Latest news with #USDefense
South China Morning Post
20-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Australia should not sabotage its own efforts to boost ties with China
Chinese media outlets were keen to accentuate the positives of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China. However, sections of the Australian media played up the idea that China was attempting to drive a wedge between Australia and the United States and members of the Australian opposition criticised the visit, calling some of Albanese's stops 'indulgent'. The visit achieved much in some areas, but otherwise made little progress. Despite reported efforts by Elbridge Colby, US undersecretary of defence for policy, to seemingly sabotage the visit, Albanese deftly refused to allow questions about Taiwan to divert him from his mission of reaffirming the improvement of Australia-China relations. But if Albanese was trying to convince Chinese investors that Australia is a reliable place to invest in, he sabotaged himself. This is best summed up by the Australian Financial Review headline 'PM stares down China retaliation threat over Darwin Port sale'. The Albanese government is moving to overturn the China-based company Landbridge Group's 99-year lease on the port of Darwin just a decade into the lease period. It would be difficult to find a better and more pertinent example of Australia's limited reliability when it comes to long-term investment from China.
Arab News
13-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Europe has the chance to take a quantum leap
By now, it is obvious that the EU must confront its lack of military might and economic competitiveness. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declared that America is no longer 'primarily focused on Europe's security.' A 2024 report on European competitiveness by Mario Draghi, the former Italian prime minister, warned that the EU must foster innovation to maintain its industrial relevance. Clearly, reliance on past alliances and inherited advantages is no longer a viable option for Europe. Addressing these challenges will require the building of new alliances and development of new advantages, especially in quantum computing. While much has been said about the ability of artificial intelligence to shift the balance of global power, the quieter quantum revolution promises to generate equally meaningful breakthroughs in industry, cybersecurity and defense strategy. And whereas the EU lags far behind China and the US in AI and advanced semiconductors, it still has a chance to take the lead in quantum technologies. But the window of opportunity is closing fast. Quantum computing is not just a faster version of classical computing, it is an entirely new form of information processing. Instead of relying on binary code, quantum computers use qubits (quantum bits) that can exist in multiple states simultaneously, allowing them to solve complex problems concurrently, rather than sequentially. While these supercharged computers remain years away from maturity, owing to instability and high error rates, several other types of quantum technology are already in use. Quantum sensors are reshaping military operations and nuclear deterrence, for example, thanks to their remarkable precision. Communications backed by quantum cryptography are protecting against increasingly advanced and frequent cyberattacks against critical infrastructure and intellectual property. And quantum algorithms are driving gains in industrial logistics and military simulations. The development of quantum capabilities would enable Europe to bolster its defenses. Along NATO's eastern flank, and particularly in Ukraine, such advanced computing could power navigation systems that work even in GPS-denied environments, sensors that can detect stealth aircraft and submarines, and monitoring tools able to expose hidden enemy activities. Recognizing the potential of quantum technologies for improvements to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, has indicated its willingness to develop these technologies. Europe must not be caught flat-footed. From a competitiveness standpoint, quantum tech could revitalize Europe's ailing automotive sector, with advanced modeling helping to accelerate battery innovation. Quantum computing could also increase the continent's energy competitiveness by stabilizing its renewable-heavy power grids and boost its strong pharmaceutical sector by supercharging drug discovery and improving early detection of diseases. These developments would also drive progress toward climate goals, reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports and ease the burden on healthcare systems. Fortunately, Europe is entering the quantum race in a strong position. Its research institutions, including QuTech in the Netherlands and Forschungszentrum Julich in Germany, are globally competitive. The continent trains more quantum engineers than any other, hosts nearly a quarter of the world's quantum tech companies and is a global leader in quantum sensing and communications. The bloc's fragmented funding and governance landscape could prove lethal, offsetting its myriad technical strengths. Sona Muzikarova The EU has also built a political consensus around the strategic importance of quantum technologies. The Quantum Flagship, the European Commission's €1 billion ($1.2 billion) research and development initiative, has backed commercial ventures such as Pasqal