An undisclosed number of MQ-9 Reaper drones have been deployed to the Philippines by the US Marine Corps. Photo: Handout

    Drones are on the rise over South China Sea with shift to data-driven strategies

    Across the strategic waterway of the South China Sea, claimant countries are increasingly relying on long-endurance aerial drones to carry out continuous patrols – overcoming the geographic and logistical limitations of traditional aircraft and ships. The US Marine Corps last month deployed MQ-9A Reaper drones to the Philippines, at Manila’s request, to “support Philippine regional…

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    Screenshot of Starboard Maritime Intelligence webpage showing a satellite photo of the ocean with a helicopter landing deck

      New images show Chinese flotilla with formidable firepower in Philippine Sea

      A private intelligence company has revealed a Chinese naval task group being tracked by the Australian military west of the Philippines boasts ships with formidable firepower, including a Landing Helicopter Dock ship, a destroyer, a frigate and a refuelling vessel. Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed yesterday that the ADF was closely monitoring a Chinese flotilla…

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      Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan would lift defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP by March – well ahead of her party’s earlier timelines. Photo: AFP

        Beijing bristles as Japan weighs missile export to Philippines

        Tokyo is considering exporting a missile system to the Philippines as it seeks to ease its weapons-export restrictions, Japanese media reported – a move likely to draw criticism from Beijing. The missile system, dubbed Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile, is of the same type that Tokyo plans to deploy on Yonaguni, an island only 110…

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