Top Story of the Week: Marines Provide Disaster Response in Philippines
Looking Forward
- Council Members are invited to save the date for our next quarterly ASEAN Defense Attaché meeting which will be held December 11th from 4:00-5:30 PM at the US-ASEAN Business Council offices. The featured speaker will be Daniel Hartnett of CNA who will lead a discussion on Air-Sea Battle and the future of the rebalance.
U.S. Military Aids in Philippines Relief Efforts
The U.S. military has provided a substantial boost to the efforts of government and aid organizations in the Philippines following the disastrous effects of Typhoon Haiyan. This disaster highlights the need for continued cooperation between defense forces in non-traditional security threats, such as disaster relief, to build regional capacity and stability. The near immediate response of U.S. Marines demonstrates American capability and willingness to provide robust assistance despite regional disputes that can hinder support from other states with limited capability. While China, a regional giant and the world’s second largest economy, is speculated to be withholding comprehensive support from the Philippines in the shadow of maritime disputes between the two countries, the response of the United States demonstrates the strategic advantage in soft power conveyed by the U.S. military’s ability to use its forward deployment in the region to immediately respond with HADR. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel directed PACOM to assist in the relief efforts committing to airborne maritime search and rescue, helicopter and fixed-wing lift support, and logistics enablers such as the use of KC-130 cargo aircraft along with aircraft carrier USS George Washington. The humanitarian response of the United States, along with other regional states, enables inter-military cooperation that aids in time of disaster and provides a platform for building regional stability. The death toll is yet to be determined, with initial estimates over 10,000 while President Aquino put the loss of life between 2,000 and 2,500, although this number remains fluid.
Vietnam’s Regional Defense Role Growing
A recent visit from Russian President Vladimir Putin underscores Vietnam’s strategic importance in regional defense architecture as the two countries agreed to increase security cooperation in the wake of continuing maritime contention. Prior to Putin’s visit, Russia released two Kilo-class Black Hole submarines, reportedly featuring stealth technology, to work towards fulfilling a 2009 contract to produce six submarines valued at over $2 billion. The relationship, dating back to the Cold War, is evolving as Russia and Vietnam signed defense cooperation and training agreements during the presidential visit. The Russian president’s visit comes at a time when Vietnam is expanding defense interests to include growing cooperation with the United States. Last month, Vietnam and the United States held two high-level security dialogues. Both discussions occurred in accordance with the 2011 joint statement between the United States and Vietnam. Topics of this year’s discussions included maritime safety and security, regional sea disputes, and non-traditional security threats such as counterterrorism, narcotics, and human trafficking. In addition to the United States and Russia, India recently pledged its security cooperation with Vietnam in an effort to forge a strategic partnership with the country. U.S. defense companies remain restricted from exporting lethal technology to Vietnam, but there is potential for substantial deals in other equipment. Although the “presumption of denial” for defense exports to Vietnam has been removed, interested companies should keep a close eye on congressional human rights concerns, particularly relating to freedom of speech and religion.
ASEAN
Pacific Power: The Politics of the US Military in SE Asia The Diplomat 13th Nov 2013
Political dysfunction in Washington is posing serious challenges to President Barack Obama’s goal of rebalancing U.S. attention and resources to Asia. The president’s cancelation of a much-anticipated trip to Southeast Asia in October – necessary because of the federal government shutdown – was widely regarded as a diplomatic victory for China. Weeks later, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, warned that current defense cuts, if maintained, would “largely negate the ship force structure portion of our plan to rebalance to the Asia Pacific region.” Ergo the growing chorus among foreign policy specialists that sustaining the foundations of American global power will require Washington to get its own house in order. This is no doubt true, but resolving partisan battles on Capitol Hill is only half the battle. Washington will also have to be attuned to domestic politics on the other side of the Pacific to successfully execute and implement the U.S. pivot to Asia. This is particularly the case in the military domain, where the United States is pursuing a more geographically distributed force posture that is less reliant on major operating bases in Northeast Asia.
Resident Power Building a Politically Sustainable U.S. Military Presence in Southeast Asia and Australia CNAS 13th Nov 2013
The United States faces a strategic window of opportunity to enhance its military presence in Southeast Asia and Australia, strengthen its alliances and partnerships and reinforce U.S. leadership in the region. Current U.S. policy aims to achieve a more geographically distributed force posture in Asia as a response to the evolving regional security environment, the rising geopolitical importance of Southeast Asia and the drawdowns from a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. This goal of diversifying the U.S. military presence in the Asia- Pacific region has included efforts to develop new presence and access arrangements in Australia, the Philippines and Singapore, as well as new opportunities for training and access in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and elsewhere.
ASEAN consistent in efforts to ensure peace, stability in South China Sea: ASEAN deputy secretary-general People's Daily 11th Nov 2013?The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been consistent in its efforts to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea, said Nyan Lynn, its deputy secretary-general here Monday. Addressing the Fifth International Workshop on South China Sea in Vietnam on behalf of ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh, Lynn said it is ASEAN's long-standing position that territorial disputes in the South China Sea should be settled among the parties concerned by peaceful means, without resorting to the use or the threat to use force, and in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Without peace, be it on land or at sea, as the bedrock foundation for forging sustainable regional integration, the ASEAN Community would be difficult to achieve. As such, there is an intimate linkage between a peaceful Southeast Asia and a prosperous and dynamic ASEAN, Lynn said.
Philippine Typhoon Showcases US Strategic Edge Over China Breaking Defense 11th Nov 2013?It is more than a little ghoulish to look at a tragedy that may have killed 10,000 people and see a strategic opportunity. But that’s how strategists have to think. After all, what is war itself but human tragedy exploited for strategic advantage? And that’s how we need to think about what’s happening in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, where US Marines are already on the ground. [Updated: The Pentagon announced at 5:40 today that the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and its escorts have received orders to "to make best speed" for the Philippines and "should be on station within 48-72 hours." Marine Corps Forces Pacific said earlier that the US has so far deployed 215 military personnel to Filipino territory.] The US military is already helping the storm-ravaged Philippines, a long-time ally. The Chinese military not only isn’t responding, it can’t respond — not with anything like the speed or scale that the US can achieve thanks to our global fleet of airborne tankers, cargo planes (like the KC-130Js pictured above), large-capacity naval vessels, friendly seaports such as Singapore, and Pacific land bases.
S. Korea kicks off regional security forum to curb WMD proliferation Xinhua 11th Nov 2013?South Korea on Monday kicked off the three-day regional security forum in its capital Seoul to discuss how to curb proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and growing cyber threats. The Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD), a vice ministerial-level multilateral security forum held first in Seoul last year, brought together around 180 high-level military officials and experts from 21 countries and three international organizations to this year's second round of the security conference, according to the Defense Ministry. Among the participants which sent vice minister-level officials were nine nations and two organizations, including South Korea, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, Thailand and Mongol along with the United Nations and the European Union (EU). Major powers, including China and the United States, dispatched assistant minister-level officials or below along with Russia, India, Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The forum started Monday with several bilateral and multilateral talks, including those between South Korean Vice Defense Minister Baek Seung-joo and his counterparts from the Philippines, Indonesia, the United States, the U.N. and the EU.
Hackers expose weak cyber-defense in Asia My Broadband 9th Nov 2013?A rash of website hackings in the Asia-Pacific has exposed weak cyber defences which must be improved to help the region deal with more sophisticated and sinister threats, particularly from criminal organisations, analysts said. Hackers claiming to be from the global activist group Anonymous compromised several government and commercial websites in Australia, the Philippines and Singapore recently, and vowed to mount wider attacks. In the latest incident, Anonymous hackers on Thursday hijacked a section of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s official website, just a day after he vowed to “spare no effort” to hunt down anyone who attacks the regional financial centre’s technological network. Cloud computing, the proliferation of mobile devices and the increasing use of social media have allowed an escalating volume of data to flow through multiple channels, giving hackers a wider field to ply their trade, analysts said.
Defence industry leaders call for greater regional trust IHS Janes 360 5th Nov 2013?A group of senior defence industry leaders in Southeast Asia have called for a greater degree of trust within the region in order to enhance collaboration in developing and producing military equipment. In a conference at the Defense and Security exhibition in Bangkok on 5 November defence officials - including Budi Santoso, president of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI); Noparath Koolhiran, the chief executive of Thailand's Chaiseri; and General Azumi Mohamed, the chairman of CyberSecurity Malaysia - agreed that defence industry collaboration had become necessary to promote a range of strategic benefits for members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
China’s Achilles’ heel in Southeast Asia EAF 1st Nov 2013?Recent commentary on US President Barack Obama’s last-minute cancellation of his trips to the APEC meeting in Bali and the East Asia Summit in Brunei overwhelmingly reflected classical ‘zero-sum’ thinking. The common reading is that the credibility of the US ‘pivot’ has been further undermined, and that China used Obama’s absence to boost its position with the ASEAN nations.
Global Spotlight
Navy's Ship of the Future Faces Rough Budgetary Seas WSJ 13 Nov 2013
When the USS Freedom's report card came in last week from Singapore, it didn't provide great news for Navy brass trying to keep Pentagon budget cutters away from the experimental warship. The U.S. Navy had sent the vessel to Asia this spring, hoping the innovative Littoral Combat Ship would prove its detractors wrong and live up to the Navy's belief that it can be the backbone of America's future fleet. Instead, the narrative was marred by generator meltdowns, burst pipes and propulsion troubles that delayed the Freedom's participation in international war games. When Navy leaders were given an expedited assessment on the ship's performance last week, they found the scope of those problems to be "a little stunning," says Rear Adm. Tom Rowden, the Navy's director of surface warfare. It was an unwelcome review for the Navy, at a particularly bad time. The service is running into mounting high-level Defense Department resistance to the Navy's plan for a ship that Navy Secretary Ray Mabus says "represents the future of the Navy—and the future of warfare." The littoral-combat ship was supposed to be a sure sell: a fast-moving, high-tech and low-budget vessel with a lean crew, which the Navy could quickly reconfigure for missions such as fighting pirates or nimbly plying coastal, or "littoral," waters.
