Author: Defenceline Webdesk

In this episode of The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics Podcast, hosts Ankit Panda and Katie Putz examine the status of the Russia-North Korea partnership. Since the signing of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty in 2024, the two have held three strategic dialogues, the most recent in late July in Moscow. How transactional is the massive shift in their relations and how sensitive is it to the Ukraine war? And what does China — which has its own nuanced relations with North Korea and Russia — think about the growing closeness between Moscow and Pyongyang? You can subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia…

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WASHINGTON — L3Harris is postponing its planned spin off of its missile solutions unit until at least mid-2027, with its chief executive saying that the business is being undervalued even as demand soars for solid rocket motors and other weapons components. The company wants to let the market “settle down” and will revisit an initial public offering in mid-2027, rather than completing the spin off by the end of the year as originally projected, CEO Chris Kubasik told investors during a Wednesday earnings call. L3Harris announced the spin off in January, concurrent with the Pentagon announcing that they would take…

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On 31 July 2026, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI/TUSAŞ) released footage showing KAAN P1 – the second prototype of Türkiye’s KAAN next-generation fighter aircraft (NGFA) – completing its first taxi test at the company’s facility in Ankara. Compared to KAAN P0, the demonstrator that first flew in February 2024, KAAN P1 carries a more advanced system architecture. This architecture consists of integrated mission-system elements that more closely mirror the intended production configuration. The KAAN – originally designated the TF-X – is the fifth-generation stealth fighter Türkiye began pursuing in earnest after Washington removed it from the F-35 Lightning II program in…

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In order to deal with a worsening regional security environment, Japan is stepping up its intelligence capabilities. Since establishing the National Intelligence Council (NIC) this summer, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae acknowledged the threat caused by leaks of sensitive technology to foreign intelligence services.  “We will continue discussions on ‘enhancing foreign intelligence collection’ and ‘strengthening the prevention of improper foreign influence’ while maintaining a balance with the people’s ‘liberty and human rights,’” she said at a recent press conference.  As Japan continues its intelligence reforms, the government must also consider how to strengthen its counterintelligence capabilities. This will impact not only…

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WASHINGTON — A host of upgrades meant to extend the life of the aging B-52 Stratofortress bombers face a number of cost and schedule risks, and officials aren’t properly using all tools at their disposal to shape the aircraft’s modernization, according to a new watchdog report. Collectively, the Air Force plans to spend roughly $21 billion on 13 different upgrades for the B-52, which will keep the Eisenhower-era bomber flying through the 2050s. But two key, expensive efforts — one to replace the aircraft’s eight engines, and another to swap out its radar — are “at risk for additional cost,…

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History seems to be repeating itself in South Asia as the region’s smaller nations once again demand the revitalization of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Delivering a speech during the Maldives’ Independence Day celebrations on July 26, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu urged SAARC members to return to the negotiating table, resume summits and set aside their differences for the sake of regional peace and cooperation. He added the Maldives was ready to help initiate discussions and mediate among member states. This is not the first time Muizzu has called for SAARC’s revival. He made a similar call…

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WASHINGTON — A Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet crashed today at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, according to the service.  The aircraft was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Emergency personnel responded to the mishap at approximately 10 a.m. local time. The pilot ejected and is in stable condition at a local medical facility, the service said in a statement. The pilot is being treated and evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries, the statement added. No additional details were immediately available. The average flyaway price for the short takeoff and vertical landing F-35B is $109 million. The F-35…

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