Indo-Pacific

Demand Tracker: Is Pakistan Replacing Its Alouette III Helicopters With Airbus H125s?

Pakistan’s air force and navy appear to be introducing Airbus H125 light utility helicopters as possible replacements for ageing Alouette III fleets. The reporting notes an important sourcing uncertainty: French export data show no helicopter deliveries to Pakistan since 2021, suggesting the aircraft may be arriving through intermediaries, used-aircraft channels, or arrangements not yet publicly documented. The H125 could support training, liaison, search-and-rescue, and general utility missions. No official consolidated procurement, quantity, delivery schedule, or joint-service replacement plan has been announced, so the scale of the transition remains unclear.

ukdefencejournal.org.ukOct 1

Japan satellite maker Synspective lands 20-launch deal with Rocket Lab

Japanese synthetic-aperture-radar satellite operator Synspective signed a 20-launch agreement with Rocket Lab for dedicated Electron missions from New Zealand between 2028 and 2031. The deal is Rocket Lab’s largest commercial Electron order and raises the total number of missions booked for Synspective to 47, with 13 completed since 2020. Dedicated launches will allow the customer to place StriX imaging satellites into tailored sun-synchronous orbits and build revisit capacity. Financial terms, satellite deployment cadence within the launch window, and detailed commercial contingency provisions were not disclosed.

Defence BlogOct 1

Singapore expands maritime presence with future-ready Sentinel OPV

Singapore launched the first of four Sentinel-class offshore patrol vessels at Fassmer’s Berne shipyard in Germany, with deliveries expected from 2028. The 94.85-metre, 2,700-tonne design is intended to replace the navy’s existing Maritime Security and Response Vessels and can exceed 23 knots with a range above 4,000 nautical miles. A crew of about 40 will operate modular mission spaces, manned and uncrewed craft, a stern launch system, and guns including a 76 mm STRALES mount. Launch formally begins outfitting and trials rather than operational service.

Defense WarRoomOct 1

Louisiana builder wins US Government contract to supply 13 patrol boats to Vietnam

Louisiana shipbuilder Metal Shark received a U.S. government contract to build 13 patrol boats for Vietnam under a security-assistance arrangement. The vessels will be produced at the company’s Jeanerette facility and add to 24 boats previously delivered to the Vietnam Coast Guard between 2017 and 2020. The order continues maritime-capacity support intended to improve patrol, law-enforcement, and sovereignty missions. Public reporting did not disclose the contract value, exact boat configuration, delivery sequence, or receiving units, so the operational impact will depend on final outfitting and training.

bairdmaritime.comOct 1

ADEX 2026: Roketsan coastal defence contract announced

Roketsan signed a procurement agreement with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defence Industry for the Barbaros coastal-defence system during ADEX 2026. The mobile architecture is designed to employ anti-ship missiles from dispersed land positions and can be configured around weapons such as the Atmaca, with the smaller Çakır presented as a future option. Neither side disclosed the number of batteries, contract value, delivery schedule, or final missile mix. The announcement therefore confirms a customer agreement but leaves the system’s operational configuration and fielding timeline for Azerbaijani forces unresolved.

JanesOct 1

AIM-260 JATM Missile Spotted On Australian Super Hornet

An Australian F/A-18F Super Hornet was photographed carrying an inert AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile during the multinational Gray Flag 2026 exercise at Point Mugu. The sighting provides visible evidence that integration work is progressing on an allied aircraft after Australia announced plans to acquire the long-range air-to-air weapon. Because the missile was a test article and the event focused on connecting aircraft, weapons, sensors, and networks, the appearance should not be treated as proof of operational fielding with combat units. Detailed AIM-260 performance remains classified.

The War ZoneOct 1

South Korea Launches Final KDX-III Batch-II Destroyer With 88 VLS Cells

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries launched the Republic of Korea Navy’s third and final KDX-III Batch II Aegis destroyer, ROKS Daeho Kim Jong-seo. The ship completes the new three-vessel batch and brings South Korea’s Aegis destroyer force to six hulls when combined with the earlier Batch I ships. Its combat system and 88 vertical-launch cells support layered air, missile, anti-submarine, and surface warfare missions. Launch is a construction milestone rather than fleet entry; outfitting, trials, delivery, and operational work-up must occur before the destroyer becomes fully deployable.