Credible Chinese Undersea Nuclear Deterrent is Imminent The Diplomat 13th Nov 2013
In recent days, there have been several reports that the Chinese navy (PLAN) has, for the first time in the country’s history, reached a credible sea-based nuclear deterrent. Defense News reports that the China’s JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is expected to reach initial operational capability (IOC) by the end of 2014. The source of the report is a forthcoming report by a U.S. congressional commission on China. The reports are in line with analyst expectations for China’s SSBN program. According to the report, the PLAN’s sea-based deterrent will have a range of 4,000 nautical miles, lending it a comfortable position against targets on the North American western coastline. The deterrent will be delivered via the much-discussed Type 094 Jin-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), three of which are in active operation by the PLAN. China is also pursuing more advanced SSBNs: the Type 095 is expected to be a guided-missile attack submarine, and the Type 096 is expected to be a next-generation successor to the Type 094, reinforcing its “range, mobility, stealth, and lethality.” The aging Type 092 Xia-class submarine was largely a failure and is expected to be retired soon.
China, U.S. armies to begin joint disaster exercise Japan Today 13th Nov 2013
Army officials from China and the United States are meeting in Hawaii for an annual disaster relief exercise that will include field training for the first time this year. Specifics of the exercise scenario starting Tuesday have not been publicly released. U.S. Army Pacific officials have only described it as a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation requiring U.S. and China military cooperation in a fictional third country. On Thursday, U.S. and Chinese soldiers will train in a field exercise at Bellows Air Force Base, on a Marine Corps training area on the east side of Oahu. Col. Bill Florig, chief of civil military operations for U.S. Army Pacific, said in announcing the exercises last month that the event is the largest between the United States and China armies.
China's periphery diplomacy initiative: Implications for China neighbors and the United States China-US 7 Nov 2013
All eyes are on the Central Committee’s Third Plenum scheduled to open in Beijing on November 9 for details about China’s economic reforms. As attention focuses on domestic economic development, however, Chinese foreign policy also deserves notice. China’s president and premier have recently returned from a whirlwind tour of the neighborhood and Beijing just hosted prime ministers from Russia, India, and Mongolia. In addition, China has signaled it is set to change the way it approaches its neighbors. For the first time ever, a high level meeting dedicated to periphery diplomacy was held in the last week of October. It is the first major gathering on foreign policy since 2006, when the last foreign policy work conference was held. Similar to that meeting, the periphery diplomacy conference was attended by the entire Standing Committee of the Politburo, various organs of the Central Committee, State Counselors, the Central Leading Small Group with responsibility for foreign affairs, and Chinese ambassadors to important countries.
Alarm Over the Taiwan Strait WSJ 6th Nov 2013
Taiwan's defense ministry issued a formal statement last month warning that by 2020 China will be able to successfully invade the democratic island, fending off any foreign (read: American) intervention. Did anyone in Washington notice? After two decades of increasing its military budget by more than 10% annually, China has nearly 2,000 ballistic missiles that could level Taiwanese targets in minutes (up from 250 less accurate missiles in 2001). The People's Liberation Army could quickly establish air superiority over Taiwan. China also has a growing arsenal designed to deny U.S. forces access to the fight, including ship-killing ballistic missiles, anti-satellite weapons, advanced jet fighters and attack submarines. The Pentagon concluded in May that China's modernization has "negated" many of Taiwan's previous advantages. This dangerous state of affairs reflects not only China's strengths but Taiwan's weaknesses. When he was elected President in 2008, Ma Ying-jeou pledged to spend 3% of gross domestic product on defense. But since 2010 he has mustered a little over 2%, or about 16% of total government spending. That compares to 3.5% of GDP and 24% of all spending in the mid-1990s.
Japan collective self-defense should include others, not just U.S.: adviser Reuters 6th Nov 2013
Japan should change the interpretation of its constitution to allow its military to defend not only its ally, the United States, but also other countries whose interests are closely intertwined with Tokyo, a key security adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. The proposed change would represent a further stretching of the limits of Japan's post-war, pacifist constitution and go beyond proposals that the country should only exercise its right of collective self-defense to aid forces of the United States, with which it has a formal alliance. The right to exercise collective self-defense should be applied "to any country which is very close to Japan", Shinichi Kitaoka, who is a member of a panel preparing a report for Abe on the topic, told Reuters in an interview this week. "In other words, if that country is heavily damaged and that might bring a serious threat to Japan, then this is a situation in which Japan may consider exercising the right of collective self-defense."
Air Sea Battle, China & the U.S. Rebalance to Asia CNP 6th Nov 2013
This paper describes a potential disconnect between U.S. military efforts to maintain freedom of access in support of U.S. global interests and the U.S. foreign policy objective to rebalance to Asia. In order to overcome “anti-access” challenges to its ability to project power, the U.S. military is developing the Air-Sea Battle concept. As a concept of operations, Air-Sea Battle posits the value of attacking and destroying —preemptively if possible —an opponent’s targeting, command, and weapons systems wherever they are located in order to disrupt the opponent’s ability to hinder U.S. military operations.
RAAF Starts Growler Training in the United States Defense Studies 6th Nov 2013
An important step in the introduction of the Royal Australian Air Force’s electronic warfare capability has commenced, with the first pilot instructor commencing flying on the EA-18G Growler in the United States. Flight Lieutenant Sean Rutledge has commenced training with the Electronic Attack Wing, US Pacific Fleet (CVWP) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Once he’s completed his training, Flight Lieutenant Rutledge will be qualified to instruct other RAAF aircrew for the 12 EA-18G Growlers the Australian Government is purchasing from the United States Foreign Military Sales program. Wing Commander Paul Jarvis, Deputy Director EA-18G Growler Transition team, believes training with the US Navy is essential.
Japan’s New (Defensive) Attack Force The Diplomat 6th Nov 2013
When US President Barack Obama cancelled his trip to Asia in early October, America’s regional allies wondered whether America, just like its president, was becoming fatally weakened by Washington’s systemic failures – whether one day soon it might no longer have the power or the energy to get things done on the world stage. Japan’s leaders may have shared those concerns, but if so they didn’t let on. Even as Washington tied itself up in knots, the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (SCC) – the “2+2” comprising the countries’ foreign and defense ministers – was announcing a potentially far-reaching revamp of the Japan-U.S. alliance. As part of their new vision, the Japanese military will shoulder a greater share of the joint security burden, something the U.S. government – and some Japanese conservatives – have wanted to happen for a very long time.
Taiwan Gets First Batch Of US-Made Attack Helicopters Defense News 5th Nov 2013
Taiwan has received the first six of 30 Apache advanced attack helicopters bought from the United States as it modernizes its military despite warming ties with China, officials said Tuesday. The six AH-64Es — the latest version of one of the world’s most powerful assault helicopters — were shipped to the southern port of Kaohsiung on Monday, officials at the defense ministry said. The Taiwanese army will become the first force outside the US to introduce the new model, they said. Delivery was originally set for October but was delayed by the US government shutdown, media reports said. A second batch of six is scheduled to arrive in December while the remainder will be delivered by the end of 2014, the reports said. The 30 advanced Apache Longbow were part of a $6.5 billion arms deal announced in 2008, causing anger in China. Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war. However, Beijing still regards the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, prompting Taipei to seek more weaponry — mainly from the United States.
Friendly neighbors prefer economic recovery in Japan to military ambition Global Times 4th Nov 2013?In the 1980s, the Malaysian government adopted the "Look East" policy. Back then, the main thrust of the policy was on learning the successful economic development lessons of Japan and South Korea. Thousands of Malaysian students went to study in Japan, bringing back the technological and management know-how that helped spur Malaysia's own economic progress. Therefore, it came as a surprise when in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he had "realized that Japan is expected to exert leadership not just on the economic front, but also in the field of security in the Asia-Pacific." Many could not help but wonder about the motivations behind Abe's "expansive" statements, which implied that Japan would like to extend its regional influence beyond that of a peaceful partner for economic development. Perhaps Abe detected a void in the Asia-Pacific security setup that he thought Japan could rush in to fill. With the avowed US policy to rebalance its strategic resources in the Asia-Pacific region, and the gradual emergence of China as a rising power, a number of countries in the region inevitably feel that they are subtly but surely being compelled to choose sides between the US and China.
Rotational Forces Extend Partnership, Presence in Asia-Pacific DOD 4th Nov 2013
U.S. force rotations in the Asia-Pacific region are bolstering key relationships there while as they extend the U.S. presence to reflect today’s security environment, the U.S. Pacific Command chief told American Forces Press Service. Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III called the rotations -- currently in Australia, Singapore and South Korea -- important contributions to the U.S. “rebalance” toward the region as outlined in the 2012 defense strategic guidance. From a military perspective, the rebalance involves assigning available assets “where they are relevant to today’s security environment -- not necessarily the one we had 50 years ago,” Locklear said. He called the movement of U.S. forces into nontraditional areas, particularly Southeast Asia, “an indication of a world that is changing.” “The capacity of our allies has changed over the years. The scope of where our interests lie has shifted” beyond just Northeast Asia, he said. Locklear emphasized that the goal of the rebalance is to increase regional security. “We position forces forward to maintain security, not to contain or threaten people,” he said.
