Author: Defenceline Webdesk

Russia’s President Vladmir Putin and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim declared at the recent ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan that Russia has assured Malaysia that it will maintain a long-term supply of petrol, oil, and gas to the country. However, Malaysia is itself an exporter of oil and gas, and is expected to remain a net exporter of gas until 2035. While it is true that it is a net importer of oil, it has always relied on the Saudis and other suppliers in the Middle East, including Iran, for supplies. For 30 years, U.S. sanctions have not mattered much…

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his condolences and offer of assistance following the devastating earthquakes that struck Caracas on Wednesday evening.The twin tremors caused widespread destruction, with buildings collapsing and emergency response efforts being triggered across the capital.Rodriguez responded to Modi’s message on X, warmly welcoming India’s support and willingness to aid relief operations. She emphasised that the solidarity shown by India reflects the spirit of cooperation between the two nations during times of difficulty. She noted that Venezuela acknowledges and appreciates the international support and expressions of solidarity received in…

When Western policymakers discuss China’s dominance in electric vehicle batteries, the focus typically falls on Beijing: its industrial policy, state subsidies, and national strategic planning. Yet this emphasis obscures the role of local governments in cultivating industrial ecosystems and the symbiotic relationship between development zones and globally competitive firms. Few cases illustrate this dynamic better than Ningde’s Dongqiao Economic and Technological Development Zone. Fujian’s local authorities helped create an attractive environment for CATL to establish and expand its operations in Ningde. As CATL grew into the world’s leading EV battery manufacturer, its presence in turn attracted suppliers, research institutions, skilled…

India has expressed its gratitude to Slovenia for its steadfast support in the fight against terrorism. Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George conveyed appreciation to the European nation for its condemnation of the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and for backing India’s efforts against global and cross‑border terrorism.Speaking at Slovenia’s National Day celebrations at the Slovenian Embassy in New Delhi, George underlined the warmth of bilateral relations. He noted that India and Slovenia enjoy ties founded on mutual respect, shared democratic values, and a common commitment to multilateralism. He emphasised that these relations have been strengthened through regular…

Home › Asian Defence News › North Korea Commissions Its First Choe Hyon-class Destroyer as Kim Signals Naval Nuclearisation Asian Defence News North Korea has commissioned the Choe Hyon, its largest-ever warship, as Kim Jong Un signals plans for a nuclear-armed navy and a fleet of larger cruisers. North Korea has commissioned the Choe Hyon (51), the first of four planned 5,000-tonne Choe Hyon-class guided-missile destroyers and the largest warship the country has ever built. Leader Kim Jong Un presided over the ceremony at the Nampho shipyard on 23 June, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), with…

After decades of fighting rogue states and non-state actors, the U.S. military is preparing for conflict with a much more powerful adversary: the People’s Republic of China. This would differ from any of the United States’ recent wars, both in scale and in kind. The U.S. military’s current capabilities would be inadequate. However, some equipment central for the Global War on Terror (GWOT) could remain surprisingly relevant in the Pacific. Three types of aircraft would struggle to serve their traditional roles in contested airspace, but can be adapted for new ones: medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones, subsonic ground-attack planes, and attack…

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Russia’s Secretary of the Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, in New Delhi on Tuesday as the two leaders reviewed bilateral ties and discussed cooperation under the BRICS framework.The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting, which India is hosting in its capacity as the current chair of the grouping.External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that both sides discussed ongoing cooperation under BRICS, including proposals put forward by Russia. They also reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation across multiple spheres, reflecting the depth of the India‑Russia Special and Privileged…

E. Overell & S. McDowall, RCD Cyber specialists have become as essential to modern warfare as pilots, submariners, and special operators Source link

Timor-Leste’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on October 26, 2025 marked a meaningful milestone for a country that has struggled to expand and diversify its economy since gaining independence in May 2002. The scale of the development gap is reflected in numerous economic metrics. According to the latest World Bank data, Timor-Leste’s GDP per capita stood at just $1,332 in 2024, roughly on par with Myanmar, and well below Laos’s $2,124. Labor market participation remains very low, with only around 30 percent of working-age adults engaged in formal employment, a figure the World Bank describes as…

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency after Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes on Wednesday evening, with authorities confirming fatalities and rescue operations underway across affected regions.In a televised address, Rodriguez expressed condolences to families who had lost loved ones, though she did not specify the number of deaths. She emphasised that emergency response teams had been deployed to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings and damaged structures.The Venezuelan capital, Caracas, was shaken by two consecutive earthquakes that struck the same area, causing widespread destruction. According to the United States Geological Survey, the first…