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National Security

Military aircraft on a Pakistan airbase runway with Chinese advisor and officials in background.

Foreign Arms Makers Abandon Pakistan Deals Amid Concerns Over Unlicensed Maintenance, Security Controls

Pakistan's defence market is becoming increasingly reliant on China, with a whopping 80% of its major arms imports coming from the country between 2021 and 2025. This dominant share has jumped from 73% in the previous five-year period, solidifying China's position as Pakistan's top arms supplier.

Analyst 207
Ground-based space defense system with radar array under clear blue sky.

US Space Command Urges Evolution in Protecting Space Assets

The US Space Command is pushing for a major upgrade in protecting its space assets, driven by a key lesson from recent conflicts: fixed infrastructure is a sitting duck for enemy attacks. Gen. Stephen Whiting cites Iranian drone and missile strikes during Epic Fury, which damaged multiple radar sites and exposed the vulnerability of high-value systems.

Analyst 207
Coastal construction site with port facility and runway development on small island.

Defence Bolsters Coastal Resilience in Cocos Islands Push

The Australian Department of Defence is investing over A$500 million in the Cocos Islands, a move that not only boosts military capability but also underscores the critical importance of preserving the islands' marine environment to ensure the long-term survival of this significant infrastructure project. By upgrading the runway, port facilities, and supporting infrastructure on West Island, Defence is enhancing maritime security and awareness in the region.

Analyst 207
Drones fly over a military base perimeter fence, with security console in foreground.

NORAD General Warns of Homeland Drone Vulnerabilities

A chilling warning from a top US Air Force general: our homeland is vulnerable to drone threats, and it's a problem that's already here, happening now. The alarming reality was starkly illustrated on December 6, 2023, when multiple drones buzzed Langley Air Force Base, exposing a gaping security gap.

Analyst 207
Soviet-era military vehicle transported on flatbed truck outside a storage facility.

Danish Museum Donates Soviet-Era Armor to Ukraine

In a powerful show of support, Denmark's Panzermuseum East has sent its first batch of Soviet-era armored vehicles to Ukraine, including a BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle and an MT-LB amphibious tracked vehicle equipped with advanced surveillance radar. This historic donation is set to make a lasting impact on the ground.

Analyst 207
Military officer addresses crowded conference room with display screen behind him.

US Military Must Merge Missile Warning and Defense Systems

The lines between missile warning and defense are blurring, and it's time for the US military to merge its systems - Lt. Gen. Rick Zellman says the distinction is almost obsolete. Evolving missile tech is forcing a rethink on how the military senses, shares, and acts on missile-related data.

Analyst 207
Damaged F-15E fighter jet on the ground with blurred missile component nearby.

Iranian Drones Exposed F-15E to Shoulder-Launched Missile

Iranian drones played a deadly role in a recent air engagement, feeding critical targeting data to commanders who used it to launch a shoulder-fired missile that struck a US F-15E jet. The drones provided precise GPS location, speed, and direction, making it a turning point in the April skirmish over southern Iran.

Analyst 207
US military officer speaks at government briefing room with concerned expression.

Golden Dome Missile Defense Program Faces Funding Crisis

The Golden Dome missile defense program is on shaky ground, with its leader, Gen. Michael Guetlein, issuing a stark warning that its survival hinges on Congress resolving a funding crisis sparked by a White House budgeting decision. If funding isn't secured, the program could be at risk of disappearing altogether.

Analyst 207
Serene Japanese government building scene with official in contemplative pose.

Japan Weighs Limits of US Nuclear Umbrella

As Japan's leaders gathered to commemorate the 81st anniversaries of the atomic bombings, a subtle yet significant shift in tone revealed a growing strategic dilemma: can Tokyo balance its commitment to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles with a more pragmatic approach to security? Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's emphasis on a "realistic and practical" approach sparked a contrast with Mayor Suzuki Shiro of Nagasaki, who urged an unequivocal commitment to the principles.

Analyst 207
Lieutenant General Susan Coyle speaks confidently at a conference podium.

Australian Defence Force Accelerates Domain Integration

The next conflict could start in space or cyber, making domain integration a top priority, as Lieutenant General Susan Coyle emphasised at ASPI's 2026 Defence Conference. The Australian Defence Force is on a mission to evolve into a unified force, harnessing the power of five domains to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Analyst 207
US Army air defense system in operation with radar and launcher in foreground.

US Army Neutralizes Over 1,400 Iranian Missiles, Drones

The US Army has successfully neutralized over 1,400 Iranian missiles and drones in the largest air and missile defense fight in US history, a 14-month campaign led by Lt. Gen. John Rafferty that saw unprecedented action against ballistic, cruise, and unmanned aerial threats.

Analyst 207
Missile defense system component in a vast testing environment.

Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield Faces Funding Impasse

The Golden Dome missile defense shield is at a crossroads, with Gen. Michael Guetlein warning that without a resolved funding pathway, the program simply won't exist. Its future hinges on securing a topline appropriation, as a continuing resolution won't suffice.

Analyst 207
A quiet, empty government workspace with personal items on a desk, evoking a sense of isolation.

