India: Visit of Chief of the Air Staff to Australia

Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff is on an official visit to Australia from 19-22 Sep 17. The visit is intended to further strengthen the existing defence cooperation between the Air Forces of the two countries. 

During his stay, he is scheduled to hold talks with top brass of the Royal Australian Air Force on security challenges being faced by the two forces in the current geopolitical scenario and explore ways to deepen defence cooperation. The main focus of the visit is on improving bilateral relations, promoting defence ties and exploring further area of defence cooperation between the two Air Forces. 

During the visit, the CAS would visit the Headquarters of Royal Australian Air Force and operational air bases. 

Indian Press Information Bureau

News Story: Top brass of Pakistan, India speak after cross-border shelling of civilians

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan and Indian military officials on Friday spoke after Indian cross-border shelling killed at least six civilians and injured 26 others on the Pakistani side, Pakistan's army said.

The army said earlier that Indian forces shelled Pakistani areas on Thursday along the border on the eastern Punjab province.

Special hotline contact was established between Pakistani and Indian director generals of military operations, and the issue of deliberately targeting Pakistani civilians was raised, an army statement said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Pacific Army chiefs to discuss N. Korea in Seoul next week

SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- Top Army officers from Indo-Asia-Pacific countries will gather in Seoul next week for a biennial meeting on North Korea and other security threats, South Korea's Army said Monday.

The four-day Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (PACC) will open Monday under the theme "Unity of Effort: Building Civil-Military Partnerships in Land Force Response to Non-Traditional Security Threats."

It will bring together army chiefs of staff and senior commanders from 29 nations, the Army said. It will be co-hosted by South Korea's Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Yong-woo and his American counterpart Mark A. Milley.

China is sending a three-star general to the session as the head of its delegation, a defense source said.

It will be the first visit by a high-level Chinese military official since South Korea and the U.S. agreed to deploy the advanced THAAD missile defense system on the peninsula more than a year ago.

Kim plans to hold bilateral talks with the chief Chinese delegate, added the source.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

AUS: 20th Annual Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue

Defence welcomed senior officials from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to Canberra today as part of the 20th annual Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue.

The Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue is a key part of regular bilateral engagement activities which bring together senior leaders from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the PLA to discuss a range of regional security issues, including maritime security.

The Dialogue has been an annual activity between Australia and China since 1997.

Vice Chief of the Defence Force, VADM Ray Griggs, and Deputy Secretary Strategic Policy and Intelligence, Ms Rebecca Skinner, co-chaired this year’s discussions with the Chinese delegation, which was led by Major General Shao Yuanming, Joint Staff Department under the Central Military Commission.

USA: Pacom Commander Meets With Philippine President

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 25, 2017 — The commander of U.S. Pacific Command visited the Philippines Aug. 23 to 24 to meet with Philippine military and government leaders.

Navy Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. met with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañan Palace here to discuss U.S. support to the Philippine government for ongoing efforts to end the conflict in Marawi, interoperability between their nations' militaries, and regional threats. The Philippine military is fighting to take back Marawi from pro-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria fighters.

Wreath-Laying, Meetings

Harris participated in a wreath-laying ceremony Aug. 23 at the Heroes Cemetery, in Taguig to honor the sacrifice of Filipino military heroes buried there.

He also met with Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana; Gen. Eduardo Año, chief of staff of the Philippine armed forces; and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. In addition, the admiral traveled to Zamboanga to meet Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., commander of Western Mindanao Command.

The meetings focused on upcoming bilateral engagements, recent aid and military assistance that the U.S. government has provided to the Philippines, as well as opportunities for additional U.S. support in Marawi, officials said.

US DoD

News Story: S. Korean defense chief to visit Pentagon next week

SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo will visit the United States next week for talks with his American counterpart on North Korea, his ministry announced Friday.

Song is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Defense Secretary James Mattis at the Pentagon on Wednesday during the trip aimed at confirming the strength of the alliance amid serious security conditions on the Korean Peninsula, it said.

