The JS Yahagi (FFM-5). Photo c/o MilitaryPorn @ Reddit. Japanese naval shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has formally handed over the fifth Mogami-class multi-mission frigate to the  Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) on 21 May 2024. This was immediately followed by the ship’s commissioning with the JMSDF as the JS Yahagi (FFM-5), and was assigned with the Escort Division 14 based in Maizuru Naval Base in Kyoto Prefecture. The JS Yahagi was launched by MHI’s Nagasaki Shipyard on 23 June 2022, and was named after the Yahagi River in Central Japan. Th ..read more

  Ceremonial pouring of champagne on one of the new T129Bs of the PAF. Photo c/o 15th Strike Wing.  The Philippine Air Force’s 15th Strike Wing has formally inducted the last batch of two T129B ATAK attack helicopters, as part of an acquisition of six units from Turkish Aerospace Industries. A simple ceremony was held last 17 May 2024 at the PAF’s Maj. Danilo Atienza Air Base in Sangley Point, Cavite, and attended by the PAF Air Combat Command chief Major General Araus Robert Musico and 15th Strike Wing commander Brigadier General Juliano Llanares. The two attack helicopt ..read more

  Sniper ATP targeting pod installed on an F/A-18 Super Hornet. Photo c/o EDR Magazine. (Press release by Defense Security Cooperation Agency) WASHINGTON, May 6, 2024 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Malaysia of Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods and related equipment for an estimated cost of $80 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Malaysia has requested to buy ten (10) AN/AAQ-33 Sniper A ..read more

  The Fujian during sea trials. Photo c/o The Aviationist. China has commenced the initial sea trials for its new Type 003 aircraft carrier last 01 May 2024, as reported by Chinese state-owned media outlet Xinhua. The aircraft carrier, which was named Fujian (18) after the Chinese southern province, left the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shangai around 8:00am local time, with the sea trials meant to test the reliability and stability of the ship’s propulsion and electrical systems. The aircraft carrier would become the most capable in the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fleet onc ..read more

  A CGI of the Scorpene Evolved submarine. Photo c/o Naval Group. On 28 March 2024, Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL has signed a contract with French naval shipbuilder Naval Group for the Indonesia Navy’s (TNI-AL) new submarine construction program. PT PAL has been selected by the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) to deliver two new diesel-electric submarines to the Indonesian Navy, and the company already have an existing Strategic Partnership Agreement with Naval Group since 2022. With the contract signed, it signifies the selection of Naval Group’s Scorpene Ev ..read more

  Some of the Sabrah light tanks and new 6x6 APCs during the handover and induction ceremony last 05 March 2024. Photo c/o PIA Tarlac. The Philippine Army (PA) formally received and inducted new armored vehicles  into its arsenal last 05 March 2024 as it continues to modernize its forces. Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy Galido and Armor Division Commander Maj. Gen. Facundo Palafox IV led the ceremonies together with executives from Israeli defense company  Elbit Systems, which delivered the armored vehicles as part of the Philippine Army’s Light Tank ..read more

  Some of the 10 Harimau medium tanks prior to handover to the TNI-AD. Photo c/o PT Pindad. The Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) received 52 new tactical vehicles manufactured by Indonesian defense company PT Pindad. The vehicles were handed over by the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) to the Indonesian Army on 28 February 2024, with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto witnessing the event at the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Headquarters in Jakarta. Among those handed over to the Indonesian Army are 10 Harimau medium tanks, 3 Badak 6x6 fire sup ..read more

  F-35A Lightning II fighters, these examples in service woth the Royal Australian Air Force. Photo c/o Australian DoD. Singapore’s Defence Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen has announced on 28 February 2024 that the country will be procuring 8 new F-35A Lightning II 5th-generation fighter aircraft for the Repbulic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), which are expected to be delivered by 2030. The announcement was made during parliamentary debates on Singapore’s defence budget, citing that the F-35 has become a proven platform, while economies of scale from massive orders from the United Sta ..read more

  A Heron 1 UAV. Photo c/o Janes. The Chief of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Major General Kelvin Khong announced that the service is already looking ahead with plans to replace its fleet of Heron 1 and Hermes 450 unmanned aerial vehicles in the future as part of its modernization efforts. The Elbit System Hermes 450 and  IAI Heron 1 UAVs, which provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to the RSAF and Singapore Armed Forces as a whole, have been in service since 2007 and 2012, respectively. The Heron 1 reached Full Operational ..read more

One of the RBAirF's C-295MW aircraft. Photo x/o Airbus Defence. The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) has inducted the first two Airbus C-295MW tactical transport aircraft into service on 16 February 2024. These are the same aircraft that arrived in BRAirF’s Air Movement Centre at Rimba Air Base on 24 January 2024. The aircraft is an important addition to its small fleet, allowing the Royal Brunei Armed Forces to conduct combat and non-combat missions including tactical air troop and cargo transport, paratrooper platform, airdrop operations, VIP transport,  and humanitarian ass ..read more