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Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- Times
New Anglo-Australian defence treaty should include more nations
Nuclear-powered submarines are among some of the most complex objects built by man. They require exceptional build quality, such as in the welds used to ensure structural integrity. The skills required are scarce and in high demand, which is why even the United States finds it challenging to launch more than one a year. Together with the US, China, Russia, France and now India, the United Kingdom is a member of the small club of nations capable of producing these deadly prowlers of the ocean depths, the presence of which can send lesser navies scurrying for port. However, the immense cost of these vessels, the capital ships of the modern era, means that it is difficult to maintain a steady drumbeat of production. Gaps in orders can result in the running down of supply chains and an exodus of trained workers. That is why the signing this weekend of the 50-year Geelong treaty between the UK and Australia is so important. The agreement covers the construction in Barrow-in-Furness and Adelaide of a new class of hunter-killer sub (SSN), nuclear powered but conventionally armed. Britain is looking to build 12 in a move that would take the Royal Navy back to its Cold War strength. Australia may build half a dozen. Good news for Barrow, home to Britain's only nuclear yard, and Rolls Royce in Derby, where submarine reactors are made. Some 7,000 jobs will be created at Barrow and in the supply chain; the export of components to Australia will earn £20 billion over 25 years. There is, however, uncertainty hanging over the deal. Geelong is a subsidiary part of the Aukus agreement involving the US, UK and Australia. The idea is for the Americans to sell Australia three to five off-the-shelf SSNs to serve as a stop-gap before the arrival of its home-built subs in the 2040s. But Aukus, a child of the Biden era, is now in danger of falling victim to the Trump administration's 'America first' policy. There is fear in Washington that the loss of the subs would seriously undermine the US Navy's ability to defend Taiwan from invasion by China. This wavering American commitment to Aukus is further evidence of the need for US allies to future-proof their armed forces against its increasingly mercurial security policy. That means not being overly reliant on the US for equipment. Britain is already cooperating with Italy and Japan on the Tempest combat aircraft project, and growing closer to France and Germany in the nuclear and conventional fields. Geelong suggests another, complementary route: the rebuilding of Britain's defence-industrial ties with its most trusted friends in a 'Canzuk' alliance of Canada, Australia, the UK and New Zealand. These countries have gone their own way on trade, with old Commonwealth patterns of commerce replaced by regional ones, but they can all benefit from economies of scale. Together, Canzuk has a joint GDP that is fourth behind China, the US and the European Union. That promises economies of scale in defence procurement without the overweening influence of the US. The Canzuk concept joins together nations with shared histories and values. Trade may have declined, but not trust. The four are already partners in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance and can do a lot more to strengthen mutual security. In this uncertain world, where authoritarian powers threaten the international order and the US insurance policy is expiring, old ties can be put to new uses.
NHK
08-07-2025
- Politics
- NHK
North Korean leader Kim visits mausoleum on 31st anniversary of founder's death
North Korean media have reported that the country's leader Kim Jong Un visited the mausoleum of his late grandfather and state founder Kim Il Sung on the 31st anniversary of his death. North Korea's ruling Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun said on Tuesday that Kim Jong Un visited a palace in Pyongyang at midnight to pay respect to the late leader, whose body lies in state there. The newspaper ran an editorial praising Kim Il Sung's achievements, and called for loyalty to Kim Jong Un. It said North Korea has developed the world's most powerful weapons and the strength of the country's military technology has become irreversible under Kim Jong Un's leadership. South Korean media say the North Korean leadership aims to boost domestic unity in the run-up to the 80th anniversary in October of the founding of the Workers' Party, and the party's congress, whose schedule has yet to be disclosed.
Times of Oman
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Indian Army, Russian Land Forces bolster defence ties at IRIGC meet in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg: Indian Army strengthens ties with Russian Land Forces at the 4th Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) Sub Working Group (Land) meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia from June 25 to 27. The interaction between the Two Armies focused on enhancing bilateral Defence Cooperation, including exchanges in niche technologies such as Drones, C-UAS, Electronic Warfare, and operational logistics equipment. The event also included a visit to Mikhailovskaya Artillery Academy and the 56th Guards District Training Centre, Leningradsky Military District, the Indian Army said. Strengthening the bilateral defence engagement further, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, China. The meeting came shortly after Singh arrived at the venue on Thursday, where he was received by Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. Upon his arrival, Singh joined Admiral Dong and other participating leaders for a group photograph ahead of the official proceedings. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif arrived at the venue after Singh. The SCO Defence Ministers' meeting, being held from June 25 to 26, brings together member states to discuss key regional and global security issues. The discussions are expected to focus on international and regional peace and security, counter-terrorism cooperation, and enhanced collaboration among the defence ministries of SCO member states. In a press release, the Ministry of Defence stated, "Defence Ministry is expected to highlight India's continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, outline India's vision towards achieving greater international peace & security, call for joint & consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism & extremism in the region, and stress on the need for greater trade, economic cooperation and connectivity within SCO. He will also hold bilateral meetings with the Defence Ministers of some participating countries, including China and Russia, on the sidelines of the meeting." India, the Ministry noted, places special importance on the SCO as a platform for promoting multilateralism and cooperation across politics, security, economy, and people-to-people ties in the region. "SCO pursues its policy based on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity of nations, non-interference in internal affairs, mutual respect, understanding and equality of all member states," the Ministry added. The SCO is an intergovernmental organisation established in 2001. India became a full member in 2017 and held the rotating chairmanship in 2023. Member countries include India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. China has assumed the Chair of the SCO for 2025 under the theme "Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move."
