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Japan Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Asia boosts weapons buys, military research as security outlook darkens
FILE PHOTO: A mock model of the FFM "Upgraded Mogami" class is displayed during the Defence Security Equipment International (DSEI) Japan at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, east of Tokyo, Japan May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo By Greg Torode and Jun Yuan Yong Spending on weapons and research is spiking among some Asian countries as they respond to a darkening security outlook by broadening their outside industrial partnerships while trying to boost their own defense industries, a new study has found. The annual Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment released on Wednesday by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said outside industrial help remains vital even as regional nations ultimately aim for self-reliance. "Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, coupled with worsening U.S.-China strategic competition and deterioration of the Asia-Pacific security landscape, may lead to a rising tide of defense-industrial partnerships," it read. "Competitive security dynamics over simmering flashpoints ... feed into the need to develop military capabilities to address them." Spending on defense procurement and research and development rose $2.7 billion between 2022 and 2024, it showed, to reach $10.5 billion among Southeast Asia's key nations of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The spike comes even as the nations spent an average of 1.5% of GDP on defense in 2024, a figure that has kept relatively constant over the last decade. The study, released ahead of this weekend's annual Shangri-La Dialogue defense meeting in Singapore, said Asia-Pacific nations still rely on imports for most key weapons and equipment. Such items range from submarines and combat aircraft to drones, missiles and advanced electronics for surveillance and intelligence gathering. The informal Singapore gathering of global defense and military officials is expected to be dominated by uncertainties stemming from the protracted Ukraine conflict, Trump administration security policies and regional tension over Taiwan and the disputed busy waterway of the South China Sea. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are increasingly active and making inroads, the study said, though European companies have a prominent and expanding regional presence, via technology transfer, joint ventures and licenced assembly deals. The UAE now operates a diversified network of collaborators, such as China's NORINCO weapons giant and rival India's Hindustan Aeronautics. Joint development operations are not always easy, the study said, offering lessons from India's two-decade collaboration with Russia to produce the BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missile. While the feared weapon is fielded by India, exports have been hampered by lack of a clear strategy, with deliveries to its first third-party customer, the Philippines, starting only in 2024, the study added. Closer Russia-China ties could further complicate the weapon's development, particularly if Moscow chooses to prioritize ties with Beijing to develop a hypersonic version of the missile. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Beto Kusyairy's latest movie, a nod for Gayong brethren
AWARD-winning actor Beto Kusyairy has never labelled himself as an action actor. This is because the 45-year-old artiste, whose real name is Nurkusyairy Zakuan Osman, believes that as an actor, he needs to try and excel in various genres of productions. "I've never specifically put the label of action actor for myself. All the characters I played would depend on the scripts and those I'd be working with, from other cast members to the directors," he says in a recent interview. "At this stage, I'm no longer chasing popularity, fame, or even jobs. Instead, I only choose work that I like, that which has an impact on my career and the audience. "An impact which would give the audience the vibe and feel of the performance and its content," he adds. From a humble beginning taking the role of the mascot for children's TV production 'Along' in 2001, Beto has come a long way in his artistic journey, having earned himself some coveted awards. These include the best supporting actor awards at the 32nd Malaysia Film Festival (FFM 32) in 2022 and the 2023 Asean International Film Festival & Awards (Aiffa 2023) for his role as Wahid in the 2022 epic blockbuster 'Mat Kilau: Kebangkitan Pahlawan'. Despite not labelling himself as an action actor, Beto is back playing a character that requires him to show off his martial arts skills. The feature film in question is the action drama and biopic movie, 'Gayong,' currently screening in cinemas nationwide. In this movie, directed by Faisal Ishak and produced by Sol Pictures, Beto plays the role of the late Datuk Meor Abdul Rahman Uda Mohd Hashim, a silat grandmaster and the founder of Pertubuhan Seni Silat Gayong Malaysia. This first instalment (the sequel of this film has also been filmed) recounts the beginnings of Meor and his martial arts from the late 1930s through to the Japanese occupation of Malaya. Dedicated to the Gayong brethren "Truthfully, I'm a little anxious to see public reaction to this role, as there are many anak Gayong (silat Gayong practitioners) out there. There are easily hundreds of thousands of them "I myself am one," reveals Beto, who learnt the Malay martial art since he was just 7 years old. "While I may not be the most skilful Gayong practitioner, I'm honoured to play this role in this film," shares Beto, who believes that this is his small contribution in honouring the grandmaster and his arts. "I dedicate this contribution to him and all the 'anak' Gayong around the world," says Beto, humbly acknowledging his Gayong brethren, its founder, and his descendants. He says that while the film production team had received the blessing from Datuk Meor's daughter, Datuk Paduka Siti Fadzilah, he did not have the opportunity to meet her due to her health condition. Nevertheless, Beto feels fortunate to have met Datuk Meor's proteges, who include Abdul Majid Md Isa, also known as Pandak Majid, and Cikgu Awang Daud. When he met the silat Gayong luminaries, Beto said he had the opportunity to chat about Datuk Meor. "I wanted to find out more about his personality and his demeanour. It was not my intention to copy Datuk Meor in my screen portrayal, which I don't think would be justifiable anyway. "It was just for me to get an idea of who he was and his personality, so that I could adapt to the script. As an actor, it is my responsibility to colour my character in enhancing the story," he explains. Asked if 'Gayong' and his portrayal of Datuk Meor would bring the crowd to the cinemas like how phenomenal it had been for 'Mat Kilau' back in 2022, Beto admits that it is up to the moviegoers.
