Analysis & Reports

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted live-fire drills near Dongshan Island, Fujian, on July 23-24, 2023, with 26 military aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait median line. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense tracked 21 PLA aircraft and 6 naval vessels during this period, indicating increased military pressure. The drills were characterized as routine training by Beijing, but they imposed significant operational costs on Taiwan's defense forces.

Marcus ChenSun Jul 26 2026Loading...

Taiwan's Marine Corps mobilized dozens of vehicles from southern Taiwan to Taipei as part of a five-day joint defense exercise from July 13 to 17. The exercise focused on rapid reinforcement of key political and economic centers, testing decentralized command and operational readiness. Concurrently, China's Fujian aircraft carrier transited the Taiwan Strait, influencing Taiwan's defense strategy.

Marcus ChenMon Jul 13 2026Loading...

China deployed 21 military and government platforms around Taiwan from July 7 to July 8, 2026, including 9 aircraft and 12 ships. Four aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line into Taiwan's air defense identification zone. The USS George Washington was operating in the Philippine Sea, providing a U.S. naval presence in the region. This ongoing military activity reflects China's strategy to maintain pressure on Taiwan.

Marcus ChenWed Jul 08 2026Loading...

On July 4, 2026, the China Coast Guard rotated its task groups, with CCGS Xiushan replacing CCGS Daishan east of Taiwan, continuing patrols and inspections. This shift indicates a persistent Chinese maritime presence in the region, which is strategically significant for Taiwan's defense and logistics. The U.S. recognizes the need for enhanced maritime domain awareness in response to these developments.

Marcus ChenSun Jul 05 2026Loading...

Fujian transited the Taiwan Strait on June 23, 2026, with no aircraft on deck, indicating it remains in the training phase. This transit highlights China's current limitations in carrier operations despite having three hulls. The event coincided with U.S. military exercises, emphasizing the strategic context of the region. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense monitored the transit, reflecting ongoing tensions.

Marcus ChenSun Jun 28 2026Loading...

Philippine forces are verifying a 6x6 meter structure in Scarborough Shoal, which may signify a change in control dynamics in the area. China has maintained a continuous presence since 2012, with 26 Chinese vessels recently monitored in the West Philippine Sea. The U.S. and Philippine forces conducted joint maritime activities nearby, highlighting the ongoing strategic competition in the region.

Marcus ChenMon Jun 22 2026Loading...

The U.S. Army established the Multi-Domain Command-Pacific (MDC-PAC) on June 18, 2026, by merging the 7th Infantry Division and 1st Multi-Domain Task Force at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. This new command aims to integrate Stryker formations, unmanned systems, and long-range fires to enhance military operations in the Pacific theater, addressing challenges posed by adversaries such as China. The command will focus on operational endurance, flexibility, and protection while testing new equipment and capabilities.

Marcus ChenMon Jun 22 2026Loading...

The U.S. Navy reestablished Submarine Squadron 3 at HMAS Stirling on June 10, 2026, to support the rotational deployment of four U.S.-commanded nuclear attack submarines in Western Australia starting in 2027. This move aims to enhance operational readiness and logistics for U.S. and U.K. submarines in the region. Additionally, Australia plans to acquire three secondhand Virginia-class submarines beginning in the early 2030s, with ongoing training for Australian maintainers in Hawaii.

Marcus ChenFri Jun 12 2026Loading...

Thirty-two Chinese military aircraft operated around Taiwan, with 25 crossing the median line into Taiwan's air defense identification zone between June 3 and June 4. Taiwan's armed forces responded with combat air patrols and naval vessels. This activity is part of a broader pattern of PLA operations aimed at testing Taiwan's defense readiness and normalizing pressure in the region.

Marcus ChenSat Jun 06 2026Loading...

The People's Liberation Army Navy's Liaoning aircraft carrier conducted 170 deck cycles over three days from May 26 to 28, 2026, in the Western Pacific, south of Japan. The carrier group included five vessels, demonstrating operational capabilities and rehearsing for potential future military engagements. This activity complicates US and allied operations in the region, indicating a shift in the PLAN's operational comfort.

Marcus ChenThu Jun 04 2026Loading...