Russia Today
26-06-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
India is an ‘exceptionally important' partner
Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has stressed the importance of the Russia-India partnership, noting that Moscow's long-term friendship with New Delhi extends into the military-technical sector. Belousov held talks with his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Qingdao, China on Thursday. 'India is an exceptionally important strategic partner for us, a traditional friend – including in the military and military-technical spheres,' Belousov said at the meeting. Singh stated: 'We had insightful deliberations on boosting India-Russia defense ties.' India's military currently relies heavily on Russian-origin equipment, with around 60% of its arsenal being of Russian make. During the recent conflict with Pakistan, the effectiveness of India's air defenses was bolstered by the Russian-made S-400 mobile surface-to-air missile systems, which was recently highlighted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised its performance during the standoff. New Delhi, however, has been pushing to indigenize its defense sector, under the 'Make in India' initiative led by Modi. Russian defense companies have taken part in a number of joint ventures in India over the last two decades. BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles are manufactured by India's Defense Research and Development Organization and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, and have been in service in the Indian Armed Forces since June 2007. Last month, India inaugurated a new production unit for the BrahMos missile in Uttar Pradesh. According to Defense Ministry officials, this facility will enable India to boost its defense stockpiles, which is crucial given the current volatile security environment. Happy to have met the Defence Minister of Russia, Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao. We had insightful deliberations on boosting India-Russia defence ties. New Delhi's long-standing defense ties with Moscow have irked Washington. Earlier this month, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said India's relations with Russia are a point of contention in its relationship with the US, especially with the increasing sanctions on Russian entities. During the meeting on Thursday with Singh in Qingdao, Belousov expressed his condolences over the recent crash of an Air India aircraft, which killed 270 people. The Russian defense minister conveyed words of sympathy and support to the families and loved ones of the victims.
Telegraph
16-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Why Putin and Xi will be panicking over Iran
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping will be following the conflict in the Middle East with deep concern as the Iranian regime appears increasingly frail. Both countries have publicly spoken in support of Iran by strongly condemning Israel for its attack that has so far killed top personnel, and hit defence systems, military targets and nuclear enrichment sites. As Iran is weakened, both China and Russia lose a key partner that shares an interest to rage against what they see as US hegemony in the region. Russia loses yet another portal through which it could attempt to regain supremacy in the Middle East, following the December fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad in Syria, where it used to have a robust military presence. 'They do share disdain for Western values and systems,' said Tuvia Gering, a China and Middle East specialist at Israel's Institute of National Security Studies. 'They also learn from each other and share technologies on how to suppress their own populations.' But as tensions escalate, the partnership with Iran is 'increasingly turning into a liability'. One area where Russia is not worried about is a continued supply of Iranian drones, which have been key in its war on Ukraine, noted Nicole Grajewski, a nuclear policy expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace who specialises in Russia and Iran. Drone factories set up in Russia are capable of producing independently without Iranian support – as many as 2,700 a month. But the most pressing issue is a mutual concern that Iran will use heightened tensions as a pretext to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and race toward building a weapon – something Tehran had previously already threatened. China and Russia both have nuclear weapons, and as is the case with all countries holding such firepower in their arsenal, neither are particularly keen to see Iran develop its own. It would mean less control over Iran, as the latter would be far less dependent on the fearsome dragon and bear. China, as the biggest customer of Iranian oil products, will suffer from Israel's attacks on Iranian oil and gas facilities. Beijing imports as much as two million barrels of oil a day from Iran, which accounts for a significant portion of its energy needs. If conflict escalates and Iran attacks the US military presence in the UAE and Saudi Arabia – also key energy suppliers to China – then the latter could see further disruption to its energy supply. 'It's an energy security risk,' said Mr Gering. 'For a country already suffering under the strain of an economic downturn and a trade war [with the US], it's not an ideal scenario.' Long-term sanctions on Iran make it a poor trade partner, which means China won't benefit as much on infrastructure investment projects, and Russia won't have a buyer for defence materials. There is a scenario where, once the dust settles, both could 'increase their arms exports, but Iran doesn't have the capital to pay for this, so it would probably be barter', said Ms Grajewski. A weak Iran isn't beneficial, as 'both China and Russia have a preference for these stable authoritarian regimes with similar outlooks on the international system'. On the surface, Iran's partners are acting as expected, but behind the scenes, a flurry of activity reflects deepening worries about the current situation spiralling out of control. Russia, for instance, called for an emergency meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog's board to be held Monday morning to discuss the impact of Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Putin has held calls with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and Mahmoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian president, and Donald Trump, going so far as to offer to mediate. Xi has come out to say, 'Israel must be stopped.' China, too, has engaged both sides, with Wang Yi, ther foreign minister, speaking with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts. Russia was not as diplomatically active in the last round of Israel-Iran strikes in October 2024. This 'might be because the Kremlin views this as more of a situation that's uncontrollable', said Ms Grajewski. There may be 'concerns about this spilling over, also the destabilisation of Iran and its interest in the region, could be one of the rationales behind the outreach'. Beijing is gritting its teeth in the event of regime change – as there was in Afghanistan and Syria in recent years – so that they can 'make nice with whoever is left to rule', said Mr Gering.
