Rentaka - Rentaka Defence Portal

China's Achilles' Heel: Air Defense Gap

11/5/2014

US has discovered gaps in China's East China Sea air identification zone most probably by employing RC-135 Rivet Joint intelligence gathering aircraft. (Photo: US Air Force)

By: Wendell Minnick (www.defensenews.com)

Only days after China declared an air defense identification zone on Nov. 23 over the East China Sea, the US Air Force flew two B-52 bombers over the area in what appeared to be a challenge to China’s claim.

A former US Air Force official is suggesting this was a message of deterrence to Beijing that the US is aware of China’s weak links along its air defense network.

Philippines, US To Sign Defense Pact

27/4/2014

By: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com)

The Philippines and the United States announced they would sign an agreement on Monday to allow a greater US military presence on Filipino soil for the next decade.

Obama's army of protectors

24/4/2014

US President Barack Obama surrounded by a team of Secret Service agents. (Photo: heavy.com)

By: Tharanya Arumugam (www.nst.com.my)

A FULL-FLEDGED United States Secret Service team will accompany President Barack Obama around the clock as he sets foot here on Saturday.The three-day visit is part of his Asia tour to three other Asian countries: Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

How U.S. Military Power Benefits China

13/3/2014

AEGIS equipped US Navy cruisers and destroyers are one of the most capable ships in the world. (Photo: US Navy)

By: Stephen Ellis (www.thediplomat.com)

Often overlooked in the debates about the possibility of a future struggle between the United States and China in East Asia is the fact that the current U.S. military presence in the region actually serves and supports a number of critical Chinese strategic interests. Beijing actually benefits in a number of ways from U.S. power, suggesting that the contention that China is ultimately seeking to push the United States militarily out of the region may not be as clear cut as is often assumed and asserted.

RAAF to acquire eight P-8A aircraft

20/2/2014

Australia is acquiring P-8A to replace its aging AP-3C Orions.

By: Max Blenkin (www.theaustralia.com.au)

AUSTRALIA is to acquire eight new Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, able to watch over a vast area of ocean and if necessary attack enemy ships and submarines.

RAAF scrambles plane to observe Chinese naval exercise

16/2/2014

By: David Wroe (www.smh.com.au)

Australia scrambled an air force surveillance plane earlier this month to monitor an unannounced Chinese military exercise that took the emerging superpower's ships closer to Australian territory than ever before.

In what observers say is a significant strategic development, China carried out combat simulations at the beginning of the month between Christmas Island and Indonesia in an apparent flexing of its growing naval muscle.

Indonesian Air Force Draws Up Shopping List

9/2/2014

A U.S. Air Force F-15D Eagle flies next to a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet over the Nevada Test and Training Range. There are speculation that TNI-AU might replace their F-5 Tiger II fleet with ex-USAF F-15s. (Photo: USAF)

By: Alan Warnes (www.ainonline.com)

Boasting one of the fastest growing economies in the world is allowing Indonesia to invest much-needed funds in its military. After years of stagnation caused by the 1997 financial crisis, leading to most of Indonesia’s military acquisition programs being cancelled, the situation deteriorated further when the U.S.imposed an arms embargo in 1999 that lasted until 2005.

Palace hopes US will defend Phl in sea row

9/2/2014

By: Delon Porcalla (www.philstar.com)

Malacañang hopes the US will come to the defense of the Philippines when China becomes more aggressive in claiming the entire West Philippine Sea.

Taiwan gets US submarine-launched missiles: report

11/1/2014

File photo: A US-made Harpoon ship-to-ship missile is displayed at the Taipei World Trade Centre. (AFP/Patrick Lin)

By Agence France-Presse (http://www.defencetalk.com)

Taiwan has received the first shipment of anti-ship missiles which it ordered from the United States for its submarines, strengthening their attack capability, a senior official was Wednesday quoted as saying.

Taiwan ordered the Harpoon missiles in 2008 as part of a $6.5 billion arms purchase which sparked strong protests from Beijing.

The island already has Harpoons installed on its frigates and F-16 fighter jets.