Latest news with #UnitedStatesArmyPacific
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
US debuts hypersonic missile in Australia. Is it a deterrent against China?
The US appears to be strengthening its allied deterrence against China by deploying its Dark Eagle hypersonic missile, a move that could 'further intensify' regional rivalry, Chinese experts have warned. The United States Army Pacific, a service component for America's Indo-Pacific Command, confirmed on the weekend that it had deployed a Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system – commonly referred to as Dark Eagle – to Australia's Northern Territory as part of the three-week Talisman Sabre 2025 military exercise that wrapped up on Monday. It was the first time that the weapon had been used overseas and beyond the continental US. 'The deployment of the LRHW system to Australia is a major milestone for the army and demonstrates our ability to rapidly deploy and operate advanced capabilities in support of our allies and partners,' Wade Germann, commander of the Hawaii-based 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force which transported the weapon to Australia, said on Sunday. As a land-based, manoeuvrable missile system, Dark Eagle can travel at over 6,100km/h (3,800mph) and strike targets more than 2,700km (1,700 miles) away. The US deployment of the weapon showed a 'flexing of military muscle', according to Xin Qiang, deputy director of the Centre for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai. He said the move indicated the importance that Washington attached to the US-Australia alliance, including its readiness to strengthen defence coordination and security cooperation with Canberra. Xin expected that the deployment was unlikely to have a direct impact on China. He said many US actions had targeted China in recent years, including the Aukus trilateral security partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom. 'I'm afraid that is also the main intention of the US [this time] – to exert a certain deterrence against China, to demonstrate the unity and interoperability of its alliances, as well as the credibility of its stated security commitment to the region – to project this posture and attitude,' he said. Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Centre at East China Normal University in Shanghai, said the US had been steadily cultivating and shaping Australia into a key military hub for American forces since the US began advancing its Indo-Pacific strategy. With the LRHW deployment, the US was seeking to comprehensively and gradually improve Australia's long-range strike ability, he said. He said he expected that Washington aimed to turn the South Pacific nation into a potential launch pad for future military action against China. 'Australia has not only already been a tool of the US Indo-Pacific strategy, but is increasingly becoming both a strategic and tactical weapon for Washington across multiple aspects,' Chen said. The overseas deployment of the hypersonic missile system is another example of Washington ratcheting up its force projection in the Asia-Pacific region. The US deployed a Typhon missile system – also known as the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) system – in the Philippines last year, with the weapon apparently remaining in the Southeast Asian country, drawing repeated criticism from Beijing. Xin, from Fudan, expected that China would be vigilant about the US deployment of Dark Eagle, although he also said China's own development of hypersonic weapons had been rapid in recent years. He said US military deployments in the Philippines and Japan, as well as Washington's policy statements on the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, targeted Beijing. 'I think China will certainly maintain a high level of alertness and attention to this,' Xin said. 'The military and security rivalry or competition between China and the US in the Indo-Pacific is likely to further intensify.' Zhou Bo, a retired senior colonel in the People's Liberation Army, said the inclusion of Dark Eagle in the Talisman Sabre 2025 exercise carried symbolic weight, as the weapon could reach China's periphery. If the missile, with a range of around 2,720km, were placed at Steep Point, mainland Australia's westernmost location, it could strike as far as the James Shoal in the South China Sea, said Zhou, who is also a senior fellow in the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University. Still, he said, the weapon was unlikely to be the 'game changer' the US military had described, given that China's DF-17 hypersonic missile had a comparable range and the DF-27 could reach up to 8,000km – far surpassing that of the LRHW. 'In terms of weapons comparison, it's not a case of them having something we don't. What we have may even be better than theirs,' he said. He also noted that the weapon's use in the Talisman Sabre 2025 exercise would not guarantee its future stationing in Australia, and that it was difficult to conclude whether Canberra would approve its use on Australian territory during wartime. Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation analyst and former member of the air force, also expected that deploying Dark Eagle in Australia was of little threat to China. 'Even if it were to pose a threat, we have corresponding countermeasures,' he said. The latest Talisman Sabre drill, a biennial event involving more than 40,000 troops from the US, Australia and 17 other nations this year, started on July 13 while the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, was in China. In recent years, Australia has increased its military presence in the South China Sea, while China's surprise live-fire naval drills in international waters of the Tasman Sea earlier this year drew protests from Canberra. Meanwhile, Canberra is also facing growing pressure from Washington on defence matters. The Pentagon has reportedly urged both Australia and Japan to clarify their positions in the event of a conflict with Beijing over Taiwan. 