Military & Security Latest

The US Navy awarded a US$39.6 million contract on September 28 for three second-hand extended-range King Air 350-series aircraft for the Philippine Coast Guard, two of them modified for improved surveillance. The aircraft will be fitted with extended-range fuel systems and upgraded avionics, giving Manila greater reach and endurance to monitor Chinese coastguard, naval and research vessels across the South China Sea.

The European Parliament voted on Wednesday for a significantly tougher China position, calling Beijing a decisive enabler of Russia and urging continuous European naval presence and joint exercises in and around the Taiwan Strait. The chamber also called for swift action to counter Beijing's industrial policy, which it described as an existential threat.

Japan and the US will conduct expanded military exercises near Taiwan from October 19 to 29, with about 45,000 Japanese personnel, 6,100 vehicles, 40 ships and 260 aircraft, up from 33,000 personnel, 30 ships and 250 aircraft in 2024. Analysts say the exercises could complicate Beijing's planning for a Taiwan or East China Sea conflict.

The Pentagon announced a new initiative worth around US$350 million aimed at maintaining American leadership in quantum computing capabilities. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defence for Research and Engineering said the funding addresses accelerating competition between the US and China over military applications of advanced technology.

Cybersecurity researchers from Asia, Europe and the U.S. identified malware in Pinduoduo, a Chinese e-commerce app with 750 million monthly users, that can monitor activities on other apps, read messages and change settings. The app exploited dozens of Android vulnerabilities to collect user data without consent. Google suspended Pinduoduo from its Play Store in March. A company source said a 100-person team developed the exploits to boost sales before being disbanded in early March.