Defense WarRoomOct 1

Royal Thai Army acquires new helicopters

The Royal Thai Army accepted four additional UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters during a September 18 ceremony at the 9th Aviation Battalion. The acquisition is linked to a U.S. foreign military sales production arrangement that included aircraft for several allied customers and expands Thailand’s long-established Black Hawk fleet. Separately, delivery activity for eight Boeing AH-6i Little Bird light attack and reconnaissance helicopters also appeared to be progressing. The two efforts strengthen lift and armed-scout capacity, although Thai and U.S. officials did not publish complete contract, delivery, or unit-assignment details.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 1

Thailand plans third batch of Chaiseri amphibious vehicles

Thailand plans to order a third batch of seven Chaiseri 8x8 Amphibious Armored Vehicles for about THB 504 million, bringing the Royal Thai Navy and Marine Corps total to 21 against a stated requirement for 36. The 25.7-ton vehicle carries a crew of three and up to 11 troops, with a 711-horsepower engine, amphibious propulsion and NATO-standard protection. The procurement continues gradual fleet expansion while sustaining a domestic armored-vehicle producer and improving marine mobility across coastal, riverine and land operations. Follow-on batches remain necessary to meet the full requirement.

JanesSep 30

What Will Indonesia Do With Its New Aircraft Carrier?

Indonesia's acquisition of the former Italian carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi gives its navy a large aviation-capable ship, but the vessel is more immediately suited to amphibious support, disaster relief and uncrewed-aircraft operations than conventional carrier aviation. Indonesia currently lacks a vertical-takeoff fighter force, and substantial modernization, training, maintenance and escort resources will be needed before the ship can deliver sustained combat power. The most credible near-term model resembles Türkiye's drone-focused TCG Anadolu, provided Jakarta funds the supporting systems required to avoid an expensive but rarely deployable flagship.

thediplomat.comSep 30

Chinese Military in Laos: Joint Pilot Training Center Opens at Ban Keun

China and Laos opened the jointly operated China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and Friendship Aviation Academy at Ban Keun, about 50 kilometers north of Vientiane, on September 29. Beijing describes the new airfield complex as a facility for training Lao pilots, while satellite imagery shows a paved runway, taxiway, apron and additional construction. Neither government has disclosed personnel levels, aircraft or access terms, leaving analysts to debate whether the site will remain a training academy or become a persistent logistics and support point for China's military in Southeast Asia.

defensewarroom.comSep 30

Australia Adapts South Korea Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle for Passive Counter-Drone Warning

Hanwha Defence Australia and Visionary Machines are evaluating the Pandion Sentinel passive optical sensing system for integration on the AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicle. The concept would give crews automated detection, tracking and warning of nearby drones without emitting radar energy that could reveal the vehicle's position. The activity is an integration assessment rather than a procurement announcement, but it reflects the Australian Army's growing requirement to provide armored formations with organic counter-drone awareness before selecting or cueing electronic and kinetic defeat systems. Further trials will determine detection performance in demanding field conditions.

Army RecognitionSep 30

Taiwan plans US$850 million munition spend to prepare for potential PLA blockade

Taiwan is preparing a six-year emergency ammunition package worth about NT$27 billion, or $850 million, to improve endurance during a possible Chinese blockade. The 2026-2031 plan is intended to quadruple stocks of selected critical munitions and support a goal of sustaining roughly 120 days of operations when resupply could be disrupted. Procurement would combine domestic production with U.S. deliveries, addressing longstanding concerns that Taiwan's forces might exhaust key weapons before outside assistance could arrive during a prolonged coercive campaign or invasion scenario. Financing and production capacity will determine the plan's pace.

scmp.comSep 30

Taiwan receives its final pair of Brave Eagle trainer jets

Taiwan received the final two T-BE-5 Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers on September 24, completing delivery of the 66 aircraft ordered under a program launched in 2017. One aircraft was lost in February 2025, leaving an operational fleet of 65, while the broader package also includes simulators, ground systems and support. Derived substantially from the F-CK-1 fighter but incorporating a largely new airframe and non-afterburning engines, Brave Eagle streamlines the transition from basic training to Taiwan's frontline combat aircraft. The program also strengthens Taiwan's domestic aerospace engineering base.

