AUKUS Forum

In its annual defense white paper released on Friday, Japan’s Ministry of Defense warned that the possibility of a situation similar to Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine occurring in the Indo-Pacific. Japan also again singling out China, North Korea and Russia as threats to Japan and the region. In the “Defense of Japan 2024” white paper, the MOD said the international community was facing its greatest trial since World War II, as states do not share universal values or political and economic systems. The MOD also said that risks in cyberspace and other domains are becoming more serious and other security-related global issues such as information warfare and climate change are emerging while gray-zone situations involving territorial disputes are constantly occurring. The white paper said that China was increasing its military cooperation with Russia and that the recurring joint bomber flights and joint naval sails around Japan “are clearly intended for demonstration of force against Japan.” North Korea’s ongoing efforts to increase and improve its nuclear and missile capabilities were highlighted in the report. “North Korea is focusing on qualitatively improving its nuclear and missile capabilities, such as diversifying its equipment systems and acquiring intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) means that complement its nuclear and missile operational capabilities.” https://lnkd.in/gRznperS

The future of the British-led multi-billion dollar Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), aimed at building the country's sixth-generation fighter jet, could be uncertain. The Tempest is a sixth-generation fighter jet under development to fulfill the future needs of the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) and replace the aging Eurofighter Typhoon jets. This marks the first instance of the UK developing a new fast aircraft incorporating 21st-century technology. According to the report, the GCAP project, developed in collaboration with Italy and Japan, could be at risk if the Strategic Defence Review concludes that allocating limited funds to a project that will only produce new aircraft in the mid-2030s is not the most effective way to address the more immediate threat of war with Russia. Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said "The GCAP program is a really important program for us. We need cutting-edge capabilities. We need to make sure that when we are procuring systems, high-end systems…that we do it in the most cost-effective way, and that is by working with our partners." However, the minister added that it was not suitable for him to prejudge what might happen in the defense review. The minister's remarks came a day after a senior research fellow at the UK security think tank, the Royal United Services Institute, Justin Bronk, said that a direct war with Russia could emerge as soon as 2028. https://lnkd.in/g3hpHRU6

Navy Test Ship Shortage Slows Development Of Autonomous Weapons. U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo, the new leader of the sprawling U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, revealed a drone-centric strategy to destroy massed fleets of Chinese vessels. In an interview with the Washington Post, the Admiral’s new “Hellscape” strategy is based on deploying “thousands of unmanned submarines, unmanned surface ships and aerial drones” to rebuff a Chinese assault. But, as with any grand plan, the devil is in the details. On the surface, things sound great. Paparo, in his discussion with the erstwhile Washington Post scribe Josh Rogin, has “a number of classified capabilities” on hand to rebuff an attack. That is true. Last week’s low-key roll-out of the ultra-long range SM-6 Air Launched Configuration AIM-174 air-to-air missile is just one of many interesting and secretive tools at Paparo’s fingertips. In the autonomous space, the Defense Department is backing Paparo up with the “Replicator” program, a multi-million-dollar effort to build drone swarms. And, in the field, Ukraine is offering real-time operational lessons in drone-focused combat. At sea, America’s approach to drones has long been a halting, secretive thing, and, as interest heats up, there’s just not enough infrastructure available in the U.S. maritime to really test things out. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has certainly gotten the Pentagon moving, but, in the U.S.—-for things that the military may not want other countries to take the lead on in development and testing-–there’s simply too few ready platforms available to test and trial the blizzard of new gear innovators are generating. See https://lnkd.in/gjdixAiX #AUKUS 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸

The UK Ministry of Defence requires a supplier of components to support its prime contractor, Babcock Land Defence, with repairing various littoral vehicles for the Royal Marines. Under the framework agreement lasting three years, with an option for two more, the service contract value is anticipated to cost £4.5m ($5.82m). Work is due to begin on 6 January 2025 and end on 5 January 2027. The successful supplier will provide Babcock with resources to remanufacture the amphibious service’s Beach Recovery Vehicles (BRV), Bandvagn 206 (BV206) carriers and Viking units. This range of fast, armoured and amphibious all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) enable the Royal Marines to operate in some of the harshest environments on the planet, from desert regions to the Arctic. Known as the “Hippo,” the BRV is based on the German Leopard 1A5 tank, but with modficiations. The turret is replaced by a superstructure and a nose block has been added to push landing craft off beaches. https://lnkd.in/gNxw6Fv8