South Korean Global Hawks Set For 2017-19 Delivery Aviation Week 4th Nov 2013
Four Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk surveillance aircraft should be delivered to South Korea between 2017 and 2019, acting as a primary sensor in the country’s preparations to hit North Korean missiles before launch. A contract from the U.S. government is likely in 2014, following an intergovernmental agreement by the end of this year, Northrop Grumman officials say, although the South Korean defense ministry expects the intergovernmental contract in the first half of next year. Under the Foreign Military Sales process, which is compulsory for the RQ-4, the U.S. government will supply the unmanned aircraft. South Korea expects to pay 900 billion won ($850 million) for the acquisition program. The defense ministry says it expects to “adopt” the Global Hawk in 2017; Northrop Grumman sees deliveries being complete by 2019. The aircraft will be delivered with equipment for imaging but not signals intelligence, though weight and space is available for the latter should South Korea want it and the U.S. agrees to supply it. As supplied, the system matches the U.S. Air Force’s imaging-only Block 30 Global Hawks.
Diaoyu/Senkaku disputes — a view from China East Asia Forum 4th Nov 2013
The territorial dispute over the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands between China and Japan is once again disrupting regional security in East Asia. It hasn’t always been like this. How did the situation become so sensitive? China and Japan have come a long way since they normalised diplomatic relations 40 years ago. Bilateral trade now exceeds US$300 billion annually. Every day, dozens of flights travel between multiple destinations in Japan and China, ferrying tourists and businesspeople across the East China Sea. China has opened six consulates general in different parts of Japan, highlighting the intensity of bilateral contacts. This success was made possible because Japan and China decided to shelve their dispute over the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands back in the 1970s. Over the past 40 years, there have been all kinds of ‘incidents’ related to the island dispute, but the two countries have always handled them in a relatively cool-headed way. Their attitudes meant that no ‘incident’ developed into a major crisis.
Gateway to the Indo-Pacific: Australian Defense Strategy and the Future of the Australia-U.S. Alliance CSBA 1st Nov 2013
This report examines the state of the U.S.-Australia military alliance, detailing the geopolitical shifts currently underway in Australia’s immediate neighborhood and outlining the extent to which these developments signal the advent of a new era. The seismic nature of these changes has engendered a vigorous strategic debate within Australia over the future of its defense ties with the United States. The report provides a succinct overview of ongoing debates and examines three different schools of thought in Australia: the Alliance Minimalist School, the Alliance Maximalist School, and the Incrementalist School. Many of the traditional assumptions at the heart of Australian strategic culture are in the process of being overturned, and the U.S.-Australia alliance is increasingly perceived as a bedrock for sustained regional stability.
Cambodia
Border Troops Reinforced at Preah Vihear for ICJ Ruling Cambodia Daily 11th Nov 2013?A military officer on Sunday admitted that Cambodia had sent reinforcements to Preah Vihear temple ahead of a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Monday on who owns a plot of hotly contested land along the Thai-Cambodian border. The neighbors have fought several brief but deadly clashes over the disputed 4.6-square-km area next to the temple in recent years. Each side has been accusing the other of building up its military in the area ahead of today’s announcement while denying the others’ claims. On Sunday, Colonel Meas Yoeun, deputy Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) commander for Preah Vihear province, said Cambodia had sent additional troops to the area and that Thailand was doing the same. “Yes, we already sent troops for the ruling of the ICJ,” Col. Yoeun said. He declined to say how many troops had been sent or exactly where they were being stationed.
UN court rules for Cambodia in Preah Vihear temple dispute with Thailand UN News Centre 11th Nov 2013?The United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) today ruled that Cambodia has sovereignty over the whole territory of the Preah Vihear temple, and that Thailand is obligated to withdraw its military personnel from the area. Following Cambodia’s independence, Thailand occupied the 900-year-old Hindu temple in 1954. The temple and its vicinity have long been a bone of contention between the neighbours and have in recent years led to deadly clashes between them. In a June 1962 judgment, the ICJ found that the temple is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia, and that Thailand is under an obligation to withdraw any military or police forces, or other guards or keepers, stationed at the Temple or in its vicinity on Cambodian territory. In April 2011, Cambodia requested the ICJ to interpret the 1962 Judgment, arguing that while Thailand recognizes Cambodia’s sovereignty over the temple itself, it does not appear to recognize the sovereignty of Cambodia over the vicinity of the temple. In its decision today, the Court declared unanimously that the 1962 Judgement decided that Cambodia had sovereignty over the whole territory of the promontory of Preah Vihear, and that Thailand is obligated to withdraw its forces from that territory.
Spending on Defense and Security up 17% in 2014 The Cambodia Daily 8th Nov 2013?The country’s draft $3.4 billion national budget for 2014 proposes yet another $920 million in new debt to make ends meet, the same amount taken on this year, according to a copy of the spending bill obtained Thursday. The draft budget calls for nearly $400 million—or about 13 percent—more than what the government is spending this year, with large increases on education, defense and security. The official draft budget is, however, less than the $3.54 billion that Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cabinet said it had approved last month, but neither the Council of Ministers nor the National Assembly’s finance committee could explain why there was a discrepancy in the figures. Among the lion’s share of recipients, the ministries of Defense and Interior together are in line for a total of $489 million in the draft, a combined 17 percent more than this year, and 14 percent of the country’s entire budget. A statement accompanying the draft states the increase will go mostly to paying for unspecified “social affairs” at the Defense Ministry and was “not an increase in spending for military equipment.” The budget could be approved by the National Assembly as soon as Tuesday, and will likely be passed by the CPP’s 68 lawmakers without input from the opposition CNRP’s 55 lawmakers-elect, who are refusing to take their seats in parliament to protest irregularities in July’s national elections.
EU Boosts Cambodia’s Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction Cambodia Daily 7th Nov 2013?The European Union (E.U.) on Wednesday signed an agreement with the government to provide Cambodia with radiation detection equipment and counterterrorism technology to detect illicit trafficking or criminal use of nuclear and radiological materials at the country’s border checkpoints. E.U. Ambassador to Cambodia Jean Francois Cautain and Om Yentieng, vice-chairman of the Secretariat of National Counter-Terrorism Committee, signed off on the deal that will see radiation detection equipment and alarm communication systems installed at the New River Port in Phnom Penh and both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports.
Safeguard team completes dive exercise in Cambodia Sealift 5th Nov 2013?USNS Safeguard completed a highly-successful dive exercise with counterparts from the Royal Cambodian Navy (RCN) over the weekend. Safeguard Chief Mate and civil service mariner Phillip Gregory and Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One, Company 1-3, officer-in-charge Warrant Officer Mike Miller share final thoughts on their experiences during the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise—the fourth of its kind to be held in Cambodia.
Thai, Cambodian Armies Pledge to Keep Peace The Cambodia Daily 4th Nov 2013?Thai and Cambodian military officials met at the base of Preah Vihear temple on Sunday to reaffirm their commitment to keeping the peace both before and after a pending U.N. court verdict that could decide the fate of a nearby stretch of disputed borderland. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is scheduled to pass judgment on the question of who owns a contested 4.6 square km of land next to the temple, over which Thailand and Cambodia have repeatedly clashed, on November 11. Both governments have pledged to refrain from violence whatever the court’s decision, and their military officials met at the temple to bolster those promises. “It was a simple meeting that usually happens along the border and we wanted to repeat that our prime ministers cooperate with each other,” said Royal Cambodian Armed Forces deputy commander Lieutenant General Srey Doek, who, along with four other Cambodian officials, met with their Thai counterparts.
Indonesia
MANIS: time to sweeten regional security cooperation??EAF 13th Nov 2013
Australia’s bilateral ties with Indonesia and multilateral security ties through the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) are important regional security mechanisms. But there are limitations inherent in these arrangements that preclude an amalgamation. With cross-border regional security concerns affecting Indonesia and its contiguous countries, there is scope for a sub-regional geographic grouping to emerge to facilitate enhanced regional security cooperation. Such a forum — including one with Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Singapore (or MANIS) — could help address regional security concerns and ‘sweeten’ regional security cooperation. Australia can look with some satisfaction at how the relationship with Indonesia has recovered since the nadir of 1999, when Australia led the international intervention force into East Timor. It took the trauma of the Bali bombings, the Jakarta bombings and the Indian Ocean tsunami to rebuild bilateral ties with Australia. These ties were rebuilt through a concerted effort by Australia and its various government agencies.
TNI urged to review defense equipment Jakarta Post 11th Nov 2013?Calls have mounted for the Indonesian Military (TNI) to review its primary weapons and other defense equipment in the wake of the deadly crash of an Army Mi-17 helicopter in Malinau regency, North Kalimantan, on Saturday, which claimed 13 lives. Al Araf, a defense analyst from the human rights organization Imparsial, said the crash should serve as a wake up call for the Defense Ministry, the House of Representatives and the TNI to improve transparency in weapons procurement. “Once the cause of the incident is found, there should be an evaluation of the TNI’s weapons defense systems. There are problems in the procurement and maintenance of military equipment,” he said on Sunday. Al Araf said that military equipment procurements were, at times, inconsistent with the Defense White Book, which guides the country’s defense strategy. “The Defense Ministry proposed the procurement of Leopard tanks although it was not stipulated in the country’s defense plan. There is also an indication that the procurement of Sukhoi fighter jets was rife with corruption,” he said. Al Araf, however, said that the decision to procure Mi-17 helicopters had been a good one.
