China showed off its nukes and caused problems in the region: 5 Indo-Pacific stories from 2025
China was once again at the forefront of Indo-Pacific news in 2025.
Austal Defence Australia awarded $681 million landing craft contract Down Under
Austal’s announcement added that the last LCM, all of which are destined for the Australian Army, will be delivered in 2032.
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Data overload threatens decisionmakers as autonomy expands
Reducing cognitive overload on warfighters while improving “time to trust” for autonomous systems is a matter of design.
Hanwha plans to build US facility to manufacture modular 155mm howitzer charges
“By bringing this state-of-the-art manufacturing line to the US, we will be able to provide the US Army with a domestic source of triple-base propellant,” Hanwha ammo plant manager Lee Woo Jin told reporters.
Aussies buy seven more MQ-28 Ghost Bat CCAs following live-fire demo
The deal was announced after the MQ-28 successfully engaged and shot down an aerial target at a southern Australian test range.
US Navy mobilizes units to salvage crashed aircraft in South China Sea
The MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter crashed within 30 minutes of each other on the afternoon of Oct 26 while conducting routine operations from the USS Nimitz.
China commissions first catapult-equipped aircraft carrier
The choice of Yulin as its commissioning location strongly suggests the ship will now become part of the PLAN’s South Sea Fleet, whose area of responsibility includes the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
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Turning R&D into reality to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield
Knowing when to build on commercial systems and when to develop something new can be the difference between parity and information dominance.
Lockheed’s Aussie arm makes pitch to sustain combat system on future Australian Virginia-class submarines
One Lockheed executive argued the company has scores of workers available for the job after a different sub program was scrapped in favor of the American boats.
Four defense primes team up to pitch development of SSN-AUKUS combat system
BAE Systems, Raytheon Australia, General Dynamics Mission Systems and Thales said they would work collaboratively to design a tri-national command system as a "shared solution for Australia and the UK which builds on General Dynamics' existing AN/BYG-1 system" used by the US.
Lockheed Martin Australia awards Moog contract to develop GMLRS rocket component
“It’s a critical time right now that Australian industry has actually got a hand up to say, 'Hey, we’re here to help,'" a Lockheed executive said.
First Ghost Shark Extra Large AUV delivered to Australian navy
"With the opening of this new facility, we are not only building local infrastructure and workforce — we are investing in innovation, in partnerships, and in the future defence of our nation," said CEO and Chairman Australia David Goodrich.
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Next-generation C2 won’t be next-gen without the network transport
The network transport architecture for NGC2 could be a hybrid approach that combines high assurance communications with 5G, WiFi, and multi-orbit satellites.
South Korea’s 30-year quest for nuclear subs pays off. What comes next?
Experts warned that the move could spur China or Japan to accelerate their own nuclear sub programs in return.
Indonesia’s J-10 fighter buy from China a geopolitical play with capability risks: Experts
“Maintaining the current smorgasbord of foreign suppliers is already difficult, and adding another country to the frontline mix means a logistician’s nightmare," one analyst told Breaking Defense.
Singapore’s navy launches first of new class of multi-role drone motherships
Sinaporean Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing officiated at the launch of the lead ship of the Victory-class Multi Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) Tuesday at the shipyard belonging to local defense contractor ST Engineering.
Reapers to recon: American planes at Kadena Air Base in Japan [PHOTOS]
Breaking Defense recently visited Japan's Kadena Air Base. Check out some select photos from the trip.