'What makes us alert and concerned is that there seems to be an increasingly evident rift or divergence between Canberra's diplomatic and military spheres,' Chen said. He said the Albanese government's efforts to improve relations with China through diplomacy continued to be undermined – or sabotaged – by its defence and security sectors. 'If the Albanese government succumbs to pressure and political inducements from the US military and Australia's domestic China hawks, the hard-won progress in China-Australia bilateral relations could be damaged, or even lost entirely,' he said. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Scoop
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
US And NZ Army Leaders Strengthen Strategic Partnership
United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) Commanding General, General Ronald P. Clark, met this week with New Zealand Chief of Army, Major General Rose King, to reaffirm the strong and enduring military relationship between the two nations and advance efforts to bolster security cooperation, readiness, and interoperability across the Indo-Pacific region. Over the course of the senior leaders' and their delegations meeting in Wellington, as well as a visit to the NZ Army's training and cultural home in Waiouru, the deepening defence relationship was reflected between both countries, rooted in shared democratic values and more than a century of military cooperation dating back to the First World War. 'Our armies have stood side by side in every major conflict of the past century,' said General Clark. 'Today, that legacy continues as we build the integrated landpower network required to meet today's challenges and preserve peace in the Indo-Pacific.' Their meeting underscored not only the historical depth of the US–New Zealand Army partnership, but also the shared commitment to preparing their forces for the challenges of a rapidly evolving regional security environment. 'New Zealand values its close and enduring relationship with the US Army,' said Major General Rose King. 'Our cooperation is not just historical - it's operational, forward-looking, and grounded in trust. Together, we are preparing our forces to meet shared challenges across the region with agility, adaptability and purpose.' Discussions focused on building further interoperability, advancing combined readiness initiatives, and the US Army's recent transformation efforts. The leaders emphasised the critical role both armies play in shaping a free and open Indo-Pacific, especially as the region faces evolving threats and strategic competition. The meeting occurred as both nations' armies participated in Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia, where close to 700 New Zealand Defence Force troops trained alongside US, Australian, and other allied forces. The exercise demonstrated growing interoperability across air, land, maritime, cyber, and space domains. Major General King highlighted NewZealand's commitment to maintaining a modern, combat-ready force capable of deploying globally and regionally. The New Zealand Army - 4,200 active and 2,000 reserve soldiers strong – regularly integrates seamlessly with allied partners across combined missions and operations, supports United Nations peacekeeping operations and delivers humanitarian assistance across the Pacific when called upon. 'We know that we can't contribute mass and scale, but we pride ourselves on the quality of our soldiers and our leaders, who regularly deploy to, and add significant value to multinational deployments and operations,' Major General King said. 'To that end, it's been great to be able to share some insight with General Clark and his team around how we go about training our people.' As part of its publicly announced modernisation efforts through the New Zealand Government's Defence Capability Plan, the New Zealand Army is pursuing upgrades to its Javelin anti-tank missile system, investing in a Network Enabled Army to improve its digital communications and command-and-control interoperability, and planning the replacement of aging vehicle fleets to enhance mobility and sustainment in the field. 'New Zealand is a stalwart partner in the Pacific,' said General Clark. 'Whether in exercises like Talisman Sabre or standing shoulder to shoulder in peacekeeping operations, our soldiers share trust built on action, not just words.' This sentiment was echoed by Major General King, who emphasised the operational value of combined training and the practical steps both armies are taking to improve regional preparedness. 'Participating in Talisman Sabre alongside US and Australian forces showcases our commitment to operational readiness and deepening interoperability,' said Major General King. 'These exercises strengthen our collective capability to respond quickly and effectively in the region—whether in conflict, crisis, or humanitarian need.' Both generals acknowledged the strategic importance of the Pacific Islands region and affirmed their role in promoting regional security, development, and sovereignty. This visit underscored the enduring strength of the US–New Zealand partnership - one forged in the trenches of the First World War, battle-tested in the Pacific during the Second World War, and reaffirmed today through shared purpose and mutual respect.
