Taiwanese Leadership Visits First Domestically-built Attack Boat, Highlights Deterrent Role - USNI News Taiwan President Lai Ching-te boarded Taipei’s first domestically-built attack boat and highlighted the role of submarines in upholding deterrence last week during a visit to the island’s naval forces...

“Submarines are an important tool for our country’s development of ‘strategic deterrence,’ as well as a crucial defensive weapon for countering maritime blockades and expanding strategic depth,” - President Lai to the 256th Submarine Squadron.

news.usni.org/2026/03/25/t...

Taiwanese Leadership Visits First Domestically-built Attack Boat, Highlights Deterrent Role - USNI News Taiwan President Lai Ching-te boarded Taipei’s first domestically-built attack boat and highlighted the role of submarines in upholding deterrence last week during a visit to the island’s naval forces...

Taiwanese Leadership Visits First Domestically-built Attack Boat, Highlights Deterrent Role — USNI News
news.usni.org/2026/03/25/t...

U.S. Navy to Increase Hammerhead Anti-Submarine Mine Order - USNI News The U.S. Navy is looking to increase its order of next-generation anti-submarine mines to “meet operational requirements,” according to a recent contract modification. The sea service is requesting Ge...

U.S. Navy to Increase Hammerhead Anti-Submarine Mine Order — USNI News
news.usni.org/2026/03/17/u...

Spent the morning scouring CENTCOM imagery and videos of Tomahawk launches. Definitely not definitive, but this is my humble attempt to count how many of these crucial munitions have been used since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury. My latest covers INDOPACOM’s sorrow:

Philippine Marine BrahMos Force Stands Up Northern Luzon Unit - Naval News The Philippine Marine Corps BrahMos-equipped Coastal Defense Regiment extended its reach to Northern Luzon with a new formation.

Philippine Marine BrahMos Force Stands Up Northern Luzon Unit Across from Taiwan 🇵🇭🇹🇼
By @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

New Philippine OPV to Deploy Service's First LRAD System - Naval News The Philippine Navy debuted its first non-lethal effector, combining long-range acoustic device (LRAD) and laser roles, aboard its new OPVs.

The Philippine Navy debuted its first non-lethal effector, a system that combines long-range acoustic device (LRAD) and laser dazzling roles, aboard the service’s new first-in-class OPV BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20) 🇵🇭
By @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

U.S. Army to Accelerate Fielding of 1000 km Anti-Ship PrSM - Naval News The U.S. Army wants to accelerate the development of a PrSM variant capable of striking maritime targets over a thousand kilometers away.

The U.S. Army wants to accelerate the development of a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) anti-ship variant capable of being fired from the service’s highly mobile rocket launchers and striking maritime targets over a 1,000 KM away 🇺🇸🚀
By @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Good morning San Diego. Looking forward to WEST and other activities throughout the week.

French Amphibious Warship, Frigate to Join Balikatan 2026 - Naval News The French Navy will deploy to the Philippines with its largest Balikatan contingent to date during this year's Jeanne D’Arc mission.

Paris will send an amphibious helicopter carrier and frigate to the Philippines for this year’s Balikatan, marking the largest participation of French forces in Manila’s annual military exercise to date 🇫🇷 🇵🇭
By @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Heading out to San Diego for my first WEST conference. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

U.S. Army Quietly Stands Up Rotational Force in the Philippines - USNI News The U.S. Army has stood up a rotational force in the Philippines, according to recently released defense media. Army Rotational Force-Philippines, a previously unknown formation, was revealed for the ...

“The U.S. Army has stood up a rotational force in the Philippines, according to recently released defense media.”

Army Rotational Force-Philippines is Washington’s latest defense effort with Manila amid tensions in the SCS and concerns over Northern Luzon.

news.usni.org/2026/02/02/u...

U.S. Army Quietly Stands Up Rotational Force in the Philippines - USNI News The U.S. Army has stood up a rotational force in the Philippines, according to recently released defense media. Army Rotational Force-Philippines, a previously unknown formation, was revealed for the ...

U.S. Army Quietly Stands Up Rotational Force in the Philippines — USNI News
news.usni.org/2026/02/02/u...

Taiwan Spotlights Invasion Defense Lines During Chinese Drills - Naval News Taiwan highlighted the extent of its defensive lines against a Chinese invasion amid Beijing's latest military drills around the island.

Taiwan highlighted the extent of its defensive lines against a Chinese invasion amid Beijing's latest military drills around the island 🇹🇼💥🇨🇳
By @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

China Wants Nine Aircraft Carriers by 2035, Says New Pentagon Report - USNI News China plans to field a force of nine aircraft carriers by 2035, according to a Defense Department report on Beijing’s military power released on Tuesday. The U.S. report says that the People’s Liberat...

China Wants Nine Aircraft Carriers by 2035, Says New Pentagon Report — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/12/24/c...

Philippines, U.S. eye Luzon Strait base for joint defense operations - Naval News A Philippine-U.S. military delegation surveyed a new Luzon Strait base for joint defense operations in the country's north near Taiwan.