asianmilitaryreview.comSep 30

Embraer delivers first C-390 Millennium to the Uzbekistan Air Force

Embraer delivered the first of two KC-390 Millennium aircraft to the Uzbekistan Air Force on September 25 at Gavião Peixoto, making Uzbekistan the type's first operator in Central Asia. The 2024 contract includes training, support and spare parts in addition to the aircraft. With a payload capacity of about 26 metric tons and the ability to operate from rough or unpaved runways, the transport can perform airlift, airdrop, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and aerial-refueling missions across Uzbekistan's large operating area. A second aircraft is expected under the same bilateral package.

asianmilitaryreview.comSep 30

Taiwan taps US tech for sea drones to fend off China's vast maritime fleet

Taiwan is incorporating U.S. technology into its emerging uncrewed surface-vessel program as it seeks affordable ways to complicate operations by China's much larger maritime force. The effort is focused on autonomous or remotely operated craft that can distribute sensing and strike functions without putting crews at risk, drawing on combat lessons from Ukraine and other recent conflicts. Public reporting leaves the specific systems, suppliers and acquisition schedule unclear, so the initiative is best understood as a developing industrial and operational program rather than an already fielded fleet.

asia.nikkei.comSep 30

F-15 Japan Super Interceptor programme gains traction

Japan's F-15 Japan Super Interceptor modernization is progressing, but completion of the first 20 aircraft, including two test jets, has moved from fiscal 2027 to fiscal 2029. Boeing serves as the U.S. foreign-military-sales prime while Mitsubishi Heavy Industries performs modification and integration work in Japan. The broader program could eventually cover 68 operational fighters plus two test aircraft, adding improved avionics, weapons integration and support infrastructure to preserve a capable long-range air-defense and strike fleet as newer combat aircraft enter service. Cost growth and scheduling remain important execution risks for Tokyo.

JanesSep 30

Photo Emerges of Pakistan's 5th Changhe Z-10ME Attack Helicopter

A new photograph appears to show Pakistan's fifth Changhe Z-10ME attack helicopter, adding visual evidence that deliveries have continued since the type's formal induction in August 2025. The export variant incorporates more powerful engines, defensive aids, improved filtration, and guided-weapon compatibility compared with the earlier examples Pakistan evaluated and rejected for weak high-altitude performance. The image can substantiate at least five observed aircraft, but neither Pakistan nor the manufacturer has publicly confirmed the total order size or complete delivery schedule. Serial markings and configuration details may clarify future deliveries, but photographs alone cannot reveal readiness or fleet-wide capability.

quwa.orgSep 29

New Zealand renews participation in US-led defence space initiative

New Zealand renewed its participation in the US-led Operation Olympic Defender for two years, extending the arrangement through August 2028. The multinational initiative improves space-domain awareness, information sharing, and protection of military space services alongside Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Wellington's decision maintains access to allied expertise and coordinated activities, but no new satellite purchase, permanent force commitment, or separately funded capability package accompanied the renewal. Renewal preserves New Zealand's role in an established coalition without creating a separate national military-space command or constellation.

JanesSep 29

Can China's new satellite coordination standards speed up PLA targeting?

A Chinese expert panel approved work on ten voluntary standards intended to improve coordination among satellites, constellations, ground systems, and data users. More consistent interfaces and tasking procedures could shorten the time between collecting imagery or other observations and delivering usable targeting information, while also improving resilience across distributed networks. The standards are still moving through drafting and consultation, however, and their potential military benefit does not prove that the PLA has already fielded the complete architecture. Whether the effort changes real targeting speed will depend on adoption, technical implementation, and integration with command networks.

scmp.comSep 29

Rocket Lab Electron Launches 13th StriX SAR Satellite Serving Japan's MoD

Rocket Lab's Electron launched Synspective's 13th StriX synthetic-aperture-radar satellite from Mahia into a 559-kilometer low-Earth orbit. The mission was Electron's 97th overall and its 18th launch of 2026, continuing a perfect record across thirteen dedicated flights for the Japanese customer. StriX provides day-and-night, all-weather imagery, and the commercial constellation contributes data to a Japanese Ministry of Defense project, but the satellite itself should not be described as Ministry-owned. Synspective ultimately plans a constellation of roughly thirty spacecraft by the end of the decade for more frequent coverage.

defensewarroom.comSep 29

Indonesia's carrier to be stripped of weapons ahead of modernisation

Indonesia's newly acquired KRI Sriwijaya, the former Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, is to have remaining weapons and communications equipment removed before a planned modernization. The stripping process reflects the condition of the transfer and clears the ship for an Indonesian refit whose final sensors, armament, aviation role, cost, and schedule have not been publicly settled. The vessel's arrival expands Jakarta's options for training, aviation, command, or amphibious support, but it is not yet an operationally modernized carrier. Modernization decisions will determine whether the aging hull delivers useful capability or becomes an expensive support burden.

