Chinese fighter intercepts Navy Poseidon

[finehoe]

These are international waters.

The USS Liberty was in international waters too, yet 34 crew members were killed and another 171 were wounded when it was attacked.  "International waters" don't magically prevent bad things from happening.

[BridgeTroll]

These are international waters.

The USS Liberty was in international waters too, yet 34 crew members were killed and another 171 were wounded when it was attacked.  "International waters" don't magically prevent bad things from happening.

Why limit yourself to that poor example.  Liberty was a spy ship in a war zone.  It was considered a friendly fire incident.

[finehoe]

Liberty was a spy ship in a war zone. 

And these are warships in an area with multiple competing claims of sovereignty.  Do you really think that lessens the potential for a mishap?

I'm sure in your typical fashion you interpret my concerns as sympathy for the PLA Navy, but I'm just noting that there are events going on in the world that could potentially have far-reaching consequences. While the American public is fixated on the penis-size of presidential candidates, little attention is being paid to some important happenings on the other side of the world where some other 'mine is bigger than yours' posturing is occurring.

[BridgeTroll]

While there may be multiple countries with competing claims only China is behaving as a belligerent.  You should not be ashamed of your sympathy for the PLA.  Perhaps you can spare some for the Philippines... or the Taiwanese... or any of the peasant fishermen of the neighboring countries who have been chased off their traditional fishing grounds by your PLA.

[finehoe]

http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21693619-asia-pacific-region-peacebut-it-buying-lot-weapons-taking-arms

[BridgeTroll]

Good article... it certainly highlights the issues.  From north to south... Japan is threatened by North Korea and China.  South Korea is threatened by the same.  Taiwan by China...Vietnam by China...Philippines by China...Singapore is tiny and sits at a major strategic junction. Thailand has a huge shoreline... and India and Pakistan...hate each other.

Aside from the traditional sparring by India and Pakistan... China is the bull in the "china" shop by occupying reefs within the territorial waters of its neighbours.  It is likely too late to do anything about the occupation but freedom of navigation demonstrations are crucial.

[The_Choose_1]

Good article... it certainly highlights the issues.  From north to south... Japan is threatened by North Korea and China.  South Korea is threatened by the same.  Taiwan by China...Vietnam by China...Philippines by China...Singapore is tiny and sits at a major strategic junction. Thailand has a huge shoreline... and India and Pakistan...hate each other.

Aside from the traditional sparring by India and Pakistan... China is the bull in the "china" shop by occupying reefs within the territorial waters of its neighbours.  It is likely too late to do anything about the occupation but freedom of navigation demonstrations are crucial.

It's never to late just listen to Cruz he wants a big military build up. To show countries around the world that 'AMERICA' is once again the BOSS. 

[finehoe]

Australia, looking toward China, beefs up military

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/australia-looking-toward-china-beefs-up-military/2016/03/20/0e8e4cfe-ec8a-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html

[BridgeTroll]

Australia, looking toward China, beefs up military

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/australia-looking-toward-china-beefs-up-military/2016/03/20/0e8e4cfe-ec8a-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html

For a country completely dependent on freedom of navigation Australia certainly needs to upgrade its navy.  Submarine fleet needs replacement... P-3 Patrol planes are adequate for patrol but inadequate for ASW... Surface fleet needs more numbers and upgrades...

[spuwho]

Australia, looking toward China, beefs up military

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/australia-looking-toward-china-beefs-up-military/2016/03/20/0e8e4cfe-ec8a-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html

For a country completely dependent on freedom of navigation Australia certainly needs to upgrade its navy.  Submarine fleet needs replacement... P-3 Patrol planes are adequate for patrol but inadequate for ASW... Surface fleet needs more numbers and upgrades...

RAN (Royal Australian Navy) is currently upgrading their ANZAC frigates with current tech and in 2014 acquired 4 Perry class frigates from the US Navy, which are also being updated.

There is a contract out with Saab Defense to upgrade their Collins class submarines.

They have an active development arrangement to upgrade their F/A 18 Hornets and are currently integrating their new EA-18 Growlers into their defense intelligence network.

The RAAF is currently in line for the F35 JSF, but have been acquiring Hornets due to F35 delays.

[BridgeTroll]

Australia, looking toward China, beefs up military

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/australia-looking-toward-china-beefs-up-military/2016/03/20/0e8e4cfe-ec8a-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html

For a country completely dependent on freedom of navigation Australia certainly needs to upgrade its navy.  Submarine fleet needs replacement... P-3 Patrol planes are adequate for patrol but inadequate for ASW... Surface fleet needs more numbers and upgrades...

RAN (Royal Australian Navy) is currently upgrading their ANZAC frigates with current tech and in 2014 acquired 4 Perry class frigates from the US Navy, which are also being updated.

There is a contract out with Saab Defense to upgrade their Collins class submarines.

They have an active development arrangement to upgrade their F/A 18 Hornets and are currently integrating their new EA-18 Growlers into their defense intelligence network.

The RAAF is currently in line for the F35 JSF, but have been acquiring Hornets due to F35 delays.

No one is happier than me that we are able to sell our really old and retired equipment to someone else to squeeze a out little more life... but an updated Perry... is still a retired outclassed Perry.  The Collins was a bad experiment and the Saab upgrade is to buy them time to replace them.  They are looking at the newest Japanese AIP subs as a possible replacement...

[spuwho]

Australia, looking toward China, beefs up military

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/australia-looking-toward-china-beefs-up-military/2016/03/20/0e8e4cfe-ec8a-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html

For a country completely dependent on freedom of navigation Australia certainly needs to upgrade its navy.  Submarine fleet needs replacement... P-3 Patrol planes are adequate for patrol but inadequate for ASW... Surface fleet needs more numbers and upgrades...

RAN (Royal Australian Navy) is currently upgrading their ANZAC frigates with current tech and in 2014 acquired 4 Perry class frigates from the US Navy, which are also being updated.

There is a contract out with Saab Defense to upgrade their Collins class submarines.

They have an active development arrangement to upgrade their F/A 18 Hornets and are currently integrating their new EA-18 Growlers into their defense intelligence network.

The RAAF is currently in line for the F35 JSF, but have been acquiring Hornets due to F35 delays.

No one is happier than me that we are able to sell our really old and retired equipment to someone else to squeeze a out little more life... but an updated Perry... is still a retired outclassed Perry.  The Collins was a bad experiment and the Saab upgrade is to buy them time to replace them.  They are looking at the newest Japanese AIP subs as a possible replacement...

Fortunately, while Australia has increased their defense spending considerably, it is still behind their developed nation peers.

With almost 75 percent of the population on the east coast, it makes defense of the north west difficult. Just getting assets to help with the MH370 search was time consuming.

[BridgeTroll]

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/navy-p-8-poseidon-locates-castaways-on-a-deserted-islan-1770066529

Navy P-8 Poseidon Locates Castaways On A Deserted Island In The Pacific

[finehoe]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/fishing-fleet-puts-china-on-collision-course-with-neighbors-in-south-china-sea/2016/04/12/8a6a9e3c-fff3-11e5-8bb1-f124a43f84dc_story.html

[spuwho]

Defense Secretary Ash Carter cancelled his meeting with his Chinese counterpart after it was determined there was nothing the meeting could produce for public consumption.

However, the PLAN is still scheduled to participate in a large US sponsored joint naval manuevers in the Pacific with various foreign navies.