Navy Chief: Indonesia Needs At Least 12 Submarines Tempo 8th Nov 2013?Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Marsetio says the Indonesian army needs at least 12 submarines as a primary weaponry defense system to protect Indonesia’s waters. "For the meantime, Indonesia only has two submarines manufactured in the 1980s," said Marsetio on Wednesday. These two submarines are the KRI Cakra and KRI Nenggala. which are already old and battered and will no longer be of use by 2020. Indonesia is currently ordering three units of Changbogo Class submarines from South Korea following a deal for trading technology systems between the two nations. As the chairman of state-owned shipyard firm PAL, Marsetio intends to push for the readiness of facilities used to manufacture submarines at PAL’s shipyard in Surabaya. The government has also agreed to allocate Rp1.5 trillion to build a special facility for submarines at PAL. Marsetio added that the Indonesian Navy also needs 20 frigate and corvette warships to help guard the nation’s seas, especially from the surface. Indonesia has already ordered three frigate warships from the United Kingdom and two other warships from the Netherlands. Marsetio hopes PAL and other state-owned firms will be able to manufacture the other warships needed by the state.
Australia, Indonesia defense ministers meet to discuss wiretapping issue Xinhua Net 8th Nov 2013?Indonesian and Australian defense ministers met here on Friday to discuss various multilateral, trilateral and bilateral matters, including wiretapping issue that has marred relations of the neighboring countries in the last few days. Responding to a question raised by Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro about the wiretapping issue, Australian Defense Minister David Johnston said it was a political issue which is now being discussed by Indonesian and Australian foreign affairs ministers in Bali, Indonesia. "Australia pledges its commitment to preserve its good relations with Indonesia based on the commitments and principles stipulated in Lombok treaty that was signed on Nov. 13, 2006," Indonesian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Sisriadi told a press conference, reading out results of the meeting between the two ministers in the ministry's premise here with the presence of Purnomo. The Lombok Treaty was an agreement between Indonesia and Australia on the framework for security cooperation.
Indonesia, Australia review defense cooperation Global Times 8th Nov 2013?Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro met with his new Australian counterpart David Johnston here on Friday, reviewing cooperation in field of defense that has been built by the two neighboring countries. Punomo said that that the meeting with Johnston was filled with discussions to review defense cooperation in multilateral, trilateral and bilateral frames. "In Multilateral frame we discussed cooperation wrapped in ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus joined by ten ASEAN countries and 8 from non-ASEAN countries," Purnomo told a press conference held on the side line of the meeting in his office here with absence of his Australian counterpart. He added that the two ministers discussed trilateral cooperation frames that involve Indonesia, Australia, Timor Leste and Indonesia, Australia and India, they also discussed plans on Indian Ocean joint management cooperation. "Management on Indian Ocean was very important as the water territory was still 'virgin', relatively free from disputes like the ones occurred in South and East China Seas," the minister said. He added that in bilateral respect, the two ministers discussed on the existing cooperation that has been built.
Listening post revealed on Cocos Islands WA Today 1st Nov 2013?Australia's electronic spy agency is intercepting Indonesian naval and military communications through a secret radio listening post on the remote Cocos Islands. According to former defence officials, the Defence Signals Directorate runs the signals interception and monitoring base on Australia's Indian Ocean territory, 1100 kilometres south-west of Java. Along with the better-known Shoal Bay Receiving Station near Darwin, the previously unreported Cocos Island facility forms a key part of Australia's signals intelligence efforts targeting Indonesia. Known locally as ''the house without windows'', it includes radio monitoring and direction-finding equipment and a satellite ground station. But the station is of little help in combating people smuggling, according to the former intelligence officers. Advertisement The station has never been publicly acknowledged by the government, nor previously reported in the media, despite operating for more than two decades. The Defence Department would not comment, and said only that it hosts ''a communications station'' that formed part of the wider defence communications network.
Malaysia
Malaysia Offers Aid To Philippines In Wake Of Haiyan Malaysia Digest 12th Nov 2013?Malaysia has joined a league of nations in offering aid to the Philippines in the wake of the destruction brought by Typhoon Haiyan. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tweeted on Sunday that “Malaysia stands ready to provide assistance and support”. In the tweet, he also offered condolences to those affected by the typhoon, described as the worst natural disaster recorded in the Philippines with a death toll of more than 10,000 people as of now. Following Najib’s statement, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein yesterday contacted Philippines Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to determine the aid required. “Urgent need of water, electricity, (and) food. Malaysia will help,” he said in his Twitter message after his telephone conversation with Gazmin. An aide to Hishammuddin said the amount of aid to be sent was being determined by the authorities. Last Friday, the typhoon sent tsunami-like waves and strong winds across the Philippine archipelago, causing severe damages in the provincial capital of Leyte and cutting off communications in the affected areas. Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Mohd Zamri Mohd Kassim said there were no reports of any Malaysians affected by the storm so far. “Our consul-general in Davao is on the ground to get an accurate report of the extent of the damage and to find out if any of our citizens need help,” he said.
Malaysia, Singapore To Resume Jetfighter Cross Deployment Exercise After 15 Years Defense Studies 11th Nov 2013?The air forces of Malaysia and Singapore will deploy jetfighters to each others' air bases in the first cross basing exercise between them since 1998, said Armed Forces Chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin. He said this was part of the two-week joint exercise of the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) member states involving 2,000 members of the defence forces, 68 aircraft, 10 ships and a number of ground-based air defence units starting Nov 6. The cross deployment stipulated under the Base Support Arrangement (BSA) would enabled the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) to cooperate and assist each to cater to the needs and requirements in terms of security of both countries.
Navy Plans To Acquire Anti-submarine Helicopters Defense Studies 7th Nov 2013?The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has proposed for the government to acquire anti-submarine helicopters to increase the force's capabilities. Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar said this is to ensure the force remains relevant with the current modernisation. "At least six anti-submarine aircraft are needed to form a squadron. "The Kota Kinabalu RMN Base in Teluk Sepanggar, Sabah will house the squadron where two of the country's submarines are also stationed," he told reporters after officiating the Perak RMN Air Unit's 25th Silver Jubilee at the RMN Base, here Thursday. The Kota Kinabalu RMN Base currently has two French Scorpene submarines, the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Razak. In another development, Abdul Aziz said the RMN Air Unit plans to establish its own training centre which will conduct training modules on flight operations.
New Malaysian Army Chief calls on Thai Supreme Commander Pattaya Mail 6th Nov 2013?New Malaysian Army Chief Gen Datuk Raja Mohamed Affandi Bin Raja Mohamed Noor yesterday paid a courtesy call on Thailand’s Supreme Commander and his Thai counterpart in his familiarization visit to the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters. Supreme Commander Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn and Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha welcomed Gen Datuk Raja Mohamed Affandi, who is also on an official visit to Thailand to take part in the “Defense & Security 2013” exhibition currently held at IMPACT. During the meeting, both parties exchanged ideas and discussed military cooperation that would ensure security and stability in Southeast Asia. The visit was seen to further strengthen the already strong military ties between Thailand and Malaysia. To further strengthen military ties with other ASEAN countries, Army Chief Gen Prayuth will travel to Myanmar to attend the “ASEAN Army Rifle Meeting 2013”, or AARM 2013 which is scheduled for November 9th. In Myanmar, Gen Prayuth will meet his counterparts from all corners of the ASEAN region to discuss ways to stabilize and upgrade the region’s defense against all sorts of threats.
Malaysia-Thailand Border Enforcement Needs Empowerment Bernama 5th Nov 2013?The rapid economic growth and the frequent movement of people at the Malaysia-Thailand border have contributed to the increase of smuggling activities, especially of firearms. The smuggling of firearms is even reported to have been rampant at the border area, and fast becoming the hot topic of discussions, especially with the rise in murder and attempted murder cases involving firearms. The 640km Malaysia-Thailand border area, which comprises 551km of land border and the remaining being maritime border, has been the centre of smuggling activities operated by triads and syndicates in both countries. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department deputy director (Intelligence/ Operations) Datuk Mazlan Mansor said several weaknesses in the border enforcement and inspections had been identified as the factors for the increase in the smuggling activities. He said police intelligence also found that inspections at the Malaysia-Thailand border area were done at random, hence allowing criminals to smuggle firearms quite easily. However, Mazlan said the security forces should not be blamed as they were forced to resort to doing random inspections by the rapid economic growth at the border area.
Malaysia, Vietnam may link naval bases New Straits Times 3rd Nov 2013?Malaysia is looking to boost its defence ties with Vietnam by establishing a direct link between the two countries' naval bases near the South China Sea. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein said efforts to create a connection between Malaysia Maritime Region 1 Base in Kuantan and Vietnam Southern Command was discussed with his Vietnamese counterpart, General Phung Quang Thanh, on Friday. Hishammuddin said the establishment of this link would enable the two countries to contact each other should any problems occur at sea during an operation. "I have also conveyed our intention for Malaysia and Vietnam to cooperate to make the Asean Defence Industry Collaboration a reality." Hishammuddin is in Hanoi for a working visit after a three-day working visit to China. It is his first visit to Vietnam since assuming the portfolio as defence minister in May.
Malaysia boosts its regional defense cooperation UPI 1st Nov 2013?Malaysia will work more closely with Vietnam to prevent naval misunderstandings on the high seas turning into military confrontation, state news agency Bernama reported. The two countries will explore setting up a "direct connection" communication link between Malaysian Maritime Region 1 Base in Kuantan, Pahang, and Vietnam's Southern Command. Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein made the announcement after discussions with his Vietnamese counterpart, Gen. Phung Quang Thanh, in Hanoi this week. Hishammuddin said a direct link would enable the two countries to contact each other in case of problems at sea during military operations and exercises, Bernama reported. "I also conveyed our intention for Malaysia and Vietnam to cooperate to make the Association of Southeast Asian Nation Defense Industry Collaboration a reality," he said. "It is to increase defense industrial inter-dependence among ASEAN members, so that we will not depend on sourcing outside ASEAN." Hishammuddin and Thanh also agreed to hold annual meetings of senior military and defense staff, exchange personnel for training and conduct joint military exercises, Bernama reported. Malaysia and Vietnam have had a defense cooperation pact since 2008.
