Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East reveal a critical military vulnerability: advanced drones mean nothing without sustained ammunition supplies. Both the US and India face dangerous shortfalls in munitions production and energetic materials like explosives and propellants, with concerning dependencies on China.
A US congressional report confirms allegations of China's disinformation campaign targeting the Rafale fighter following the May 2025 India-Pakistan clash. According to the report, Chinese embassy officials and online networks amplified claims that Pakistan had downed multiple Indian Rafale jets using Chinese-built weapons.
The US military is quietly reviving airfields first carved out of jungle and coral during World War 2 to counter potential threats from China. The effort, driven by the Agile Combat Employment doctrine, aims to create a network of smaller, far-flung locations where US aircraft can operate from, reducing vulnerability in a war defined by long-range precision weapons.
The United States Department of Justice has filed a civil forfeiture complaint to seize two anti-submarine warfare mission crew trainers that were intercepted while being shipped from South Africa to China's People's Liberation Army. The trainers, manufactured by the Test Flying Academy of South Africa, were allegedly designed to support training in airborne early warning and ASW missions.
The US government has approved a series of potential Foreign Military Sales cases for Taiwan, totaling an estimated $11 billion-worth of defense equipment. The transactions would reportedly be the largest arms sale to Taiwan in US history, including rocket systems, aerial drones, and howitzers.
The US and Asian partners may co-produce drones in the Indo-Pacific region as a response to China's growing technological advancements. This could involve partnerships between companies like Red Cat, Taiwan, and Japan to develop unmanned systems that can operate in contested environments.
The US, UK, and democracies across the Indo-Pacific are rethinking deterrence as China expands its military power. At this year's Shangri-La Dialogue, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Beijing's actions reveal a lack of respect for neighbors and challenge sovereignty, freedom of navigation, and overflight.
The Trump administration has released a new Maritime Action Plan, proposing the establishment of Maritime Prosperity Zones to encourage investment in waterfront communities and regulatory relief. This plan aims to bolster the US shipbuilding industry and boost global commerce, with a focus on commercial shipbuilding.
Breaking Defense reports that the US is seeking European allies in a potential conflict over Taiwan. The initiative draws on lessons from Ukraine and leverages European military capabilities.
The National Commission on the Future of the Navy was created by Congress to help the US Navy compete, deter, and win with modern tools and concepts against sophisticated adversaries. The commission will hold public hearings in 2026 and submit its recommendations in early 2027.
A US-based thinktank has recommended that Taiwan create an 'asymmetric hellscape' made up of thousands of drones to deter Chinese invasion. The report, titled Hellscape for Taiwan: Rethinking Asymmetric Defense, calls on the island to allocate more funding for drone production and development.
South Korea's Air Force scrambled fighter jets after nine Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on December 9, 2025. According to Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the planes were detected and identified before entering the ADIZ and withdrew without incident.
Shenzhen Airlines has launched its first direct flight to Melbourne, marking a significant expansion of Australia's air connectivity with southern China. The new route, operated by Airbus A330 aircraft three times weekly, adds over 90,000 seats annually between Melbourne and China.
The Pentagon has released its new National Defense Strategy, placing a strong focus on homeland defense and security in the Western Hemisphere. The document, which was traditionally considered a foundational guide for the department, emphasizes the importance of defending America's interests throughout the region.
The US military is focusing on technology development driven by higher-tech threats overseas, with Undersecretary for Research and Engineering Emil Michael identifying China as a pacing threat. Despite priorities in the Americas, Michael emphasized the need for adaptation to emerging technologies like drones, hypersonics, directed energy, and artificial intelligence.
The Air Force awarded Boeing the Next Generation Air Dominance sixth-generation fighter contract, citing the need to counter new threats posed by China. The selection comes after a year marked by significant changes in the Air Force's leadership and priorities.
JPMorgan Chase is committing $10 billion in direct investments over the next decade to bolster U.S. defense and advanced manufacturing capabilities, part of a broader $1.5 trillion Security and Resilience Initiative. The financial giant plans to back both venture-backed startups and legacy defense suppliers, with particular focus on submarine production, missile manufacturing, and critical supply chain resilience.
Japan's Self-Defense Forces carried out joint military drills with the US over the Sea of Japan, deploying US B-52 strategic bombers alongside Japanese fighter aircraft. The exercise took place in response to deteriorating security environment and was conducted as a demonstration of the two allies' determination not to allow unilateral changes to the status quo by force.
Japan's Ministry of Defense protested a dangerous encounter on December 6, 2025, when Chinese Navy J-15 fighters from the carrier Liaoning illuminated Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F-15s with fire-control radar near Okinawa. The two incidents, occurring over international waters southeast of the island, represent an escalation in regional tensions.
Secretary Pete Hegseth's ambitious acquisition reform speech promised Pentagon modernization and innovation to compete with China. However, a comparison between the leaked draft memo and the final released version reveals significant watering-down of key proposals.
China has formally commissioned its third aircraft carrier, the CNS Fujian, marking a major step in the People's Liberation Army Navy's expansion into carrier aviation using electromagnetic catapults. The ceremony took place on November 5, 2025, at a naval port in Sanya, Hainan, where Chinese President Xi Jinping presided, boarded the ship, inspected the vessel and posed with representatives of the carrier unit, according to state news agency Xinhua.
