessel by the Beijing side, apparently running into the left side of a Chinese ship before moving on.

Another 15-second clip appears to show the Chinese vessel making contact with the rear of the Philippine ship.

Captions said the Philippine ship made a “sudden change of direction” and caused the crash.

Read out statement of ADG Jonathan Malaya:

Statement of the NTFWPS

China Coast Guard Vessels Collide with Philippine Coast Guard Vessels Due to Dangerous and Illegal Maneuvers

This morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) and BRP Cape Engaño… pic.twitter.com/hslR4LuoGe

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) August 19, 2024

The Chinese coast guard spokesperson accused Philippine vessels of acting “in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, resulting in a glancing collision.”

“We sternly warn the Philippine side to immediately cease its infringement and provocations,” Geng said.

Manila, however, blamed Beijing, with National Security Council director-general Jonathan Malaya saying the Philippines’ BRP Cape Engano sustained a 13-centimeter (five-inch) hole in its right beam after “aggressive maneuvers” by a China Coast Guard vessel caused a collision.

A second Philippine coast guard ship, the BRP Bagacay, was “rammed twice” by a China coast guard vessel about 15 minutes later and suffered “minor structural damage,” Malaya said.

The Filipino crew were unhurt and proceeded with their mission to resupply Philippine-garrisoned islands in the Spratly group, he added.

Repeated Clashes

Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that the incident took place at 3:24 am local time (1924 GMT Sunday).

It also said a Philippine coast guard ship had then entered waters near the Second Thomas Shoal around 6 am.

The shoal lies about 200 kilometers from Palawan and more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan island.

The repeated clashes in the South China Sea have sparked concern that Manila’s ally the United States could be drawn into a conflict as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims in the sea.

Analysts have said Beijing’s aim is to push eastwards from the Second Thomas Shoal towards the neighboring Sabina Shoal, encroaching on Manila’s exclusive economic zone and normalizing Chinese control of the area.

The situation has echoes of 2012, when Beijing took control of Scarborough Shoal, another strategic area of the South China Sea closest to the Philippines.

The post Chinese, Philippine Ships Collide Anew Near Hotspot Reef in South China Sea appeared first on The Defense Post.

Known as the Cocos Islands, the area sits west of the Australian mainland and is close to an Indian Ocean chokepoint for Chinese oil shipments.

According to a recently-published US Navy construction tender, the island can house infrastructure that would help improve Washington’s defense posture in the Indo-Pacific.

But it noted that the infrastructure may or may not directly support American forces stationed at RAAF Base Darwin in northern Australia.

Apart from the Cocos Islands, the US military listed the Philippines, Timor Leste, and Papua New Guinea for anticipated construction projects under the initiative.

‘Immense Geostrategic Advantages’

With a population of just 600, the Cocos Islands have been a key location for Canberra’s maritime surveillance operations in the Indian Ocean.

They will soon be the home to an expanded airfield that will carry heavier military aircraft such as the P-8A Poseidon.

For the US, the island holds “immense geostrategic advantages” considering that it is closer to the Strait of Malacca, a chokepoint for half of Beijing’s oil shipments, than the US Navy base of Diego Garcia.

It is also “much closer to the theater where Washington anticipates conflict scenarios,” according to Australia India Institute geopolitics director Darshana Baruah.

At present, the Australian Defence Force confirmed that the US has no investments yet in the Cocos Islands, though it is building bomber runways at two key air bases in northern Australia.

Pacific Deterrence Initiative

Modeled after the 2014 European Deterrence Initiative, the Pacific Deterrence Initiative aims to maintain a US military advantage over China.

It plans to earmark billions of dollars to modernize and strengthen the US presence in the region by undertaking construction projects and conducting military exercises.

The initiative also calls for improved cooperation with allies to prepare for a potential conflict with China.

The Australian Defence Force has already assured the US that it will cooperate closely “to advance our force posture” across various locations in Australia.

The post US Military Eyes Australian Island for Pacific Deterrence Initiative appeared first on The Defense Post.

China and Russia have greatly reinforced ties since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine that began in February 2022.

Their common goal is also to reduce the role of the United States and the West on the international stage.

“A detachment of vessels from the Pacific fleet will take part in the joint naval exercise – Interaction Maritime 2024,” the ministry announced on Telegram, posting a video of their arrival.

The first phase will take place from Monday-Wednesday and involve anti-air and anti-submarine attacks along with Chinese planes specialized in anti-submarine maneuvers, it said.

The two countries hold joint military exercises regularly but their level of interoperability is greatly inferior to that of Western military alliance NATO, the European Union Institute for Security Studies said in a report in early July.

Last year, a similar naval exercise took place off Alaska.

The post Two Russian Warships in China for Joint Naval Exercises appeared first on The Defense Post.

Partnering with the US Army’s 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, the company conducted the trials in a ground vehicle, swiftly reconfiguring and deploying various capabilities based on evolving mission needs.

The mission command concept uses commercial and military communications networks fluidly, providing access to various intelligence sources simultaneously.

The data from these sources is collated using AI/ML battle management software, creating holistic situational awareness, which can then be shared with joint force partners.

