Indo Pacific strategy

Sandhi Yudha

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
And after MMCA earlier this month (see post above) the 39th edition of Balikatan kicked off today. It will last three weeks and take place in Palawan and Batanes, close to Taiwan and the South China Sea. Balikatan 2024 will also have observers from 14 countries: Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

17.000 soldiers from Australia, France, the Philippines and the US will participate.
nos.nl

VS en Filipijnen beginnen grote militaire oefeningen in Zuid-Chinese Zee

Tijdens de oefeningen simuleren Amerikaanse en Filipijnse troepen de herovering van bezette eilanden in het noorden van de Filipijnen, die dicht bij Taiwan liggen.
nos.nl nos.nl

www.navalnews.com

Balikatan 2024 Kicks Off with Maiden French Participation - Naval News

Balikatan 2024 kicked off today. The US-Filipino exercise sees the French Navy participating for the very first time.
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com
 
Sandhi Yudha

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
The recent mooring of Chinese warships at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base marked the unofficial inauguration of China’s first overseas naval post in the Indo-Pacific region and only its second overall. The first one is china's naval support base in Djibouti.

And this is just the beginning. Earlier this year, the U.S. intelligence community warned Congress that China is pursuing other naval bases and expanded military access in Burma, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates.
www.defensenews.com

With Chinese warships anchoring in Cambodia, the US needs to respond

Opinion: It’s past time for Washington to jettison its ad hoc, absent-minded approach toward Beijing’s basing pursuits, opinion writers argue.
www.defensenews.com www.defensenews.com
 
Sandhi Yudha

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
|"Target of the Philippine, U.S. and Australian military forces integrated land, sea and air assault was the BRP Lake Caliraya – the Philippine Navy’s ONLY CHINESE-MADE NAVAL ASSET, 15 kilometers away from the coast of Laoag.

Formerly “MT Lapu-Lapu,” the ship was an oil tanker built by Taizhou Zhongxing Shipyard in China for the Philippine National Oil Company in 2007 and was later converted by the Philippine Navy into its first-ever replenishment vessel before she was decommissioned in 2020. "|

No comment.. :-D
I am just curious to hear china's reaction.
www.navalnews.com

Philippines and Partners Conduct Successful SINKEX in South China Sea - Naval News

U.S. and Philippine troops staged a mock attack Wednesday, sinking a Chinese-made enemy ship in the South China Sea...
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com
 
K

koxinga

Well-Known Member
She was transfered from the Philippine National Oil Company when they shut down the shipping arm. By most accounts, she was barely used during the service, reportedly due to various problems and was largely laid up. No big lost.

The Philippines Navy might be a good candidate for Tarakan-class tanker. Their fleet size will grow in the next few years, but not yet at the stage where the need very large AOR or fleet refuelers.
 
Sandhi Yudha

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Two different things to talk about...

1. A chinese Y-9 entered Japanese airspace around Danjo island for two minutes. It seems to be the first time that china really entered Japanese airspace, and not just Japanese EEZ. And now we have to expect that china will do it again in the future, maybe with more aircrafts and for longer periods, just to test Japan and to provoke.

Chinese Y-9 electronic warfare aircraft infringes Japan airspace

Amid growing tensions between Beijing and Tokyo, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) 'special mission' aircraft infringed Japanese airspace on 26 August, the Japan Ministry...
www.janes.com www.janes.com



2. India and Japan will cooperate more on defence, and Japan is even planning to export the Unified Complex Radio Antenna (Unicorn) to India.
www.navalnews.com

Japan and India progress towards UNICORN stealth antenna deal - Naval News

Japan and India have agreed to proceed with the export to New Delhi of the UNICORN integrated stealth antenna system.
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com


Bonus: a long discussion about the Super Garuda Shield military exercises.
Super Garuda Shield Military Exercises Begin, F-22s Visit Brunei, Indonesia ｜Taiwan Talks EP440 (youtube.com)
 
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D

downunderblue

Member
FYI below is an interesting podcast on AUKUS involving a former (recent) Defence Attache at the US Embassy Canberra, and an accompanied State Department colleague. Much of the podcast seems US centric, but they are clearly aware of the AU landscape given they both served there. They also reference a recent podcast they had with AU PM Malcolm Turnbull and are aware of the criticism and debate occurring in AU.

I didn't know where to put this. An AUKUS forum may be more relevant but I put this in Indopac strategy given the scope.

Most of the discussion centres around Pilar 1. It's inferred that the original idea originated from a discussion between AU and the UK, with later engagement with the US.

Getting the wheels of govt turning is very hard (moreso aligning 3 Govt's across defense and DFAT/FCO/DOS channels). I wonder whether the original discussions were at a Naval attache level and branched from there. That's a seriously treacherous and high risk path, therefore getting this so far is a near miracle and historical achievement.

The podcast highlights commentary regarding US shipbuilding issues yet seem optimistic. I think it was recorded prior to the announcement on Wednesday past by GD Electric boat referencing a lack of “major components" affecting both SSN and SSBN boats. I've watched previous testimony of Administration/DOD and USN before the US House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and they too have seemed optimistic that the issues will be resolved, but it's become a political football and more and more negative headlines are increasing pressure.

As referenced in the podcast (and in a point made by Turnbull) under the 2024 NDAA (ie US law), a US President now cannot authorise the transfer of a/any SSN until they issue a certification to Congress declaring that the release of the SSN will not degrade US undersea capabilities. Fortunately Trump will not be in the seat in the early 2030's to make that determination, but there is legitimate risk that a future President may not sign that document.

The podcast ends on a discussion about Malaysia and where how politically it is impacted by AUKUS and the growing powerplay in the region.

Worthwhile listening if you have time. Ta.

 
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