It would be Song's first meeting with Mattis as Seoul's top defense official.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

News Report: India-China Flag Meeting Inconclusive; Beijing Won't Acknowledge Latest Scuffle

As the protracted standoff at Doklam shows no respite, fresh clash among soldiers at other areas strongly signal an escalation of conflict between the two south Asian powers.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – Senior army officials of India & China held a crucial flag meeting on Wednesday to discuss the way out of the ongoing stand-off at Doklam. The alleged attempt by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to breach the de-factor border at Ladakh was also discussed during the meeting.

Indian defense ministry officials refused to divulge details of the meeting, but sources told Sputnik that the meeting at Chusul in Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir in India was inconclusive. There was a loose agreement for “strengthening of existing mechanisms to maintain peace and tranquility.”

News Story: Closer China-U.S. military ties conducive to global stability

BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A fruitful visit by the top U.S. military officer to China bodes well for closer bilateral military ties, which would play a constructive role in managing security crises and safeguarding stability and peace around the world.

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), a body of uniformed leaders in the U.S. Department of Defense, kicked off his visit to China on Tuesday for further military-to-military cooperation between the two countries.

Dunford has exchanged views with his Chinese counterpart Fang Fenghui over issues including the Korean nuclear crisis and the South China Sea, and signed a framework agreement on a China-U.S. joint staff dialogue mechanism, seen as a highlight during his three-day stay.

The document, which aims to improve communications between the two militaries and reduce the risk of miscalculations, is a key part of efforts made by China and the United States to jointly maintain the stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific as well as the world at large.

Military interactions between the world's top two economies have been considered to be in need of more attention in the overall China-U.S. relations.

With joint efforts in overcoming difficulties, China and the United States have witnessed increasing military links in recent years by enhancing military exchanges and strengthening pragmatic cooperation.

Read the full story at Xinhua

Related Story: Xi calls for enhanced China-U.S. military ties

News Report: We Can Work it Out? US, China Announce Intention to Strengthen Military Ties

American and Chinese military leaders have announced a commitment to “work through difficult issues” to strengthen military ties and improve bilateral relations between the world’s two largest economies.

General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the highest-ranking military officer of the United States Armed Forces, traveled to Beijing to meet with his approximate Chinese counterpart Fang Fenghui, chief of the Joint Staff Department of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and one of China's highest ranking military officials.

According to a statement from the Chinese Defense Ministry, Fang told Dunford that both nations should "push forward stable military ties as an important and major stabilizing factor in bilateral relations"

"We have many, many difficult issues where we don't necessarily share the same perspective," Dunford replied. "We share a commitment to work through these difficult issues."

He added that they had signed a framework to build a new communication mechanism between the two states that would strengthen Sino-US cooperation.

News Story: S. Korea, U.S. military chiefs to meet amid N.K. missile threats

SEOUL, Aug. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense minister and the military chief are set to meet with the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Monday amid escalating tensions over North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, officials said.

Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford will have separate meetings with Minister Song Young-moo and his South Korean counterpart Lee Sun-jin to discuss responses to North Korea's threats, according to military and government officials.

Dunford arrived in South Korea on Sunday for a two-day visit, the second leg for his tour to Asia which also includes stops in Japan and China.

North Korea's military said last week that it will finalize its plan by mid-August to stage four intermediate-range ballistic missile strikes near the U.S. Pacific island of Guam, home to key American air and naval bases.

Tensions have heightened amid exchanges of incendiary words between Washington and Pyongyang as the North vowed to retaliate against the latest U.N. sanctions on it spearheaded by the U.S.

Read the full story at Yonhap

News Story: Vietnamese, US defence chiefs hold talks

Washington D.C. (VNA) – Defence Minister Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich held talks with US Secretary of Defence James Mattis in Washington D.C. on August 8 following a welcome ceremony the same day. 

Lich, who is on US visit from August 7-10, said Vietnam considers the US one of the top important partners and always prioritises developing bilateral ties based on the principles of equality, respect for political regime, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country. 

He spoke highly of the US’s collaboration with the Vietnamese coast guards in law enforcement at sea as well as in the United Nations peacekeeping mission. 

The two officials hailed the outcomes of bilateral ties on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding on promoting defence links and the Declaration on the Joint Vision on bilateral defence ties covering the exchange of all-level delegations, training, dialogue consultation, maritime security, search and rescue, bomb and mines clearance, Agent Orange/dioxin detoxification, and United Nations peacekeeping activities. 

