JMOD FY2027 Budget Request Reveals New Ground, Sea and Air S…

On August 31, the Japanese Ministry of Defense (JMOD) published its budget request for fiscal 2027, totalling nearly 8.9 trillion yen (approximately USD 57 billion) and featuring a large number of additional unpriced “item requests” for which no cost figures are attached. The record-breaking figure could therefore increase further to total around 10 trillion yen (USD 64 billion) in a finalized b…

09/11/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Japan Looks Toward Drone-Mounted Stand-In Jammers

Earlier this month, it was reported that Japan’s Ministry of Defense (JMOD) is considering introducing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with stand-in jammers capable of operating within hostile airspace and tasked with disrupting enemy radar, air defense and communication networks.[1]The UAV-mounted stand-in jammer payloads are expected to enable the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) to co…

08/03/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

A Deep Dive into Four Interceptor Drones Selected for JMSDF …

Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has announced that interceptor drones from four companies have been selected for demonstration trials under a rapid acquisition program, with a view toward their potential mass procurement to defend Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) bases and vessels against Shahed-type drones. In an online post dated July 15,[1] ATLA explained that four in…

07/29/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

LDP Recommends Elevating Japan’s Human Resource Base to a K…

On June 24, a security panel of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) submitted to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi proposals on what the party thinks should be included in the government’s ongoing strategic defense review, due to be published at the end of the year.  The LDP recommendations,[1] adopted by the party apparatus and dated June 9, are notable in incorporating the country's hum…

07/23/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Penguin Looks to Expand Defence Footprint Beyond Fast Craft

Singaporean-based Penguin International is looking to expand into the security and defence sector following recent successes with both patrol vessels overseas and contracts for Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) programmes.Formerly known primarily as a ferry service provider, the Singapore-based company has grown into one of the world’s largest builders of aluminium-hulled vessels.Penguin first ent…

09/25/2026 Chen Chuanren, Asian Military Review

Indian Army Purchases a Small Quantity of Javelin Missiles

Sergio Gor, the US Ambassador to India, announced in a 28 August 2026 online post that the Indian Army “plans to buy the battle-tested Javelin antitank system”. His post followed the Indian Army reportedly signing a letter of offer and acceptance to purchase the US-manufactured FGM-148 Javelin missile via the Foreign Military Sales programme.The purchase is understood to cover 25 Lightweight Com…

09/18/2026 Stephen W. Miller, Asian Military Review

South Korea’s KSAM-II Missile is Readied for Flight Testing

After unveiling its new production line on 14 July, the South Korean missile firm LIG Defense & Aerospace has commenced assembly of initial KSAM-II air defence missiles. The weapon will eventually be adopted by the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).The missiles are being assembled at Plant 3 in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province.The initial missile batch will be used for flight and qualification testing.…

08/24/2026 Gordon Arthur, Asian Military Review

Philippines Validates Upgraded FA-50s in High-end Training

Building on their debut at the multinational Exercise Pitch Black in Australia’s Northern Territory in 2024, the Philippines returned for the 2026 iteration with a similarly sized contingent of four Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50PH fighters and over 160 personnel.Conducted in July-August, the exercise provided the Philippine Air Force (PAF) with an opportunity to practise large-force empl…

08/17/2026 Roy Choo, Asian Military Review

Taiwan Reportedly Plans ATR 42 Aircraft Acquisition

Taiwan’s air force is allegedly planning the purchase of at least eight ATR 42-600 twin-engine turboprop aircraft to replace its three aging Fokker 50 and eleven Beechcraft 1900C aircraft.Both aircraft types currently comprise the special transport aircraft fleet of the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF), and they are used primarily for administrative transport duties.Two Beechcraft 1900Cs have …

07/21/2026 Roy Choo, Asian Military Review

Malaysia Lays Out Criteria for New Anti-ship Missile Selecti…

Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence has identified delivery schedule and ease of integration as key criteria in selecting a replacement anti-ship missile for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme. This follows the enforced cancellation of a sale of Kongsberg Naval Strike Missiles (NSM).Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the ministry is evaluating proposals from four…

07/14/2026 Chen Chuanren, Asian Military Review

The Promise and Peril of Trump’s Security Surge in Southeas…

Derek Grossman,Professor, University of Southern California Much of the discussion surrounding President Donald Trump’s Southeast Asia policy has focused on tariffs, trade disputes, and critical minerals agreements. Yet one of the most important developments in the region has received far less attention: the growing prominence of a transactional American defense diplomacy more explicitly tied to…

07/01/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Vietnam Develops a New Amphibious Light Tank

The Vietnam People’s Army’s (VPA) newspaper recently described a public review by senior military leadership of the T-1 amphibious light tank currently being developed by Factory Z125 of the Ministry of National Defence.Externally a facsimile of the original Soviet PT-76, Vietnam nonetheless claims the T-1 is an entirely indigenous design and part of a larger programme to both modernise the VPA …

06/25/2026 Stephen W. Miller, Asian Military Review