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Editor's note：
Around the world, nations spare no efforts in developing new weaponry to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. Here are some of this year's high-profile military events, and a panorama of stealth aircraft around the world.
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Test flight of stealth jet reported
China staged a test flight of its first stealth fighter jet on January 11, 2011, according to online news sites and Internet blogs. Although the government and the military have yet to formally confirm the news, an official seemed to corroborate it. Full Story |
Russia's fifth-generation fighter T-50
The T-50 is the domestic name of Russia's fifth-generation fighter plane which has been developed as the Advanced Front-Line Aviation Complex (PAK FA) for Russia's Air Force. Full Story |
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US F-35 Lightning II
The F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), integrates advanced very low observable stealth into a supersonic, highly agile 5th generation fighter. Full Story
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US Air Force F-22 Raptor
The sophisticated F-22 aerodesign, advanced flight controls, thrust vectoring, and high thrust-to-weight ratio provide the capability to outmaneuver all current and projected aircraft. Full Story |
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US military budget near record level
Analysts warned that instability may increase in the Asia-Pacific region if the US Congress approves the nation's increased defense budget. It is set to increase by $4.2 billion from the level the Obama administration requested for the 2011 fiscal year. Full Story
US raises military profile in East Asia
Two Thai F-16 jet fighters crashed on February 14 during military exercises involving the United States and six other nations in Thailand.Despite the accident, the 12-day exercises, code-named Cobra Gold, will continue until Feb 18. The maneuvers are just one of the many joint military exercises the US has held with nations in the Asia-Pacific region to show off its presence and military strength in the area, experts said. Full Story
US navy unveils unmanned jet
The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) aircraft made by Northrop Grumman completed its historic first flight out of Edwards Air Force Base, Calif, on Feb 4. The X-47B boasts stealth features, with a shape that makes it difficult to track in the sky. The Navy is hoping the unmanned craft will allow aircraft carriers to remain farther out at sea, away from land-based missile systems, while launching air strikes and reconnaissance missions. Full Story
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NATO says Russian military in poor state
NATO was not impressed by Russia's military performance after two large maneuvers in 2009 because its forces relied on aging equipment, lacked transport and suffered from manpower shortages, according to a leaked US diplomatic cable. Full Story
Russia can detect missiles launch from foreign bases
Russia's early warning system is capable of detecting the launch of missiles from foreign bases, a senior official from Russia's Space Forces said on February 15.
Sergei Lobov, deputy commander of the Russian Space Forces, told local media that Russia's early warning systems were even able to detect missiles launches from the United States. Full Story
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Japan, US discuss exporting sea-based missile system
Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa and US Defense Secretary Robert Gates met on January 13 to talk about a number of issues, including the possible provision to third countries of the US-Japan jointly developed sea-based missile shield system.
In an effort to reduce the base-holding burden of the people of Okinawa, Kitazawa explained to Nakaima that moving some of the drills out of Okinawa would reduce the noise caused by such exercises. Full Story
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Japan to move some F-15 drills to Guam
Japan's Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa told Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima on January 20 that Guam will play host to some of the US military drills, including those by F-15 fighter jets currently based in Japan's southernmost prefecture.
Kitazawa explained to Nakaima that moving some of the drills out of Okinawa would reduce the noise caused by such exercises. Full story
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ROK, US to hold annual military drills
South Korean and US forces will stage annual military exercises starting later this month in the allies' latest show of force, the Combined Forces Command (CFC) here said on February 15.
The exercises are aimed at enhancing defense posture against "any potential contingency that could arise" on the divided Korean peninsula. Full Story
ROK seeks longer-range missiles - report
South Korea is seeking clearance from the United States to make its own ballistic missile capable of hitting the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the South's Yonhap news agency quoted a government official as saying on January 19. Full Story
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Iran to unveil project soon to 'surprise world'
Chief of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said Wednesday that IRGC will unveil a project soon to "surprise the world," the force's website Sepahnews reported.
In the near future, the miracle-like project will be unveiled and inaugurated which will surprise the world,Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the chief commander of IRGC was quoted as saying.
Jafari made the remarks at a celebration held by IRGC here to mark the victory of Islamic revolution 32 years ago. Full Story
Israel's top spy: Iran bomb possible in 2 years
Sanctions have not held up Iran's nuclear programme and it could produce bombs within two years, Israel's new top spy said on January 25, staking out a conservative timeline in the face of rosier US assessments.
The remarks by Major-General Aviv Kochavi, chief of military intelligence, also appeared aimed at asserting authority over the rival Israeli espionage agency Mossad, whose departing chief said this month Iran might not have nuclear arms before 2015. Full Story
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Pakistan army says missile test is successful
Pakistan's military says it has successfully test-fired a cruise missile capable of carrying "strategic and conventional" war heads.
An army statement says the Hatf-VII or Babur missile, which has a range of 360 miles (600 kilometers), was test-fired from an undisclosed location on February 10. Full Story
India to buy 6 next generation subs
The Indian Navy said on February 16 that it would issue a global tender for acquiring at least six next generation submarines worth over 500 billion rupees ($10 billion) by this year-end.
"The government has cleared Project-75 India which is the next lot of six submarines..." Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma told the media. Full Story |
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