Indicative of where the FY25 budget is likely to land. For all the talk from Congressional leaders about breaching the FRA budget caps, we're most likely to see a reshuffling of the administration's request than any massive top-line increases.

news.usni.org/2024/05/13/has…

DoD has released its Regional Sustainment Framework, essentially a strategy to leverage in-theatre maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities (incl. those of 🇺🇸 allies/partners) to improve readiness and to meet the challenges of contested logistics.defense.gov/News/Releases/…

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Nikkei reports that ex-LDP Secretary General Ishiba Shigeru met with ex-PM Koizumi Junichiro, Yamazaki Taku, Kamei Shizuka, and others. Koizumi reportedly told the group that his son would not run for president until he turns 50 (currently 43).

nikkei.com/article/DGXZQO…

Missed this last month, but Japan and India jointly planned and conducted bilateral anti-submarine warfare and maritime reconnaissance operations (🇯🇵P-1 + 🇮🇳P-8I) out of Atsugi, Kanto last month. Is this the first time that a P-8I has operated out of Japan?mod.go.jp/msdf/sf/englis…

An MSDF replenishment vessel services HMAS Hobart – the 🇦🇺 destroyer on the receiving end of unprofessional behaviour by a 🇨🇳 fighter jet last week – during Exercise Trident 24-1 (and, presumably, as a continuation of UNSC sanctions enforcement activities against 🇰🇵).

A big step forward in 🇺🇸🇵🇭🇰🇷economic ties, as President @BongbongMarcos joined American investment firm Cerberus and Korean company Hyundai to announce the return of shipbuilding to Subic Bay! #PartnersInProsperity

'Chinese exporters are openly engaging in trade with Russia, even in areas subject to export controls, while few other countries have been willing to report trade data in circumvention of the Western restrictions.'

carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia…

The Biden administration is working on a plan to send a Patriot air-defense battery and radars to Ukraine, sources say, as the country comes under intensifying Russian aerial assaults. trib.al/gXEO5mQ

'F-18 and the latest F-35 fighter jet models stationed at U.S. bases are serviced and repaired in Japan. Tokyo plans to add the F-15 and F-16 capability in 2025 at the earliest, and to tap Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and IHI as service providers.'

asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defen…

🇰🇷 HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and 🇺🇸 Cerberus will collaborate on Agila Subic Shipyard to bolster 🇵🇭 shipbuilding capacity.

“We will have a fresh start & a strong foundation in realizing our vision to be amongst the largest & most consequential shipbuilders in the world”-Marcos

Data decoupling: ‘China is expected to see only three cables laid after this year — fewer than half the number planned for Singapore.’

More subsea cables bypass China as Sino-U.S. tensions grow asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Data…

Excellent piece from Justin Burke - in a nutshell, 'Australia’s aircraft are being targeted because of their crucial role in submarine detection and the undersea balance of power.'

lowyinstitute.org/the-interprete…

Interesting. 🇰🇵 has criticised 🇦🇺 after the 🇦🇺🇨🇳 encounter last week, alleging that 🇦🇺 actions pose 'a visible threat' to the 'maritime and air security of a surrounding country' and the 'peace and security in the Korean peninsula and the Asia-Pacific'.9news.com.au/national/north…

'Japan's parliament on Friday enacted revised laws to set up a joint command headquarters for the Self-Defense Forces' ground, maritime and air units by the end of March 2025 to bolster new security domains such as cyberspace.'asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defen…

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/eye-on-c…

'A bill, introduced by Republicans Mitt Romney, Bill Hagerty and Jim Risch, and Democrat Tim Kaine, would require the U.S. to coordinate a path forward for Japan's cooperation on advanced technology projects under the so-called Pillar 2 of AUKUS.' reuters.com/world/us-bill-…

트럼프 안보보좌관후보 '미군 韓주둔 불필요…인질로 둬선 안돼' m.yna.co.kr/view/AKR202405…

IMO, 'the core of Washington's foreign security policy in the Indo-Pacific' is actually the 🇦🇺🇯🇵🇺🇸 trilateral. Whether with 🇮🇳,🇵🇭, 🇰🇷 or others, it's the trilateral that is driving the operationalisation of a collective shaping and deterrence agenda.

asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Inter…

Unsafe and unprofessional interaction with PLA-Air Force |

There is no reason for a PLA aircraft to deploy flares in front of a Royal Australian Navy helo in the Yellow Sea. 🇦🇺 has clear rights of overflight. Another example of the #prc undermining #unclos

defence.gov.au/news-events/re…