Dzirhan Mahadzir

About Dzirhan Mahadzir

Dzirhan Mahadzir is a freelance defense journalist and analyst based in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Among the publications he has written for and currently writes for since 1998 includes Defence Review Asia, Jane’s Defence Weekly, Navy International, International Defence Review, Asian Defence Journal, Defence Helicopter, Asian Military Review and the Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter.

Recent Posts By the Author


Japanese Officials Raise Concerns Over V-22 Osprey Flights

Japanese Officials Raise Concerns Over V-22 Osprey Flights

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U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, off-load from a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Air Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, at Hijyudai Maneuver Area, Oita, Japan, Oct. 25, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

Top Japanese government officials have expressed concern that the United States is not providing sufficient information regarding the ongoing flights of U.S. Ospreys in Japan following Wednesday’s crash of an Air Force Special Operations (AFSOC) CV-22 in the waters of Yakushima Island. Meanwhile, the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) wrapped up drills with a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer on Thursday. Read More →

Japan Asks U.S. to Suspend Local V-22 Osprey Operations

Japan Asks U.S. to Suspend Local V-22 Osprey Operations

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An CMV-22B Osprey, carrying the U.S. ambassador to Japan, Hon. Rahm Emanuel, Japan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hayashi Yoshima, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, Commander, Navy Region Japan/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan Rear Adm. Carl Lahti, lands on Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi following an official visit, to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on April 23, 2022. US Navy Photo

Japan’s government on Thursday called on the U.S. military to suspend MV-22Bs and CV-22Bs Ospreys in operations Japan, save for search-and-rescue missions, following Wednesday’s crash of an Air Force Special Operations CV-22B in the waters off the island of Yakushima. Read More →

USS Carl Vinson Underway with Japanese, South Korean Warships for Deterrence Patrol

USS Carl Vinson Underway with Japanese, South Korean Warships for Deterrence Patrol

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Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) recovers aircraft during flight operations on Nov. 19, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group carried out a trilateral drill on Sunday in the East China Sea with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and the Republic of Korea Navy as a deterrence display following North Korea’s launch of a reconnaissance satellite on Nov. 21. Read More →

CNO Franchetti: Indo-Pacific Still Top U.S. Priority

CNO Franchetti: Indo-Pacific Still Top U.S. Priority

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Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti wishes the crew a ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ over the 1MC during a visit to the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John Finn (DDG-113), Nov. 23, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Indo-Pacific remains the United States’ foremost priority and “that is why no matter what is happening around the world, the United States Navy continues to deploy and operate forward here in the Indo-Pacific,” said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti in a Thursday media call from Busan, South Korea. Read More →

North Korea Terminates Military Agreement with South Korea

North Korea Terminates Military Agreement with South Korea

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DPRK NATA’s Report on Successful Launch of Reconnaissance Satellite. KCNA Image

Pyongyang has terminated the 2018 Comprehensive Military Agreement with Seoul in response to South Korea’s decision to suspend a part of the agreement due to North Korea’s satellite launch on Tuesday, North Korea announced on Thursday Read More →

USS Carl Vinson Makes South Korea Port Call, China Pushes Back Against Aussie Accusations

USS Carl Vinson Makes South Korea Port Call, China Pushes Back Against Aussie Accusations

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Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) pulls into Busan, Republic of Korea for a port visit on Nov. 21, 2023. US Navy Photo

VA - Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) docked in Busan, Republic of Korea on Tuesday after wrapping its participation in the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) while on Sunday, carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) returned to its homeport in Yokosuka, marking its last scheduled deployment as the forwarded deployed carrier in Japan. Read More →

State Dept. Signs off on $2.3B Japanese ‘Counterstrike’ Tomahawk Missile Buy

State Dept. Signs off on $2.3B Japanese ‘Counterstrike’ Tomahawk Missile Buy

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JMSDF Image

Japan is one step closer to acquiring 400 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles and support systems as part of a $2.35 billion foreign military sales case, the State Department announced on Friday. Meanwhile, Australia has accused China of unsafe and unprofessional conduct when a used an active sonar system in the East China Sea while Royal Australian Navy (RAN) divers were in the water nearby. Read More →

U.S. Marines Stand Up New Regiment, Chinese Warships Sail in East China Sea

U.S. Marines Stand Up New Regiment, Chinese Warships Sail in East China Sea

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Marine Corps Col. Peter Eltringham, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment Commanding Officer, uncases 12th MLR’s unit colors during the redesignation ceremony of 12th Marines to 12th MLR on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 15, 2023. US Marine Corps

The Marine Corps formally established its second littoral regiment, converting the Japan-based 12th Marine Regiment into the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, on Wednesday, in line with its modernization efforts under the Force Design 2030 plan. Meanwhile, a number of People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships have sailed past Japan into the East China Sea as they return from operational deployments. Read More →

Japanese Izumo-class Warship Headed to East Coast for F-35B Trials as U.K. Carriers Expand JSF Capabilities

Japanese Izumo-class Warship Headed to East Coast for F-35B Trials as U.K. Carriers Expand JSF Capabilities

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JS Izumo (DDH-183), the lead ship of in the Izumo class of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), steams in the Philippine Sea, June 11, 2023. US Navy Photo

One of Japan’s largest warships is heading to the East Coast next year to conduct a series of F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter trials next year, USNI News has learned. Read More →