Archive for ‘Military’

07/03/2013

* North Korea warns U.S. of preemptive nuclear strike

Perhaps North Korea has learnt from the lessons of past wars with the US. Losers such as Germany and Japan benefited hugely from American aid, whereas winners such as North Vietnam did not benefit for decades after beating the Americans. Indeed even American allies like the UK had to pay the full Second World War loan for over 50 years.

So, if North Korea fought the US and lost, it reasons, unlimited aid will be forthcoming; perhaps more than China is willing to contribute.

That seems to be the only rational explanation for the continued belligerence of North Korea.

Reuters: “North Korea threatened the United States on Thursday with a preemptive nuclear strike, raising the level of rhetoric while the U.N. Security Council considers new sanctions against the reclusive country.

North Korean soldiers attend a military training in this picture released by the North Korea's official KCNA news agency in Pyongyang March 6, 2013. REUTERS-KCNA

North Korea has accused the United States of using military drills in South Korea as a launch pad for a nuclear war and has scrapped the armistice with Washington that ended hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korea, which has one major ally, neighboring China, threatens the United States and its “puppet”, South Korea, on an almost daily basis.

“Since the United States is about to ignite a nuclear war, we will be exercising our right to preemptive nuclear attack against the headquarters of the aggressor in order to protect our supreme interest,” the North’s foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.”

via North Korea warns U.S. of preemptive nuclear strike | Reuters.

03/03/2013

Another indication of China’s industry going up-stream.

01/03/2013

* Pinaka rockets successfully test-fired for second day

Times of India: “Indigenously developed ‘Pinaka‘ rockets were successfully test-fired, on the second consecutive day on Friday, from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) by an armament establishment from a base in Odisha.

English: Pinaka is a multiple rocket launcher ...

English: Pinaka is a multiple rocket launcher produced in India and developed by the DRDO for the Indian Army. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Three rounds of Pinaka rockets were successfully tested today from the base at Chandipur, about 15 km from here, while three rounds had been fired yesterday,” defence sources said.

On January 30 and 31, this year, seven rounds of ‘Pinaka’ rockets were tested from the same base.

‘Pinaka’, which has undergone several tough tests since 1995, has already been inducted into the armed forces.

The trial was conducted by personnel from Armament Research and Development Establishment ( ARDE), Pune unit at Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) firing point-2 at Chandipur, the sources said.

“The MBRL, capable of acting as a force-multiplier, has been developed to supplement artillery guns,” a defence official said.

‘Pinaka’ is an area weapon system with a range of 40 km. The quick reaction time and high rate of fire of the system gives an edge to the army during a low-intensity conflict situation, he said.

The unguided rocket system is meant to neutralise large areas with rapid salvos. ‘Pinaka’ system can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds, the sources said, adding that the battery of six launchers can neutralise at a time a target area of 3.9 sq km.

The system’s capability to incorporate several types of warheads makes it deadly for the enemy as it can even destroy solid structures and bunkers.”

via Pinaka rockets successfully test-fired for second day – The Times of India.

13/02/2013

* The Economic Impact of a War Between Japan & China

From: http://www.onlinemba.com/blog/economic-war-between-china-japan

“Global economists are keeping their eyes glued to the Asia-Pacific region, where a bitter feud is brewing between two of the world’s most powerful nations over a small collectivity of islands in the East China Sea. The Chinese government argues that a treaty signed during the first Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) conferred ownership of the islands to China. Japan has long disputed these claims, and today argues that the islands are integral to its national identity.

English: Japan_China_Peace_Treaty_17_April_1895.

English: Japan_China_Peace_Treaty_17_April_1895. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7SA3p8ys-s&feature=youtu.be 

The argument came to a head last September, when a boycott of Japanese products led Chinese demonstrators to target fellow citizens who owned Japanese cars. Three months later, the situation escalated when when Japanese jets confronted a Chinese plane flying over the islands; no shots were fired, but the act of antagonism has set a troubling precedent between the military forces of both nations.

