US F-35 Jet Carriers Sent to West Pacific Amid China Naval Threat

    US F-35 Jet Carriers Sent to West Pacific Amid China Naval Threat

    The United States has deployed three naval vessels—including two aircraft carriers—capable of operating F-35 stealth fighter jets across the Western Pacific this week amid China’s rapidly growing sea power and expanding maritime activity in the region. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Why It Matters The F-35 is…

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    Map Tracks Multiple China Naval Moves in Pacific

      Map Tracks Multiple China Naval Moves in Pacific

      China continues to flex its fast-growing naval power by deploying multiple groups of warships across the western Pacific simultaneously, according to a Newsweek map. Lin Jian, spokesperson for China‘s Foreign Ministry, said last week that Chinese naval and Coast Guard vessels operate at sea in accordance with international law, urging “relevant parties” not to overreact…

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      US Ally Conducts Flyby of China Military Base in South China Sea

        US Ally Conducts Flyby of China Military Base in South China Sea

        The Philippines has released footage showing a patrol aircraft flying past a militarized Chinese artificial island on Saturday while conducting surveillance in the contested Spratly Islands, and claims the Chinese side fired flares toward the plane. Why It Matters China asserts sovereignty over more than 80 percent of the South China Sea, a crucial global…

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        China boosts surveillance over Spratly Islands, says US think tank

          China boosts surveillance over Spratly Islands, says US think tank

          China has carried out major upgrades to its electronic warfare and surveillance systems across its major bases in the Spratly Islands to strengthen its intelligence capabilities in the South China Sea, according to an American think tank. Satellite imagery analyzed by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative in a report last week showed new and enhanced…

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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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