JanesSep 29

China expands overseas military presence with new Laos air force centre

China and Laos opened a new air-force cooperation center that expands Beijing's security presence in Southeast Asia and formalizes closer support for the Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force. The facility is described as a center for cooperation, training, or technical support rather than a publicly acknowledged permanent People's Liberation Army Air Force combat base. Its exact personnel strength, aircraft access, command status, and operational remit remain unclear, so the development indicates deepening military ties without proving that China has obtained sovereign basing rights. How frequently Chinese personnel or aircraft will use the site is a central unanswered question for regional observers.

scmp.comSep 29

OPINION | A welcome wildcat? Austal, AUKUS and an ownership mud wrestle

Competing bids for Austal USA contrast Hanwha's $1.7 billion proposal with Wildcat Infrastructure's $1.87 billion offer. Austal builds US Navy and Coast Guard ships, produces Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine modules, and supports Australian landing craft and the Mogami frigate program, making ownership relevant to American, Australian, Japanese, and South Korean security interests. A US buyer could simplify sensitive-technology concerns, but no sale has been approved and Wildcat's finances and long-term shipbuilding commitment still require scrutiny. No government has formally adopted those security conclusions as an acquisition decision, and the competing bids remain under review.

bairdmaritime.comSep 29

Pakistan Navy's First Hangor-class Submarine Performs First Live Firing in North Arabian Sea

Pakistan Navy's first Hangor-class submarine has conducted its maiden live anti-ship missile firing in the North Arabian Sea, marking an important step in the boat's operationalization. The Hangor class is an export derivative of China's Type 039B Yuan-class submarine family, but Pakistan has not publicly disclosed the class's propulsion system or detailed subsystem configuration. The successful firing validated the submarine's weapon systems and demonstrated a new operational anti-ship strike capability for Pakistan's subsurface force.

Naval NewsSep 28

South Korea eyes Turkish engines for its drones

South Korea is exploring the acquisition of Turkish-made engines to power its domestically developed unmanned aerial systems, according to Defence Blog reporting. The interest indicates a potential gap in South Korea's indigenous drone propulsion supply chain and reflects the growing international reputation of Turkish defense industry suppliers in the UAS segment. No formal agreement or contract has been confirmed, and the reported discussions remain at an exploratory stage.

Defence BlogSep 28

Royal Thai Air Force to procure Indra's long-range radar

The Royal Thai Air Force has decided to procure a long-range ground-based radar system from Spanish company Indra, strengthening Thailand's air surveillance and air defense capability. Indra's long-range radar portfolio includes advanced 3D systems capable of detecting and tracking aircraft, UAVs and cruise missiles at extended ranges. The procurement adds a modern European radar solution to the Thai Air Force's sensor network, expanding its detection coverage in a region where airspace monitoring has become increasingly relevant given the proliferation of advanced aerial platforms.

JanesSep 28

Taiwan builds drone industry park to shed Chinese supply chain

Taiwan is establishing a dedicated drone industry park designed to develop a domestic unmanned systems supply chain independent of Chinese-sourced components. The initiative responds to security concerns about the infiltration of Chinese parts into military-grade drone platforms and aims to build sovereign production capacity for UAS hardware, including sensors, electronics and structural components. The move aligns with Taiwan's broader defense industrial strategy to reduce strategic dependency on adversary-linked supply networks amid growing cross-strait tensions.

defensewarroom.comSep 28

Fincantieri and PT PAL Indonesia sign agreement for the modernization of ex-Giuseppe Garibaldi

Fincantieri and Indonesia's state shipbuilder PT PAL have signed an agreement to modernize the former Italian Navy aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, recently commissioned into the Indonesian Navy. The collaboration will cover upgrades needed to adapt the vessel to Indonesian operational requirements and integrate it into national naval doctrine. The partnership also positions PT PAL to develop domestic shipbuilding expertise through the modernization process, potentially strengthening Indonesia's indigenous naval industrial capacity for future programs.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 28

