DefenceTalkThe US State Department informed Congress on Wednesday of a proposed sale of two warships to Taiwan as part of a $1.8 billion arms deal already angrily denounced by China. The massive contract comes at a time of reconciliation between China and Taiwan — separated since 1949 — but also of worries by Washington that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-plans-to-sell-warships-to-taiwan-66135/

DefenceTalkFor the first time in four years, the White House has approved a major arms sale to Taiwan. The arms deal comes during a period of historic reconciliation between China and Taiwan, with elections just around the corner. There’s nothing unusual about the United States selling arms to Taiwan. Washington has done so for more […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-arms-deal-to-taiwan-excludes-big-ticket-items-66129/

DefenceTalkThe United States has deployed a P-8 Poseidon spy plane in Singapore for the first time ever, both countries said, amid simmering regional tensions over Beijing’s island-building in the disputed South China Sea. China is locked in a territorial dispute with four Southeast Asian countries — including Washington allies Vietnam and the Philippines — and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-deploys-p-8-poseidon-spy-plane-in-singapore-amid-south-china-sea-row-66015/

DefenceTalkThe South Korean navy fired warning shots Tuesday at a Chinese patrol boat that crossed the disputed maritime border between South and North Korea, military officials in Seoul said. A statement from the Joint Chiefs of Staff said the action was taken after the initially unidentified vessel encroached on South Korean territorial waters. “It retreated […]https://www.defencetalk.com/south-korean-navy-fires-warning-shots-at-chinese-patrol-boat-66012/

DefenceTalkJapan is likely to deploy 500 ground troops of its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) equipped with advanced surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles on islands in the western extremities of Okinawa Prefecture, a short distance (170 kilometers) from the uninhabited Senkaku / Diaoyu Islands, which China also claims. The country’s deputy defense minister, Kenji Wakamiya, met on November […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-to-deploy-troops-missiles-near-disputed-islands-65959/

DefenceTalkFLEET ACTIVITIES YOKOSUKA, Japan: The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) arrived alongside the USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia for a port visit as part of its Indo-Asia-Pacific deployment Nov. 14. With a crew of approximately 165, Ohio will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/indo-asia-pacific-exercise-reveals-us-navy-special-forces-submarine-65867/

DefenceTalkSouth Korea said Monday it was “closely watching” for any signs of an imminent North Korean missile test after Pyongyang reportedly issued a no-sail zone off its east coast. The South’s Yonhap news agency had quoted a government source on Sunday as saying the North had imposed the no-navigation zone off the coastal city of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/south-korea-on-alert-for-sign-of-north-korea-missile-test-65848/

DefenceTalkTOKYO, Japan: Japan said Friday, November 13, it was monitoring waters near islands disputed with China in the East China Sea after it spotted a naval intelligence ship from the country operating in a new area for the first time. Japan’s Defense Ministry said late Thursday a P-3C patrol aircraft observed the Dongdiao-class intelligence vessel […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-spots-chinese-spy-ship-in-new-area-near-disputed-isles-65835/

DefenceTalkThe US military will continue to operate “wherever” international law allows, including in the South China Sea, a top US admiral said in Beijing on Tuesday, a week after America infuriated China by sailing close to artificial islands it is building in the contested waters. “International seas and airspace belong to everyone and are not […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-to-operate-wherever-law-allows-in-south-china-sea-65735/

DefenceTalkWashington: The Pentagon on Wednesday confirmed the presence of five Chinese naval vessels in the Bering Sea between Russia and Alaska, which US President Barack Obama is currently visiting. It was believed to be the first time Chinese military ships have been spotted in the area and is another sign of China’s global presence expanding […]https://www.defencetalk.com/five-chinese-naval-ships-spotted-in-bering-sea-pentagon-65275/