and IQM, both of which build quantum hardware. The EU has also allocated billions of euros to programs such as the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure initiative and the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking. When it comes to scaling up the production of quantum hardware, Europe's precision manufacturing base, including German machines and Dutch lithography, might prove advantageous. But a familiar obstacle, the so-called valley of death between breakthroughs in the lab and success in the marketplace, might negate these advantages. Europe's quantum startups receive less private financing than their counterparts in the US, forcing many to relocate to North America or Asia in search of capital. Compared with America's private investment and defense-driven approach or China's state-backed strategy, the EU's fragmented funding and governance landscape could prove lethal, offsetting the bloc's myriad technical strengths. To convert the potential of quantum tech into a strategic advantage, several principles should be guiding EU policy. Firstly, when it comes to research and development, the bloc should focus on usage cases that will enable it to achieve quick wins in legacy sectors such as pharmaceuticals, the automotive industry and green energy. At the same time, a European version of DARPA should be established to fund high-risk, dual-use quantum technologies that have immediate defense and cybersecurity applications. Secondly, EU member states should establish protective safeguards, including export controls, investment screening mechanisms and the protection of intellectual property rights for sensitive quantum research that is vulnerable to espionage or foreign acquisition. This might require the EU to form partnerships with other trusted democracies. Deeper quantum alliances could also allow the bloc to have a greater effect on the setting of global standards, while reducing its dependence on supply chains in adversarial countries. Most importantly, there must be a realization that Europe's quantum ambitions demand more than just technical excellence; they will require political courage as well. For too long, Europe has watched from the sidelines as the US and China defined the rules of emerging tech. Quantum computing presents the continent with a rare chance to take the reins. But to seize this opportunity, European policymakers must embrace a culture of deliberate risk-taking. The outcome of the quantum tech race will ultimately come down to whether Europe still believes in its capacity to lead.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US, NATO officials discuss possible weapons sales to aid Ukraine
United States military and NATO officials are discussing a possible plan that could be unveiled in the coming days that would provide Ukraine with much-needed aerial defense weapons, including Patriot systems, by funneling U.S. weapons through the European alliance, officials said. The idea of NATO buying weapons from the U.S. -- which President Donald Trump said he supports -- comes after months of uncertainty about Ukraine's ability to fend off Russia's brutal air assaults without sophisticated U.S. air defenses. Still unclear, though, is if the U.S. plans to pull weapons systems from its own military stocks to sell to European allies – an approach that would help Ukraine in the near term. Defense officials, however, have recently expressed previous concerns that the U.S. supply of some weapons could be too low. MORE: 70% of children in Ukraine don't have access to basic goods, services: UNICEF A senior NATO military official and a second U.S. official confirmed that discussions were underway on how to make the idea work. "President [Donald] Trump has spoken about this, not just with the press, but with the NATO Secretary General, who is working with Allies to get Ukraine the help they need," the senior NATO military official told ABC News. "This includes urgent efforts to procure key supplies from the U.S., including air defense and ammunition." The official added that "NATO has effective mechanisms in place to make something like this possible." MORE: Rubio meets with Russia's Lavrov after Trump criticizes Putin According to a U.S. official, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte held a conference call on Friday with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine and Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the top military commander for U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, to discuss possible ways to provide the aid. In an interview with NBC News on Thursday, Trump suggested the concept of selling weapons to NATO was a done deal. "We're sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%," he said, adding that an announcement on Russia was expected Monday. Speaking at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested one option could be for Europeans to ship their own air defense systems to Ukraine now and purchase replacements from the U.S. Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was "actively working" with Germany to "speed up decisions" on receiving the air defense systems Ukraine needs. Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was scheduled to visit the Pentagon for talks with Hegseth on Monday. ABC's Hannah Demissie and Chris Boccia contributed to this report.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US, NATO officials discuss possible weapons sales to aid Ukraine
