As China Threat Grows, US And Allied Militaries Respond

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – Chinese weapons gain credibility after Pakistan-India conflict. The recent combat is prompting a reassessment of Chinese weapons, challenging long-held perceptions of their inferiority to Western arms.

Cambodia’s armed forces launched their latest — and largest — Golden Dragon joint military exercise with China, with land, sea and air operations planned over the next two weeks.

US Typhon missile system in Philippines is a subtle headache for China which released its first white paper on national security this week amid what Beijing calls “intensifying geopolitics” in the region marked by the deployment of an “intermediate-range missile system.”

Aiming for combat edge in Pacific theater, Air Force plans for its sixth-generation F-47 fighter to be able to fly significantly farther than previous jets.

Army task forces ‘centerpiece’ for deterring China. The head of the largest US combatant command (INDOPAC) praised the fires capabilities that the Army’s multidomain task forces bring to a conflict in Indo-Pacific region.

Army prepping for Pacific conflict with prepositioned equipment, logistics hubs. DOD has a long way to go to logistically be ready for war with China.

A top GOP appropriator today warned “any hesitancy” to proceed with the Navy’s planned F/A-XX program will leave the service “outmatched” in a potential future fight with China.

Japan’s army is planning a long-range missile drill next month — the first within its borders — as the country continues to beef up its military to counter regional rival China.

World’s highest bridge set to open in China.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense stories ending the week from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEFING – the PDB:    

NATIONAL SECURITY

Designing a soft landing for NATO by starting the clock on Europe. The June summit in The Hague could be the most consequential summit in the Alliance’s 76-year history. It could also determine Trump’s national security legacy.

The new US Joint Chiefs boss is making his debut this week at NATO headquarters in Brussels, where defense chiefs are preparing for a leader summit in June that is expected to focus on deterrence and spending.

About 60 to 70% of casualties in Ukraine now come from cheap, disposable first-person view drones piloted from miles away. They dive into trenches, slip through windows, and snake into hatches of armored vehicles. This isn’t a tactical shift — but a military revolution.

DOD rushing to find ‘low collateral’ tech to counter hostile drones and defend military bases without endangering nearby civilians or infrastructure.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Several hundred immigrants have been charged with unauthorized access to a newly designated militarized zone along the southern US border in New Mexico and western Texas.

As concern mounts over dangerous maritime smuggling crossings, lawmaker plans to ask Congress for $60 million in federal funding to install surveillance towers along the San Diego coast.

Coast Guard needs more money and long-term investments in new ships and aircraft to keep up with Trump’s crack down on illegal crossings and drug trafficking along the southern border.

Coast Guard shifted Indo-Pacific resources to southern border mission by tripling the number of aircraft, boats and teams deployed to the region and took resources from international missions.

A 19-year-old former Guardsman was arrested after spending months planning a mass shooting attack against a U.S. Army site in suburban Detroit on behalf of the Islamic State group.

A hotline between military and civilian air traffic controllers in Washington, DC, that hasn’t worked for more than three years may have contributed to another near miss shortly after the US Army resumed flying helicopters in the area for the first time since January’s deadly midair collision.

POLITICS

Senate Democrats want DOD watchdog to weigh in on Trump’s plans to accept a $400 million luxury plane from the Qatari government to use as Air Force One, a move they believe creates numerous security and ethical issues.

The acting head of the Navy sees “tremendous opportunity” for American shipbuilding with the focused White House, Navy secretariat and Congress aligned on rebuilding the industry.

Lawmakers raised alarms over reported plans by the Trump team to slash funding for commercial satellite imagery procurement — a move that could undercut intelligence capabilities and contradict stated White House priorities.

Trump expected to host US – Africa Leader’s Summit in New York. State Department lays out a six-point trade engagement plan with the continent.

US POWER OVERSEAS

A Marine F-35 fighter attack squadron recently deployed to Japan, joining three other squadrons in an effort to support operations in the Indo-Pacific.

Air Force general on Guam touts U.S. readiness, warns adversaries against ‘miscalculation.’ The Air Force on Guam has never been more ready for a fight.

A Navy SEAL with a distinguished background in special operations has taken command of Joint Task Force-Micronesia, a unit overseeing U.S. military operations across a broad expanse of the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR

Netherlands will buy 46 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks for more than $1.1 billion, following through on a plan to re-establish a heavy armor component for its land forces.

A Russian warplane violated Estonian airspace this week amid NATO drill, prompting NATO to scramble its air policing fighters in response.

IRAN THREAT/MIDEAST

Like Saudi Arabia a day earlier, Qatar didn’t bother waiting for Trump to land before setting out to impress him with a fighter jet escort for Air Force One.

Trump inked an agreement with Qatar today to move forward with two major defense deals including $2 billion for MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles from General Atomics and $1 billion for counter-drone capabilities from Raytheon.

Trump still has ‘hope’ for Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel. During his first international visit to the Middle East, Trump renewed his push to normalize ties.

Trump’s embrace of Syria and its ex-jihadist-turned-president, who until recently had a $10 million US bounty on his head, could shake up the Middle East.

A new humanitarian organization that has US backing to take over aid delivery to civilians in Gaza said it expects to begin operations before the end of the month — after key agreements from Israeli officials.

SPACE THREAT

DOD is developing space-based sensors that can distinguish missile threats from clutter as a key part of the Trump administration’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

UK outlines military collaboration with Israel.

US MILITARY

Navy leaders are looking for brand-new types of munitions to ensure they have enough firepower for future conflicts.

Army will field its first Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, known as FLRAA, to the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

FLRAA tiltrotors will be designated MV-75s.

END of PDB

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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