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


U.S. Will Unveil New Indo-Pacific Strategy Next Month

U.S. Will Unveil New Indo-Pacific Strategy Next Month

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USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), left, and the Japanese helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181), right, sail in formation with 16 other ships from the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) during Keen Sword 19 on Nov. 08, 2018. US Navy Photo

KUALA LUMPUR — The Pentagon will unveil a new Indo-Pacific strategy at the Shangri-La Dialogue this May, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver told a media roundtable in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last week. Read More →

CNO: U.S. Still Committed to Littoral Combat Ship Deployments in Southeast Asia

CNO: U.S. Still Committed to Littoral Combat Ship Deployments in Southeast Asia

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Manchester (LCS-14) rests in the Port of Los Angeles during during a scheduled visit for LA Fleet Week on Aug. 31, 2018. US Navy Photo

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – The Navy is still committed to resuming rotational deployments of the Littoral Combat Ship to Southeast Asia, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said, though he declined to specify when the deployments would resume. Read More →

Pentagon Asia Policy Chief Talks South East Asia Military Cooperation, U.S. South China Sea Operations

Pentagon Asia Policy Chief Talks South East Asia Military Cooperation, U.S. South China Sea Operations

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Marine Capt. Shane Robinette Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines and Lt. Umar with 22nd Royal Malaysian Army Regiment explain how to run through the Jungle Point-man Training Course in Kota Belud, Malaysia, August 12, 2018. US Marine Corps Photo

KULALA LUMPUR – Washington is in discussion with individual South-East Asian countries on what programs to support as part of the ongoing Maritime Security Initiative and the $290.5 million Foreign Military Financing (FMF) aid allocation for the Indo-Pacific region announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Aug. 4 at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Singapore. The FMF allocation is purposed towards strengthening maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and peacekeeping capabilities. Read More →

Navy Considering Command Ship Mission for EPFs In Western Pacific

Navy Considering Command Ship Mission for EPFs In Western Pacific

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Expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) arrives in to Tawau, Malaysia, on April 21, 2018, for a mission stop in support of Pacific Partnership (PP) 2018. US Navy photo.

KUALA LUMPUR — The U.S. Navy’s Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 is looking at new ways of using the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships for operations in the Indo-Pacific, task force commander Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson told USNI News in a recent interview. Read More →

Navy P-8A Poseidon Expanding Operations in Asia

Navy P-8A Poseidon Expanding Operations in Asia

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U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon from VP-8 at the Singapore Air Show. USNI News Photo

SINGAPORE — Following its inaugural deployment to the Asia-Pacific, the U.S Navy’s P-8A Poseidon Patrol Squadron 16 has been playing a key role not only in regard to operations in the region but also in cooperation and engagement activities with U.S partner nations. Read More →

U.S. Plans to Expand Naval Engagements in Southeast Asia Using Littoral Combat Ships, EPFs.

U.S. Plans to Expand Naval Engagements in Southeast Asia Using Littoral Combat Ships, EPFs.

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USS Coronado (LCS-4) is underway during a photo exercise as part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise with the Republic of Singapore and Royal Thai navies. US Navy Photo

KUALA LUMPUR – The U.S. Navy is planning to enhance naval engagement with nations across South and Southeast Asia next year, Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, the commander Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73, told USNI on Tuesday. Read More →

Navy Provides Details Littoral Combat Ship USS Coronado Missile Test, Future LCS Deployments

Navy Provides Details Littoral Combat Ship USS Coronado Missile Test, Future LCS Deployments

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USS Coronado (LCS-4) moors in Cam Ranh Bay during Naval Engagement Activity Vietnam 2017. US Navy Photo

KUALA LUMPUR — The Tuesday firing of the Harpoon Block 1C missile off the coast of Guam by the Littoral Combat Ship USS Coronado (LCS-4) formed a significant milestone as it demonstrated the LCS’s capabilities that are not possessed by other ships, in particular, its integrated air detachment and the ship’s inherent modular capabilities Rear Admiral Don Gabrielson, the head of Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73, told USNI News on Friday. Read More →

Territorial Dispute Could Cloud USS John S. McCain Search and Rescue Effort

Territorial Dispute Could Cloud USS John S. McCain Search and Rescue Effort

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Pedra Branca Island

KUALA LUMPUR — Since the Monday collision of the USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) both the Malaysian and Singapore authorities have been issuing statements which claimed the incident took place in their respective national waters as part on an ongoing territorial dispute that could complicate search and rescue efforts for the missing U.S. sailors. Read More →

Forward Navy Maintainers Cutting Down on Repair Time on Littoral Combat Ships

Forward Navy Maintainers Cutting Down on Repair Time on Littoral Combat Ships

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USS Coronado (LCS-4) moors pierside in Langkawi, Malaysia during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2017 on March 25, 2017. US Navy Photo

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The U.S Navy’s Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 has reorganized the process for dealing with maintenance incidents for Littoral Combat Ships deployed to the Indo-Asia-Pacific, reducing turn-around time for such incidents from 15 days to four days, Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson told USNI News. Read More →

U.S. Navy Expanding Maintenance Capability in Western Pacific

U.S. Navy Expanding Maintenance Capability in Western Pacific

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Water is drained from a dry dock at U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center (SRF JRMC) Yokosuka on July 20, 2016. US Navy Photo

Water is drained from a dry dock at U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center (SRF JRMC) Yokosuka on July 20, 2016. US Navy Photo

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia –The U.S. Navy’s Commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 is in the process of expanding its maintenance and support capabilities, its commander told USNI News. Read More →