Asia Pacific • The Defense Post

Oct- 2026 -

12 October

PAC JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft, a fighter jet made in China and Pakistan. The Pakistani plane is painted with the country's flag as it belongs to Pakistan Air Force. The aircraft performed a flight demo, flying demonstration at the 53rd Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport in France on June 2019. The advanced and sophisticated fighter jet is developed jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto) (Photo by Nicolas Economou / NurPhoto via AFP)

Somalia Nears JF-17 Jet Purchase From Pakistan

Somalia has reportedly reached an agreement with Pakistan to acquire JF-17 Thunder lightweight supersonic combat aircraft, though neither government has officially confirmed a final contract.

12 October

Rojoef Manuel

Taiwan Military Police to Defend Capital in Wartime Overhaul

Taiwan is increasing its Military Police Command from 5,600 to 11,000 troops, shifting its core mission from traditional policing to combat operations designed to protect the Greater Taipei Area against Chinese “decapitation strikes.”

12 October

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force Airman assigned to the Western Air Civil Engineering Group sets up a drone during a bilateral live fire exercise at Draughon Range near Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 18, 2023. U.S. and Japanese partners worked together, repairing the craters and exchanging knowledge while observers from both countries watched. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anwtain Hanks)

Giulia Bernacchi

Thales Plans Defense Equipment Support Base in Japan

French defense company Thales plans to establish a base in Japan to maintain and support equipment used by the country’s Self-Defense Forces.

12 October

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

India Tests Stratospheric Airship Built for Long-Endurance Surveillance

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation has successfully flown a long-endurance surveillance airship designed to operate in the stratosphere.

12 October

Christine Casimiro

Philippine Air Force to Receive Black Hawk Simulator, Virtual Maintenance Trainer

The Philippine Air Force is set to receive S-70i Black Hawk helicopter training devices and services from Lockheed Martin.

12 October

South Korean soldiers interact with battlefield simulation technology showcased by SK Telecom. Photo: SK Telecom

Samantha Alexa

SK Telecom Develops AI That Can Rehearse Battlefield Scenarios

South Korean army commanders could soon have an AI-powered tool to turn battlefield data into faster tactical decisions.

9 October

The JS Shōgei (SS-519) Taigei-class attack submarine

Rojoef Manuel

Mitsubishi Debuts Japan’s Seventh Taigei Attack Submarine

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has launched the seventh Taigei-class diesel-electric attack submarine for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force at its shipyard in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture.

9 October

Rojoef Manuel

Indonesia Forms Six New Regional Commands, Raises Civic Oversight Concerns

Indonesia has inaugurated six regional military commands to expand its armed forces’ administrative reach, while drawing scrutiny from civil society groups over potential military encroachment into civilian governance.

9 October

Rojoef Manuel

Leonardo DRS Wraps Up Thermal Sight Supply, Training for Australian Snipers

Leonardo DRS has finalized deliveries and training for its INOD Block III thermal weapon sights distributed to the Australian Army as part of a deal signed in 2022.

9 October

Rojoef Manuel

Japan Reviews Arms Rules as Ukraine Requests Patriot Interceptors

Japan is preparing to reopen internal government discussions on the direct supply or sale of defense equipment to Ukraine, including interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system.

Trends Shaping the Defense World

JOIN 100,000+ FOR DEFENSE NEWS, TRENDS & INSIGHTS