Tag Archives: PLAN

Great Wall of Naval Targets Discovered in Chinese Desert

Great Wall of Naval Targets Discovered in Chinese Desert

H I Sutton Illustration for USNI News Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies Used with Permission

China has been honing its ship-killing skills for potential future conflicts on new targets in a remote desert, according to new satellite photos reviewed by USNI News. New analysis shows the People’s Liberation Army is testing the ability to hit ships in port with long-range ballistic missiles. Read More

Japanese Lawmakers Argue for Counterstrike Capability for Self Defense Force

Japanese Lawmakers Argue for Counterstrike Capability for Self Defense Force

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldier assigned to the 1st Airborne Brigade proceeds to a meeting point after completing a static line jump from a U. S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron at JGSDF Narashino Training Area, Japan, April 19, 2022. US Air Force Photo

Japan must develop counterstrike capabilities in coordination with the United States to deter the “more serious imminent threat” from North Korea and the newly accelerated threats from China and Russia in the Northern Pacific, two Japanese lawmakers said Tuesday. Read More

Japan’s Ruling Party Calls for ‘Counter Attack’ Capability, Increased Defense Budget

Japan’s Ruling Party Calls for ‘Counter Attack’ Capability, Increased Defense Budget

Soldiers from the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) conduct individual and small-unit maneuver exercises during Iron Fist at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, February 6, 2019. US Marine Corps Photo

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presented its national security strategy proposals Wednesday to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, calling to increase in Japan’s defense budget to 2 percent or more of GDP along with the development of “counterattack” capabilities able to strike at not only at missile launch sites but also the command and control capabilities of the opposing nation which would serve as both a pre-emptive measure and deterrence capability for Japan. Read More

Japan Countering China’s Naval Build-up with Modern Fleet

Japan Countering China’s Naval Build-up with Modern Fleet

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JS Maya(DDG-179) in Port of Kobe, Japan on Nov. 23, 2020. JMSDF Photo

Last month, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force commissioned JS Kumano, the first of its new Mogami-class multi-role frigates. The warship was built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries facility in Tamano and is the first of a planned class of 22 ships that are destined to replace the fleet’s aging Abukuma-class destroyer escorts and Asagiri-class light destroyers. Read More

AFRICOM: China, Russia Expanding Influence in Africa

AFRICOM: China, Russia Expanding Influence in Africa

Chinese sailors at the People’s Liberation Army Navy base in Djibouti in 2019. Xinhua Photo

This post has been updated to correct where Russian mercenaries have been operating in Africa.

China’s ambitions in Africa are long-term and range from power plants and port investment to new military bases, but Russia, through its use of mercenaries like the Wagner Group, is propping up autocratic regimes and strives for immediate influence across the continent from Libya to Central Africa, the Pentagon’s top commander for the continent said Tuesday. Read More