Myanmar
Rangoon MPs Urge Govt to Reestablish National Intelligence Bureau Irrawaddy 11th Nov 2013?Rangoon Division lawmakers are urging the central government to reestablish the notorious National Investigation Bureau (NIB) for National Security. The MPs claim the move is necessary in order to provide security in the country after Burma’s biggest city and several towns experienced a series of bomb attacks last month. The Rangoon Division legislature supported a proposal on Nov. 5 that says that the Rangoon Division government—headed by former senior military regime member Myint Swe—should urge the central government to set up the NIB. New National Democratic Party lawmaker U Kyaw, who issued the proposal, said the government should set up the intelligence-gathering agency soonest. “The NIB is needed for national security and to investigate terrorist attacks. We are going to host the 27th SEA GAMES [in December] and the country will serve as chairman of ASEAN next year,” he said. “Last month, we experienced a series of bomb blasts; that is main reason why we need the NIB urgently.”
Myanmar defense chief calls for enhancing unity among ASEAN armies Global Times 9th Nov 2013?Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's Defense Services Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing has called for unity among armies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN), official media reported Saturday. "Enhancing the unity between ASEAN armies could help further cement amity between the ASEAN countries, contribute towards the emergence of the 2015 ASEAN Community," Min Aung Hlaing told the 14th ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting (ACAMM) held in the second largest city of Mandalay on Friday. Noting that the army plays a pivotal role in implementing the ASEAN Political Security Community, he said sustainable economic development concepts should be taken into consideration for establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community as security and economy are inter-related," he added. At the meeting, Myanmar's Deputy Defense Chief and Army Chief Vice Senior-General Soe Win led the discussions on the topic of " Enhancing ASEAN Armies Unity Towards the 2015 ASEAN Community".
What does Myanmar’s military want? East Asia Forum 8th Nov 2013?The transformation of Myanmar’s political system was completely designed and implemented by the previous military regime. But the military has by and large withdrawn from governing the day-to-day affairs of the state since the transfer of power in 2011 to the Union of Solidarity and Development (USDP) government, a close ally principally comprised of former officers. The exact rationale underpinning this move is uncertain; they were not forced out by overwhelming international pressure, internal strife or defeat in war. The senior military leadership, specifically Than Shwe, simply decided to enact such changes, and then proceeded with their own resignations. While initial motivations are difficult to discern, what is now important is determining the present military leadership’s views on their roles, responsibilities and rights in the new political system. Specific constitutional conditions combined with the military’s behaviour and official discourse are indicative of four main interests they wish to preserve, regardless of other changes to the state and society. First, the military wants to maintain institutional autonomy to govern its affairs, away from parliamentary or civilian oversight; second, it wants to retain exclusive control over its budget and, third, inhibit attempts to prosecute current and former military members. Finally, the military also wants to fence off certain policy domains, specifically security portfolios, from civilian input.
EU may be breaching Burma arms embargo, say activists DVB 8th Nov 2013?The European Union could be breaching its embargo against Burma by providing riot gear to the Burmese police force as part of a new training programme, campaigners have warned. Activists have called on the EU to come clean about the nature of the training, especially relating to the provision of equipment, which they say could be used to target peaceful protestors and ethnic minorities. “Protective equipment including anti-riot helmets and anti-riot shields are listed in the EU arms embargo, which bans any equipment that might be used for internal repression,” Anna Roberts, Executive Director of Burma Campaign UK (BCUK) told DVB. “The EU needs to provide more information to explain why the export of this equipment does not break the embargo.” It follows a report in Burmese state media, which claimed that a new EU-funded training programme, costing €10 million (US$13.5 million), will be used to provide strategic advice and riot gear for Burma’s notoriously brutal police force.
Myanmar, Malaysian military leaders vow to cement ties between two armie Mizzima 8th Nov 2013?Military leaders of Myanmar and Malaysia have vowed to cement friendly ties between the two armies, official media reported Friday. The pledge was made by Myanmar Defense Chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing and visiting Malaysian Army Chief General Datuk Raja when they met at the Central Command Headquarters. The two military leaders also voiced cooperation in military training and medicines, said the New Light of Myanmar. The Malaysian army chief arrived in Myanmar's second largest city of Mandalay on Thursday to attend the 14th Summit of Chiefs of Army of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Getting to the bottom of the N Korea-Myanmar connection The Nation 8th Nov 2013?How much has really changed when it comes to the two country's cooperation on nuclear and missile programmes? The time is now to ask - and have answered - some critical questions of Myanmar's leaders as the world increasingly engages with the nation once known as Burma. With Myanmar scheduled to take over the rotating leadership of Asean next year, there will no doubt be growing expectations for the nation to become a responsible stakeholder in and contributor to a more peaceful and prosperous region. Understandably, many of the civil society organisations and nations who once pushed for sanctions on Myanmar continue to ask questions and press for concrete answers and reforms on a number of human rights issues even as they acknowledge progress on a range of economic and political fronts. Less attention though has been given by policymakers to the issue of Myanmar's past and present military relationship with North Korea. That should change given the unpredictable North Korean state's potential to destabilise the region and hinder Asia's continued economic progress
Myanmar military aims to calm fears of economic interference Financial Times 6th Nov 2013?The main commercial arm of Myanmar’s former ruling military has launched a campaign to ease fears that it will interfere in the economy and trample on foreign investors’ rights. Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, an opaque conglomerate owned by past and present armed forces members, mounted a strong – and unusual – public defence on Wednesday of its handling of a dispute over control of the country’s dominant beer maker. The tussle is seen as a test of the climate for international companies, in a country where rapid political change has thrown up both commercial opportunities and nervousness about the rule of law and the military’s role in the economy. Myint Aung, deputy managing director of Myanmar Economic Holdings, broke the company’s silence on the battle for ownership of Myanmar Brewery, dismissing “erroneous” international concerns over a case he insisted would “strengthen and not weaken foreign investors’ confidence” in Myanmar.
Is the World’s Longest-Running Civil War About to End? Time 6th Nov 2013?Hopes for a historic peace deal in Burma were raised this week with a meeting between government officials and representatives of more than a dozen rebel groups in the country’s far north. On Tuesday, a joint statement announced that an agreement had been made in principle for the signing of a nationwide cease-fire agreement and the establishment of a framework for political dialogue. President’s Office Minister Aung Min hailed the occasion as “one of the most important in 60 years.” Nevertheless, those familiar with the fractious politics of the Southeast Asian nation — which is known officially as Myanmar — have poured water on prospects of a quick fix to the world’s longest-running civil war. Myriad rebel groups, based largely on ethnicity but also political ideology, have battled the military-run state government for greater autonomy for over half a century. Thousands have been killed, while displacement and horrific human-rights abuses remain a daily ordeal for millions, as ragtag militias launch guerrilla offensives from jungle hideouts and mountain lairs. In 2010, a quasi-civilian government — staffed by former junta generals — came to power, ushering in tentative democratic reforms.
Military MP Says Army Chief Could Become Candidate for President Irrawaddy 1st Nov 2013?The leader of Burma’s military lawmakers has said the group wants to nominate current Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing for president following the 2015 elections. The plan is possible because the country’s president is elected by Parliament, where military officers hold a quarter of the seats. Brig-Gen Wai Lin, an officer with the Southern Command and a Lower House MP who leads the military lawmakers, told The Irrawaddy that he expects Sen-Gen Ming Aung Hlaing to be a leading candidate for the presidency. According to Burma’s 2008 Constitution, the military, the Upper House and the Lower House will each appoint a vice-president. The Union Parliament, which comprises both houses, will then vote to determine which of these three will become president. Wai Lin said the military MPs would like to nominate the commander-in-chief as a vice-president in this process, which will take place after the elections, scheduled in late 2015.
Keeping a Wary Eye on Burma's Military US News 1st Nov 2013?A vital component of the Obama administration's "Asia rebalance" is to bolster countries within Southeast Asia to counterbalance China's quickly expanding power. Among our refocused priorities in Asia is development and deepening of U.S. military-to-military relationships in the region. In addition to expanding relations with allies and partners such as the Philippines and Indonesia, the "Asia Rebalance" unfortunately means establishing a relationship with the Burmese military – a military with both a long and recent history of committing crimes against humanity. In Southeast Asia, recent U.S. policy too often devolves into short-term accommodations of the region's interests, apparently in an effort to accumulate "soft power" which would presumably be useful at some later date. In the case of Burma, the Obama administration has found full engagement requires it to overlook Burma's dismal human rights record. U.S. strategic interests depend on systemic change in Burma. Burma's military remains the largest obstacle to comprehensive government reform and continues to exert dominance over Burma's government, despite common American perceptions of Burma's government transferring power from military-to-civilian authority.
Philippines
Japan to send "Self-Defense Forces" to Philippine typhoon zone Reuters 12th Nov 2013
Japan is to send troops to the Philippines to help with relief efforts after a super typhoon killed thousands, with 40 people set to leave as soon as possible, the government said on Tuesday. The dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces emergency relief team comes as the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is pushing to ease limits on the military imposed by its post-war, pacifist constitution. Japan invaded the Philippines in World War Two and scattered fighting continued until Tokyo's surrender in 1945, but Philippine officials have said their nation does not share the concerns of others in Asia, notably China and South Korea, about Japan's military past. The Philippines, like Japan a strong ally of the United States, has also said it views Japan as a counterweight to the increasing regional role of China. Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said the decision to send the troops followed a request from Manila. He also said Tokyo would provide $10 million in emergency aid. "We hope to make every effort to get the aid to the people who need it as soon as possible," he told a news conference, adding that the number of troops will be increased if the situation on the ground warrants it.
