Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Air Force is retiring the F-15C Eagles, with the last units departing from Kadena Air Base in Japan in late 2024. The F-15C, known for its unmatched air-to-air combat record, will be replaced by the multirole F-15EX. This transition marks the end of an era for a fighter designed exclusively for air superiority.

Japan and Vietnam are in discussions to potentially launch a joint project to build new fast landing vessels. The defense chiefs from both nations met recently in Japan to agree on this cooperation, which aims to enhance defense industrial collaboration. The envisioned vessels are designed for rapid transport of personnel and supplies from larger ships to shore, reflecting the growing strategic partnership between the two countries amid regional maritime pressures.

The U.S. Air Force doubled its planned F-15EX Eagle II fleet from 129 to 267 aircraft in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget due to capacity shortfalls and delays in the F-35 program. This decision reflects a shift in strategy to address immediate fighter capacity needs, with plans to increase production at Boeing's St. Louis plant. The F-15EX will be stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, enhancing the Air Force's operational capabilities in the Pacific region.

The upgraded Y-9 anti-submarine aircraft participated in training exercises in the South China Sea on July 16, 2026, demonstrating enhanced capabilities with new radar and detection systems. The People's Liberation Army Navy emphasized complex operational conditions during the exercises, indicating a focus on continuous search and coordination in anti-submarine warfare.

Li MinghuiFri Jul 17 2026Loading...

Japan is exploring the development of nuclear submarines, raising concerns among citizens about military expansion and a departure from its pacifist principles. The government acknowledges the need to enhance defense capabilities, with discussions on nuclear submarines indicating a significant shift in military policy. The Maritime Self-Defense Force aims to improve its offensive capabilities in response to regional threats.

JS Chokai of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will conduct live-fire training with Tomahawk cruise missiles in the Eastern Pacific during Summer 2026. This training, supported by the U.S. Navy's Third Fleet, marks a significant step in Japan's operational capabilities, transitioning from defensive to offensive strike options. The modifications to JS Chokai include the integration of the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System for Tomahawk missiles, enhancing Japan's deterrent posture against regional threats.

Tanaka TakashiFri Jul 17 2026Loading...

China has established a sustained Coast Guard presence east of Taiwan while conducting missile tests that reached 7,300 kilometers into the South Pacific. These actions are part of a strategy to normalize military operations in the region, prompting concerns from Taiwan, Japan, and the United States. The missile test, which likely passed over the Philippines, signals that a Taiwan contingency could extend beyond the Taiwan Strait.

Marcus ChenThu Jul 16 2026Loading...

Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) selected Terra Drone's locally developed interceptor drone as a test article for its Interceptor Drone Rapid Acquisition Programme, scheduled for 2026.

China is developing and deploying naval drones that pose a significant threat to U.S. aircraft carriers, particularly in a potential conflict over Taiwan. The First Island Chain is identified as a critical area for military engagement, with China's drone capabilities integrated into a reconnaissance and strike network. The Zhu Hai Yun vessel, officially a research ship, is capable of deploying drone swarms, enhancing China's naval warfare capabilities.

The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $439 million contract to produce ATACMS missiles and launchers for Taiwan, with the total expected to reach nearly $900 million. This deal, part of a larger arms package, aims to enhance Taiwan's long-range strike capabilities significantly. The contract is scheduled for completion by February 2031, reflecting the complexities of missile production. Taiwan is financing this through Foreign Military Sales, underscoring its commitment to strengthening its defense posture against potential threats from China.

MizarVision released satellite images showing the U.S. Army’s Typhon missile system deployed at Kanoya Air Base in Japan during military exercises from June 22 to July 1, 2026. The Typhon system, capable of striking targets up to 1,600 kilometers away, is part of a broader U.S.-Japan military cooperation. This deployment has drawn criticism from China, which views it as a destabilizing factor in the region.

Taiwan conducted a major defense drill from July 13-17, 2023, mobilizing M142 HIMARS and Hsiung Feng missile systems to enhance its island defense capabilities. The exercise aimed to integrate mobile rocket artillery and anti-ship missiles into a cohesive defense strategy against potential Chinese aggression. This drill is part of Taiwan's efforts to improve its military readiness and complicate PLA operations in the region.

Marcus ChenThu Jul 16 2026Loading...

The J-16 aircraft of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) was reported to be equipped with 10 external hardpoints carrying multiple long-range air-to-air missiles, indicating an increase in long-range patrol firepower density. This configuration suggests a shift in the J-16's role towards supporting long-range air combat operations. The report highlights the importance of missile inventory and logistics for sustained operational capability in the South China Sea.

Li MinghuiThu Jul 16 2026Loading...

Quantum Systems was selected by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) on 15 July 2026 to participate in the Counter-UAS Proof-of-Concept Program in Tokyo. This initiative aims to enhance the Japan Self-Defense Forces' capabilities with next-generation interceptor drones. The selection underscores the increasing international demand for interoperable counter-UAS technologies and strengthens defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Chinese coast guard vessels have been regularly operating east of Taiwan since May 2023, while the People's Liberation Army Navy conducted a submarine-launched ballistic missile test on July 6, 2023, reaching approximately 7300 kilometers. These actions represent a strategic combination of low-intensity maritime presence and high-intensity missile signaling in the Pacific region, raising concerns among neighboring countries about regional stability.

Li MinghuiThu Jul 16 2026Loading...

The 73rd Group Army conducted naval combat shooting exercises in the Southeast Sea during the summer, facing challenging weather and sea conditions. The exercises involved live-fire shooting from amphibious armored vehicles, with troops demonstrating coordination and precision under pressure. Smoke grenades were deployed to obscure movements and suppress remaining targets.

On June 27, 2026, a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine sank the USS Juneau using a torpedo during the Valiant Shield 2026 exercise in the Philippine Sea. The USS Juneau, a retired amphibious transport dock, was targeted after sustaining damage from U.S. military forces. This event highlights the operational capabilities of the Japanese submarine fleet in a multi-domain military exercise.

Tanaka TakashiThu Jul 16 2026Loading...

The 74th Group Army conducted a live-fire training exercise in China, testing its continuous combat capability. The exercise involved launching missiles that accurately hit targets, while anti-aircraft artillery established a dense fire network. Portable missiles were also used to intercept close-range targets.

Japan's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency selected Quantum Systems to develop drone interception technology as part of its Counter-UAS Proof-of-Concept Program. This initiative reflects Japan's urgent need to counter drone threats from Russia, China, and North Korea, with a budget of approximately 277.3 billion yen allocated for unmanned systems capabilities this fiscal year. Quantum Systems is developing the Jäger interceptor drone and has plans to integrate counter-drone capabilities across multiple platforms.

China conducted a submarine-launched ballistic missile test on July 6, 2023, demonstrating a range of 7,300 kilometers, likely over the Philippines, before landing in the Pacific. Concurrently, Chinese Coast Guard vessels maintained a routine presence near Taiwan, indicating a strategy to normalize operations and exert pressure on Taiwan and its allies. This dual approach combines military signaling with sustained maritime operations.

Marcus ChenWed Jul 15 2026Loading...