United States military and NATO officials are discussing a possible plan that could be unveiled in the coming days that would provide Ukraine with much-needed aerial defense weapons, including Patriot systems, by funneling U.S. weapons through the European alliance, officials said. The idea of NATO buying weapons from the U.S. -- which President Donald Trump said he supports -- comes after months of uncertainty about Ukraine's ability to fend off Russia's brutal air assaults without sophisticated U.S. air defenses. Still unclear, though, is if the U.S. plans to pull weapons systems from its own military stocks to sell to European allies – an approach that would help Ukraine in the near term. Defense officials, however, have recently expressed previous concerns that the U.S. supply of some weapons could be too low. MORE: 70% of children in Ukraine don't have access to basic goods, services: UNICEF A senior NATO military official and a second U.S. official confirmed that discussions were underway on how to make the idea work. "President [Donald] Trump has spoken about this, not just with the press, but with the NATO Secretary General, who is working with Allies to get Ukraine the help they need," the senior NATO military official told ABC News. "This includes urgent efforts to procure key supplies from the U.S., including air defense and ammunition." The official added that "NATO has effective mechanisms in place to make something like this possible." MORE: Rubio meets with Russia's Lavrov after Trump criticizes Putin According to a U.S. official, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte held a conference call on Friday with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine and Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the top military commander for U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, to discuss possible ways to provide the aid. In an interview with NBC News on Thursday, Trump suggested the concept of selling weapons to NATO was a done deal. "We're sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%," he said, adding that an announcement on Russia was expected Monday. Speaking at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested one option could be for Europeans to ship their own air defense systems to Ukraine now and purchase replacements from the U.S. Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was "actively working" with Germany to "speed up decisions" on receiving the air defense systems Ukraine needs. Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was scheduled to visit the Pentagon for talks with Hegseth on Monday. ABC's Hannah Demissie and Chris Boccia contributed to this report.
Russia Today
07-07-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Ukraine's secret wish list of German arms exposed
Ukraine has submitted to Germany a 'secret list' containing a broad array of advanced weapons that it wishes to obtain, Bild has reported, citing a copy obtained by the outlet. Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Berlin has been the second largest supplier of arms to Kiev, surpassed only by the US. In an article on Sunday, Bild claimed that the list is divided into three categories: air defense, armored vehicles, and electronic warfare. According to the tabloid, the requested weapons are worth billions of euros, though it is not clear at this point whether Berlin will fulfill Kiev's supposed wish list. The media outlet reported that while anonymous 'military circles and industry have confirmed the existence of the list,' a spokesperson for Germany's Defense Ministry declined to comment on the matter. Among the weapons requested are 1,500 medium-range and 500 short-range missiles for various modifications of the German-made Iris-T air defense system, Bild claimed. Ukraine is also reportedly seeking 1,200 mine-protected and tracked vehicles, plus an additional 200 off-road vehicles. Kiev's wish list also includes 1,000 GPS jammers and 200 mobile surveillance radars, according to the outlet. Last week, Bild, citing unnamed sources, claimed that Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government had quietly approached US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in June at the behest of Ukrainian officials. According to the media outlet, Kiev hoped that Washington would agree to a deal under which Berlin would purchase two US-made Patriot air defense systems that would subsequently be handed over to Ukraine. Speaking last Friday, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius acknowledged that 'intensive discussions' were taking place between Berlin and Washington regarding such an arrangement. In May, Germany's Defense Ministry announced that it would provide €5 billion ($5.6 billion) to 'finance the production of long-range weapon systems in Ukraine.' Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned the decision, saying that Germany is 'competing with France for primacy in further provoking war.' Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov similarly stated that Berlin's 'direct involvement in the war is now obvious.' 'Germany is sliding down the same slippery slope it already followed a couple of times in the last century – down toward its own collapse,' the diplomat warned in late May. Moscow has consistently condemned Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, arguing that they fuel more bloodshed and obstruct peace efforts.
