Mitsubishi investment to fuel Astroscale’s planned expansion

Mitsubishi investment to fuel Astroscale’s planned expansion
Mitsubishi investment to fuel Astroscale’s planned expansion

“We are talking to potential partners in Australia and are excited to see their space industry continue to grow,” an Astroscale spokesperson said.

Space Force delivers first payload for Japan’s QZSS satellites

Space Force delivers first payload for Japan’s QZSS satellites
Space Force delivers first payload for Japan’s QZSS satellites

The two hosted payloads, designed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, will keep tabs on spacecraft and dangerous debris in geosynchronous orbit (GEO).

Japan signs off on Marines plan for new littoral ‘stand-in’ group in Okinawa

Japan signs off on Marines plan for new littoral ‘stand-in’ group in Okinawa
Japan signs off on Marines plan for new littoral ‘stand-in’ group in Okinawa

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed America’s commitment to Japan’s defense, “with the full-range of capabilities, including nuclear.”

UK and Japan sign landmark defense pact in bid to counter China

UK and Japan sign landmark defense pact in bid to counter China
UK and Japan sign landmark defense pact in bid to counter China

The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) means London and Tokyo are in a position to “plan and deliver larger scale, more complex military exercises and deployments,” focused on the Indo-Pacific, according to the UK government.

South Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy broadens focus from northern threat

South Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy broadens focus from northern threat
South Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy broadens focus from northern threat

South Korea’s strategy says the ROK will “nurture a sounder and more mature relationship as we pursue shared interests (with China) based on mutual respect and reciprocity, guided by international norms and rules.”

Indo-Pacific turmoil ahead as Aussies and allies shift their strategies, and China wobbles: 2023 Preview

Indo-Pacific turmoil ahead as Aussies and allies shift their strategies, and China wobbles: 2023 Preview
Indo-Pacific turmoil ahead as Aussies and allies shift their strategies, and China wobbles: 2023 Preview

It may be the beginning of a new era in Australian defense, with plans to buy Abrams tanks and hundreds of Infantry Fighting Vehicles scaled back to free money for weapons designed to deter.

Threats and responses defined the Pacific: 2022 in Review

Threats and responses defined the Pacific: 2022 in Review
Threats and responses defined the Pacific: 2022 in Review

While China has rapidly built a much more modern military in a remarkably short time, it also faces enormous economic, demographic and national security challenges that aren’t always as apparent in Washington.

Atop the Indo-Pacific Watchtower: 5 stories from 2022

Atop the Indo-Pacific Watchtower: 5 stories from 2022
Atop the Indo-Pacific Watchtower: 5 stories from 2022

From worries about South Korean troops to a bigger footprint for Japan, here are the must-read stories Breaking Defense’s man in Sydney.

‘Breakthrough’ Japan strategy eyes China threat, drives huge defense changes

‘Breakthrough’ Japan strategy eyes China threat, drives huge defense changes
‘Breakthrough’ Japan strategy eyes China threat, drives huge defense changes

“This appears to be a breakthrough moment, placing China more explicitly and centrally in the rationale for an unprecedented military expansion of post-war Japan,” said John Blaxland, professor at Australian National University’s Strategic and Defense Studies Center.

UK, Japan and Italy launch Global Combat Air Programme to deliver next generation fighter

UK, Japan and Italy launch Global Combat Air Programme to deliver next generation fighter
UK, Japan and Italy launch Global Combat Air Programme to deliver next generation fighter

“Considering Japan’s enormous economy and unambiguous [fighter] requirement because of its proximity to China and all that that implies, the [GCAP] agreement is one of the only practical ways – given the status of UK, German and French relations – to get toward more viable levels of funding,” said Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute.

SecDef pledges to close Aussie Collins sub gap; Japanese forces to ‘integrate’ with US, Aussies

SecDef pledges to close Aussie Collins sub gap; Japanese forces to ‘integrate’ with US, Aussies
SecDef pledges to close Aussie Collins sub gap; Japanese forces to ‘integrate’ with US, Aussies

“Overall,” Charles Edel of CSIS said, “I think this was a fairly robust AUSMIN that underscored just how important the America-Australian alliance has become to both countries — and highlighted how much more work they both need to do.”

As F-15s leave Okinawa, an opportunity to change Indo-Pacific air tactics with unmanned options

As F-15s leave Okinawa, an opportunity to change Indo-Pacific air tactics with unmanned options
As F-15s leave Okinawa, an opportunity to change Indo-Pacific air tactics with unmanned options

The Air Force’s change in Japan could usher in a new strategic stance, says RAND’s David Ochmanek.

Australia ‘massively dropped the ball’ on defense spending, Beazley warns

Australia ‘massively dropped the ball’ on defense spending, Beazley warns
Australia ‘massively dropped the ball’ on defense spending, Beazley warns

Kim Beazley is best known for leading the Labor Party from 1996-2001, but also served as Minister of Defence from 1984-1990 and ambassador to the United States from 2009-2016.

Is an ‘epoch-making’ agreement between Australia and Japan in the works?

Is an ‘epoch-making’ agreement between Australia and Japan in the works?
Is an ‘epoch-making’ agreement between Australia and Japan in the works?

“Two new aspects in the revised declaration are intelligence sharing, and greater interoperability. The latter is already underway, so the question is what is actually new here? More detail is required,” Japan analyst Rikki Kirsten said.