The U.S. 7th Air Force in South Korea will deploy nine F-16 Fighting Falcons to Osan Air Base to test a “super squadron” concept. The aircraft, together with 150 aircrews and combat support personnel, will deploy from Kunsan Air Base, where the 8th Fighter Wing operates. The F-16s will bring the number of aircraft assigned to Osan’s...
Category: Asia
US Eyes Military Sustainment Centers in Five Indo-Pacific Allied Countries; Christopher Lowman Quoted
The U.S. Department of Defense is looking to start working with five Indo-Pacific allies on building military maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities under a regional framework that it plans to develop and launch across its overseas commands. Christopher Lowman, assistant secretary of defense for sustainment, said in a Pentagon briefing Thursday that the regional sustainment...
Lockheed Martin Outlines F-16 Offset Program for Thai Air Force
Lockheed Martin has proposed to support Thailand in improving its manufacturing workforce and aerospace engineering capabilities should the country obtain the F-16 Block 70/72. Bangkok had detailed in March its procurement plans over the next decade, with the latest Lockheed iteration and Saab’s Gripen emerging as top contenders. On Monday, the defense contractor said it...
New AI Cooperation Agreement Aims to Boost US-Singapore Defense Alliance
The U.S. Department of Defense and the Singapore Ministry of Defence have established a framework for technical collaboration on data analytics and artificial intelligence under a newly released statement of intent. The SOI — signed on Monday by Radha Iyengar Plumb, DOD’s chief digital and AI officer, and Brig. Gen. Yew Chee Leung, Singapore Ministry...
Indopacom Chief Broaches Possibility of Nuclear-Powered Submarines in SKorea
The newly appointed commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said South Korea may acquire nuclear-powered submarines in the future amid increasing tension with neighboring North Korea. In an interview with South Korean reporters on Thursday, Adm. Samuel Paparo said the possibility of introducing SSNs in the region depends on the result of its operational analysis. “From...
Northrop Grumman, Mitsubishi Electric Extend Collaboration With Mission Solutions MOU; Kenn Todorov Quoted
Northrop Grumman and Mitsubishi Electric are planning to jointly pursue industrial co-production opportunities for various strategic mission solutions in the United States and Japan. The cooperation, provided in a memorandum of understanding that Northrop announced on Wednesday, extends to partnership in logistics and sustainment of key military capabilities such as electronic warfare, radar, underwater sensors and...
South Korea Taps BAE Systems for $111M Secure Communications Solution
BAE Systems said South Korea is collaborating with the company to deploy a secure communications system amid growing threats in the Indo-Pacific region. Under multiple contracts with a combined value of $111 million, BAE Systems will deliver ARC-232A, a SATURN waveform, providing the East Asian nation’s fixed-wing and rotary aircraft with secure and interoperable command...
US to Send More Powerful Fighter Jets to Japan Bases Amid Increasing Regional Tension
The U.S. Department of Defense will deploy newer fighter jets to Japan as part of a $10 billion modernization plan designed to enhance regional deterrence and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific. It recently unveiled the capability modernization plan for multiple military installations across Japan. According to DOD, the Air Force will send 36 F-15EX Eagle...
Taiwan to Acquire AeroVironment Switchblade 300 Loitering Munition From US
The United States has approved Taiwan’s request to purchase loitering munition systems. The proposed foreign military sale, estimated to be worth $60.2 million, will supply Taipei with AeroVironment’s Switchblade 300 advanced weapon system to strengthen the East Asian nation’s capability to defend itself against regional threats. The Switchblade 300 can be transported in a backpack...
Korea Aerospace Industries to Begin KF-21 Fighter Delivery in 2026 Under $1.4B Contract
Korea Aerospace Industries targets delivering the first 20 KF-21 Boramae Block I fighter jets to the South Korean government by the end of 2026. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration awarded the company a $1.41 billion production contract in June to manufacture the Block I batch of the aircraft, which KAI has been developing since 2015...