The conflict between China and Japan has put the United States in a precarious position: if a full-scale war were to erupt, the U.S. would be forced to choose between a long-time ally (Japan) and its largest economic lender (China). Last year, China’s holdings in U.S. securities reached $1.73 trillion and goods exported from the U.S. to China exceeded $100 billion. The two countries also share strong economic ties due to the large number of American companies that outsource jobs to China.

However, the U.S. government may be legally obligated to defend Japan. In November, the U.S. Senate added an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that officially recognizes Japan’s claims to the disputed islands; the U.S. and Japan are also committed to a mutual defense treaty that requires either country to step in and defend the other when international disputes occur. Not honoring this treaty could very easily tarnish America’s diplomatic image.

The countries of the Asia-Pacific region are collectively responsible for 55 percent of the global GDP and 44 percent of the world’s trade. A major conflict between the region’s two largest economies would not only impose a harsh dilemma on U.S. diplomats, but also have a significant impact on the entire global economy. It is in every nation’s best interest that the Chinese and Japanese settle their territorial dispute peacefully.”

See also: https://chindia-alert.org/2013/01/25/china-japan-move-to-cool-down-territorial-dispute/

06/02/2013

* India concerned by China role in Pakistan port

Reuters: “China’s role in operating a strategically important port in Pakistan is a matter of concern for India, its defense minister said on Wednesday, as New Delhi and Beijing jostle for influence in the region.

India's Defence Minister A.K. Antony waits to speak at a plenary session of the 11th International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia Security Summit: The Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in this file photo taken June 2, 2012. REUTERS/Tim Chong

Indian policy-makers have long been wary of a string of strategically located ports being built by Chinese companies in its neighborhood, as India beefs up its military clout to compete with its Asian rival.

Management of Gwadar port, around 600 km (370 miles) from Karachi and close to Pakistan’s border with Iran, was handed over to state-run Chinese Overseas Port Holdings last week after previously being managed by Singapore’s PSA International.

“It is a matter of concern to us,” Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony told reporters when asked about Chinese control of the port.

When complete, the port, which is close to the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping lane, is seen opening up an energy and trade corridor from the Gulf, across Pakistan to western China, and could be used by the Chinese Navy, analysts say.

“It will enable (China) to deploy military capability in the region,” said Jay Ranade, of the Centre for Air Power Studies and a former additional secretary at the government of India. “Having control of Gwadar, China is basically getting an entry into the Arabian Sea and the Gulf.”

China has also funded ports in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, and Chittagong in Bangladesh, both India’s neighbors.

“Gwadar is a more serious development than the others,” Ranade said, as the Pakistani port gives China base facilities.”

via India concerned by China role in Pakistan port | Reuters.

See also: https://chindia-alert.org/political-factors/geopolitics-chinese/

30/01/2013

I wonder if the map is complete. It seems to indicate there are no major military units to the West of 100 degrees East, namely none in Xinjiang, Tibet, Qinghai and Gansu; nor any in the far north, namely none in Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang. Some Muslims in Xinjiang and Tibetans in Tibet, Qinghai and Gansu have been known to be anti-central government. And, in the past, there have been confrontations with Russian army units up north.

Of course, I am forgetting the 1.5m People’s Armed Police.  Maybe that’s where they are mainly posted.

17/01/2013

* U.S., Japan review defense guidelines amid tension with China

We hope that this revision does not fall onto the ‘Law of Unintended Consequences‘ and exacerbates rather than alleviates the current high tensions.

Reuters: “The United States and Japan began on Thursday the revision of defense cooperation guidelines for the first time in 15 years as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe faces a territorial dispute with China and North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes.

Shinzo Abe

The revision to the guidelines, which set rules on how Japanese and U.S. forces work together in or near Japan, comes after a hawkish Abe led his Liberal Democratic Party to power in an election last month.