Business Journals
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Field AI expands to Oakland with new office amid robotics push
By submitting your information you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and User Agreement . A California-based AI startup is planting roots in Pittsburgh's tech scene, with plans to expand its presence in a new Oakland office. Story Highlights Field AI expands to Oakland with new office space. Company develops Field Foundation Models for robotics and AI. InnovatePGH supports Field AI's growth in Pittsburgh. Look for a new California tech startup to grow its Pittsburgh presence with a new office in Oakland as it works to develop a new initial-named technology in the field of robotics and AI. The company is called Field AI, based in Mission Viejo, California, and backed by $100 million in capital and touting a leadership with experience at such firms as Boston Dynamics, DeepMind and others. Field AI is working to continue to develop what it calls Field Foundation Models, or FFM, the company says are able to incorporate context and safety awareness over just incorporating data to enable robots to better function in unknown conditions. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events While the company has been working out of small space on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University, InnovatePGH reports that FieldAI has leased its largest space at its Avenu coworking space on Meyran Avenue in Oakland and is working to move into what will be its first independent office in next 30 to 45 days. "They're a really exciting company," said Mike Madden, a vice president of InnovatePGH and the Innovation District Director, calling the company's technology "a marriage of robotics and AI." The company will be taking about 1,500 square feet up to 2,000 square feet and is striving to grow to a staff of about 12 to 15 people. It's an ideal kind of company for InnovatePGH to target and work with as it helps Field AI to set up shop in its Oakland space with the goal of enabling it to scale into a larger presence in the relative near future. "We want to see them take root in Avenu but outgrow us," added Madden. It's the kind of trajectory InnovatePGH recently experienced with the global Japanese conglomerate Fujitsu, which recently opted to move out of an Avenu space into the redevelopment of the Kings Court building on Forbes Avenue where it was able to lease more space for a larger staff. Bethany Wallace, the communications director for InnovatePGH, added the organization is working to make sure Field AI's new space is outfitted with the kind of server capacity it needs as it continues to work to develop its technology. Doing so, she added, is an example of "the flexibility we're able to provide to them that might be hard to find in other coworking spaces."