Japan's spy satellites to ride home-built rocket

Japan’s Synspective has signed a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to launch two StriX synthetic-aperture-radar satellites on an H3 rocket in 2027. The missions will be the company’s first launches on a Japanese vehicle and will support a growing commercial constellation whose imagery also contributes to services for Japan’s Ministry of Defense. Using the domestically built H3 can strengthen Japan’s end-to-end space industrial base within an increasingly independent launch ecosystem, although the satellites are privately operated Earth-observation assets rather than publicly identified government-owned reconnaissance spacecraft.

Defence BlogSep 27

U.S. and Indian armies close Yudh Abhyas 2026 after three weeks of joint air assaults, drone training and HIMARS live fire

U.S. and Indian Army forces have concluded Yudh Abhyas 2026 after nearly three weeks of bilateral training at Auli and the Mahajan Field Firing Range. At Auli, troops trained in jungle warfare, rappelling, counterterrorism, building clearance, long-range marksmanship, combined air assaults and the use of U.S. and Indian drone platforms. At Mahajan, the two armies conducted precision-fire training that included HIMARS, Stinger and M-LIDS live-fire events, strengthening interoperability across maneuver, air assault, air-defense and fires missions.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 27

Indo-PacificInstitutional

CNN: Australia says F-35 parts bound for U.S. repairs were mistakenly diverted to Hong Kong, drawing scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers

Australian authorities are investigating how unserviceable F-35 components sent to the United States for inspection and repair were mistakenly diverted to Hong Kong. The Joint Program Office and U.S. agencies are supporting recovery efforts, and American lawmakers have been briefed because any handling outside approved logistics channels raises supply-chain and security concerns. Public reporting has not established that sensitive technical data were compromised, and official statements have not fully identified the parts, their present location or the precise routing failure, making those details subjects of the continuing inquiry.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 27

Japan Foreign Ministry to recruit overseas experts in dual-use tech

Japan’s Foreign Ministry plans to recruit specialists based overseas to strengthen its understanding of dual-use technologies with both civilian and security applications. The initiative aligns with a broader government push to build international networks around advanced fields, improve technology intelligence and connect Japanese institutions with expertise that is difficult to source domestically. Public reporting has not detailed the number of recruits, their locations or specific technical portfolios, so the immediate significance lies in the ministry’s effort to add technical knowledge to diplomatic and economic-security work rather than in a defined procurement program.

asia.nikkei.comSep 27

Indo-PacificInstitutional

British drone-killer startup heads to Japan with cheap interceptors

British startup Cambridge Aerospace plans to manufacture its Skyhammer counter-drone interceptor in Japan and offer it to the Japanese Ministry of Defense. The company says each missile would cost tens of thousands of dollars, far less than conventional air-defense rounds, while providing more than 30 kilometers of range and a top speed near 700 kilometers per hour against Shahed-type drones and slower cruise missiles. Production in Japan and a government sale remain proposed rather than contracted, even though Britain has already ordered Skyhammer systems for its own forces and Gulf partners.

Defence BlogSep 27

Japan races to fill its ammo stores after Ukraine lessons

Japan plans to begin building at least 65 new ammunition depots from fiscal 2027 as it works to correct stockpile and storage shortfalls highlighted by the war in Ukraine. A standardized depot design should accelerate construction and support more dispersed, resilient storage for precision missiles, air-defense interceptors and conventional ammunition. The effort complements faster procurement of improved Type 12 missiles, Tomahawks, SM-3 Block IIA, SM-6 and Patriot PAC-3 MSE rounds, reflecting Tokyo’s shift from platform-centered modernization toward the sustainment depth required for a prolonged conflict.