Canada has announced it will acquire 12 conventionally-powered submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy. Submarine manufacturers that have publicly expressed interest in the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project include Hanwha Ocean, Navantia, Saab and ThyssenKrupp Marine. The announcement does not come as a surprise, as the government formally established the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project office in 2022 with the remit to investigate options for a follow-on submarine capability to replace the existing Victoria-class diesel-electric submarines, of which Canada operates four. These boats are former Upholder-class submarines of the U.K. Royal Navy. Canada purchased them in 1998, with the first arriving in 2000. The Victoria-class boats have experienced significant support and sustainability issues since their induction into service with the RCN and these problems have severely limited the fleet’s operational availability. Of the four boats, only one is typically available at a high readiness rate. Nonetheless, Canada has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to keep its submarine capability alive, thus enabling the service to maintain a cadre of submariners. Canada’s future submarine capability was a highlight of the recent Defence Policy Update titled “Our North, Strong and Free,” which the Canadian government released in April. The policy focuses primarily on the North and Arctic regions of Canada. https://lnkd.in/g2Jzs3ee

China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy Shandong Carrier Strike Group conducted 240 fighter aircraft launches and recoveries and 140 helicopter take-offs and landings over the course of a week operating in the Philippine Sea, according to a Tuesday news release from Japan’s Joint Staff Office (JSO). Tuesday’s release includes the day of the initial sighting of the Shandong CSG on July 9. Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighter aircraft scrambled in response to the carrier’s fighter launches. https://lnkd.in/e8icDKQG

Known as the Immortals and distinguished by a phoenix on its badge, the squadron, 809 traces its history back to 1941 in various incarnations – mostly in World War 2. The phoenix has risen. For the first time an F-35B Lightning stealth fighter belonging to 809 Naval Air Squadron, flown by an 809 pilot, maintained, dispatched and recovered solely by 809 personnel, has conducted an operational sortie. The squadron stood-up after a four-decade-long absence at the end of last year, joining the RAF’s legendary 617 ‘Dambusters’ Squadron as one of two front-line formations delivering fifth-generation fighter punch via the nation’s most advanced aircraft… and the sword of the UK’s two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. https://lnkd.in/gUrEvRXb

Geelong, Victoria; Launceston, Tasmania; Tamworth, New South Wales; Biloela in regional Queensland - AUKUS Forum CEO, Michael Sharpe said "The true potential of AUKUS extends far beyond enhancing our military capabilities. One of the most exciting aspects of this partnership is its potential to unlock significant opportunities for regional Australia." "Companies that have never before engaged in defence projects are stepping up, driven by a wave of patriotism and a desire to contribute to the nation's security and economic growth." The largest industrial endeavour in our nations history - #AUKUS 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 See https://lnkd.in/g_butANk AUSTENG; Australian Steel Association; Andromeda Industries Pty Ltd; Callide Manufacturing Company

The U.S. Air Force plans to upgrade more than 80 fighter jets stationed at Japanese bases over the next several years as part of a $10 billion program to modernize its forces there. The Defense Department announced the plan last week, saying it aims to enhance the U.S.-Japan alliance and bolster deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. "This is a necessary upgrade that has been planned for some time. And combined with Japan's own investments, it will help maintain some degree of air power balance between the allies and China's progress in air force modernization," said James Schoff, senior director of the U.S.-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA. "Without it, the credibility of U.S. deterrent capacity would be much weaker, which could cause Beijing to doubt U.S. seriousness about protecting the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and prompt more aggressive Chinese behavior," Schoff said. The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said it spotted 37 Chinese aircraft near Taiwan on Wednesday as they headed to the Western Pacific for drills with the Shandong aircraft carrier. https://lnkd.in/gmvHH7G3

John Healey has set out the UK’s continued commitment to the AUKUS defence project as he welcomed Australia’s defence minister to the country. AUKUS is a “fundamental” part of the UK’s future security and can help drive the Government’s growth agenda, the new Defence Secretary said. Mr Healey spoke as he toured a military steel supplier in Sheffield with Richard Marles, who is the Australian defence minister and deputy prime minister. https://lnkd.in/gnHW-5aS