Asia Pacific • Page 2 of 564 • The Defense Post

Oct- 2026 -

29 October

Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Colorado (SSN 788) arrives at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia, on Oct. 27, 2026, for a planned submarine maintenance period (SMP) supporting AUKUS, the trilateral security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. During the SMP, more than 30 fully trained and certified Australian civilian technicians from ASC Pty Ltd. will perform routine maintenance on a Virginia-class submarine in Western Australia for the first time. The SMP, the third in the last 12 months, is an important step toward establishing Submarine Rotational Force-West. The Pacific Submarine Force provides strategic deterrence, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, precision land strike, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, early warning, and special warfare capabilities around the globe.

First US Navy Submarine Named for Australian AUKUS Rotation

Washington has designated the USS Colorado (SSN 788) as the first US Navy Virginia-class fast-attack submarine assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West beginning in late 2027.

27 October

Giulia Bernacchi

US Bans BYD Vehicles From Okinawa Base Citing Security Risks

The US military will bar vehicles made by Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD from Kadena Air Base in Japan.

26 October

Giulia Bernacchi

Taiwan to Expand Artillery and Drone Units in Military Overhaul

Taiwan is restructuring its armed forces capabilities focusing on artillery, drones, coastal defense, and air defense.

26 October

Soldier aiming a rifle equipped with the Arbel counter-unmanned aerial system attachment. Photo: Israel Weapon Industries

Rojoef Manuel

Thailand Equips Rifles With Israeli Anti-Drone Fire Control Kits

Thailand has brought Israel Weapon Industries’ Arbel counter-unmanned aerial system into operational service, marking the system’s debut in Southeast Asia.

23 October

Australian Army soldiers from the 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment relocate from the observation post in the High Mobility Transporter Supacat during the Battle of Mt Bundey on Exercise Predator's Walk 2024 at the Mount Bundey Training Area, NT. Soldiers from the 1st Brigade conducted the culminating activity for Exercise Predator’s Walk at Mount Bundey Training Area. Over a two-day period, personnel conducted combat team assaults and combined arms live fire exercise known as the Battle of Mount Bundey. read less

Rojoef Manuel

Fatal Australian Crash Exposes Safety History of Supacat HMT Fleet

An Australian Defence Force incident involving a Supacat High Mobility Transporter in early October has drawn renewed scrutiny to the fleet, highlighting a history of stability issues with the military vehicle.

22 October

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Turkish Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler, Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hasan Al Sani, Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Defence Yusuf Jauhari, and Pakistan's Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammed Asif.

Giulia Bernacchi

Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan, Indonesia Agree to Expand Defense Cooperation

Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan, and Indonesia have signed a defense cooperation agreement covering military production, training, and research.

22 October

Ethan M. Encarnacion

South Korean Laser Weapon Achieves 100% Drone Interception Rate in Army Drill

South Korea’s Cheongwang laser weapon successfully took down three drones during an exercise with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army, demonstrating its maturity as an air defense system.

21 October

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaking at a press conference.

Giulia Bernacchi

S. Korea to Launch Military Recon Satellites on Nuri Rocket

South Korea plans to use its domestically developed Nuri rocket to launch four military reconnaissance microsatellites in 2031.

21 October

U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75, shoots flares while flying over the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN) 71 during a friends and family day cruise, Aug. 8, 2026. Theodore Roosevelt’s friends and family day cruise showcases carrier strike group capabilities and the professionalism of the crew. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tyler Harstad)

Rojoef Manuel

New Zealand Buys Four MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters From US

New Zealand has signed a $909.9-million agreement to procure MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters from the US.

20 October

HMAS Brisbane fires a Tomahawk Weapon System off of the cost of San Diego, United States

Inder Singh Bisht

US Approves $300M Sale of Tomahawk Mission-Planning Systems to Australia

The US State Department has approved the potential $300-million sale of Tomahawk cruise missile mission-planning systems, communications equipment, and related support services to Australia.

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