The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning conducted 170 flight operations east of Luzon from May 26 to May 28, accompanied by a group of escort vessels. This operation is viewed as a strategic maneuver to enhance China's naval presence and challenge US military logistics in the region. The drills signify a shift from demonstration to practical rehearsal for potential conflicts involving Taiwan and the Philippines.

Marcus ChenMon Jun 01 2026Loading...

The Chinese Navy's Liaoning carrier group conducted a naval drill in the Philippine Sea, operating 880 kilometers southwest of Okinotorishima on May 26, 2026. This group included five vessels, highlighting China's capability to project naval power while the USS George Washington was transitioning from port. The positioning of the Chinese carrier group complicates U.S. and Japanese military logistics in the region.

Marcus ChenWed May 27 2026Loading...

China deployed over 100 vessels across the maritime regions from the Yellow Sea to the Western Pacific, creating significant operational challenges for Taiwan. A standoff occurred between Taiwan's Coast Guard and a Chinese coast guard ship near Dongsha Island, lasting over 20 hours. Taiwan's Coast Guard has also tracked numerous Chinese research vessels, indicating a coordinated effort to exert pressure on Taiwan's defenses.

Marcus ChenMon May 25 2026Loading...

On May 24, four PLA aircraft and six naval ships were detected around Taiwan, with three aircraft crossing the median line into Taiwan's air defense identification zone. This follows a pattern of increased PLA activity, with 22 of 26 aircraft crossing the median line over three days. Taiwan's military responded by monitoring the situation and deploying combat air patrols and naval assets.

Marcus ChenSun May 24 2026Loading...

China deployed over 100 naval and coast guard vessels across the Yellow Sea, South China Sea, and Western Pacific in recent days, indicating a rehearsal for a potential blockade of Taiwan. Taiwan reported 16 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN ships in its vicinity, while the U.S. faces delays in arms sales to Taiwan, affecting its military readiness. This deployment reflects China's strategy to create simultaneous pressure across multiple maritime approaches to Taiwan.

Marcus ChenSat May 23 2026Loading...

The U.S. INDOPACOM Mission Network was operationally tested during the Balikatan 2026 military exercise in the Philippines, integrating forces from the U.S., Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, and the Philippines. The exercise focused on command and control operations, utilizing various military equipment including Tomahawk missiles and HIMARS. A Combined Coordination Center was established to enhance coalition data-sharing and operational effectiveness.

Marcus ChenThu May 21 2026Loading...

Balikatan 2026 concluded in May 2026, involving 17,000 troops from the U.S., Japan, and other allies across the Philippines. Japan's first full-scale combat participation marked a historic shift, while the U.S. deployed the NMESIS system to enhance sea-denial capabilities. In response, China conducted naval and air patrols in the South China Sea, highlighting regional tensions.

Marcus ChenSat May 16 2026Loading...

Exercise Balikatan 2026 concluded in Manila on May 8, 2026, with over 16,000 troops from the U.S., Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada conducting integrated operations. The exercise featured the first deployment of the INDOPACOM Mission Network, enabling real-time intelligence sharing. Live-fire demonstrations included the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division utilizing HIMARS and Tomahawk missiles against simulated threats, showcasing a shift towards multi-domain operations in the Indo-Pacific.

Marcus ChenSun May 10 2026Loading...

The United States conducted Balikatan 2026 military exercises in the Philippines from April 20 to May 8, 2026, involving approximately 17,000 troops from the US, Japan, and allied nations. This marked Japan's first full participation as a combatant since World War II, showcasing advanced weapon systems and live-fire tests. The upcoming RIMPAC 2026 exercise will further enhance multilateral military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, with 31 nations participating. China criticized these developments, perceiving them as a threat.

Marcus ChenSat May 09 2026Loading...

Balikatan 2026 involved approximately 17,000 troops, including 10,000 from the U.S. and 1,400 from Japan, conducting military exercises across the Philippines. Japan's combat troops participated for the first time since World War II, conducting live-fire drills with Type 88 missiles. The U.S. Department of War's FY2027 budget request of $1.45 trillion emphasizes Pacific deterrence, reflecting a strategic shift towards high-end maritime operations.

Marcus ChenFri May 08 2026Loading...