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Partnerships
Philippines-U.S. asymmetric capabilities effort raises Manila’s maritime security with sea drones
FORUM Staff The Philippines military acquired four autonomous sea vessels from the United States in June 2026 to boost Manila’s ability to monitor its waters and detect potential maritime threats. The solar-powered Ocean Aero Triton uncrewed vessels, valued at $13 million, demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the Philippines, its treaty ally, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines stated, and strengthen…
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Illicit Activity
Allies, Partners push to strengthen laws to curb China’s increased spying and foreign interference
FORUM Staff The August arrest of two former Chinese military personnel on espionage charges in South Korea underscores the urgency for Allies and Partners to counter the spike in nefarious activities orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in particular. Republic of Korea (ROK) authorities arrested the two reportedly People’s Liberation Army (PLA) veterans accused of intercepting communications between fighter…
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Partnerships
U.S. ready for expanded joint special forces drills with Philippines
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS United States Special Operations Forces (SOF) are ready to step up warfighting-readiness exercises with counterparts in the Philippines and other countries in the Indo-Pacific to further strengthen a security alliance and help deter a major conflict. “The best way to deter conflict is by being able to demonstrate convincingly to any adversary who may want to start…
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Global Commons
New Zealand foils Beijing-linked plan to gather satellite information
Reuters New Zealand’s security agency said it disrupted an attempt by a Chinese Communist Party-linked observatory to install satellite-tracking infrastructure in the country, highlighting the case in its annual assessment of an increasingly dangerous espionage environment. The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) said Purple Mountain Observatory, a China-based organization with close ties to Beijing, planned to install ground-based space…
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Partnerships
Philippine defense partnerships aid deterrence amid maritime coercion
Maria T. Reyes The Philippines’ evolving network of defense partnerships is entering a new phase, as Manila seeks to strengthen its deterrence posture amid China’s continued maritime coercion in the South China Sea. Following status of visiting forces agreements and reciprocal military access with Canada, France, Japan and New Zealand, the Philippines has expanded the number of countries able to conduct joint military activities on…
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Northeast Asia
Emerging Japanese chip hub gives regional defense sector boost
Felix Kim Rapidus Corp.’s semiconductor chip factory in Chitose City, Hokkaido, Japan, is racing toward mass production of key chips by 2027, attracting attention across the Indo-Pacific’s defense industrial base. “Rapidus is aiming to produce two nanometer semiconductors with shorter turnaround times,” Dr. Sujai Shivakumar, senior fellow and director of Renewing American Innovation at the Center for Strategic and International…
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Global Commons
Australia solidifies role as Pacific island region’s largest aid provider, report says
FORUM Staff Australia has become the largest aid provider to the Pacific island region, according to the latest Lowy Institute Pacific Aid Map, which features data from 2008 through 2024. Australia provided about $1.5 billion, or 37%, of all development spending in the Pacific islands in 2024. The report covers Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia,…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
PACAF sets theater with prepositioned materiel
U.S. Pacific Air Forces The Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is moving prepositioned materiel into key locations throughout the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility. This effort, central to the U.S. Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment scheme of maneuver, shifts critical equipment to strategic locations throughout the Pacific to increase survivability while generating combat power. To date, more than 15 shipments…
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Conflicts - Tensions
China’s military drills do not alter Philippines’ legal claim to Scarborough Reef
FORUM Staff China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) naval and airborne exercises around the contested Scarborough Reef do not change the Philippines’ legal claim to the South China Sea location, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in August 2026. “Military activities or demonstrations do not alter the legal status of maritime features or the Philippines’ maritime entitlements under international…
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Oceania
Pitch Black strengthens Australia-Japan interoperability, sees debut of India fighter jets
AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE DEPARTMENT Australia and Japan strengthened airborne early warning and control capabilities in one of the Indo-Pacific’s largest international air combat exercises for Exercise Pitch Black. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) E-7A Wedgetail worked with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) E-2D Hawkeye and a mobile control and reporting unit to enhance integration on the ground and in…
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