Latest news with #TimothyHeath
South China Morning Post
02-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Cambodia widens access to China-funded Ream naval base to parry ‘lingering suspicion'
Cambodia 's move to expand access to its Ream naval base to more countries can help deflect criticisms that the Southeast Asian country is hosting a Chinese military facility, even as analysts have warned of 'lingering suspicion' about Beijing's intention. Advertisement On April 27, a Vietnamese navy warship docked at the Chinese-funded Ream, according to reports from Cambodian media. The 37 crew members of the Russian-built vessel reportedly took part in a meeting to discuss a joint patrol alongside the Cambodian navy from April 27 to April 29. The Vietnamese warship's arrival came on the heels of the arrival of two Japanese naval vessels at Ream following the inauguration of the upgraded naval base last month. China is said to have financed the upgrading since 2022, including a 300-metre deepwater pier, a 5,000-ton dry dock, a 1,000-ton slipway, and a facility for logistics and training. Advertisement Timothy Heath, a senior international defence researcher at the US-based Rand Corporation, said Cambodia's decision to welcome other navies could help counter the criticism that Cambodia was hosting a Chinese military base.
South China Morning Post
24-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Japan hits rail gun milestone in race to counter China's hypersonic development
Last week's sea trial of Japan's upgraded electromagnetic rail gun is a milestone in the intensifying regional arms race aimed at countering hypersonic missiles from China, North Korea and Russia. Advertisement Observers said that Japan could well become one of the first navies to operate the advanced weapon as part of its air defence capabilities, after the Japanese defence ministry released images of the gun this week, without elaborating. The latest images show a number of modifications to the prototype's first experimental firing in October 2023. The next generation weapon was also sighted earlier this month on board the JS Asuka in Yokosuka port before setting off for the sea trial on April 10. According to Timothy Heath, a senior international defence researcher at the Rand Corporation, Japanese development of the technology was a predictable outcome of China's military investment. 'Given China's enormous inventory of ballistic and growing number of hypersonic missiles that can target Japan, Beijing cannot really be surprised at Japan's determination to build such defensive systems,' he said. Advertisement However, former PLA instructor Song Zhongping said compared with conventional artillery, the electromagnetic gun 'uses a new principle to attack targets, and its attack power and accuracy are relatively high'. 'If Japan develops this type of weapon and deploys it, it will mean that Japan is beginning to pursue an offensive strategy, and the threat posed to other countries and the region will be rather serious,' Song said.
South China Morning Post
22-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China's anti-drone arms tech draws Mideast interest as militaries seek latest edge
Chinese arms contractors were among the global defence suppliers who flocked to the Middle East to showcase their latest counter-unmanned aerial vehicles (CUAV) during the region's largest military exhibition. Advertisement The turnout for the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) this week in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, was another sign of the increasingly important roles drones are playing in warfare. Chinese companies were promoting their latest systems designed to defend against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). China's Poly Technologies showed off a laser defence system called 'Silent Hunter', an export variant of the domestically produced 'Low Altitude Guardian' laser system, reportedly the first ever to use lasers in striking small and slow air targets flying at low altitude. China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation displayed miniature models referred to as an 'anti UAV system' – multiple CUAV systems, which included FK-2000 missile gun integrated weapon systems and FK-3000 air defence weapon systems. Timothy Heath, a senior international defence researcher at United States-based think tank Rand Corporation, said that with drones becoming a 'major factor on the modern battlefield', many countries were looking to 'enhance their defences against these novel weapons'. Advertisement 'China's new anti-drone systems are likely to find many interested buyers, especially if the US limits what it is willing to sell,' Heath said.
South China Morning Post
22-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China's anti-drone contractors make Mideast pitches with rapidly evolving tech
Published: 4:30pm, 22 Feb 2025 Updated: 4:33pm, 22 Feb 2025 Chinese arms contractors were among the global defence suppliers who flocked to the Middle East to showcase their latest counter-unmanned aerial vehicles (CUAV) during the region's largest military exhibition. The turnout for the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) this week in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, was another sign of the increasingly important roles drones are playing in warfare. Chinese companies were promoting their latest systems designed to defend against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). China's Poly Technologies showed off a laser defence system called 'Silent Hunter', an export variant of the domestically produced 'Low Altitude Guardian' laser system, reportedly the first ever to use lasers in striking small and slow air targets flying at low altitude. China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation displayed miniature models referred to as an 'anti UAV system' – multiple CUAV systems, which included FK-2000 missile gun integrated weapon systems and FK-3000 air defence weapon systems. Timothy Heath, a senior international defence researcher at US-based think tank Rand Corporation, said that with drones becoming a 'major factor on the modern battlefield', many countries were looking to 'enhance their defences against these novel weapons'. 'China's new anti-drone systems are likely to find many interested buyers, especially if the US limits what it is willing to sell,' Heath said.