Marines Provide Disaster Response in Philippines DOD 11th Nov 2013?About 90 U.S. Marines and sailors are on the ground in the Philippines providing humanitarian assistance and disaster support in the wake of one of the most devastating typhoons on record. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel directed U.S. Pacific Command to provide manpower and assets at the request of the Philippines government following Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines Nov. 8. Members of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade deployed yesterday from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan, with two KC-130J Hercules aircraft from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, reported Marine Col. John M. Peck, the 3rd MEB chief of staff. A forward command element and humanitarian assistance survey team also is deploying to the Philippines from Okinawa to provide an initial assessment on the support required. Marine Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy, deputy commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the commanding general of the 3rd MEB, will lead that team. The initial focus of U.S. relief efforts includes surface and airborne maritime search and rescue, medium-heavy helicopter lift support, fixed-wing lift support and logistics enablers.
'Yolanda' kicks out Chinese from Ayungin Reef, Philippine Marines on grounded ship safe Interaksyon 11th Nov 2013?Super typhoon Yolanda has sent home Chinese maritime and Navy vessels at the Ayungin Reef in Palawan, while the half a dozen Philippine Marines on board a rusting and grounded World War II-era ship are safe, a source told InterAksyon.com. This effectively ends the standoff between the two countries some 100 nautical miles from the island of Palawan. Ayungin is part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China claims the reef is part of its territory, more than a thousand nautical miles from its nearest 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). “They’re safe,” said a senior officer of the Philippine Marines guarding the reef on board the shipwreck BRP Sierra Madre (Landing Ship Tank 57). The Philippine Marine official requested that he not be named because he is not authorized to give any statement regarding operational activities in the West Philippine Sea. “Hindi naman sila naanod (They were not washed away),” the source added. The source said the Chinese Navy ship, maritime ships, and fishing vessels left Ayungin two or three days before Yolanda struck the country. “As of now, we’ve no report that the Chinese ships have returned to Ayungin. Dahil siguro may paparating na naman na isa pang bagyo (Maybe because another storm is approaching the country),” he said. In June this year, Chinese vessels entered Ayungin and had maintained a presence in the area, as what they did in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal located in Masinloc, Zambales in April 2012.
US Sends Marines To Help Philippines After Super Typhoon Business Insider 10th Nov 2013?A team of about 90 U.S. Marines and sailors headed to the Philippines on Sunday, part of a first wave of promised U.S. military assistance for relief efforts after a devastating typhoon killed at least 10,000 people, U.S. officials said. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel this weekend ordered the U.S. military's Pacific Command to assist with search and rescue operations and provide air support in the wake of super typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded.
DND Opens Bidding for 3 Brand New SAR Seaplane Defense Studies 9th Nov 2013?The DND through the General Appropriations Act and the AFP Modernization Act Trust Funds intends to apply the sum of 2,67 bio PhP being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Search and Rescue Seaplane Acquisition Project including Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). The plan is to acquire Search and Rescue Seaplane that will provide general dupport for humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and maritime search and rescue operations.
Philippines-U.S. Military Talks Hit Snag on Access, Gazmin Says Bloomberg 7th Nov 2013?Talks to boost the U.S. troop presence in the Philippines as part of a broader military cooperation pact have become bogged down in disagreement over access to American facilities. Discussions that started in August hit an “impasse” with no fixed schedule for the next round, Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters in Manila today. “We want equal opportunity and equal access” to U.S. facilities that may be built locally, Gazmin said. Four rounds of talks held in Washington and Manila have failed to yield an agreement that would expand a joint training exercise under the two countries’ Mutual Defense Treaty. Negotiators have said U.S. soldiers may be given access to Philippine military camps as part of the new deal.
A strategic pearl for US-Philippine ties Asia Times 7th Nov 2013?Nearly 600 kilometers southwest of the Philippine capital, workers are building an access road to link the mainland of Luzon to Oyster Bay on the island province of Palawan. The pristine island is a major tourist destination, but the project is not aimed at luring foreign travelers, rather to transform the bay into what officials are referring to as a "mini Subic". Like Subic Bay, north of Manila and once the site of the United States' largest military facility in the Asia-Pacific, Oyster Bay's cove includes a deep natural harbor capable of hosting large vessels, including warships. Unlike Subic, Oyster Bay opens directly on the South China Sea, strategically situated 150 kilometers from hotly contested and potentially hydrocarbon-rich maritime territories in the Spratly Islands. President Benigno Aquino's government has allocated around 500 million pesos (US$12 million) to Oyster Bay's initial groundwork, with piers, dry docks and ship repair yards also on the drawing boards. Construction of the naval port, part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' broad modernization drive, is slated for completion in 2016, coinciding with the end of Aquino's six-year term.
Philippines to buy eight Anglo-Italian attack helicopters Global Post 7th Nov 2013?The poorly-equipped Philippine military said Thursday it is buying eight helicopters from Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland for 3.4 billion pesos ($78.7 million) to help in the fight against guerrillas. The eight AW 109 Power helicopters will be used mainly to support troops in battling insurgents but can also be used for maritime patrols and "territorial defence", said air force spokesman Colonel Miguel Okol. "These will be armed helicopters for close air support... in general, it is for internal security operations," he said. The twin-engine helicopters will be an improvement over the military's ageing fleet of US-made MG-520 attack helicopters since they will be able to carry more men and weapons and will be night-vision capable, he added.
US used Phl as spying hub in Asia? DND checking Philippine Star 5th Nov 2013?MANILA, Philippines - The defense department is looking into a report that the United States has used the Philippines as a spying hub in the Asia-Pacific region even as it claimed it has not detected signs of that activity. “We are having it checked by our intelligence community,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters yesterday. “We are talking about that, whether it is being felt or if something is happening. So far, we have not seen signs,” Gazmin said. Earlier, Australian media reported that the US had used the Philippines as a “listening post” in the region amid criticisms against Washington’s supposed spying on country allies.Australia’s ABC News said the US had set up surveillance facilities in Manila and other areas in Asia.
Philippines, U.S. disagree in troop deployment talks Military Times 5th Nov 2013?The Philippine defense chief said Tuesday that disagreements between U.S. and Filipino negotiators are prolonging talks on an accord allowing an increase in American military presence in the country. Negotiations began in August on a defense agreement that would allow larger numbers of U.S. troops to have temporary access to Philippine military camps and bring in aircraft, ships and other equipment. U.S. troops have already been allowed to train Filipino anti-terrorism forces in the southern Philippines since 2002. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said one key issue involves a U.S. failure to clearly accept Philippine control over and access to temporary American facilities to be set up in local camps. "They can't say yes or no but what will happen if we won't have access? Those bases will look like their bases," Gazmin said in a telephone interview. "You can say there is a kind of an impasse, a disagreement," he said, but added he was optimistic that the differences could be overcome. U.S. Embassy officials did not immediately comment.
Key changes in vital military posts set this week Inquirer News 4th Nov 2013?Changes in crucial military posts are set to take effect this week with the retirement of a senior military officer. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Emmanuel Bautista confirmed to reporters at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday the changes in some of the key military posts. Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief Lieutenant General Rey Ardo will retire on Saturday and will be replaced by Western Command (Wescom) chief Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero, a Marine officer and a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981. Guerrero also previously headed an anti-terror unit in Sulu. The Wesmincom, based at Camp Gen. Navarro in Zamboanga City, deals with terrorists and insurgents including the Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front. The Wescom, meanwhile, is based at Camp Gen. Artemio Ricarte in Palawan and handles issues on the West Philippine Sea.
Philippines: Creaky Coalition Against China Asia Times 1st Nov 2013?The government is looking to the United States for help in resisting Chinese efforts to take control of offshore areas that are, according to international law, Filipino. So far the U.S. will not commit to stepping in. Meanwhile, the Philippines has become involved in more cooperation with neighbors against the growing Chinese aggression at sea. China is determined to seize control of large offshore areas belonging to the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. All of these Chinese victims are strengthening military alliances with each other and the United States to better deal with the Chinese tactics of gradual but persistent pressure. But without a firm commitment from the United States, this alliance is likely to fail.
Singapore
Pirates Take Tanker in Strait of Malacca Near Singapore Bloomberg 11th Nov 2013?Pirates hijacked a second tanker in a month off the Malaysian coast near Singapore, Asia’s biggest oil-trading hub, according to the International Maritime Bureau. Ten pirates armed with guns and knives boarded a vessel about 7.3 nautical miles (13.5 kilometers) west of Malaysia’s Pulau Kukup in the Strait of Malacca, forcing the crew to transfer its gasoil cargo to another ship, the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Center said in a Nov. 7 incident report on its website. The attack was about 34 miles west of Singapore, according to the co-ordinates recorded by the agency. The Malacca Strait, which connects the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean, is one of the world’s two “most strategic chokepoints” for oil trade along with the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. It’s the shortest sea route between the Middle East and Asia with about 15.2 million barrels of oil a day transported along the waterway in 2011, according to the EIA. About 90 percent of that was crude.