Japan Forward
25-04-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
Japan's New Frigate Joins Global Naval Competition
このページを 日本語 で読む On April 23, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) opened its newest Mogami -class frigate (FFM) to media inspection at the Yokosuka Base in Kanagawa Prefecture. This next-generation warship operates with a crew of just around 90, less than half that of a conventional destroyer. The mess hall aboard the JS Kumano. Due to space-saving measures, officers and enlisted personnel dine in the same area. (Photo by Shusuke Takenouchi) Despite its lean personnel, it is equipped to handle a broad range of missions, including surface combat, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine warfare. The Japanese government is actively promoting defense exports and aims to showcase the high performance of its frigates. The bridge of the JS Kumano. A key feature is its ability to operate with half the crew of a traditional destroyer. (©Sankei by Shusuke Takenouchi) The JS Kumano , the second vessel in the Mogami -class lineup, was the model showcased to the press. Designed with stealth in mind, it features a streamlined exterior with minimal protrusions. Advanced digital systems enable remote control of weapons and onboard equipment from the Combat Information Center (CIC). So far, six ships in the class have entered service, with the JMSDF aiming to expand the fleet to a total of 12. The hallway inside the JS Kumano. The ship's compact design results in narrower passageways than those found on conventional destroyers. (©Sankei by Shusuke Takenouchi) Japan and Germany have been shortlisted as finalists in Australia's selection process for next-generation naval vessels. In its proposal, Japan put forward a jointly developed design based on an upgraded Mogami -class frigate. An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) aboard the JS Kumano, used for mine detection. (©Sankei by Shusuke Takenouchi) Author: The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Asahi Shimbun
24-04-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Unveiling high-tech destroyer, Japan seeks Australian buyer
The bridge of the destroyer Kumano is unveiled to the media on April 23 in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. (Mizuki Sato) As a key selling point, the Maritime Self-Defense Force's new destroyer Kumano can do more with less, at a time when naval personnel are being stretched to the limits. The MSDF touted this capability as it unveiled the Kumano to the news media at its Yokosuka Naval Base on April 23. Japan is hoping that its state-of-the-art Mogami-class frigate vessel, known as an FFM (Future Multi-mission Frigate), will find a place in the Royal Australian Navy fleet. A look aboard shows a host of high-tech features that could be attractive to an Australian Navy looking to modernize its fleet. 21ST CENTURY ON THE SEAS The interior of the Kumano differs substantially from conventional destroyers and is designed to minimize the number of crew members needed for operations. Stations such as the fire control room, telegraph room and pilot room, which were previously located separately on the ship, are now integrated in the combat information center (CIC), and all information can be viewed on a 360-degree screen. Crew members wear wristwatch-like biometric sensors to keep track of personnel positions. Equipped with a navigation system with GPS functionality, the new destroyer eliminates the need for an assistant navigator to manually draw nautical charts. Conventional destroyers require seven personnel on the bridge, but Kumano can be manned by four. JAPAN BATTLING GERMANY FOR CONTRACT Against the backdrop of the Kumano's unveiling is the Australian government announcement in February 2024 of a plan to introduce 11 new naval vessels to modernize the Royal Australian Navy. In November, the Japanese government officially announced its plan to participate in the joint development of the Australian Navy's new vessels. The Japanese government has proposed a more capable version of the MSDF's Mogami-class destroyer, by adding the performance capabilities required by Australia. Australia plans to replace its aging frigates with 11 new vessels, which are expected to cost a total of A$11.1 billion (about 1 trillion yen, or $7 billion). Three of the 11 vessels will be manufactured in the joint development countries first, and the rest will be built in Australia. Australia has named two finalists for the project, Germany and Japan. Australia will name the joint developer by the end of this fiscal year and deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2029. If the Japanese proposal is selected, it will be 'Japan's first large-scale equipment transfer project,' according to a senior Defense Ministry official. For this reason, Japan has been making a major sales push. U.S. HELP SOUGHT IN SALES PITCH According to several ministry officials, the Japanese government has sought the cooperation of the United States in pushing for Japan's proposal to be accepted by Australia, and the U.S. side is said to be willing to do so. At a Japan-U.S. defense ministerial meeting held at the end of March, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani asked U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to support the Japanese proposal. Japan is seeking the cooperation of the U.S. side because the Japanese proposal is advantageous to its close ally in that it is 'easier to mount U.S.-made missiles,' according to a senior ministry official. It is assumed that Tomahawk cruise missiles, ESSM ship-to-air missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles will be installed aboard. However, it is believed that many in the Australian Navy support the German proposal, which has already been introduced and is considered less expensive. REDUCTION IN PERSONNEL A HUGE PLUS The main selling point of the FFM is the 'reduction in manpower' needed to operate the vessel. The Kumano destroyer has a crew of about 90, about half that of conventional vessels. The new FFM, which Japan hopes to jointly develop with Australia, can be operated with the same 90 crew members as the Kumano. That is about 30 fewer than the 120 crew members required on German naval vessels. Driving the need for fewer personnel aboard is the manpower shortage in the MSDF, where long naval careers are shunned. The SDF has suffered a recruitment shortfall of about 20,000 personnel in recent years. The number of recruits for the SDF in fiscal 2023 dipped to a record low of 50.8 percent of the planned recruitment quota. A senior Defense Ministry official said, 'Australia's navy is also understaffed." The official said the 'reduction of manpower will be the greatest weapon in selling to Australia.' (This article was written by Mizuki Sato and Daisuke Yajima.)
