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, Korean Fighters Scrambled in Response to Joint Russia-China Bomber Patrol

Japanese, Korean Fighters Scrambled in Response to Joint Russia-China Bomber Patrol

By:

A Russian Tupolev Tu-95 Bear off Japan in May. Japanese MoD Photo

Four Russian Tu-95MS bombers and two Chinese H-6 bombers conducted a joint patrol over the Sea of Japan Wednesday, prompting fighter scrambles by Korea and Japan in response.

The joint patrol was the most recent one since May this year, which occurred the same day U.S. President Joe Biden met his Australian, Indian and Japanese counterparts in Tokyo, though both the Russian and Chinese defense ministries stated the flights in May were part of their annual military cooperation plan and not intended to be provocative. Read More →

SECDEF Austin, Chinese Defense Minister Meet, Stress Need to Keep Lines of Communication Open

SECDEF Austin, Chinese Defense Minister Meet, Stress Need to Keep Lines of Communication Open

By:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with General Wei Fenghe, Minister of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), on the margins of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus in Siem Reap, Cambodia, Nov. 22, 2022. DoD Photo

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized the need to keep open lines of communication and responsibly manage competition in his meeting this week with China’s Minister of National Defense Gen. Wei Fenghe. Read More →

Japanese PM Kishida Renews Calls for Expanded Defense Spending

Japanese PM Kishida Renews Calls for Expanded Defense Spending

By:

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida tours the hangar, led by Capt. Michael Sweeny, commander, Carrier Air Wing 5, aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), during the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Fleet Review 2022, in the Sagami Wan, Nov. 6, 2022. US Navy Photo

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reiterated his country’s commitment to expanding Japan’s defense capabilities to deal with those who would jeopardize the peace and security of other countries, in a speech this week aboard destroyer helicopter carrier JS Izumo (DDH-183). Read More →

U.S. Army Expanding Interoperability with Navy, Marines in the Pacific

U.S. Army Expanding Interoperability with Navy, Marines in the Pacific

By:

Indonesian soldiers begin dismounting from an UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for their joint training rehearsal as part of Super Garuda Shield 2022 in Baturaja, Indonesia, Aug. 8, 2022. US Army Photo

Developing relationships and enhancing interoperability with allies partners through exercises and engagements is the focus for U.S. Army Pacific, officials from the command told reporters last week. Read More →

Reagan Strike Group Operating with Japanese, Canadian Warships in Western Pacific

Reagan Strike Group Operating with Japanese, Canadian Warships in Western Pacific

By:

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), and USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), steam in formation with Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy ships in waters east of the Korean Peninsula, Sept. 29, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and amphibious warship USS New Orleans (LPD-18) this week operated in the Philippine Sea with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal Canadian Navy for a joint exercise, U.S. 7th Fleet announced.
Read More →

U.S. and Japan Prepare for Joint Exercise; U.S. Wraps up Drills with Allies in South China Sea

U.S. and Japan Prepare for Joint Exercise; U.S. Wraps up Drills with Allies in South China Sea

By:

U.S. Marines with Marine Air Control Squadron 4 prepare to off-load ammunition from a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft during Resolute Dragon 22 on Camp Betsukai, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 8, 2022. U.S. Marine Corps Photo

The United States and Japan are preparing for a large-scale joint exercise in Japan next month, the Japanese government announced today. Read More →