They agreed to reinforce coordination under signed agreements, with priority given to post-war recovery efforts in Vietnam, response to non-traditional security challenges and the UN peacekeeping activities. 

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: Lao senior military officer visits Vietnam to boost defense partnership

Hanoi (VNA) – The ongoing official visit to Vietnam by Director of the General Department of Politics of the Lao People’s Army Vilay Lakhamphong will contribute to enhancing the special relations between the two countries, particularly the bilateral defense cooperation, for the benefits of their people.

Senior Lieutenant General Luong Cuong, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army, made the statement during talks with the Lao officer in Hanoi on August 2.

Cuong hailed the two countries’ advisory bodies for proactively implementing activities to celebrate the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam Year of Solidarity and Friendship 2017, especially the successful organisation of meetings in Laos for ex-Lao military trainees in Vietnam, a military youth festival in the north-western province of Dien Bien, a culture-art campaign on the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia fighting solidarity, and a border friendship exchange programme.

Such activities are politically significant as they help increase mutual trust and educate young generations on the traditional friendship and special solidarity between the Vietnamese and Lao Parties, States and people, he added.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

AUS: Defence Hosts Senior Chinese Military Delegation

This week Defence hosted General Wei Liang, Political Commissar, Southern Theatre Command from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on a recent goodwill visit to Australia.

The visit, which occurred on 15–19 July, included discussions with senior Defence officials, including the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Mark Binskin, AC. The delegation also visited Victoria Barracks and HMAS Watson in Sydney.

The meetings between senior Defence officials and General Wei Liang provided an opportunity to exchange views on regional issues and Australia-China defence engagement.

“It is important for Australia and China to maintain a positive defence relationship,” Air Chief Marshal Binskin said.

“I had a meaningful discussion with General Wei and welcomed the opportunity to reinforce the relationship between Australia and China.”

The Goodwill delegation’s visit provides an opportunity to strengthen people-to-people links and foster transparency between the Australian Defence Force and China’s People’s Liberation Army.

AUS DoD

India: Indian Director General of Military Operations Raises Issue of Specific Targeting of Civilians by Pakistan

Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen AK Bhatt spoke to his Pakistani counterpart at 1530h today. Consequent to unprovoked and coordinated ceasefire violations onto Indian civilians along the Line of Control, Pak DGMO was informed of action by Pakistani troops wherein they had deliberately targeted civilian villages and then fired at school children while they were being evacuated. This, he was told does not behove of any Army. The Indian Army as professional force takes due care to avoid targeting of civilians and Pak Army was expected to do the same. 

Pakistani DGMO was also informed about the spate of Ceasefire Violations which also included caliber escalation coupled with incidents of sniping and attempted infiltration bids. Pakistani DGMO was exhorted to exercise strict control on his troops and instruct them to refrain from any nefarious activities. 

Indian Army has been taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of live and property of Indian citizens and avoided targeting Pakistani citizens. 

Indian Press Information Bureau

News Report: As Tension Heightens On China Border, IAF Seeks To Hasten Rafale Jet Delivery

India’s conflict with China and Pakistan has reached a tipping point, pressing the need for astute military strategies. In consonance with this situation, the Indian Air Force is looking to expedite the delivery of Rafale jets from France.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa is currently on a three-day visit to France where he will review the production facility of Dassault Aviation where the Rafale multi-role fighter jets meant for India are being built. The IAF Chief is also expected to take a test flight of one the fighter jets.

The IAF is plagued with steady erosion of current fleet with no replacements in sight. The ongoing two-front conflict with China and Pakistan has deepened the concern.

"IAF is eagerly awaiting the Rafale. The Air Chief is likely assessing the possibility of hastening the aircraft supplies and quicker setting of technical infrastructure." Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retired) told Sputnik.

News Report: South Korea Proposes Military Talks With North

Brian Padden

SEOUL — South Korea proposed military talks and family reunions with North Korea on Monday to reduce the increasing potential for conflict over Pyongyang’s continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

“The Defense Ministry proposes to hold a military talks between the two Koreas on July 21 at Tongilgak in North Korea to stop all hostile actions which heightens military tensions at the border,” said Seoul’s Vice Defense Minister Seo Joo-seok on Monday.