U.S. warship hit by technical glitch in Singapore Reuters 10th Nov 2013?The USS Freedom, the first of a new class of U.S. warship, developed technical problems in Singapore hours before it was to take part in a naval exercise in Brunei on the final part of its first major overseas deployment, a senior officer said on Monday. The glitch is the latest problem to hit the ship, built by Lockheed Martin Corp., after it faced electrical problems while preparing for a naval exercise with Singapore in July. Lieutenant Commander Clay Doss said the problems which arose on Sunday were minor compared to those it faced in July. He declined to comment on how much longer the ship would have to prolong its stay in Singapore as a result. The warship is the U.S. Navy's first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), a class of shallow-draft vessels built to patrol coastal waters while tackling threats including mines and other systems used to deny access to big warships. In July it faced generator problems and issues with its coolant system. Navy tests also found vulnerabilities in its computer network.
Thailand
Ukraine and Thailand establish military aerotechnical cooperation For UA 12th Nov 2013?Ukraine and Thailand are considering the possibility of establishing military- technical cooperation (MTC) in the purchase, maintenance, and joint development of aerotechnics, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs. The delegation of the State Concern Ukroboronprom discussed the prospects of expanding of current cooperation with the Kingdom of Tailand representatives during the international defense exhibition Defense & Security-2013, held on Nov. 4-7 in Bangkok. In particular, within the framework of negotiations with the the Royal Thai Air Force commander Prachin Chantong, the perspectives of cooperation in the modernization and repair of the Thai military aerotechnics were discussed. Ukrainian delegation leaders and the leaders of Thai aviation industrial companiy discussed the possibility of technical service of Royal Thai Air Force trainer aircrafts L-39 in Ukraine. In addition, the Thai side expressed interest in the possibility of the use of air surveillance means produced by Odessa aircraft plant (OAP).
Seoul Sees More Weapons Sales to Thailand Defense Studies 11th Nov 2013?South Korea is looking to sell more weapons systems, including warships and aircraft, to Thailand, which is pushing to modernize its armed forces to meet security challenges. Following a contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) for a 3,700-ton frigate, the Royal Thai Navy plans to procure one more frigate built by the South Korean shipyard, according to officials. The contract for the first frigate was signed in August. The deal was valued around $470 million, the highest weapons import for a single item in Thailand. “The delivery of the first frigate, DW 3000F, will take place in 2017, and we expect a following order for the second ship in the coming years,” said Kim Deog-soo, director of the naval & special ship marketing team at DSME. DSME was one of the South Korean defense contractors that participated in the Defense & Security 2013 from Monday through Thursday at the IMPACT Exhibition Center here.
Ukraine Supplies First 5 Oplot Tanks to Thailand Defense Studies 11th Nov 2013?Ukraine has supplied the first batch of five Oplot main battle tanks produced at Ukraine's state-owned Malyshev Plant (Kharkiv) to Thailand under a contract signed in 2011. The parties signed a technical acceptance certificate for the tanks based on the completion of a full cycle of running and firing tests in Kharkiv on Tuesday evening, Interfax-Ukraine reports. "The foreign customer has confirmed that the technical characteristics of the Oplots fully meet the requirements laid down in the contract," Ukrspecexport said. In addition to technical acceptance, the parties will later sign a final acceptance certificate for the tanks, the company said.
Thai planes raise Cambodia tension ahead of Preah Vihear ruling BBC 9th Nov 2013?The chief of Cambodia's military forces on the Thailand border has called an emergency meeting after Thai aircraft were seen flying low around disputed land near the Preah Vihear temple. A helicopter and small spotter plane were seen early on Saturday. Tension on the border is high ahead of a verdict due on Monday by the UN's highest court on where the border lies around the ancient temple. Fighting in the area in 2011 left 18 people dead and thousands displaced. The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says Cambodian troops have dug trenches and bunkers near the temple and similar fortifications are visible on the Thai side. However, Cambodian regional commander General Srey Deuk told the BBC on Saturday he expected no problems with the Thai military after Monday's verdict. He said no troop reinforcements had been brought up to the temple. A 1962 verdict by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared the temple to be Cambodian but did not rule on the area around it. Cambodia sought a clarification of the ruling in 2011 after fighting broke out.
Marsun Received Order for First M58 Patrol Gun Boat Defense Studies 9th Nov 2013?According to an interview with the Marsun company shown that the Royal Thai Navy Navy has selected a new patrol gun boat project. The Navy boat was the Marsun M58 which is expected to have a signed contrat soon. The M58 vessel model is smaller than the M65 model which is bigger and had the stern to mounts missile launcher against surface ships. The M58 is light but have the actual design has been completed, while the M65 is still the concept. The Navy has selected the M58, which has weight approximately to 530 tons.
Ricardo PLC, Thai military continue vehicle development UPI 7th Nov 2013?Britain's Ricardo PLC and the Defense Technology Institute of Thailand are continuing collaboration on building an 8x8 armored vehicle for the Thai military. The Defense Technology Institute of Thailand is the research and development arm of Thailand's Ministry of Defense and development of the Black Widow Spider is its first major vehicle program. Ricardo and the institute have already completed the initial technology development phase of the project. "Ricardo is proud to have been selected by DTI to partner with it on this key vehicle program," said Andy North, Ricardo chief engineer-defense. "This work builds upon our extremely strong reputation for the design, development and production of class-leading, agile and highly crew-protected defense vehicles, including the Foxhound, WMIK and Vixen platforms used by British forces. "We look forward to working with DTI on this important program and helping to develop a truly world-class defense vehicle." Neither Ricardo nor the Defense Technology Institute of Thailand provided additional details of the project.
Thailand may become a major market for Chinese weapons China Times 7th Nov 2013?After the FD-2000, the export version of Chinese HQ-9 surface-to-air missile, beat the competition — the US Patriot and Russian S-300 air defense systems, Thailand may become the next overseas market for missile systems and other weaponry from China, reports US-based Duowei News. During the Defense & Security 2013 exhibition which took place at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center of Bangkok from Nov. 4 until Thursday, the FD-2000 was presented to the Royal Thai Armed Forces along with other advanced weapon systems such as the FL-3000N short-range Close-in Weapon System and the FK-1000 Short To Medium Range Air Defense System designed by China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation based in Beijing. A source from China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation told Duowei News that Thailand is not only interested in purchasing the FD-2000 from China, but will also purchase the FL-3000N for its navy, which is the export version of China's HQ-10 air defense system, a licensed copy of the Russian S-300PMU-1 air defense missile designed to detect, track, and destroy incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and low-flying aircraft.
Elbit, Thai Industry Collaborate on ATMOS 155 mm SP Howitzer Defense Studies 6th Nov 2013?Elbit Systems and Thailand's military industrial complex are collaborating on the production of the Israeli company's Autonomous Truck Mounted howitzer System (ATMOS) 155 mm self-propelled (SP) howitzer, it has emerged. The co-operation programme has been under way since 2012, and represents a major feature of the closer industrial ties between the two countries that is evident at the Defense and Security 2013 exhibition in Bangkok. Thailand is understood by IHS Jane's to have ordered six ATMOS gun systems, although further orders are expected at a later date. Under the arrangement, Elbit is building the first platform in Israel while the latter five will be built, following technology transfer, by the Artillery and Mortar Production Division of the Royal Thai Army's (RTA's) Weapon Production Centre (WPC). The RTA is expected to take delivery of the Israeli-built system before the end of 2013 and the locally built platforms by 2015.
Modernizing the Royal Thai Air Force Defense Update 6th Nov 2013?The kingdom’s 2013 defense budget rose to US$5.7 billion, a 7% increase from the year before. Increased spending in recent years has allowed an already capable military to modernize and add new weapon systems to its inventory. The website Global Firepower actually ranks Thailand as the 20th most powerful military in the world. Swedish company SAAB has made giant inroads into the Thai market in terms of both aircraft and shipborne systems. On September 4th, 2013 SAAB delivered the final four Gripen JAS39C/D fighters to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). Two tranches of aircraft have given the air force a total of 12 Gripens, two Saab 100B Argus Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft fitted with Erieye radar, and two Saab 340 aircraft. Thailand’s new fighters will also gain RBS-15F anti-ship missiles as part of their armament. Saab is reportedly interested in basing its planned Saab Gripen Fighter Weapon School in Thailand, this after South Africa failed to support the initiative. Saab opened an office in Bangkok in August to help expand its footprint throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The office will serve as a regional hub to integrate work already undertaken by offices in Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.
Thailand Defence: Defence and Modernisation Asian Military Review 5th Nov 2013?It may perhaps surprise some that Thailand is ranked the 20th most powerful military in the world according to Global Firepower. Its position is helped by the 2013 defence budget rising to USD5.7 billion, a 7% year-on-year increase. Insurgency A Muslim-inspired insurgency flared in the three southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat in 2004, claiming 5,500 lives and wounding nearly 10,000 to date. Most violence has been low-intensity killings of off-duty security personnel and local Buddhist leaders. However, there has been an evolution in tactics with carefully planned and increasingly complex operations. On 13 February 2013, an unprecedentedly large group of 60 insurgents assaulted a military base in Narithiwat. However, intelligence sources had warning of the night attack and the alerted garrison decimated the attackers, killing 16. The air force is supporting counterinsurgency operations with a task force featuring Fairchild Au-23 Peacemaker and Diamond DA42 surveillance aircraft, as well as Lockheed Martin C-130s for transport. Successive Thai governments have seemed powerless to come up with effective strategies in dealing with the unrest.
PM discusses cooperation in defense industry with world military leaders National News Bureau of Thailand 5th Nov 2013?The Thai Prime Minister has welcomed top military officers from around the world who are currently on a visit to Thailand to take part in the “Defense & Security 2013”. At Government House, Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra hosted a tea party for Defense ministers and senior military leaders from several countries which are taking part in the Defense & Security 2013 show in Thailand. The event is one of the largest defense and security exhibitions ever held in Southeast Asia. It is expected to promote Thailand’s involvement in the world defense industry and upgrade its armaments and technology.