“Mobile command and control capabilities give battle management operators and commanders the ability to replicate fixed site capabilities at the very edge of the fight,” VP of Connected Battlespace & Emerging Capabilities at Collins Aerospace Elaine Bitonti said. 

“Our agile, distributed demonstration concept provides the Army with the ability to maintain Mission Command On-the-Move.” 

Exercise Valiant Shield

Valiant Shield is a biennial training held by US forces to develop proficiency in “detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace.” 

This year’s event, its 10th iteration, ran from June 7-18 and took place on Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and at sea around the Mariana Island Range Complex.

The exercise integrates all branches of service, including the US Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, and partner nations within the Joint and Combined Force.

“Valiant Shield provides us a unique opportunity to operate and engage with our allies and partners and to demonstrate our shared commitment to global security and stability,” said US Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Stephen T. Koehler.

“It takes all of us to maintain a safe, stable, and secure Indo-Pacific, as we flex our joint and combined capabilities to advance multi-domain operations.”

The post RTX Tests New Battle Management Concepts During Exercise appeared first on The Defense Post.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that participating in the exercise, which is set to take place in Japan, is part of Berlin’s mission to maintain the rules-based international order, according to Kyodo News.

Pistorius confirmed that officials from the German Army have already visited Tokyo to coordinate their participation in the drills.

The partnership comes amid rising tensions in the East China Sea, where China is staking a claim on the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands.

Japan-Germany Partnership

Japan and Germany share a history of close collaboration with their armed forces.

In January, the two countries signed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, a deal establishing a framework for the reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the two defense forces.

In 2022, the countries’ air forces teamed up to conduct their first bilateral exercise in Japanese territory.

The Rapid Pacific Exercise, established to boost the partnership between Japan and NATO, saw German Eurofighters visit Japan for the first time.

The aircraft joined the Japan Air Self Defense Force’s F-2 Viper Zero fighters in various air drills and exercises.

The post Japan, Germany in Talks for First Joint Land Force Exercise appeared first on The Defense Post.

This is according to a new paper published by the Association of the US Army (AUSA), drawing on lessons from World War II.

Maj. Karl Rauch, a student at the School of Advanced Military Studies and the author of the paper Welcome (Back) to the Jungle, said the tropical environment has specific impacts on the tactical and operational levels of war.

According to Rauch, of all the geographic land-based environments on the planet, the jungle is the most dynamic; only those who specifically train for it have a chance of succeeding within its confines.

The tropical rainforest can be cruel, given its extreme weather, confined physical space, and high risk of disease.

“Despite technological advancements, the dense and demanding jungle environment necessitates a deep understanding and specialized preparation,” Rauch wrote. “This unique environment may prove an equalizer toward emergent technologies.”

Lessons From Past

The paper cites the New Guinea Campaign in World War II, in which the US 32nd Infantry Division entered the forest without properly trained soldiers.

The unit had to endure the challenges of the environment, including trekking for hours in knee-deep water to reach another flank.

Despite the difficulties presented by jungle warfare during that time, Lt. Gen. Robert Eichelberger was still able to successfully lead the team to its “first ground battle victory of the war.”

“Beyond anything the Americans had experienced in their history, those jungles took advantage of their lack of regional knowledge and experience,” Rauch stated.

“Lessons learned during the New Guinea Campaign could apply to future battles.”

The post US Army Urged to Prepare for Jungle Warfare appeared first on The Defense Post.

The third Master Shipyard Repair Agreement with an Indian company follows agreements with Larsen & Toubro in 2023 for Mazagon Dock and Kattupalli Port.

The US Navy’s effort to expand maintenance and repair centers in the Indo-Pacific stems from the limited availability of such facilities in the region.

Asian Naval Maintenance Hub

Additionally, India provides a safer option than facilities in Southeast Asia.

“Currently, there are a limited number of yards at which US vessels requiring maintenance can dock, and all of them are within striking range of Chinese forces,” USNI News wrote, citing Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro.

“While there are other facilities in Hawaii and the Continental United States, these are not readily available for forward-deployed assets.”

Japan as Potential Hub

The US is also exploring Japanese private shipyards as maintenance and repair hubs for the forward-deployed US naval assets.

Allowing complete maintenance at Asian centers will reduce downtime for US naval assets, improving the force’s preparedness for potential conflict.

The post Third Indian Shipyard Signs Maintenance Agreement With US Navy appeared first on The Defense Post.

The diesel-electric submarines, capable of carrying 18 torpedoes and missiles, will be built at the PT PAL shipyard in Indonesia, Naval Group said in a statement.

Under the deal, Naval Group will transfer its technological know-how while “the management, operation and maintenance will be conducted in Indonesia” by Indonesians, the company said.

The agreement will create thousands of long-term, high-skill jobs, Naval Group added.

“Naval Group is very honored to be part of this new chapter in the strategic alliance between Indonesia and France,” said the French firm’s chief executive, Pierre Eric Pommellet.

The vessels “will strengthen the country’s maritime sovereignty and support the Indonesian Navy in achieving regional superiority at sea,” he said.

“In addition to the submarines, our strategic partnership with PT PAL will also support the Indonesian defence industry to actively prepare the future of naval warfare in the country,” Pommellet added.

The post Indonesia Buys Two Submarines From France’s Naval Group appeared first on The Defense Post.