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., Australia, Japan Drill with the Philippines in South China Sea; China Flies Military Drone Near Taiwan

U.S., Australia, Japan Drill with the Philippines in South China Sea; China Flies Military Drone Near Taiwan

HMAS Canberra (L02) with JS Izumo (DDH-183) on Aug. 24, 2023. JMSDF Photo

The U.S., Australia, Japan and the Philippines carried out a joint exercise in the waters off Manila on Thursday involving the Australian and Japanese large-deck ships on deployment in the region. Meanwhile, Chinese bombers flew near Japan while a Chinese unmanned air vehicle conducted a flight off Taiwan’s east coast, according to Japan Ministry of Defense press releases. Read More

USS America, Embarked 31st MEU Elements in Papua New Guinea for Humanitarian Efforts

USS America, Embarked 31st MEU Elements in Papua New Guinea for Humanitarian Efforts

Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Bougainville Disaster Response Joint-Agency workers, load supplies onto a CH-53E Super Stallion during a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, Aug. 12, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) and its embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Bougainville, a region in Papua New Guinea, Thursday, to carry out Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations after volcanic eruptions of Mount Bagana in July displaced numerous communities in the area and cut off access to food and water for them. Read More

VIDEO: China Coast Guard Blast Philippine Military Resupply with Water Cannons

VIDEO: China Coast Guard Blast Philippine Military Resupply with Water Cannons

Philippine Military resupply mission was hit with a water canon from a Chinese Coast Guard cutter. Philippine Military Photo

China Coast Guard cutters disrupted an Armed Forces of the Philippines resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, including instances where they fired water cannons, a Philippines Coast Guard spokesperson said Monday. Read More

Japan Warns World Facing its Greatest Post-WWII Period of Crisis

Japan Warns World Facing its Greatest Post-WWII Period of Crisis

JS Suzutsuki conducted a bilateral exercise with the French Navy Charles de Gaulle CSG in the vicinity of Western Arabian Sea. JMSDF Photo

Japanese defense officials warned the international community is facing its greatest post-war trial and has entered a new era of crisis. At the same time, Tokyo identified China, Russia and North Korea as the countries that pose a threat to Japan, according to the “Defense of Japan 2023” white paper. Read More