The US Department of Justice has arrested Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., a former fighter pilot instructor with over 24 years of service, on allegations that he provided unauthorized combat aircraft training to Chinese military aviators. According to prosecutors, Brown allegedly conspired from at least August 2023 with foreign nationals and US persons to provide such training, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
Emirates has signed an interline agreement with Loong Air, allowing passengers to access 22 points across China via three airports. The partnership aims to simplify booking processes and provide a seamless travel experience.
Pilots working for EASA have been conducting test flights of the COMAC C919 in Shanghai as part of the airline's bid to secure certification by Western regulators. According to The South China Morning Post, the flights are aimed at demonstrating the aircraft's reliability and safety.
The Dubai Airshow continued into its second day, with attendees seeing aircraft they might not otherwise encounter. Russia showcased its Su-57 stealth fighter and China displayed its CH-9 drone.
The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission urges Congress to establish a quantum first goal to stay ahead of China's development of dual-use quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. The commission recommends significant funding for US quantum development, including the creation of a Quantum Software Engineering Institute (QSEI).
COMAC has sent its C919 demonstrator aircraft to Dubai ahead of the airshow, marking its Middle East debut. The aircraft will attend the show from November 17 to 21, 2025, as COMAC seeks to draw attention to its twinjet on a global stage.
Comac Business Jet (CBJ) has made its debut in VIP form at the Dubai Airshow 2025, showcasing a polished cabin walkthrough video on YouTube. The aircraft targets typical layouts and offers high-speed broadband via phased-array satellite equipment.
China's Spring Airlines and Juneyao Airlines have announced plans to acquire over $8 billion worth of Airbus A320-family aircraft, with deliveries expected between 2028 and 2032. The deals come amid renewed efforts by Airbus to expand its footprint in China, following several years of uneven order activity.
China has made its first test flight of the long-rumored Y-30 turboprop airlifter, according to AeroTime. The aircraft is believed to be a product of Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation and features a high-wing design with four turboprop engines.
China's Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, damaged by debris impact during its mission, successfully returned to Earth after on-orbit repairs. According to SpaceNews reports, the incident marked China's first human spaceflight emergency.
China's Aero Engine Corporation (AECC) is developing the AEP20, a small turboprop engine designed to compete with piston engines in light aircraft and drone markets. Producing 320 shaft horsepower, the engine weighs one-third less than comparable piston engines and is engineered to last twice as long.
According to Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch, senior enlisted advisor to the deputy chief of space operations for intelligence, China and Russia are experimenting with stealth technologies aimed at making it harder for radar and telescopes to find their satellites. The Chinese military has been experimenting with shaping microsatellites since 2012, while Russia recently orbited an experimental satellite called Mozhayets in medium Earth orbit with very low visibility.
Breaking Defense reports that China will likely dominate defense and security headlines in 2026, given ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and around Taiwan. Expect standoffs and encounters between Chinese ships and Philippine counterparts, as well as increased PLAN presence in Japan's waters.
A new report by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) reveals that China has surpassed the US in nuclear submarine production. Between 2021 and 2025, China launched 10 submarines with an estimated displacement of 79,000 tonnes, while the US produced seven boats displacing 55,000 tonnes during the same period.
China has launched its fourth publicly disclosed reusable experimental spacecraft into orbit, marking a significant advancement in its recoverable spaceflight program. According to AeroTime, the mission will focus on technology verification for reusable spacecraft, with the goal of supporting the peaceful use of outer space.
China Southern Airlines is relaunching direct flights between Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) and Helsinki Airport (HEL), with Boeing 787-9 services starting March 29, 2026. The route was previously removed due to pandemic disruptions.
Breaking Defense reports on China's military parade showcasing its nuclear triad and new missiles, including the HQ-29 anti-satellite interceptor. This event highlights China's growing belligerent behavior in the Indo-Pacific region, with implications for regional security.
The Pentagon has released a new annual assessment, warning that China's military buildup is increasing the vulnerability of the US homeland to threats. The report highlights China's expansion in cyber, space, and nuclear capabilities, as well as its efforts to achieve a 'strategic decisive victory' over Taiwan by 2027.
China has successfully completed the first flight of its large unmanned 'mothership' aircraft, Jiutian, which is designed to carry dozens of smaller drones. The platform can deploy up to 100 UAVs in flight and has a range of several thousand miles.
Changi International Airport will offer over 600 additional flights to 15 Chinese cities during the Lunar New Year period, starting February 1 and March 8, 2026. Six airlines - Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Loong Air, Spring Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines - will operate extra services.
Airbus has secured an order for six A350F freighters from Air China Cargo, marking the first time the all-new aircraft will be operated on the Chinese mainland. The deal reflects growing demand for efficient freighter aircraft in Asia and underscores Airbus' commitment to providing innovative solutions for cargo carriers.
Air Astana has announced plans to launch a new service between Almaty and Shanghai, starting March 2026. The airline will operate three times weekly using Airbus A321LR aircraft.