Sailors stand on the deck of the Izumo warship as it departs from the harbor of the Japan United Marine shipyard in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. March 25, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Doug Tsuruoka, Asia Times: As global power shifts, Japan mulls new alliances and weapons
As it shifts away from pacifism, Tokyo hopes to leverage the technological edge of native defense contractors to piggyback new missiles and fighters off US systems
Japan and the United Kingdom fought ferocious naval battles in World War II, but bygones are bygones: The two island democracies are planning joint naval exercises next year.
The proposed maneuvers – the first by the two navies since World War I – are part of a cooperation pact announced by London and Tokyo on December 14. The pact also includes jointly developing a new air-to-air missile for the US F-35 stealth fighter used by both countries.
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 26, 2017
Japan’s defense buildup due to North Korea threat to come under scrutiny in 2018 -- Japan Times
Japan And South Korea Eye F-35B For Their Helicopter Carriers -- The Warzone/The Drive
China warns Japan against modifying helicopter carriers -- UPI
Japan, Australia mull military deal -- The Australian
Australia and Japan Expected to Finalize Visiting Forces Agreement Next Month -- USNI News
US asks Japan to ban personal drone flights over American bases -- Stars and Stripes
North Korea Increasingly Worried by Japan’s Military -- Epoch Times
Report: South Korea Is Developing a Super Torpedo That Could Attack at 200 Knots -- National Interest
Chinese air force carried out 16 drills near Taiwan in 2017, the island's defence ministry says as it warns Beijing's military poses an 'enormous threat' -- Daily Mail
China to bring paramilitary police force under military's wing -- Reuters
China adds an ‘enormous dragon’ to its military arsenal -- Asia Times
Mongolia's Modernizing Military -- The Diplomat
Vietnam army reveals 10000-strong cyber warfare unit -- Financial Times
Russia to extend Tartus and Hmeimim military bases in Syria -- DW
Russia to supply Turkey with four S-400 missile divisions for $2.5 billion: Kommersant -- Reuters
What Moldova's new NATO office means for Russia—and the EU -- Euronews
Spain to hike military spending over next 6 years -- Xinhuanet
UK Military chiefs order troops to use gender-neutral language at training base to avoid upsetting women and trans groups -- Daily Mail
Anatomy of a B-1 Bomber Training Mission -- Defense Tech
The Air Force Wants to Install New Engines on the B-52 Bomber -- Popular Mechanics
The US Army Wants to Buy 150 Helicopters for Allies and "Other Government Agencies" -- The Warzone/The Drive
Marines Insist Storming A Beach Is Still A Military Option -- NPR
Marine Corps Invests Millions in New Skis for Cold Weather Training -- DoD Buzz
For Deployed Marines, Mission Comes First -- Even at Christmas -- Military.com
Baretta M9: The Gun Navy Seals Love to Hate -- National Interest
New in 2018: Army rolling out new handgun across the force -- Army Times
'This is not closure': Navy families want answers on McCain, Fitzgerald deaths -- Washington Post
Transgender Recruitment to Begin Unless Courts Intervene -- Military.com
America First? Trump Struggles to Implement Campaign Promises on Military -- VOA
What Trump’s First Nuclear Posture Review Should Do -- Bob Butterworth, Breaking Defense
“Fat Leonard” Scandal Fallout Will Damage the Navy for Years -- US Naval Institute
The 2020 Olympics Will Be Another Glimpse Into Our Surveillance-Filled Future -- Popular Mechanics
Sorry, Believers — Many UFOs Are Just Military Aircraft -- David Axe, War Is Boring