Military talks

Tongilgak is a North Korean building at the Panmunjom truce village on the border used in the past for inter-Korea talks. The last government-level meetings were held in December, 2015.

Since South Korean President Moon Jae-in took power in May, his government has tried to engage the North to reduce tensions, including offers of humanitarian aid, non-political exchanges and reviving the inter-Korean military hotline that Pyongyang cut off in early 2016 after Seoul shut down the jointly run Kaesong Industrial complex to punish the North for its nuclear testing and long-range rocket launches.

News Story: US, Thai generals discuss military cooperation

Bangkok (VNA) – General Robert Brown, head of the US Army Pacific, met with General Chalermchai Sitthisart, commander of the Royal Thai Army, in Bangkok on June 5.

This was a rare top-level meeting between the two militaries since the United States criticised a Thai military coup in 2014.

The United States and Thailand have had a relationship since 1833. The two countries have exchanged ideas on military cooperation, the Thai army said in a statement.

The visit to Thailand by General Robert Brown, who is also director of the US Missile Defence Agency in Seoul, comes as the United States looks to reassure allies about its commitment to the region.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

USA: Mattis, Malaysian Defense Minister Hold Introductory Meeting

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2017 — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had an introductory meeting in Singapore today with Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue Asia security summit to discuss security challenges and the strong bilateral defense cooperation between the United States and Malaysia, a spokesman for Mattis said in a statement.

Navy Cmdr. Gary Ross said the two defense leaders exchanged views on regional security challenges and emphasized the need for continued unity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to address shared security challenges facing the region.

Increased Cooperation

"They discussed the need to increase counterterrorism cooperation in order to stem the threat posed by groups like [the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria], both in the region and globally," Ross said. "They also highlighted the need for regional maritime security cooperation." 

Mattis relayed his appreciation for the broad range of U.S.-Malaysia security cooperation and encouraged Malaysia's valued contributions to regional security, the secretary's spokesman said. "They emphasized continued cooperation and exercises to address common security challenges," he added.

The secretary left Singapore today and has arrived in Sydney, where he will participate in a U.S.-Australian ministerial conference.

US DoD

USA: Mattis, Singapore Defense Minister Discuss Mutual Security Interests

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2017 — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Singaporean counterpart exchanged views on the regional security environment in Southeast Asia and discussed a range mutual security interests during a meeting yesterday on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Navy Cmdr. Gary Ross, a spokesman for Mattis, said in a statement today.

The Shangri-La Dialog is a major annual forum for key leaders in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss security challenges and opportunities.

Mattis and Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen affirmed the long-standing bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Singapore, Ross said, including countering violent extremism from terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Important Contributions

The secretary expressed appreciation for Singapore hosting U.S. forces, he added, and emphasized the importance of its contributions to the defeat-ISIS campaign.

The two defense leaders also discussed shared interests in regional stability and the rule of law, and the strengthening of the U.S relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Ross said.

With regard to the South China Sea, the spokesman said, they reaffirmed the importance of the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.

US DoD

USA: Mattis, Indonesian Defense Minister Discuss Cooperation

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2017 — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu discussed security challenges and defense cooperation during a bilateral meeting today on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, Navy Cmdr. Gary Ross, a spokesman for Mattis, said in a statement.

Need for Continued Unity

The two defense leaders exchanged views on the regional security environment and highlighted the need for continued unity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to address shared challenges facing Southeast Asia, Ross said.

Mattis and Ryamizard also discussed cooperation on countering violent extremism from groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, he added, and addressed the threat posed by returning foreign fighters.

Continuing Cooperation

"Secretary Mattis relayed his appreciation for the broad range of U.S.-Indonesian defense cooperation and encouraged Indonesia's continuing contributions to regional security," Ross said. "They emphasized continued cooperation in maritime domain awareness and information sharing to combat transnational threats."

The secretary and his counterpart also discussed the importance of supporting Indonesia's defense modernization efforts through strengthening bilateral training, interoperability, and defense trade, he said.

US DoD