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7NEWS
6 days ago
- Politics
- 7NEWS
CHRIS REASON: As PM charms China, Australia hosts 19-nation war games with eyes on Beijing
The timing was as extraordinary as it was unfortunate. The very week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese chose to go charm China, Australia's armed forces begin training to go to war with them. It's quite the diary clash; his appointments secretary might need to reconsider their position. Exercise Talisman Sabre. It's locked in around the same time every two years and has been since 2005. And this year was the biggest, most ambitious, and significant iteration of them all: 19 nations, 40,000 troops, all coming together to focus on just one increasingly troubling adversary: China. There was a time Talisman would rattle that sabre at a so-called 'unknown adversary' and the assembled press and generals would wink and nod their heads, knowing that was code for the People's Republic. Like fine China itself, identification was always handled with care. Not anymore. The fingers of 19 nations are firmly pointed at the neighbourhood rogue; happy to point China out. There's almost an urgency about it now. At the Talisman Sabre opening ceremony, held on the expansive landing deck of the Australian giant HMAS Adelaide on Sunday, the ADF Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones, had no hesitancy or inhibitions in putting China's name firmly on the table. When asked what message the coalition of Talisman partners was sending in the three-week exercise, it was all about China. 'Well, I will leave it to China to interpret what 19 friends, allies and partners wanting to operate together in the region means to them,' he said. 'But for me, it's nations that are in search of a common aspiration for peace, stability, a free and open Indo-Pacific and adherence to international law.' Vice Admiral Jones was also happy to openly discuss the expected arrival of China's spy ships. 'I fully expect that the People's Republic of China will want to come and observe the activities that occur as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre,' he said. 'They've made a habit of those over preceding iterations of the exercise.' Adding cryptically: 'And we have measures in place to cater for that.' But he also revealed that if they were on the way, they're late. 'There is no sign yet,' he said. It could be that the PLA Navy leadership held back any orders to dispatch their ships while Mr Albanese was still their official visitor this week. A gesture of goodwill, perhaps. But they won't want to leave it much longer; there's a lot to spy on. Exercise Director Brigadier Damien Hill, who's been planning the event for the last 700 days, says he's counted a total of 79 defence 'innovations' about to be unveiled at Talisman. Two of which the organisers were happy to discuss publicly. The first is Australia's newly-acquired HIMARS highly mobile rocket launch system — the so-called 'shoot and scoot' weapon. It can fire rockets at a range of up to 500km. Even out to sea — almost as far as the Chinese ships conducting live fire exercises off the coast in February. The ADF has bought 42 units. And it's excited. These were the first items displayed in a breathtaking live fire exercise at Shoalwater Bay on the opening day of the exercise yesterday. The second breakthrough acquisition: the ADF's new submersible drones. I asked the US Deputy Commanding General, Lt Gen Joel Vowell, if we'd see any used in TS25. In fact, I'd walked straight past one as we boarded the Adelaide. And he confirmed, it will be used. The boldly-named 'Ghost Shark' was jointly developed and funded between Defence and Anduril Australia. They are a naval warfare game changer — able to be used for long-range stealth operations at a depth of 6000m and gather intelligence, or deliver strike capabilities. World-leading Aussi-tech — on-budget, ahead of schedule. They are one of the rare success stories of ADF procurement. Expect to see a proliferation of them in the years to come. Proud acquisitions — but the reality remains that whatever new toys Australia purchases for its tiny 60,000-strong military, it is dwarfed by the size and scale of the Chinese war machine. The PLA consists of two million personnel, 2500 aircraft, 7000 tanks and 350 ships. The ADF is currently made up of 327 aircraft, 59 tanks, and 34 ships. But here's the thing about Talisman — if you combine the strengths of the 19 members, suddenly China looks challenged. The combined membership matches it in personnel with two million total, and dwarfs China on assets with 15,000 aircraft, 50,000 tanks and 400 ships. It's quite the exercise coalition. Led, of course, by the world's biggest military machine, the US (the original co-founding member along with Australia). It now boasts almost all of the region's key players: India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand (with Malaysia and Vietnam attending as observers). On top of that, there are multiple NATO heavy hitters: Canada, France, Germany and the UK. Any and all of whom could be handy in a new global order where America First means Australia second. The coming years could well see us looking to lean on the countries above for greater security assistance. Not that the Americans involved in Talisman are having any of that. Lt Gen Vowell still describes the US-Australian alliance as 'ironclad'. 