Philippine and American military officers surveyed Manila’s newest base in the Luzon Strait last week for joint defense operations between the two allies in the country’s northern territories near Taiwan 🇵🇭 🇺🇸 🇹🇼
Story by @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Philippines and Taiwan Explore Coast Guard Cooperation - Naval News Philippine and Taiwanese Coast Guard officials met in Manila this week to discuss potential maritime security cooperation activities.

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Attaché held a brief courtesy call with his Philippine counterparts in Manila this week to discuss potential lines of cooperation, including intelligence sharing and capacity-building efforts. My latest with Naval News:

www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Philippines and Taiwan Explore Coast Guard Cooperation - Naval News Philippine and Taiwanese Coast Guard officials met in Manila this week to discuss potential maritime security cooperation activities.

Philippine and Taiwanese Coast Guard officials met in Manila this week to discuss potential maritime security cooperation activities 🇵🇭 🇹🇼
Story by @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

U.S. Strategic Bombers, Japanese Anti-Ship Fighters Take Flight Amid Japan-China Tensions - USNI News American strategic bombers trained alongside Japanese aircraft in what Washington and Tokyo described as a demonstration of their resolve following recent military tensions between Japan and China thi...

U.S. Strategic Bombers, Japanese Anti-Ship Fighters Take Flight Amid Japan-China Tensions — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/12/11/u...

Chinese, U.S. Navies Spotted Operating Near Scarborough Shoal - Naval News A U.S. Navy destroyer was spotted operating near Chinese forces at Scarborough Shoal this week by a Philippine Coast Guard aerial patrol.

🇺🇸 🇨🇳 🇵🇭
A U.S. Navy destroyer was spotted operating near Chinese forces at Scarborough Shoal this week by a Philippine Coast Guard aerial patrol 👇
Story by @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Philippine Navy Launches Second Korean Offshore Patrol Vessel - USNI News Manila’s second Korean-made offshore patrol vessel was launched ahead of schedule last month at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Ulsan shipyard, marking the latest step in the Philippine Navy’s gradual mo...

Philippine Navy Launches Second Korean Offshore Patrol Vessel — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/12/01/p...

Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Tours Military Bases Near Taiwan - USNI News Last week, Tokyo’s top defense official toured Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) and Coast Guard facilities across the southwestern islands – including a base located 70 nautical miles away from Taiwan....

Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Tours Military Bases Near Taiwan — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/11/28/j...

Japan to Procure New Anti-Landing Craft Missiles for Island Defense - USNI News The Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) will procure the next generation of Japanese anti-landing craft missiles next year as Tokyo prioritizes coastal defense systems to defend its southwestern islands. ...

Japan to Procure New Anti-Landing Craft Missiles for Island Defense — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/11/27/j...

Philippines Challenges Chinese Forces at Scarborough Shoal - Naval News The Philippine Coast Guard challenges Chinese forces at Scarborough Shoal in Manila's latest effort to push back against Beijing in the SCS.

Two Philippine maritime patrols challenged the presence of China’s warships and cutters at Scarborough Shoal over the last few days, marking Manila’s latest effort to push back against Beijing’s claims over the South China Sea maritime feature 🇵🇭 🇨🇳
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

This is a great article. While the PLA is extremely capable, the invasion of Taiwan would be the most difficult landing operation ever attempted. There has never been an amphibious landing in the face of CDCMs. For comparison, Taiwan has hundreds of missiles and the PLAN as eight LPDs.

(don’t trust anyone in area studies that seem too confident , kids)

Taiwan Defense Report Highlights Area Denial Progress - Naval News Taiwan's latest defense report highlighted the development of area denial capabilities that could defeat a Chinese invasion of the island.

Taiwan highlighted its efforts in developing area denial capabilities, including anti-ship missiles, attack drones and new coastal defense forces, to counter a potential Chinese invasion of the island in its 2025 National Defense Report 🇹🇼

www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

U.S. Marines Deploy Drone Unit to Philippines to Patrol Over South China Sea - USNI News The U.S. Marine Corps temporarily deployed a unit of drones to support Philippine maritime security efforts in the South China Sea where tensions are high between Manila and Beijing, USNI News has lea...

U.S. Marines Deploy Drone Unit to Philippines to Patrol Over South China Sea — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/11/13/u...

The Philippine Marine Corps publicly unveiled its BrahMos cruise missile coastal defense system at a Marine Corps Coastal Defense Regiment facility in Zambales, reported by @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social

See our visualization of the BrahMos system's deployment site and reported operational range

Philippine Marine Corps Unveils First BrahMos Anti-Ship Missile Battery - USNI News The Philippine Marine Corps unveiled its first BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missile battery and future plans to enhance coastal defense on Friday, a milestone in Manila’s effort to develop a long-rang...

Philippine Marine Corps Unveils First BrahMos Anti-Ship Missile Battery — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/11/07/p...

Philippine Marine Corps Unveils First BrahMos Anti-Ship Missile Battery - USNI News The Philippine Marine Corps unveiled its first BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missile battery and future plans to enhance coastal defense on Friday, a milestone in Manila’s effort to develop a long-rang...

The Philippine Marine Corps unveiled its first BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missile battery and future plans to enhance coastal defense on Friday, a milestone in Manila’s effort to develop a long-range precision fires capability.

news.usni.org/2025/11/07/p...