Pentagon Urged to Address CYBERCOM Mental Health Strains

The alarming cluster of up to five suicides among Cyber Operations Forces demands immediate attention, and Joshua Stiefel warns that treating it as just another crisis would be a grave mistake. The rapid succession of losses within this tight-knit community underscores the urgent need for a more comprehensive approach to address the mental health strains on CYBERCOM personnel.

Analyst 207
Military air defense system on golf course with President Trump in background.

US Bolsters Air Defenses as Trump Golfs Amid Heightened Threats

As President Trump tees off at his New Jersey golf course, the US is ramping up its air defenses - a move that's especially timely, given the heightened threat landscape. Meanwhile, Trump jokes about missile threats, seemingly unfazed, with a Humvee-mounted Avenger air defense system visible just behind him.

Analyst 207
Lt. Gen. John Rafferty speaks at a podium in a formal conference setting.

US Army Urges Comprehensive Missile Defense Overhaul Amid Stockpile Strains

The US Army needs a major missile defense overhaul, and simply stockpiling more interceptors won't cut it, says Lt. Gen. John Rafferty, who is calling for a comprehensive missile defeat strategy.

Analyst 207
Two US aircraft carriers with escort ships and numerous aircraft on deck in the northern Arabian Sea.

US Aircraft Carriers Deploy in Show of Force Amid Iran Talks

As tensions with Iran escalate, two US aircraft carriers have been deployed to the northern Arabian Sea, flexing their military muscle in a show of force. With less than a week to go until a crucial deadline, the US is walking a fine line between applying pressure and exercising restraint.

Analyst 207
Air Marshal Stephen Chappell speaks at a podium with a blurred audience and Australian Defence Force emblem nearby.

Australia's Deterrence Framework Risks Conceptual Divergence

Australia's emerging deterrence approach is taking shape with Air Marshal Stephen Chappell's 6C-4D construct, a bold framework that combines capability, credibility, and collective power to disrupt, degrade, destroy, and defeat threats. This innovative approach aims to unify Australia's defence strategy, bringing together joint operations, interagency collaboration, and alliances to strengthen national defence.

Analyst 207
Australian and Philippine defence officials stand together at a military base in northern Australia.

Australia Bolsters Philippines Defence Ties Amid South China Sea Tensions

In a show of solidarity, Australia and the Philippines are strengthening their defence ties, with a recent high-level visit underscoring their shared commitment to upholding rights and freedoms in the South China Sea. The move comes as the region faces rising tensions, with both nations vowing to turn rhetoric into action.

Analyst 207
Military officials gather around a conference table near a large map display of the Indian Ocean region.

Bangladesh Bolsters Maritime Security with Saudi-led Coalition

Bangladesh is joining forces with a Saudi-led coalition to boost maritime security, with a focus on tackling the Houthi threat, while keeping the door open for collaboration with other nations, including Iran. The coalition, made up of 14 founding members, aims to enhance intelligence sharing, joint planning, and coordinated maritime operations.

Analyst 207
Sealed road stretches across vast Outback landscape with vehicles and rocky outcroppings under a clear blue sky.

Australia's North Requires Systems Overhaul for National Resilience

Imagine a 2,800 km lifeline stretching across Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland, transforming the north into a national strategic powerhouse that supercharges freight resilience, disaster response, and supply chains. The Outback Way is more than just a transport project - it's a game-changer for Australia's national resilience.

Analyst 207
Three national leaders in formal attire stand together, showing unity, in front of an ornate palace facade.

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Pakistan Sign Pact to Bolster Defence Capacity

In a major move to boost their defence capabilities, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan have signed a landmark agreement that pledges mutual support in the face of aggression, effectively making an attack on one nation an attack on all three. This pact aims to supercharge defence cooperation between the trio, marking a significant step towards a stronger collective defence.

Analyst 207
Chinese coast guard ship patrols near disputed island with construction equipment under a cloudy sky.

China Escalates Coercion in South China Sea

China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea are escalating, with a surge in coast guard activity around Scarborough Shoal and a resumption of large-scale island-building at Antelope Reef, signalling a brazen push for regional dominance. This heightened activity has significant implications for the waters off Australia's northern coast.

Analyst 207
H-6N bomber with JL-1 missile mounted under wing, surrounded by military personnel.

China Unveils JL-1 Nuclear-Capable Missile on H-6N Bomber

China just revealed a game-changing moment in military tech: the JL-1 nuclear-capable missile proudly mounted on its H-6N bomber, marking a significant upgrade in the People's Liberation Army's strategic capabilities. This public display is a major milestone, offering a glimpse into Beijing's expanding military might.

Analyst 207
US Air Force instructor stands in front of A-10 Warthog aircraft on tarmac.

USAF Winds Down A-10 Warthog Weapons School

Meet Maj. Alex "Trippin" Boules, one of the last A-10 weapons instructor pilots, who shares what makes the A-10 Weapons School a game-changer: teaching pilots to master their aircraft and seamlessly integrate with larger operations. The school's legacy, built over nearly 50 years, is a testament to the power of expert training.

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