'It's one of our treaty alliances . . . of the seven the United States has,' he said. 'Australia is a key anchoring ally in the Indo-Pacific.' 'Big things have small beginnings, and just a few years ago, this was a bilateral exercise,' he said. 'And now with 19 nations involved, it's a signal of just how important staying and working together is in this region.' Lt Gen Vowell said that ultimately, there are two things that Talisman Sabre provides. 'It's the readiness to respond when our nation's call is to do that,' he said. 'And it's effectively a deterrent mechanism.' 'Because our ultimate goal, is no war.' The mixed messages Australia and Mr Albanese are sending to China right now might not be as contradictory as first thought.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders bid to boost shipbuilding capabilities; 10 acres to be reclaimed
India's shipbuilding capabilities, having strategic effect, are up for a boost, state-owned Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) planning to reclaim a huge chunk of land close to the main complex in Mumbai. Confirming the development, a senior official of the dockyard said, 'In addition to the 15 acres of land acquired earlier by us in MDL's neighborhood, we plan to reclaim 10 acres more.' and, 'this will be in line with consistent efforts being made to strengthen the shipbuilding capabilities of the country,' said the officer. Reclamation is the process of creating land by transforming water bodies. There is a planned investment between Rs 4000–5000 crore aimed at sprucing up the infrastructure, and it will include establishing two more basins, the officer added. The last major infrastructure added to MDL was the Kanhoji Angre wet basin, capable of berthing two frigates and two submarines for outfitting. Going by the significance of the strategic outcomes of the indigenous shipbuilding, it will fructify into significant capability development, once complimented with further accrual of the shipbuilding capability enhancement of other shipyards. This is to match the Chinese shipbuilding capability, which has made the Chinese PLA Navy operating the world's fleet of over 370 ships, surpassing that of the US. Meanwhile, the MDL is augmenting an overall increase in the throughput. A land parcel of approx. 15 acres was acquired on 29 Years Lease Term from Mumbai Port Authority (MPA), wef 01.04.2024, in order to decongest the existing Shipyard space. This land parcel is adjacent to the MDL perimeter on the southern side. The total cost of acquisition is approximately Rs 354 crore.
GMA Network
13-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PCG: 2 China warships spotted off Occidental Mindoro
One of two People's Liberation Army Navy warships sails off Cabra Island, Occidental Mindoro on Friday, July 12, 2025. PCG The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has monitored two vessels of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA) of China in the waters off Occidental Mindoro. In a statement on Saturday, PCG said the Chinese warships were observed 69.31 nautical miles off Cabra Island. PCG's BRP Teresa Magbanua radio challenged PLA Navy warship 793, but there was no response from the vessel. Instead, its escort, China Coast Guard 4203, replied, asserting China's sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. PCG also noted that the two Chinese vessels were joined by PLA Navy warship 164. 'The movements of these vessels have necessitated several radio challenges from the PCG throughout the day, without response from the PLA Navy warships,' PCG said. 'Additionally, it has been observed that PLA Navy warship 164 is conducting helicopter landing exercises on its flight deck, with continuous activity recorded throughout the morning,' it added. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, but the latter refused to recognize the decision. —KG, GMA Integrated News
The Star
11-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Red Sea laser row rumbles on as China denies warship targeted German plane
China's defence ministry has denied using lasers to target a German plane over the Red Sea as the two countries continue to trade barbs over the alleged incident. The German foreign ministry said on Tuesday that a People's Liberation Army warship had shone a laser at a German surveillance plane 'without reason or prior contact', and Berlin had summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest. But on Thursday the defence ministry told the South China Morning Post the accusation 'was completely inconsistent with the facts'. 'At that time, the Chinese naval vessel fleet was carrying out escort missions in the Gulf of Aden. It did not carry out operations in the Red Sea, nor activate any laser equipment,' the ministry said. 