Latest news with #livefire
South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Tensions along Thailand-Cambodia border boil over as soldiers open fire
Read more here: Thai and Cambodian forces exchanged live fire in at least six locations along their disputed border on July 24, 2025. At least 9 Thai civilians were killed in the conflict, and the Thai air force has bombed Cambodian military positions along the disputed border. Both sides blamed each other for starting the conflict. The clashes came after weeks of heightened tensions between the neighbouring countries over ownership of a temple complex in a disputed border territory.
The Independent
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Army secretary wants to move more quickly on an agreement for Hawaii live-fire training lands
The U.S. Army's top civilian leader said Tuesday that he wants to move more quickly on an agreement that will allow the military to continue using the only large-scale live-fire training range for ground forces in Hawaii. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said he discussed the issue during a meeting with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Monday. The Army leases a key part of Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island from the state and its contract to do so expires in 2029. It wants to be able to continue using the land so it can quickly send troops from Hawaii to Asia and the Pacific, something that is growing in importance as China becomes more assertive particularly regarding Taiwan. A May public hearing on whether to extend the lease generated hours of testimony against allowing the Army to stay. Many Native Hawaiians and environmental activists upset with the U.S. military's history of damaging Hawaiian lands with target practice and fuel leaks said they wanted the Army to return the land to the state. Driscoll told reporters the Army needs the Pohakuloa land, which sits on a rocky plateau about 6,200 feet (1,890 meters) above sea level between the Big Island's tallest volcanoes, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. 'The world is changing. We all know this. The threat in Indo-Pacom is more real than ever before,' Driscoll told reporters, referring to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which overseas military operations in Asia and the Pacific. He said he wanted a more aggressive timeline 'to bake out these negotiations in the coming months, rather than waiting until 2027, 2028 and 2029.' 'This land matters the United States Army. We have got to be able to train here.' Driscoll said. Driscoll said he asked Green's office to give the Army a list within the next few weeks of things the Army can do to help the community. 'What we are hoping to do is figure out ways where we, the Army, can continue to contribute to a community that has given so much to our Army and so much to our nation, while at the same time acknowledging the very real world threat that we are facing in the Indo-Pacific,' Driscoll said. The Army says other live-fire training areas in Hawaii are too small to accommodate battalions and brigades. And commanders say they wouldn't be able to deter potential adversaries in the Indo-Pacific if they have to spend extra time transporting troops to the region from U.S. mainland training ranges. Green said he spent significant time on Monday speaking with Driscoll and his team. "We will be exploring possibilities on the military leases together in the coming days and weeks, and he now better understands how important it is to us to work together for the good of Hawaii's people and our land, while we all work together protect our country,' Green said in a statement. The governor said he updated Hawaii's congressional delegation on the meetings. Green said he would get the community's input 'as we move forward.' U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, a Democrat whose district includes rural Oahu and the Big Island, has said she wants the military to help increase Hawaii's housing supply and bolster Hawaii's water and sewer infrastructure. Driscoll visited Hawaii during a Pacific trip that will also include stops in Australia and the Philippines. He spoke to journalists in front of two HIMARS rocket launchers, which are designed to deliver precision strikes to long-range targets. Hawaii-based soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division are due to receive 16 of the launchers, which the U.S. also supplied to Ukraine to help it defend against Russia's invasion.
