Chinese, U.S. Navies Spotted Operating Near Scarborough Shoal

    Chinese, U.S. Navies Spotted Operating Near Scarborough Shoal

    A U.S. Navy destroyer was spotted operating near Chinese forces at Scarborough Shoal this week by a Philippine Coast Guard aerial patrol. A Philippine Coast Guard maritime domain awareness patrol spotted Chinese and American warships operating in proximity to each other near Scarborough Shoal earlier this week in the South China Sea. The presence of…

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    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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      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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