'We hope the German side respects the fact and steps up communication and coordination with the Chinese side, to maintain bilateral relations.' According to German media reports, the incident happened on July 2 off the coast of Yemen, and the Chinese vessel in question was a frigate that 'had been encountered several times in the area before'. No information has been released about the name or hull number of the frigate. But if the reports are correct, it is likely to be the Type 054A guided-missile frigate Honghe. The Chinese navy has been a regular presence in this region since 2008 carrying out anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia. At present the 47th escort task force, which was first deployed in December last year, is on duty. The only frigate in the task force is the Honghe, hull number 523. The rest in the fleet consists of the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Baotou and the Type 093A supply ship Gaoyouhu. The Honghe is a 4,000-tonne vessel commissioned in 2022. It is an updated version of its class equipped with the PLA Navy's latest advanced electronic suite. In October 2023, the ship was named a 'Tiger on the Sea', a honorary title that has been passed down through five generations of vessels since its origin in 1958, reflecting a legacy of bravery and combat readiness. It is still unknown whether the alleged laser was that of a directed-energy weapon or that of a guidance tool for munitions. On Wednesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning defended the PLA Navy's presence in the region. 'The Chinese navy's escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia are aimed at fulfilling China's responsibility as a major country, and contribute to the safety and security of international shipping lanes,' she said. 'It is important to increase communication in a timely way and be fact-based to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation.' Powerful laser weapons have the potential to burn their targets, while less strong beams can dazzle optical devices or affect service personnel's vision. High-energy laser weapons are typically not part of the armament on Type 054A frigates, but it is possible for the ships to be fitted with smaller laser air defence systems to counter drones or laser-guided ordnance. The German aircraft involved in the incident was a specially configured Beechcraft King Air 350 surveillance plane flying from Djibouti. It was manned by a civilian crew on behalf of the German military, and four members of the German armed forces were also on board, according to German media. The aircraft was said to be refitted with ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) equipment, according to military website The War Zone. They were part of Operation Aspides, a European Union-led operation that started in early 2024 to protect ships in the Red Sea from missiles launched by Houthi militants in Yemen. The plane was approaching the Chinese vessel before being targeted, Der Spiegel magazine reported. Following the incident, the aircraft aborted its mission and returned to Djibouti. The Aspides surveillance flights had since resumed, the German foreign ministry said. China also runs a naval base in Djibouti, established in 2016 as the country's first permanent overseas naval base. It is not the first time the PLA has been accused of a laser attack. In 2018, Chinese military personnel reportedly used laser systems to target US military aircraft operating out of Djibouti. And in 2022, Australia also claimed a PLA warship fired a laser at its patrol aircraft. Additional reporting by Hayley Wong and Yuanyue Dang - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Time of India
03-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
PLA aircraft carrier Shandong and warships make first Hong Kong port visit ahead of public tours
PLA Navy showcases major warships during Hong Kong port call The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has deployed several of its major surface combatants to Hong Kong, including the aircraft carrier Shandong , for a port visit that will include public viewing opportunities . The event is part of a broader effort to showcase Chinese naval capabilities and foster civilian engagement. Footage released by the PLA shows the Shandong , along with the guided-missile destroyers Yan'an and Zhanjiang , and the guided-missile frigate Yuncheng , arriving at the port earlier today. This marks the first visit to Hong Kong for the Shandong , Yan'an , and Zhanjiang , according to reports. The Yuncheng has previously visited the territory. Also read: Taiwan detects 8 Chinese naval vessels around its territory The port visit coincides with planned public tours, during which members of the public, particularly students and young residents, will be invited aboard the vessels from July 5 through July 6. The PLA has framed the open ship visits as part of efforts to enhance military-civilian relations and promote national defense awareness. Live Events The Shandong is China's first domestically built aircraft carrier and a key symbol of the country's expanding naval reach. The Yan'an and Zhanjiang are advanced guided-missile destroyers equipped with long-range strike capabilities and modern radar systems, while the Yuncheng serves as a multi-role frigate. The arrival of the Shandong and its escort vessels comes amid rising interest in regional maritime security dynamics. The port visit also reflects ongoing PLA Navy efforts to increase the visibility of its fleet through domestic and international port calls. The vessels are expected to remain in Hong Kong through the weekend before resuming regular deployment operations.