Associated Press
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Army secretary wants to move more quickly on an agreement for Hawaii live-fire training lands
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (AP) — The U.S. Army's top civilian leader said Tuesday that he wants to move more quickly on an agreement that will allow the military to continue using the only large-scale live-fire training range for ground forces in Hawaii. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said he discussed the issue during a meeting with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Monday. The Army leases a key part of Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island from the state and its contract to do so expires in 2029. It wants to be able to continue using the land so it can quickly send troops from Hawaii to Asia and the Pacific, something that is growing in importance as China becomes more assertive particularly regarding Taiwan. A May public hearing on whether to extend the lease generated hours of testimony against allowing the Army to stay. Many Native Hawaiians and environmental activists upset with the U.S. military's history of damaging Hawaiian lands with target practice and fuel leaks said they wanted the Army to return the land to the state. Driscoll told reporters the Army needs the Pohakuloa land, which sits on a rocky plateau about 6,200 feet (1,890 meters) above sea level between the Big Island's tallest volcanoes, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. 'The world is changing. We all know this. The threat in Indo-Pacom is more real than ever before,' Driscoll told reporters, referring to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which overseas military operations in Asia and the Pacific. He said he wanted a more aggressive timeline 'to bake out these negotiations in the coming months, rather than waiting until 2027, 2028 and 2029.' 'This land matters the United States Army. We have got to be able to train here.' Driscoll said. Driscoll said he asked Green's office to give the Army a list within the next few weeks of things the Army can do to help the community. 'What we are hoping to do is figure out ways where we, the Army, can continue to contribute to a community that has given so much to our Army and so much to our nation, while at the same time acknowledging the very real world threat that we are facing in the Indo-Pacific,' Driscoll said. The Army says other live-fire training areas in Hawaii are too small to accommodate battalions and brigades. And commanders say they wouldn't be able to deter potential adversaries in the Indo-Pacific if they have to spend extra time transporting troops to the region from U.S. mainland training ranges. Green said he spent significant time on Monday speaking with Driscoll and his team. 'We will be exploring possibilities on the military leases together in the coming days and weeks, and he now better understands how important it is to us to work together for the good of Hawaii's people and our land, while we all work together protect our country,' Green said in a statement. The governor said he updated Hawaii's congressional delegation on the meetings. Green said he would get the community's input 'as we move forward.' U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, a Democrat whose district includes rural Oahu and the Big Island, has said she wants the military to help increase Hawaii's housing supply and bolster Hawaii's water and sewer infrastructure. Driscoll visited Hawaii during a Pacific trip that will also include stops in Australia and the Philippines. He spoke to journalists in front of two HIMARS rocket launchers, which are designed to deliver precision strikes to long-range targets. Hawaii-based soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division are due to receive 16 of the launchers, which the U.S. also supplied to Ukraine to help it defend against Russia's invasion.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Chinese military's self-propelled howitzers deliver high-precision fire at high-altitude
Reports indicate that China recently conducted a live-fire artillery exercise at high altitude using the PCL-181 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. The drill supposedly took place in rugged mountainous terrain under harsh conditions. These include thin air, cold weather, and steep slopes, all of which are most likely to be found in or near the Tibetan Plateau or the Xinjiang region, which border India. The test is being seen as a critical development as traditional artillery often struggles at high altitudes, owing to distinct lack of oxygen, which impacts both engines and ballistics. Such conditions also pose logistical challenges to military operations, notwithstanding the rough terrain. To this end, the test demonstrates that the PCL-181 can fire accurately and move quickly in these challenging environments, a significant development for not only China but all armed forces around the world. Developed by the Chinese Defense Company NORINCO, China's PCL-181 is a modern artillery system introduced in 2019 that fires 155mm NATO-standard shells up to 25 miles (40 km). The howitzer is mounted on a wheeled 6x6 truck, not a tank-like track system, making it faster, lighter, and more mobile. Its mount enables the gun to allegedly travel at speeds of over 56 mph (90 kph) with an operational range of more than 373 miles (600 kilometers). The howitzer platform can carry 27 rounds of ammunition. It can allegedly deliver a firing rate of four to six rounds per minute, supported by a semi-automatic loading mechanism that reduces crew fatigue and accelerates fire missions. The weapon system features advanced targeting systems, satellite navigation, digital communications, and auto-loading capabilities, requiring less manpower and delivering greater precision. It can also reposition and fire within three minutes, making it harder for the enemy to detect and destroy. According to reports, the PCL-181 is being deployed in areas like Xinjiang and Tibet. The move is believed to reflect China's push to improve its military readiness along the India border, especially after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. Historically, towed artillery has dominated there. That said, the PCL-181 can drive itself into place much faster, crucial in remote or mountainous areas. The weapon is also part of a broader Chinese strategy to digitize and modernize its military, focusing on rapid deployment, precision strikes, coordination with drones and satellite data, and survivability in contested zones. Looking at the bigger picture, China is building forces that are better suited for fast, modern warfighting, not just static defense. To this end, the PCL-181 can also be deployed rapidly to Taiwan, the South China Sea, or Central Asia. The tests also reflect a trend whereby China wants artillery that can act as both a frontline hammer and a strategic deterrent. In this sense, the PCL-181 is more than a new gun, it's a sign of China's military moving toward high-tech, mobile, and networked warfare especially in rough and contested environments, such as the Himalayas. The recent high-altitude test was both a technical validation and a political signal.
South China Morning Post
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Taiwan holds largest and longest-ever annual military exercise
Read more: Taiwan's military has live-streamed drills featuring live-fire operations using its new M1A2T Abrams tanks on the second day of its largest and longest-ever annual military exercise. The 41st edition of the Han Kuang exercise marks a significant departure from previous years, both in scale and duration. The 10-day, round-the-clock war game, which started on July 9, 2025, is designed to reflect a more realistic and protracted cross-strait conflict scenario.