“We would like to discuss Japanese Self Defence Forces‘ role and U.S. forces role with eyes on the next five, 10, 15 years and on the security environment during those periods,” a Defence Ministry official told reporters, without elaborating.

The revision is due because of drastic changes in the security environment over the past 15 years including China’s maritime expansion and North Korea’s missile development, the Japanese government has said.

North Korea has also twice tested nuclear devices.

Japan is locked in a territorial dispute with China over a group of tiny East China Sea islets called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, with both countries sending patrol ships and planes to areas near the isles.

The review started with a working-level meeting in Tokyo between U.S. and Japanese officials. It will likely take a year or more to complete and coincides with a U.S. “pivot” in diplomatic and security focus to Asia.

“One issue that’s prevalent is whether the Abe government will reinterpret the constitution to exercise the right of collective self defence,” said Nicholas Szechenyi, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“Should that policy decision be taken, it will obviously have an impact on the way the Self Defence Forces and U.S. military coordinate.”

Japan recognizes it has what is known as the right of collective self-defence, meaning a right to defend with force allies under attack even when Japan itself is not being attacked.

But Japanese governments have traditionally interpreted the pacifist constitution as banning the actual exercise of the right, creating a sore spot in Tokyo’s security ties with Washington. Abe wants to change the interpretation to allow Japan to exercise the right.

via U.S., Japan review defense guidelines amid tension with China | Reuters.

See also: https://chindia-alert.org/2012/08/12/beijing-reasserts-its-claims-in-south-china-sea-nytimes-com/

16/01/2013

* Vietnam, US boost defence ties

US takes opportunity to counter-balance Chinese military power in SE Asia.

ANN: “The third Vietnam-US Defence Policy Dialogue at deputy ministerial level took place in Hanoi last week.

Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh

During the meeting, the two sides focused on ideas and information about issues related to defence cooperation and bilateral ties between Vietnam and the US and exchanged information about security matters in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

The two sides reviewed their achievements in the five areas which were stated in the MoU on defence cooperation, signed by the two ministries in September 2011.

They agreed that new developments had been made in cooperation in several areas, including the missing-in-action mission; defusing bombs, mines and explosives left by the war; cleaning up dioxin pollution.

The two delegations also discussed cooperation in human resources training, UN peace-keeping missions, military medicine, natural disaster relief and search and rescue.

The delegates expressed their hope that defence cooperation between Vietnam and the US would contribute to enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries, aiming at peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, while Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia Vikram J. Singh headed the US delegation.”

via Vietnam, US boost defence ties – ANN.

14/01/2013

Interesting view.

13/01/2013

* China-wary Army for mountain strike corps

Times of India: “The Army has come up with a fresh proposal for the new mountain strike corps, apart from two “independent” infantry brigades and two “independent” armoured brigades, to plug operational gaps along the LAC (line of actual control) as well as to acquire “some offensive capabilities” against China.

The raising of the new formations will cost around Rs 81,000 crore, spread primarily over the 12th Plan period (2012-17), with a little spillover into the 13th Plan if necessary, say sources.

“The approved 12th Army Plan, as part of the LTIPP (long-term integrated perspective plan), already ca-ters Rs 62,000 crore for the corps. The Army is now asking for another Rs 19,000 crore,” said a source.

With additional armoured regiments and infantry units based in Ladakh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand, the new mountain corps (around 40,000 soldiers) will for the first time give India the capability to also launch a counter-offensive into TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region) in the event of a Chinese attack, say sources.

As with the development of the over 5,000-km Agni-V and 3,500-km Agni-IV ballistic missiles — coupled with the ongoing progressive deployment of Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, spy drones, helicopters and missile squadrons in the northeast — the overall aim is to have “strategic deterrence” in place to dissuade China from embarking on any “misadventure”.”

via China-wary Army for mountain strike corps – The Times of India.

Law of Unintended Consequences

continuously updated blog about China & India

ChiaHou's Book Reviews

continuously updated blog about China & India

What's wrong with the world; and its economy

continuously updated blog about China & India