Category: arms race

No Pledge Made to Assist US If Conflict Over Taiwan Breaks Out, Says Australian Defence Minister

Australia did not make any commitment to the United States in the event of a Taiwan conflict in exchange for access to its Virginia-class nuclear submarines, Defence Minister Richard Marles said. “Absolutely not. And I couldn’t be more unequivocal than that,” Marles told ABC Insiders. Leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States…


Time for the Taiwan Porcupine to Bristle

Commentary On March 1, the United States tentatively approved the sale of $600 million in hi-tech weapons to Taiwan for its U.S.-made F-16 aircraft. The weapons sale would impress anyone familiar with 21st-century air-to-air combat. Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles. AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation (HARM) missiles to destroy communist Chinese land-based radars guiding attacking Peoples…


China Outpaces US in Military Ship Buildup: Former Intelligence Officer

China outpaces the United States in military ship buildup, according to veteran intelligence officer and author Grant Newsham. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro on Feb. 28 warned that the Chinese military was producing warships at a greater pace than the U.S., jeopardizing American supremacy on the seas. Del Toro noted that China currently has in hand…


China Outpacing US in Military Ship Buildup: Former Intelligence Officer

China is outpacing the United States in military ship buildup, according to veteran intelligence officer and author Grant Newsham. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said on Feb. 28 that the Chinese military was producing warships at a greater pace than the United States, jeopardizing U.S. supremacy on the seas. Del Toro noted that China currently has…


Race for Global Tech Dominance a ‘Wake up Call’ for Democracies: Report

An Australian think tank is urging democratic nations to “step up” their game in technological innovation and strategic competition if they are to compete with, catch up, and outdo Beijing. According to a year-long study by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), Beijing is currently leading the world in 37 out of 44 technologies. These…


US Gives Go Ahead for New Lethal Hardware for Australia

The Australian Defence Forces (ADF) just became more lethal after the United States government greenlit the sale of long-range guided missiles and their supporting equipment. The sale, which is estimated to cost the federal government around $750 million (US$506 million), will see Australia acquire up to 63 of the U.S. new medium-range air-to-ground Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range…


China Empowers Russia in Ukraine, Risks Nuclear War With US, Says Former General

The growing alliance between Russia and communist China carries significant implications for the war in Ukraine and the future of U.S. nuclear deterrence more broadly, according to one former general. It is likely that the intensity of Russian military actions in Ukraine and potentially elsewhere will increase as Beijing and Moscow grow closer, and there…


“This Is New to Me’: Former Australian PM Says He Never Heard of Chinese Spy Balloon Program

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he wasn’t aware of the Chinese spy balloon programme until now. “I don’t recall a balloon discussion,” he told ABC’s RN Breakfast on Tuesday, “This is new to me as it is to most people.” He added this revelation is concerning and that it’s “puzzling” that the balloons…


US Imposes Sanctions on 6 Chinese Firms Over Spy Balloon Programs

The United States has blacklisted six Chinese entities it found to have aided Beijing’s surveillance balloon programs in the wake of one such balloon that floated over the United States for a week gathering intelligence. In a statement issued on Feb. 10, the Commerce Department identified five companies and a research institute involved in efforts…


Watching Ukraine, Japan, and South Korea Consider Nuclear Weapons

Commentary Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has stirred profound defense policy changes in Europe and Asia, with once-neutral Sweden’s and Finland’s bids to join NATO a prime example. In East Asia the invasion and Russian president Vladimir Putin’s threats to attack his enemies with nuclear weapons has led South Korea and Japan to seriously consider acquiring…