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH, US armies close Salaknib Exercise 2025
The Philippine Army and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) on Monday concluded this year's Salaknib exercise in a ceremony at Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. In a statement, the Philippine Army said its chief Lieutenant General Roy Galido served as the guest of honor and speaker for the event. 'This milestone is a reflection of our nation's growing synergy and improving partnership for months of intensive training and cooperation,' Galido said. According to Galido, Salaknib is a strategic platform for building resilience, enhancing interoperability, and fostering deeper institutional partnerships that will serve as a force multiplier in addressing both conventional and non-conventional security threats. 'This is about strengthening trusts, capability and ensuring that we stand brave in our shared resolve,' he said. Salaknib commenced last March 24. The Phases I and II of the exercise featured activities on humanitarian civil assistance, information operations, counterintelligence and protection, foundational warfighting tactics, maritime key terrain security, and counter-landing operations. The Salaknib exercise is an Army-to-Army theater security cooperation exercise between the Philippine Army and USARPAC. According to the Philippine Army, the exercise aims to enhance Philippines and US defense readiness through development of tactical interoperability while simultaneously strengthening bilateral relationships. —Joviland Rita/RF, GMA Integrated News
Voice of America
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
Top US general in Asia begins 2-day visit to Cambodia
The top U.S. Army officer for the Asia-Pacific region began a two-day visit to Cambodia Monday in a trip designed to expand and improve frayed ties between the two nations. General Ronald P. Clark, the commanding general of the United States Army Pacific met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and senior Cambodian military officials in Phnom Penh. Ties between the U.S. and Cambodia have been strained with Washington's criticism of Cambodia's political repression and human rights violations. However, the U.S. and other countries are also greatly concerned with Cambodia's close ties with China. Of special interest is China's access to the Ream Naval Base near the disputed South China Sea, a waterway China claims almost in full. In 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague rejected China's sweeping claims. The naval base is strategically located in the Gulf of Thailand, which borders the western section of the South China Sea. The base's renovation was funded by China. China has contributed massive amounts of money to Cambodia's updating of its infrastructure with the help beginning when the prime minister's father, Hun Sen, was leading the country. That funding continues and later Monday, Manet met with Yin LI, a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, according to a post on the prime minister's Telegram account. The post said the Li praised the progress on 'all cooperation in all fields' between Cambodia and China. During the meeting, Clark also expressed his admiration for Cambodia for sending U.N. peacekeepers to several international locations, according to the prime minister's office. The prime minister also thanked the U.S. for its assistance in helping to clear explosives from Cambodia after years of war that left Cambodia in the late 1990s with 4 million to 6 million land mines and other unexploded ordnance, including unexploded U.S. bombs. Clark also met Monday with General Mao Sophan, Cambodia's military chef. The two military generals had 'constructive discussions,' the army said in a statement. Topics of their talks included defense, trade, tourism, counterterrorism, peacekeeping and demining, the Cambodian army said. Their discussion also included the possible revival of the Angkor Sentinel exercise, the joint military exercises previously held by the U.S. and Cambodia that were abandoned nearly 10 years ago, the army said. Some information provided by The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Top US general in Asia-Pacific visits Cambodia to boost relations
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — The top U.S. Army officer for the Asia-Pacific region was in Cambodia on Monday in the latest visit by U.S. officials aimed at improving estranged ties between the two nations and their militaries. The two-day visit by a delegation led by Gen. Ronald P. Clark, commanding general of the United States Army Pacific, comes against a background of rocky relations with Cambodia, whose government Washington has long criticized for political repression and human rights violations. There is also particular concern about its close ties with China. The United States and others fear that China's navy may have been given exclusive access to a base at Ream on the Gulf of Thailand, which would allow it to more easily project its power from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. China is Cambodia's most important ally and benefactor, with a strong influence on its economy. A Cambodian army press release said the country's military chief Gen. Mao Sophan in his meeting with Clark discussed cooperation in defense, trade, tourism, culture, counterterrorism, peacekeeping and demining as well as the recovery of missing American military personnel during the Vietnam War. The two also discussed the possible resumption of the joint Angkor Sentinel military exercises, last held in 2016. A statement issued by Prime Minister Hun Manet said the U.S. general expressed his interest and appreciation for Cambodia sending U.N. peacekeepers to several countries around the world. Hun Manet thanked the U.S. government for supporting Cambodia in clearing unexploded ordnance. Decades of war that ended in the late 1990s left 4 million to 6 million land mines and other unexploded munitions, including U.S. bombs.