China offers Thailand collaboration on missiles, armoured vehicles IHS Janes 360 3rd Nov 2013?Chinese defence companies are offering Thailand partnership status on a range of military platforms on show at the Defense & Security 2013 exhibition in Bangkok. Officials from state-owed Poly Technologies and the China National Precision Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CPMIEC) told IHS Jane's that the two companies are engaged in preliminary discussions with Thai defence authorities over potential collaboration on several land- and sea-based military systems. These include CPMIEC's HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system - known as FD-2000 in its export configuration - which was selected in October by Turkey to meet that country's T-Loramids air defence requirement. Other equipment comprises the FL-3000N ship-based surface-to-air missile system and the FK-1000 mobile air defence system, both marketed by CPMIEC, as well as Poly Technologies' mine-resistant, ambush-protected CS-VP3 vehicle.
Thailand unveils Black Widow Spider IHS Janes 360 3rd Nov 2013?Thailand's state-run defence research and development agency, the Defence Technology Institute (DTi), is developing an 8x8 armoured vehicle that it hopes will become a driver of the country's nascent defence industrial base. A mock-up of the vehicle - dubbed 'Black Widow Spider' - was unveiled at the opening day of the Defense & Security 2013 exhibition in Bangkok, with DTi officials telling IHS Jane's that the vehicle is positioned to meet Thailand's future requirements in a range of military operations, including reconnaissance, command and control, fire support, and mobility. The vehicle, which bears a resemblance to Singapore Technologies' Kinetics Terrex infantry carrier vehicle, has been designed by DTi over the past two years and is currently undergoing advanced development in a programme led by DTi and featuring collaboration across Thailand's land-based defence industry base.
Thai military inspectorate conducts technical acceptance of first batch of Oplot tanks in Ukraine Interfax Ukraine 1st Nov 2013?The inspectorate of the Royal Thai Army is carrying out the technical acceptance of the first batch of five Oplot main battle tanks produced at Ukraine's state-owned Malyshev Plant (Kharkiv) as part of a contract with the Thai customer, the press service of the Ukroboronprom State Concern told Interfax-Ukraine on Friday. "The Oplot tanks are undergoing driving and firing trials at a firing range near the town of Chuhuiv. The tanks are being tested in real conditions, in particular, during night firing. An act of technical acceptance will be signed after the tests, and the Oplot tanks will be sent to the foreign customer," the press service said. The contract between the state enterprise Ukrspecexport and Thailand worth over $200 million on supplies of 49 Ukrainian Oplot main battle tanks to Thailand was signed in September 2011. In recent years Ukraine has been actively developing military and technical cooperation with Thailand. The contracts for supplies of Ukrainian military hardware, particularly BTR-3E1 armored personnel carriers and Oplot tanks, concluded with Thailand in 2006-2011 and being implemented today, are estimated to be worth $500 million.
Vietnam
Defence cooperation underpins Vietnam–Russia push for renewed economic cooperation EAF 13th Nov 2013
On 12 November 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid an official visit to Vietnam. This was his second visit to a country in the Asia Pacific since he regained the presidency in May 2012, and is further evidence of the maturing comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Vietnam’s close relationship with the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, its main successor state, date back to the early decades of the Cold War. The relationship was strengthened during the 1960s and 1970s, culminating in the 1978 Bilateral Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. The bilateral relationship suffered a lull after the Soviet collapse in the 1990s as Russia enacted a wholesale transformation of its economic system and a major foreign policy reorientation. But relations regained momentum in the post-Cold War era with the establishment of the Vietnam-Russia Strategic Partnership in 2001. The partnership was then upgraded to the comprehensive strategic level in 2012 to reflect the increasing depth and breadth of the relationship.
Russia Signs Accord With Vietnam on Defense During Putin’s Visit Bloomberg 12th Nov 2013?Russia and Vietnam signed an agreement during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to bolster defense ties between the Cold War allies. Russia plans to broaden an array of weapons being supplied to Vietnam and assist with personnel training for the Southeast Asian nation’s army and navy, Putin said today in Hanoi at a joint briefing with his Vietnamese counterpart, Truong Tan Sang. The defense agreement also covers issues related to a possible transfer of technologies, Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters in the Vietnamese capital. Putin, who’s making a one-day visit to Hanoi, wants to expand ties between the former allies, overseeing the signing of exploration and investment agreements between Russian state-run energy companies OAO Gazprom and OAO Rosneft with PetroVietnam. “Vietnam is worried about the rise of China and has been allocating large budgets for defense in the past few years,” Ruslan Pukhov, a member of the Russian Defense Ministry’s advisory board and head of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies in Moscow, said by phone today. Russia is in talks on setting up a naval servicing facility in Cam Ranh Bay, a former Soviet naval base in Vietnam, Interfax reported yesterday, citing an unidentified official with knowledge of plans. The topic is among the issues to be discussed during Russian-Vietnamese talks in Hanoi, the news service said, adding that the facility may be used for resupply, maintenance of Russian warships moving between the Pacific to the Gulf of Aden and back.
India pledges to back Vietnam in defense Thanh Nien 11th Nov 2013?Vietnam and India’s defense leaders have pledged to maintain mutual support in national defense to consolidate the strategic partnership between the two countries. India’s Defense Secretary Radha Krishna Mathur told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on the sidelines of a dialogue in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday that he has reached major agreements with Nguyen Chi Vinh, vice-Minister of Defense, over the dealings with security challenges for Vietnam as well as India. Vietnam’s challenges are security at sea and that should be solved via dialougues and other peaceful measures according to international laws, Mathur said. Vinh said Vietnam and India’s partnership could boost peace and stability in the region. “Let’s consider us your brothers and Vietnam your second home,” Vinh told the Indian delegation. Mathur said Vietnam would be a pillar of support for India’s Look East policy in East Asia, internationally known as the South China Sea. New Delhi has been talking much recently of its security interest in the East Sea bounding Vietnam, southern China and several other countries.
Vietnam, US hold defence dialogue Vietnam Net 8th Nov 2013?The fourth Vietnam-US defence dialogue was successfully wrapped up in Washington on October 30. The two sides compared notes on bilateral military and defence cooperation, regional security and other issues of mutual concern including maritime freedom, safety and security and threats to regional peace and stability. They agreed to solve all issues related to maritime safety and security, and sea disputes in East Asia and Southeast Asia through peaceful means and diplomatic negotiations on the basis of respect for international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other agreements between ASEAN and China such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea and the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). They highlighted the result of defence cooperation within the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) framework as one of new security structure that needs improving. The US praised Vietnam for active involvement in the UN peace keeping force and thanked the Vietnamese Government, people and army for their positive support in dealing with humanitarian issues such as the search for remains of US servicemen who died during the war in Vietnam.
Russia to Deliver 2 More 'Black Hole' Subs to Vietnam in '14 Rianovosti 7th Nov 2013?Russia will deliver the two more Varshavyanka class diesel-electric submarines to Vietnam in 2014, a defense industry source said Thursday. The Varshavyanka-class (Project 636) is an improved version of the Kilo-class submarines and features advanced stealth technology, extended combat range and the ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets. Vietnam in 2009 ordered six of the Russian-made submarines -- dubbed “black holes in the ocean” by the US Navy because they are nearly undetectable when submerged -- in a step seen as an effort to counterbalance China’s expanding maritime influence in the region. According to the defense industry source, the first craft in the order is to be loaded on a stevedore barge on November 11 and towed to Vietnam, where it will be officially transferred to the country’s navy. “The second vessel will be delivered in the beginning of next year, possibly in January, while the third will be also transferred in 2014,” the source said. The contract, which also includes provision for the training of Vietnamese submarine crews in Russia, is reportedly worth $2 billion. The submarines are being built at St. Petersburg’s Admiralty Shipyards. All six boats are due for delivery by 2016.
Vietnam Gradually Warms Up to US Military The Diplomat 6th Nov 2013?Last month the United States and Vietnam held two important annual high-level security meetings in Washington: the 6th Political, Security, and Defense Dialogue and the 4th Defense Policy Dialogue. The 6th U.S.-Vietnam Political, Security and Defense Dialogue was held on October 1 at deputy minister level. The U.S. was represented by Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Tom Kelly, and Vietnam was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc. This dialogue has a wide-ranging agenda that touches on the full-spectrum of political, security and defense issues of concern. This is reflected in the composition of the representatives that attend. The U.S. delegation included representatives from the Department of State, Department of Defense, Agency for International Development and the U.S. Pacific Command. The Vietnamese delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of National Defense.
Vietnam, US to lift defence ties to new level Vietnam Bridge 1st Nov 2013?Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh shed light on the result of the recent fourth defence policy dialogue (DPD) between Vietnam and the US in an interview granted to a Washington-based VOV correspondent. What were the desired results of this dialogue in comparison with the previous meetings? The fourth dialogue focused on regional and international issues relating to security and national defence of both countries, and a cooperation programme for 2014. It is notable that the meeting was held after Vietnam and the US establish their comprehensive partnership, and bilateral defence relations should be strengthened correspondingly in the new context. US officials asked me if there is any difference in bilateral defence relations before and after the partnership was established. In my opinion, we must build strategic trust between the two countries’ top leaders and people in particular. Vietnamese and US people must boost mutual confidence though we have a complex period of history, but we have a bright future. A better defence relationship should be based on the efficiency of practical cooperation, including overcoming war aftermath.