Category: defence

Australian Aircraft Intercepted in International Airspace in South China Sea by Chinese Warplane

Australia’s Defence department says one of its maritime surveillance aircraft was intercepted by a Chinese fighter warplane during routine activity in international airspace in the South China Sea region last month. The Australian government has raised concerns about the incident with the Chinese government. “Defence advises that on 26 May 2022, a RAAF P-8 maritime…


‘Robust’ Investments Coming for North American Defence: Anand

Defence Minister Anita Anand is promising to introduce a “robust package of investments” for North America’s aging defences in the coming months. The promise follows years of warnings from military officials and experts about the state of the continent’s defensive network, parts of which are now obsolete. The warnings have a new sense of urgency…


South Australia to Grow Nation’s Weapons Manufacturing Arsenal

South Australia is set to house a new $75 million (US$55 million) state-of-the-art weapons manufacturing facility as the Australian government continues to bolster its sovereign defence capabilities. It comes shortly after Australia earmarked $10 billion (US$7.3 billion) towards a new nuclear submarine base amid an “arc of autocracy” and the rise of authoritarian regimes around…


British Defence Officials to Help Process Ukrainian Refugees to UK

British Defence officials are to help process visa applications from Ukrainians fleeing the war amid continuing criticism over the slow rate at which refugees are being admitted to the UK. The Home Office disclosed on Monday night that just 300 visas have been issued out of a total of 17,700 family scheme applications that have…


China Plans 7.1 Percent Defense Spending Rise This Year, Outpacing GDP Target

BEIJING—China will spend 7.1 percent more on defense this year, outpacing last year’s hike and the Chinese regime’s modest economic growth forecast. Premier Li Keqiang pledged to enhance military training and combat readiness for the Chinese army, which is developing an array of weapons from stealth fighters to aircraft carriers. The spending figure, set at…


Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine a Warning to Canada to Get Serious About Defence

Commentary For the second time in my adult life a major shock seems to have made people serious about defence. It remains to be seen how serious. But like 9/11, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has blown away any number of comforting illusions. So now what do we do? In the short run we seem…


First F-35A Fighter Jets Touch Down in Northern Territory

The first four of a new squadron of F-35A Lightning ll fighter jets landed at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory on Thursday. The new fighters will be permanently based in the Territory and replace the ageing F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets that have been in operation for 33 years. This comes as part of the…


Helicopter Carrying Indian Military Chief Crashes; 13 Dead

NEW DELHI—A helicopter carrying India’s military chief crashed Wednesday in southern Tamil Nadu state, killing 13 of the 14 people on board, a senior government official said. Chief of Defense Staff Bipin Rawat’s condition was not immediately announced. S.P. Amrith, a senior civil administrator of the area where the crash took place, said rescuers were…


India’s Military Chief, 12 Others Killed in Helicopter Crash

NEW DELHI—India’s military chief, Gen. Bipin Rawat, and 12 others were killed Wednesday in a helicopter crash in southern Tamil Nadu state, the air force said. It said in a tweet that the helicopter “met with a tragic accident.” The dead included Rawat’s wife. The air force said one officer, Group Capt. Varun Singh, survived…


Top Military Chief Among 13 Dead in Indian Helicopter Crash

A military helicopter carrying 14 people went down in southern India, and only one person on board the aircraft survived, the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed on Wednesday. The dead included India’s military chief, Gen. Bipin Rawat, and his wife, Madhulika Rawat, the air force said—adding that one officer, Group Capt. Varun Singh, survived the crash…