Category: Weapons

Chinese Nationals’ Role in Africa’s Illicit Weapons, Mining, and Money Flows

There's mounting evidence from the United Nations and others that Chinese organized crime syndicates are moving more of their operations from countries in Southeast Asia to Africa. These groups are contributing to a surge in illicit crypto mining, scam centers, illegal wildlife trafficking, ...

Analysis from Cobus van Staden

The Pain of Un-Polarity

“THE G2 WILL BE CONVENING SHORTLY!”
This post by U.S. President Donald Trump in the run-up to his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week may end up leaving a more lasting mark than the actual summit he attended.

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Chinese Warships Gather in Gulf of Aden for Naval Handover Ceremony

Six Chinese warships recently converged in the Gulf of Aden for a handover ceremony as one task force group relieved another to conduct patrols as part of the multinational anti-piracy operations. China has been an active participant in this initiative ...

Chinese-Made Weapons Used in the UAE’s Genocide in Sudan

The United Arab Emirates is reportedly funneling increasing amounts of Chinese-made weapons to its proxy Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in Sudan. The group has repeatedly been accused of staging a genocide in Sudan. A new report from the Wall ...

U.S. Navy Fighter Jet and Helicopter Crash in South China Sea

The U.S. Navy said a Navy fighter jet and a helicopter crashed in South China Sea on Sunday. The separate incidents happened about 30 minutes apart in waters that China says fall under its sovereignty using what it calls the “nine-dash line.” “All personnel involved are ...

U.S., Australia Sign Rare Earths Deal as Trump Promises Submarines

By Danny Kemp with David Williams in Sydney U.S. President Donald Trump signed a deal on rare earth minerals Monday with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and said Washington's key ally would get its coveted nuclear-powered attack submarines. ...

Indonesian J-10C Plan: Interoperability and Strategic Independence

The Indonesian J-10C plan has sparked a broader debate about how Jakarta maintains its strategic independence while ensuring all systems are aligned and interoperating smoothly. The rumor started with a line that sounded casual enough: Indonesia’s new Chinese-made J-10C fighter ...

Indonesia Confirmed 42 Chinese J-10C Jets Buy in $9 Billion Deal

Indonesia confirmed the purchase of 42 Chinese-made J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jets, ending months of speculation about the deal. “They will be flying over Jakarta soon,” Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said Wednesday at the ministry’s headquarters, announcing the agreement reached ...

Malaysia Raises 2026 Defense Budget, South China Sea Priority

Malaysia raises 2026 defense budget and will spend $5.15 billion in 2026, linking the buildup to South China Sea operations, officials said Saturday. “This is particularly important as we face various challenges, including those in the South China Sea,” Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said on ...

India and Pakistan Are Still Arguing Over How Many Chinese Fighter Jets Were Shot Down in Last May’s War

More than five months after India and Pakistan engaged in a brief military conflict in early May, the two countries are still squabbling over how many of each other's fighter jets they shot down. The issue resurfaced last week when a ...

China-Built Frigate for Cambodia Clears Trials; Second Ship at 50%

One of two China-built frigates for Cambodia has completed assembly and passed technical trials, with a second vessel halfway built, former Cambodia defense minister Tea Banh said in a Facebook post dated Oct. 3. Tea Banh said the frigate is ...

Thailand, China Seal Amended Submarine Deal, 2028 Delivery

China’s state shipbuilder CSOC and the Royal Thai Navy signed an amended contract in Beijing to restart Thailand’s long-delayed S26T submarine program. The deal replaces the originally specified German engine with a Chinese diesel and sets delivery for the end ...

Pakistani President Becomes First Foreign Leader to Visit Chinese Weapons Factory

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari visited China’s largest manufacturer of military aircraft on Sunday, becoming the first foreign state leader to do so. He toured the assembly line of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the maker of the J-10C fighter jet.

Why Sahel States Are Turning to Chinese Military Gear

In early September, Guinea’s port of Conakry turned into a military stage as convoys of CS/VP-14 mine-resistant vehicles, VN-22 6×6 infantry carriers, command and recovery vehicles, and even an SR-5 rocket artillery system rolled off Chinese cargo ships and headed toward Mali’s capital. ...
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