DefenceTalkSoutheast Asian nations Monday ducked direct criticism of Beijing over its claims to the South China Sea, in a diluted statement produced after days of disagreement that gives the superpower a diplomatic victory. The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) avoided mention of a ruling by a UN-backed tribunal in early July that rejected […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-victory-as-se-asian-nations-go-easy-on-sea-row-67909/

DefenceTalkNorth Korea test-fired three ballistic missiles on Tuesday, in further defiance of the international community and in apparent reaction to the planned deployment of a US defence system in the South. The launches drew swift condemnation from the United States and Japan, who vowed a coordinated response to Pyongyang’s repeated violations of UN sanctions that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/north-korea-test-fires-three-ballistic-missiles-67856/

DefenceTalkNorth Korea threatened Monday to take “physical action” after Washington and Seoul announced they would deploy a sophisticated US anti-missile defence system to counter the growing menace from Pyongyang. Seoul and Washington on Friday revealed their decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in the South following recent North Korean missile […]https://www.defencetalk.com/north-korea-threatens-action-over-us-anti-missile-system-67818/

DefenceTalkBeijing must prepare for “military confrontation” in the South China Sea, state-run media said Tuesday, as it began naval drills in the area ahead of an international tribunal ruling over the maritime dispute. China asserts sovereignty over almost all of the resource-rich strategic waterway despite rival claims from Southeast Asian neighbors — raising tensions with […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-must-ready-for-military-conflict-in-south-china-sea-67790/

DefenceTalkThe United States and Georgia signed a security deal Wednesday designed to shore up the former Soviet republic’s defences against Russia as it waits to join NATO. US Secretary of State John Kerry and Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili inked the agreement at a ceremony in Tbilisi just two days before the annual NATO summit […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-and-georgia-sign-defence-partnership-67784/

DefenceTalkChina’s defense ministry confirmed that Chinese and Japanese fighter jets had a confrontation over disputed waters in the East China Sea last month, adding to concerns that such close encounters could lead to mishaps that threaten regional stability. The two Chinese jets were only carrying out a routine patrol when two Japanese fighters approached at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-confirms-air-confrontation-with-japan-over-east-china-sea-67776/

DefenceTalkSouth Korea, Japan and the United States held an unprecedented trilateral missile defense exercise on Tuesday, aimed at countering the growing threat from nuclear-armed North Korea which denounced it as a “military provocation.” The drill in waters off Hawaii came less than a week after North Korea flight-tested a powerful new medium-range ballistic missile that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-south-korea-japan-hold-first-anti-north-korea-missile-drill-67743/

DefenceTalkThe United States wants to wrap up discussions with South Korea on the deployment of a sophisticated defense system, the Pentagon said Friday, two days after North Korea’s latest missile tests. Seoul and Washington have for weeks been in talks about deploying the advanced US THAAD missile system in South Korea to protect against the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-hopes-to-wrap-up-anti-missile-deal-with-south-korea-67733/

DefenceTalkTwo US aircraft carriers have started exercises in the Philippine Sea, defence officials said Sunday, as Washington’s close ally Manila faces growing pressure from Beijing in the South China Sea. The US Pacific Command said the USS John C. Stennis and USS Ronald Reagan, among the world’s largest warships, began conducting air defense drills, sea […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-aircraft-carriers-start-drills-off-philippines-67703/

DefenceTalkUS fighter planes have arrived in the Philippines for a training mission and operations to ensure access to the disputed South China Sea, the US Navy said Thursday. The Philippines’ longtime ally deployed the aircraft to train Filipino pilots as Manila remains locked in an increasingly tense maritime dispute with Beijing. The US Navy made […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-fighter-planes-arrive-in-philippines-for-training-mission-67685/