South China Sea (SCS)
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Indonesia strengthens naval fleet with refurbishment, enhancement program
Gusty Da Costa In February 2025, the newly refurbished Indonesian Navy vessel KRI Bung Tomo departed Belawan Navy Base for the multilateral exercise Aman in the Arabian Sea. The 90-meter frigate is one of 41 vessels benefiting from Jakarta’s R41 program to extend the fleet’s service life and enhance its combat capabilities. A partnership of the Defense Ministry and Indonesian…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
China’s patrols, aggression fail to intimidate South China Sea claimant nations
FORUM Staff South China Sea nations have not succumbed to Beijing’s increasingly persistent efforts to undermine their lawful maritime territorial claims. Despite the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) threats and aggressive moves, fishing, security patrols and offshore exploration continued in 2024. That’s the conclusion of an analysis of Global Positioning System-based ship-tracking information that detects vessel movements globally. The Center for…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Philippines, U.S. highlight freedom of navigation with South China Sea joint air patrol
Sentry Contributor The Philippines and the United States recently conducted a joint air patrol over the South China Sea, a region fraught with territorial disputes and geopolitical tensions. The exercise, which underscored freedom of navigation, took place near Scarborough Shoal, a strategic location at the center of a long-standing territorial dispute between China and the Philippines. Philippine FA-50 and United…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Manila advances multilateral cooperation for regional, global security
FORUM Staff The Philippines is rapidly expanding international defense partnerships amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) illegally claims most of the economically vital and environmentally significant waterway. Beijing has become increasingly aggressive inside Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) — and other nations’ maritime territory — despite an international tribunal’s nearly decade-old ruling…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Malaysia strengthens maritime security with advanced patrol aircraft, regional collaboration
Peter Parson Faced with evolving maritime security threats, Malaysia is strengthening its patrol capabilities, including with new aircraft and deeper ties with regional partners. As part of the upgrades, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is purchasing two ATR 72MPA patrol aircraft developed by Italy’s Leonardo Aerospace and converted three of its CN-235 cargo planes into advanced surveillance aircraft. The…
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Partnerships
Multinational course bolsters security cooperation among Indonesia, Philippines, U.S., Vietnam
FORUM Staff Coast Guard, law enforcement and fisheries personnel from Indonesia, the Philippines, the United States and Vietnam strengthened cooperation in mid-January 2025 with maritime security training. The U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs funded the two-week course on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. It included instructors from the Philippine and U.S. Coast Guards, and Vietnam’s…
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Across The Region
Cooperation Fortifies Japan, South Korea, U.S. Ties
Japan, South Korea and the United States are strengthening security ties in response to regional threats. The nations pledged to expand the multidomain exercise Freedom Edge to promote defense interoperability and protect regional and global peace in the face of North Korea’s nuclear provocations. In its first iteration in June 2024, the trilateral exercise mobilized personnel, ships and aircraft for…
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Conflicts - Tensions
Philippines seeks multilateral arbitration case against PRC’s South China Sea aggression
FORUM Staff The Philippines plans a potential new arbitration case against the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for continued violations of international law in the South China Sea, and Manila hopes other nations join a multilateral legal case, officials say. The Philippines wants to file a “foolproof, solid case,” Andres Centino, chief presidential advisor on maritime affairs, told the Financial…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Indonesia strengthening front-line defenses against maritime threats
Gusty Da Costa Indonesia is bolstering its maritime security infrastructure across key outer islands amid growing regional tensions. The strategically located Natuna Islands and Rote Island are at the forefront of the initiative, highlighting Jakarta’s commitment to protect its national borders and maintain stability in contested waters. “Security infrastructure on Indonesia’s outer islands such as Natuna and Rote reflects the…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
New maritime laws signal Philippines’ resolve against PRC’s discredited claims
Maria T. Reyes The Philippines has taken another decisive step in asserting its sovereignty and maritime rights by enacting two new laws. The Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act aim to strengthen the Philippines’ territorial claims, particularly in the South China Sea, while bolstering Manila’s economic and environmental stewardship of its waters. The legislation underscores the country’s…
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