defense
28articles
First New F-16V Fighters Arrive in Taiwan Amid China Pressure
Taiwan is set to receive its first new-build F-16V fighter jets, part of a long-running acquisition meant to bolster the island's defenses as Beijing keeps up military pressure.
Taiwan Deepens Drone Push as China Pressure Drives Defense Overhaul
Taiwan is expanding its drone programs as pressure from China drives a broader defense overhaul, Modern Diplomacy reports, as Beijing courts Trump.
Taiwan Says US 'Very Much' Understands Its Defense Needs
A senior Taipei official said Washington 'very much' understands Taiwan's defense requirements, days after the Xi-Trump summit, per Reuters and Modern Diplomacy.
Taiwan Upgrades Maritime Patrol at Vulnerable South China Sea Outpost
Taiwan is bolstering maritime patrol capabilities at a vulnerable South China Sea outpost, Reuters reports, as Beijing expands its regional maritime presence.
Pentagon Investigates After China Obtains F-35 Stealth Fighter Parts
The Pentagon has opened a formal investigation after China obtained components from the F-35 stealth fighter jet, raising urgent questions about U.S. defense supply chain security.
Ukraine Launches Largest-Ever Drone Assault on Moscow, Killing Two
Ukraine fired more than 1,000 drones at Russia overnight in the largest-ever assault on Moscow, killing two people and hitting an oil refinery, confirmed by AP and BBC.
Taiwan Stages Missile and Drone Drills Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit
Taiwan conducts live-fire missile and drone exercises as China tensions rise before a scheduled summit between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Taiwan Experts Call for Shift to Smaller Naval Vessels to Counter China
Defense analysts urge Taiwan to restructure its navy around smaller, more survivable ships as PLA Navy expansion raises the cost of a conventional fleet strategy.
On Taiwan's Outer Islands, Troops Brace for a Chinese First Strike
Military preparations intensify on the small island chains that form Taiwan's first line of defense, as troops drill against scenarios of a Chinese preemptive strike.
Zelenskyy Plans to Strike Russia With 1,000 Drones a Day
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to dramatically escalate drone strikes on Russian territory as Russian attacks killed several and wounded dozens across Ukraine.
U.S. Strikes Vessel in Eastern Pacific, 2 Dead in First Such Attack in Months
The U.S. military struck a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday, killing two people — the first such attack in months, the Associated Press reports.
Taiwan Vows 'Peace Through Strength' as China Tensions Persist
Taiwan's president marked a battle anniversary Sunday vowing never to yield an inch to Beijing, invoking a deterrence-first defense doctrine amid rising cross-strait tensions.
Trump Cuts South Korea Drills, Cites 'Great Respect' From Kim Jong Un
President Trump reduced joint military training with South Korea, saying Kim Jong Un has shown him 'great respect' — prompting Senate Democrats to call the move delusional.
Ukraine Months From Striking Russia With Domestic Ballistic Missiles
Ukraine's former defence minister says Kyiv is months away from fielding domestically produced ballistic missiles capable of striking targets inside Russia, marking a pivotal escalation in the war.
Ukraine Strikes Samara as Kyiv's Long-Range Campaign Intensifies
Ukrainian forces struck a Samara region industrial facility Friday as Kyiv widens its deep-strike campaign into Russia, exchanging overnight drone blows with Moscow across ports and factories.
Ukraine's 'Long-Range Sanctions': Inside the Drone Units Hitting Russia
Ukraine reframes its deep-strike drone program as economic warfare, hoping targeted hits on Russian industry create fear and measurable losses inside Russia.
Pentagon Separates Iran Ceasefire Deaths From Operation Epic Fury Toll
Four U.S. troops killed during the Iran ceasefire have been designated 'Overseas Operations Casualties,' listed separately from the 14 additional Operation Epic Fury deaths since February 28.
Taiwan Accelerates Drone Production, Eyes Ukraine's Playbook
Taiwan is building a domestically produced drone fleet modeled on Ukraine's battlefield experience as the island prepares for a potential conflict with China.
Four Dead in Russian Strikes as Zelenskyy Defense Shake-Up Stirs Anger
Russian strikes killed at least four people across Ukraine on Thursday as a Zelenskyy defense leadership overhaul drew protests and sharp criticism from commanders and allies.
Russia Denounces NATO Summit Decisions on Ukraine Aid and Defense
Moscow condemned commitments made at NATO's Ankara summit to arm Ukraine and expand allied defense spending, as Trump complicated the alliance's message on multiple fronts.
China Warned of Severe Consequences Over Taiwan Strait Military Action
Western analysts sharpen deterrence warnings toward Beijing as China's navy conducts a rare submarine ballistic missile test in the South Pacific, raising regional alarm.
Pentagon Eyes Big NATO Force Cut as Europe Scrambles for Backfill
Pentagon is preparing significant reductions to US jets and warships dedicated to NATO operations in Europe, per a New York Times report cited by Defense News, as the Iran cycle absorbs attention and assets.
Pentagon Raises Counterintel Threat Level on Israeli Spying to Critical
Defense officials elevated the counterintelligence threat posed by Israeli espionage targeting US personnel to its highest tier, citing aggressive collection against policymakers during the war on Iran.
CENTCOM Puts Blockade Tally at 125 Vessels as Hormuz Push Sharpens
US Central Command's redirect count is the first hard military number on the Iran blockade's shipping toll, landing as the Speaker says Trump is focused on reopening Hormuz and analysts warn diverted barrels are not spare capacity.
Tehran Digs In: Iran Hardens Missile Sites as Washington Pauses
Iran is moving missiles into mountain facilities and rewriting tactics for a long war, NYT reports — a counter-signal to this week's U.S. de-escalation pivot.
Ford Strike Group Awarded Presidential Unit Citation for Iran War
The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group received a Presidential Unit Citation for combat operations during the Iran War, putting on the record what the Pentagon previously discussed only in pieces.
US Officials Tie Iran to Cyberattack on Fuel-Station Monitoring Systems
US officials suspect Iran-linked hackers targeted fuel-tank monitoring systems at petrol stations in several states, widening the strike-cycle conflict into critical-infrastructure cyber.
What is a Carrier Strike Group, and why does its location matter so much?
Eleven carrier strike groups. About 100,000 sailors. The most expensive concentrations of military power on Earth. Here's what's actually in one and why news of where they sit moves geopolitical conversations.