Defence BlogSep 27

U.S. Army demonstrates M-LIDS counter-drone system to Indian forces as Yudh Abhyas 2026 addresses evolving aerial threats

The U.S. Army demonstrated its Mobile-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System to Indian troops during Yudh Abhyas 2026 in Rajasthan. American operators retained control while Indian personnel observed detection, tracking and engagement procedures and exchanged counter-drone tactics at the Mahajan Field Firing Range. M-LIDS links command software, Ku-band radar, electro-optical and infrared sensors, electronic warfare and kinetic effectors on mobile vehicles. Operating in heat, dust and open terrain showed how the layered system can protect manoeuvring formations, but the activity was a bilateral demonstration rather than an Indian procurement announcement.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 26

Japan begins flight testing air-launched upgraded Type 12 missile

Japan has begun flight testing mock-ups of the air-launched variant of its upgraded Type 12 surface-to-ship missile as part of the country's effort to develop longer-range standoff strike capabilities. The captive-carry tests, conducted with a JASDF Mitsubishi F-2B, provide the first visual confirmation of the air-launched variant's external design. The mock-ups lack several features associated with operational prototypes, indicating that the program remains in an early flight-test phase rather than operational weapons trials.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 26

BAE Systems Australia and Canadian partner TerraSense put AI targeting for ATLAS uncrewed vehicle through demanding field trials

BAE Systems Australia and Canada’s TerraSense have field-tested the Archimedes AI-enabled target classification system on the ATLAS Collaborative Combat Variant uncrewed ground vehicle. The trial evaluated passive detection, tracking, situational awareness and unmanned-aircraft identification, while engineers remotely corrected a software problem affecting target thumbnails during the event. The demonstration shows how rapid software updates can support experimentation on robotic combat platforms throughout the exercise, but ATLAS remains a prototype and the activity did not authorize autonomous weapon use; human operators retained responsibility for engagement decisions.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 26

Taiwan's coastguard vessel transfer to the Philippines sparks double outcry

Taiwan's transfer of a retired 61-metre coastguard vessel to the Philippine Coast Guard through a non-governmental organisation has drawn objections from both Beijing and Taiwanese fishing interests. China criticised the transaction as security cooperation between Taipei and Manila, while fishermen questioned whether Taiwan should give away a capable patrol asset amid pressure at sea. The handover is notable because Taiwan and the Philippines do not maintain formal diplomatic relations. Public reporting did not describe it as a new military alliance, and operational use, refitting requirements and deployment plans remain matters for Philippine authorities.

scmp.comSep 26

U.S. Navy Trains Australian Divers to Sustain Virginia-Class Submarines Under AUKUS Program

Eight Royal Australian Navy clearance divers have completed five months of Virginia-class submarine maintenance training at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. The course covered ballast-tank component replacement, torpedo-tube inspection, fly-by-wire checks, rigging, radiological safety and certification to U.S. standards. They are the first Australian divers qualified for this work, supporting plans to sustain visiting American and British submarines at HMAS Stirling under AUKUS. Submarine Rotational Force-West is expected from as early as 2027, initially enabling selected underwater and intermediate maintenance rather than independent Australian overhauls of nuclear-powered boats.

Army RecognitionSep 26

Australian Tritons and Peregrines achieve operational milestones

The Royal Australian Air Force has declared initial operational capability for its MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft and MC-55A Peregrine intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic-warfare fleet. Triton provides high-altitude, long-endurance maritime surveillance for Number 9 Squadron, while the Gulfstream-based Peregrine gives Number 10 Squadron an airborne signals and electronic-intelligence platform. IOC means both capabilities can now support assigned missions with trained personnel and sustainment in place, although further aircraft deliveries, testing, and operational integration will continue across Australia before the fleets reach full operational capability.

Naval NewsSep 25

Japan launches its first high-speed landing craft

Japan Marine United launched Akane, Japan's first new high-speed landing craft, at its Yokohama shipyard on September 17. The 35-meter, 150-ton aluminum vessel uses BMT's Caimen tri-bow hull form and bow and stern ramps to move personnel, vehicles, and supplies rapidly between islands and austere shore sites. Akane is the first of four craft ordered for Japan's Maritime Transport Group, with outfitting and sea trials to continue before planned delivery in March 2027 and eventual operation from Amami Oshima for regional island support in southwestern Japan.

asianmilitaryreview.comSep 25

Competitive P17B tender marks a shift in Indian Navy frigate procurement

India's planned Project 17B frigate competition is expected to depart from earlier nominated-shipyard procurement by requiring domestic yards to compete for construction work. The design is intended to build on the Project 17A Nilgiri class with greater weapons capacity and improved combat systems, while sustaining multiple Indian naval shipbuilders. Competitive construction could broaden industrial participation and improve schedule or pricing discipline, but the program may still depend on foreign propulsion, sensors, weapons, and other key subsystems, leaving supply-chain localization as a central acquisition challenge throughout production.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 25

