Defense

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo, where the two nations agreed to strengthen defense and economic ties. The agreement came after Starmer's visit to China, which had drawn warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump. Both leaders emphasized building an even deeper partnership in the coming years.

January 31, 2026 An Ruwaito ta hanyar AI

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu-back agreed to conduct mutual visits every year during a meeting at the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture. They also pledged to promote exchanges between the Self-Defense Forces and the South Korean military and to cooperate on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence.

A South Korean government delegation led by President Lee Jae-myung's chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik departed for Toronto on January 26 to support the country's bid for Canada's submarine project valued at up to 60 trillion won. The consortium of Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is competing against Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, with Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan joining the mission.

January 25, 2026 An Ruwaito ta hanyar AI

The Pentagon's 2026 National Defense Strategy emphasizes South Korea's leading role in Korean Peninsula security, which the defense ministry welcomed. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun discussed with a US official the need to acquire nuclear-powered submarines to enhance deterrence and the alliance. This aligns with President Trump's 'America First' policy, pushing for stronger self-reliant defense in South Korea.

A special advisory committee on military reform has recommended establishing a joint operations command to prepare for the handover of wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington. The proposal aims to achieve the conditions-based transfer within President Lee Jae Myung's five-year term ending in 2030. The defense ministry plans to review and incorporate the committee's details into its reform policy.

January 19, 2026 An Ruwaito ta hanyar AI

The Philippine Navy's newest offshore patrol vessel, the future BRP Rajah Sulayman, arrived from South Korea on January 17, bolstering the service's expanding modern fleet. It was greeted by the BRP Jose Rizal in waters off Zambales as part of standard naval protocols. The ship will now undergo post-delivery activities and technical checks before formal commissioning.