Taiwan's 105mm Wheeled Armored Vehicle Signals a New Era in Indigenous Armored Warfare

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense publicly demonstrated the mass-production configuration of its indigenous 105 mm wheeled armored vehicle at an Army training area in Tainan on September 23. The event showed a program moving beyond prototypes and operational evaluation toward series production planned for 2027. Designed as a mobile direct-fire platform, the vehicle combines a large-caliber gun with a wheeled chassis for rapid road movement and dispersed operations, supporting Taiwan's effort to build and sustain greater sovereign armored combat capability through its domestic industrial base.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 25

Pakistan Launches Air and Drone Strikes Into Afghanistan

Pakistan struck 10 sites across Afghanistan's Khost, Paktia, and Kandahar provinces early on September 24, using airstrikes and loitering munitions operated by the Army and Air Force. Pakistani authorities described the targets as militant positions, although independent confirmation of the selected sites, weapons effects, and casualty figures was limited. The operation demonstrates Islamabad's willingness to combine crewed aircraft and drones in cross-border counter-militant missions, while creating a fresh point of tension with Afghanistan over sovereignty, attribution, and the presence of armed groups near the frontier.

Army RecognitionSep 25

Indo-PacificInstitutional

Australia commits additional $42m to Ukraine under new security pact

Australia committed an additional $42 million in security assistance to Ukraine as Canberra and Kyiv established a new bilateral security pact. The contribution adds near-term support within a longer-term framework for defense cooperation, replacing a sequence of isolated announcements with an agreed structure for future assistance, training, and consultation. Public reporting did not specify the exact equipment funded by this tranche, so the clearest immediate development is the new allocation and institutional commitment rather than delivery of a named weapon system or a detailed multi-year procurement schedule.

Defense DailySep 25

Plans Emerge for Japanese MI6-style Agency by Fiscal 2027

Japan is considering creation of a dedicated foreign intelligence service modeled partly on Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, with establishment targeted for fiscal 2027. The proposed organization would strengthen overseas human-intelligence collection and analysis, functions now divided among the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, police, foreign ministry, and defense bodies. Key issues still include legal authorities, parliamentary oversight, recruitment, protection of sources, and coordination with existing agencies, meaning the initiative is a developing institutional plan rather than an approved service with a finalized structure or operating mandate.

bairdmaritime.comSep 25

Australia puts its Tigers out to pasture

The Australian Army retired its remaining Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters after a final flypast over Darwin on September 24, ending more than two decades of service. The withdrawal follows longstanding availability and sustainment problems and clears the way for the Army's transition to the AH-64E Apache Guardian, which Australia selected as its replacement attack helicopter. Training, facilities, and aircraft deliveries for the Apache fleet are progressing, but the retirement still requires careful management of personnel and readiness until the new type is fully established in operational units.

Army TechnologySep 25

Indonesia receives first batch of 12 amphibious assault vehicles

Indonesia has received the first batch of 12 amphibious assault vehicles, advancing the Indonesian Marine Corps' capability to conduct shore assault and littoral operations. The delivery represents a concrete step in Indonesia's ongoing effort to modernize its amphibious warfare capacity, which is a strategic priority given the country's archipelagic geography and its maritime territorial interests. The type and origin of the vehicles were not specified in the Janes reporting, but the delivery marks a significant equipment milestone for Indonesian ground and naval forces.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 25

Embraer delivers first C-390 Millennium to Uzbek Air Force

Embraer delivered the first of two KC/C-390 Millennium tanker-transport aircraft to the Uzbekistan Air Force during a ceremony at Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, on September 25, 2026. The contract, signed in late 2024, includes training, support and spare parts, while the delivery schedule for the second aircraft has not been disclosed. Uzbekistan will use the aircraft primarily for transport and humanitarian missions, replacing or supplementing Soviet-era An-12, An-24, An-26 and Il-76 transports as well as the C295W. The C-390 can carry 26 tonnes, fly at 470 knots and accept removable air-to-air refuelling equipment.

militarytimes.comSep 25

HAL begins HTT-40 deliveries, and completes Tejas Mk.1 trainers

HAL has delivered the first three HTT-40 basic trainers to the Indian Air Force under a 70-aircraft contract. It has also delivered the final two Tejas Mk1 twin-seat trainers in Final Operational Clearance configuration, completing the original 40-aircraft Tejas order. The milestones advance two separate indigenous aircraft programmes rather than marking completion of a new trainer variant.

asianmilitaryreview.comSep 24

India orders additional SAT-SAAW glide bombs

India has placed an additional order for Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW), an indigenously developed precision-guided air-to-surface glide weapon. The system is designed to strike runways and other airfield infrastructure from standoff range using satellite-aided guidance. The repeat order expands the Indian Air Force's inventory while supporting domestic production.

JanesSep 24

Special Report: Taiwan advances Cheetah 105 mm vehicle towards production

Taiwan is advancing its Cheetah 105 mm wheeled mobile gun system toward production, according to a Janes special report, with the vehicle representing a domestically developed light armoured fire-support platform intended for rapid-reaction operations. The 8×8 vehicle mounts a 105 mm gun and is designed to provide mobile direct fire support to ground forces in terrain suited to wheeled platforms. The move toward production marks a significant step in Taiwan's effort to expand indigenous armoured vehicle capability under its broader defence self-sufficiency drive.

JanesSep 24

China's next carrier could be its longest

China's next aircraft carrier could be the longest vessel in the People's Liberation Army Navy fleet, according to South China Morning Post analysis of available intelligence and imagery, suggesting a continued expansion of Chinese carrier strike capability. The vessel would exceed the dimensions of the Fujian, China's most advanced current carrier, which itself employs electromagnetic catapult launch technology. If confirmed, the programme would represent a further step toward a blue-water power projection capability commensurate with US supercarrier operations.

scmp.comSep 24

China's secretive spaceplane recaptures its own satellite

Tracking data indicate that China's reusable spaceplane released an object and later manoeuvred to rendezvous with and recapture it in orbit. The operation has not been officially confirmed by Chinese authorities but suggests progress in rendezvous, proximity operations and potential payload retrieval. Such capabilities can support satellite servicing while also carrying intelligence and counterspace applications.

Defence BlogSep 24

North Korea tests a guided rocket built like America's GMLRS

North Korea has tested a guided rocket with a configuration closely resembling the US-developed Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, according to Defence Blog. The weapon appears to replicate the GMLRS form factor, suggesting North Korea has developed or acquired a precision-guided artillery rocket capable of engaging targets at extended range with terminal accuracy. The test adds a new dimension to Pyongyang's growing precision-fires capability and has direct relevance for the defence of South Korea and US forces on the peninsula.

Defence BlogSep 24

FNSS advances Indonesian Kaplan APC programme as local production expands

FNSS completed and trialled the first Kaplan armoured personnel carrier in Türkiye before sending it to Indonesia for qualification testing. A second vehicle is being built in Indonesia under the programme's local-production and technology-transfer arrangements. The two vehicles therefore represent separate Turkish-built and Indonesian-built stages of the programme.

Shephard MediaSep 24

U.S. Marine Corps extends F-35B combat reach across 4,000 nautical miles with KC-130J forward logistics model in Indo-Pacific

The US Marine Corps has demonstrated the ability to extend F-35B combat reach across 4,000 nautical miles using a KC-130J-supported forward logistics and rearming model in the Indo-Pacific, according to Defence Industry Europe. The concept relies on distributed basing and the KC-130J's combined tanking and cargo capabilities to rearm, refuel and reposition F-35Bs at austere locations well beyond established main operating bases. The demonstration validates a key element of the Marine Corps' Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations concept designed for operations in contested archipelagic environments.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 24

Anduril Industries founder says Taiwan needs a 'fortress of freedom' as company expands Altius-600M role and local industrial base

Anduril Industries founder Palmer Luckey has described Taiwan as needing a defence concept based on autonomous systems and asymmetric deterrence, while the company expands the role of its Altius-600M loitering munition and builds a local industrial base in Taiwan, according to Defence Industry Europe. The Altius-600M is a tube-launched autonomous air vehicle capable of strike, electronic warfare and other payload-configurable missions, and its expanded role in Taiwan represents a concrete step toward embedding Anduril technology into Taiwanese defence architecture. The local industrial base initiative aims to reduce Taiwanese dependence on distant supply chains for a capability intended to survive a potential blockade or conflict scenario.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 24